February 10th Matchbox Ambassador Report, by Nigel Cooper…

• How will the Bulli be assembled? It has a rather famous and signature 2-tone body, so how would the top tone be integrated into the model? Or will it be left out?

• In answer to my previous question you said that later castings and wheels were used unless there were exceptional circumstances. Would you please explain why the new Ford Crown Vic Police car is shown with the old lightbar? The Vic was originally fitted with the older compact-strobe lightbars which were later replaced by an LED lightbar. Why have you reverted to the original lightbar with this new model?

• The small disc wheels were introduced in 2010 and suited many of the 2011 models that were fitted with them such as the MBX Mover, Monaco, Express Delivery. However, it appears that the ill-proportionate large disc wheels are now being fitted to several models. What is the reason for this?

• You replied that Matchbox does include in the range cars that Dads might drive.  Unless he works for the emergency services or drives a 4×4 with huge wheels, I can’t see it. The only common modern US cars made are Police cars such as the Charger, Crown Vic and Taurus. Not all Dads are policemen! Where are the civilian models of the above and cars such as Malibu, Focus, Impala, Cruze, Fiesta, Maxima, Accord and Dart? I would like to see some cars that drive along my street.

• Matchbox, since Hot Wheels is also owned by Mattel, Hot Wheels does a movie series called “RETRO ENTERTAINMENT”. That’s how Hot Wheels calls it when they have a series of cars from movies. So why can’t Matchbox do a series of movies cars or just themed models? Isn’t that a great idea?

• Would be possible to get some Swedish cars in the near future?  For example second gen SAAB 9000 Aero, or SAAB 9-3 Viggen, or 1977 SAAB 96, or the last SAAB 9-5. Volvo 244/245 or 242 Coupé, Volvo 780 Bertone Coupé, Volvo 850 T5-R, Volvo S80, or modified C30.

• When is the Matchbox company doing the 2013 Ford Explorer Police in its own police livery. You know the Ford Police Interceptor from the 2013 mainline? Its police livery says “Police Interceptor”, so why can’t we do that on the Explorer soon?

• Why is the Ford Crown Victoria still used as a fire chief vehicle when many fire chiefs have changed over to SUV & large vehicles such as command post type units? Don’t take it wrong as me not liking the model, because it does look good, I’m just wondering why a car’s still being used when SUV’s are becoming the common fire command unit.

• I like the GMC Pickup, but I wish that the construction-related design were removed and the GMC logo instead were printed on the front. I’ve been watching the Canadian TV series Heartland and noticed that the character Ty Borden drives a ’57 Stepside, and ever since, I’ve been wanting to see Matchbox do the ’57 Stepside in the paint scheme of his truck which is dark blue with a white grille and front bumper. Could this model be done in that paint scheme?

• I just picked up the Land Rover Defender. It is certainly an “Unstoppable” vehicle, and proves that it doesn’t have to be an odd fantasy vehicle. I’ve been wondering if Matchbox could do 5-packs containing emergency vehicles from one specific town or city. I would like to see a Case, Farmall, New Holland tractor in the basic range. Is there any chance?

• The Crown Victoria police, ah, again this casting. Love it, there’s nothing wrong with it too but a fire livery? I wish Matchbox could have done a “Fargo Police” police car livery on it instead. You know when the Ford Taurus police interceptor appeared. The first colour was the “Fargo police” livery, so how about that on the Crown Victoria?

Up first are 4 new 2014 tools. These are Matchbox originals that were first shown at the Gathering last year in New Mexico. These pre-production images are shown with permission from Mattel. First up is the Ground Grabber (aka Wheeled Excavator). It has a rotating cab and the shovel arm moves up and down. It will be in the Construction segment.

Next is the Acre Maker (aka Long Nosed Tractor). It has a tow hitch that will work with our farm trailer from Hitch n Haul. This is also in the Construction segment. Note that all heavy duty vehicles such as mining, farm, etc. are in this segment.

In the Heroic / Rescue Segment we have the new Sahara Sweeper (aka Military Dune Buggy).

These next 2 items are from the Mission Force Jungle Adventure pack for this year.

The same friend with somewhat forthright views last week picked out some of his favourite castings. He was also keen to stress that unpopular models were not limited to this century. You may remember these models from days gone by or you may have views now of what your least favourite models of the 1970s were. I would be pleased to hear your comments and whether you agree that these castings left much to be desired. I will try to show some colour schemes that were not chosen for release.

