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February 27th Matchbox Ambassador Report, by Larry Scaduto…


Ambassador’s Report February 27th, 2015

By: Larry Scaduto

INTRODUCTION
I would like to say…Happy Spring to everyone, but just a few days ago it was -7f and last time I checked, that temperature does not qualify as a sign that spring is coming any time soon. Darn Groundhog!! I can think of nothing better to keep warm than to sit in front of your computer and look at new and old Matchbox in my latest report. I know….not a very good segway was that!! Well, I’m starting out with another new Supreme Heroes model and then new models for 2015. I finally finish up my story on Sea Kings in which I’ve saved the best models for this report. And lastly I went to the Chicago Auto Show and took pictures of some amazing vehicles. Check that out as well. Thank you for reading. Everyone have a great day….. Larry

NEW RELEASES

SUPREME HEROES FORD E-350 AMBULANCE

Here is the next Supreme Heroes release, the (MB771) Ford E-350 Ambulance. This model is fitted with a wheel design not found on the other 5 models I’ve pictured here so far. From the pictures you will see the rims are 6 spoke with an inner and outer chrome rig & rubber tires.

This ambulance still retains a metal cab and plastic box for the Supreme Heroes Series.

Pictured below is the real vehicle which is a slightly older version of the Matchbox offering.

QUESTIONS
  • What Lamborghini’s will be in the 2015 Line up? The LM002 & the Gallardo Police Car.
  • When do you anticipate the release of the 1-120 Model list for this year?  Cannot answer the question yet.
  • Did the BMW Motorcycle in yellow ever get made? If so where is it?  Yes, it did get made for the 2013 line.  Cannot confirm which retailers it was available at.
  • Will the BMW M1 be in this year’s line?  Yes, it will be red this time.
  • The Cropmaster was supposed to be in the 2014 Basic Line. Will it still be issued as a single or just appearing in the Farming 5 pack?  It will be available in this years (2015) 5 pack.  Regarding its inclusion last year, I will need to recheck this.
  • Does the modified `63 Cadillac Ambulance have a new Man#?  Yes it does.  It is MB994.
  • When can you release the list of the exclusive models from the Power Grabs Series? I have to give this to you for your next report. 
  • Has the strike of the west coast docks workers effected the distribution of product? Regarding the dock workers strike, we are unsure what the impact will be for our products. Time will tell.
New for 2015…

Here we have a fantastic new casting for 2015, the (MB956) Lamborghini LM002. Its debut color is yellow. If you know me, my motto is…………every car looks great in lemon yellow!!!! And of course this model does not disappoint. My hope is that every new color this vehicle comes in will be as simple as this one. You don’t need any fancy tampo printing. (Just head & tail lights) Picture this model in black or olive drab. Think of the possibilities!!!

Now the Express Delivery Van is in red with a Trinidad tampo print design. Nice work!!!!

The City Bus has been revised and it now features a plastic body with metal base. The tampo printing is smartly done with a design you would maybe see out on the streets. Looking at the rims, it would appear the sawblade wheels are not gone for good. 

SB87 Blaze Buster

PREPRODUCTIONS FROM MY COLLECTION
Here are the 2 Sea Kings Lesney never released. K311 Tanker & K312 Container Ship

Both names are on the base since the hull was used with both ships. 

I’m missing the front container section. Any ex-Lesney employees have a one to spare me?

Here is an early Lesney PrePro of the K301 Frigate with a bright red metal Lesney / England hull, a green plastic deck and dark gray superstructure with black rotating gun turrets.

Next up I have a PrePro of the K302 Destroyer. This ship features a light metallic green metal Lesney / England hull, dark gray plastic deck and light gray superstructure with black rotating gun turrets.

Now I am featuring 3 possible SUTC PrePro’s! I have two ZJ-7 Helicopter Carriers pictured here, one with a metallic medium blue metal SUTC / China hull, a matching blue plastic deck, royal blue heliport label, and light gray superstructure with black gun turrets & choppers. Below I have the same ship with an aqua blue metal SUTC / China hull, a sand colored plastic deck, bright orange heliport label, and a white superstructure with black gun turrets and choppers. If you noticed, the front and rear guns are reversed on the two Carriers as well. 

Lastly, I have the ZJ-6 Anti-Aircraft Cruiser. This ship features a powder blue metal SUTC / China hull, a sand colored plastic deck, and a light gray superstructure with black rotating gun turrets. Below is the box this ship came in. The clear plastic insert is different from the normal blue velour form fitted version associated with the series.   

In closing, I’m not completely 100% positive these are SUTC Preproductions. This is the information I received when I purchased them. But to my knowledge these were not released. If someone can shed any light on this, I would appreciate it. I love my Sea Kings………….
HISTORY
Here in the final installment of the Sea Kings story in pictures. I am featuring the chromed versions issued by SUTC. I’ve saved the best for last. Once again there are 8 models featured all with silver chrome decks & gold chrome superstructures and gun turrets.

Above is the close up of the Battle Ship. All models featured silver gray hulls with dark red tampo printed ship number and Sea Kings logo. The boxes pictured below feature a blue velour form fitted insert. This packaging makes this series very rich looking. 

The Aircraft Carrier is the only model out of the eight that has no chromed parts. This ship features a gray flight deck that matches the hull. Quite a dull offering compared to the other models in the series. A chrome deck would have been outstanding!!! 

So this ends my Sea Kings pictorial. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my favorite series as much as I’ve enjoyed showing you. There’s no doubt in my mind if Lesney had issued Sea Kings this nice right from the start, this series would still be available today. There are a lot of war ships around the world. Now there’s play value!!!! Thank you for reading. 
WHAT’S NEW
 


                  

New Battle Mission & Construction Zone 5-Packs  /  Hummer & Willys Jeep

    

At my local Wal-Mart I welcome the return of Matchbox to the pegs. After a few days most of Batch B is gone. And Meijer’s is ready to receive the first shipment of Supreme Heroes Series

Here we have the 2015 Disney Bus & Plane sold exclusively at the Disney Theme Parks & are available by calling their toll free number. (Model pics compliments of Terry Ozima)

MODELS WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MADE

2014 Volkswagen Scirocco 
  

                   
2013 Subaru Lavorg

2015 Volvo XC90

2009 Alfa Romeo Brera
How about some trailers to go along with that new Ford Cab?

Yellow Dump Trailer

Shipping Container Trailer

2015 Nissan March Nismo

2014 Lamborghini Asterion 
MISCELLANEOUS
                     

On the 18th of February my sons and I went to the Chicago Auto Show to see all the wonderful cars available for this year and beyond. Just about every one was out of my price range, but I can dream….can’t I. I’m starting out with what I believe to be the show stopper. The Ford GT was absolutley awesome. Pictures are no subsitute for seeing it in person. I do hope Matchbox makes this for the 1:64th Basic Core Line. This would be a big seller without question. I took plenty of pictures of