For instance, in 1970, the Draguar could be described as the very worst interpretation of the iconic “E” Type or XKE. I have no idea whether such a car was used for Hot Rodding, but the panoramic bubble window does nothing to enhance its lines or famous marque. The Draguar’s engine was eventually reduced in size and fitted to the Gruesome Twosome, Wildcat Dragster and Blue Shark. In 1970 only this model and the Road Dragster were overtly designed to compete with the outrageous styling of Hot Wheels.

The Mod Rod first saw the light of day in 1971 as an out and out generic invention. The red wheels were clearly intended to appeal to the younger collector but its success must have been limited as black wheels succeeded within the year. The current desirability of this model is mainly due to the fact that it is one of seven models fitted with the scorpion labels. Coincidentally, the red wheeled models today can command a substantial premium. Maybe the black windows shown above were an attempt to save costs by not fitting an interior, though all issued models were fitted with interiors. I don’t usually collect unpainted models but the images of the Mod Rod reflect early stages of the casting.

Although regular wheel Aveling Barford Road Rollers had been part of the miniature range from 1953 until early 1968 and were accurate representations, the Rod Roller of 1973, included an oversized seat and flame label. Nevertheless, play value was enhanced by virtue of a handle which steered the front roller but there was never an attempt to change the body colour.

Also during 1973 Lesney were busy designing and releasing their Rolamatic range of models. One of the first two available was the #39 Clipper. At the same time a Speed Kings version without the Rolamatic feature was released as the Shovel Nose, a far more apt name as after all there is nothing remotely attractive about a shovel. This model had the same problem as the Mod Rod, in that whilst it was supposedly designed to look sleek and aerodynamic, it was just too “heavy” looking. It featured exhaust pipes that moved up and down as the model was pushed along and an opening canopy, but it suffered from having no colour change during its six year life span. However, it was one of the first castings to be chosen for manufacture in Bulgaria and though it was not made for long, various colours do exist.

Still within the realm of 1973, Lesney designed a range of arguably unattractive chopper bikes, with an initial three released that year and with three more to follow. That they were not a great success is borne out by the fact that the subsequent releases never materialised, and that by the end of 1976 the initial three, the #38 Stingeroo, #49 Chop Suey, and #71 Jumbo Jet, had all been deleted. These models were very light as they were made up of a simple metal skeleton with plastic bases and forks, a plastic animal head and large plastic engines. The Jumbo Jet with its huge bulbous engine with stacks and an elephant’s head was particularly hideous – according to this collector! Nevertheless examples with chrome forks are highly sought after as they were only released for a very short time on the #38 and #49, and not at all with the #71, though a pre-production example is shown here. They are quite difficult to find today in mint condition, perhaps indicating that the children who owned these in the 1970s enjoyed playing with them or they were not robust enough to last through several decades.

Early in 1974 Lesney introduced three Rolamatics on a military theme, the #16 Badger, the #28 Stoat, and the curiously shaped #73 Weasel. This model had a snub nose, front headlights which resembled eyes, and a rear section that was significantly longer than the front, making the model look somewhat unbalanced. It did benefit from a bright metallic green body and base, but when this was changed to a military green colour with un-chromed wheels it instantly became one of the least desirable models in the range. It was unfortunate therefore that in the 1990s Tyco decided to re-release the decidedly unattractive Weasel, whilst the #16 and #28 which were far more deserving of a re-release were sadly allowed to languish and have never resurfaced in any guise.

Perhaps quite famous, or infamous, as a poor casting is the #75 Helicopter from 1976. Whilst designed to scale, it just looked like a model more suited to the range in the 1950s as it appeared extremely small. No attempt was made to enliven this model: it remained stubbornly white, usually with blue windows and a red base over a period in excess of five years. Although examples can be found with different window tints, this model would definitely have benefited from a bright metallic colour scheme to create some interest amongst children and collectors alike. It too was sent to Bulgaria and was made for less than a year. So far as I know it was only painted in metallic blue, gold and silver with either an orange or yellow lower section, though shades exist on the metallic blue body colour.

My own preference for the worst model of the 1970s is the #4 Gruesome Twosome. It certainly lives up to its name. It has two outsize engines, a strange shaped window and no obvious means of entering the vehicle. It did have a diecast body and base however and the gold version with amber windows commands a premium today. I prefer the yellow-bodied colour trial model with pink interior to the issued release colour.

Please let me know what you regard as the worst castings of the 1970s and your opinion of how they compare with your least favourite models of today. When I look at the range in 1976, there was not too much for the collector of authentic vehicles to enthuse about. Perhaps one must be consoled by the maxim – What goes around comes around!

Nigel Cooper 10th February 2014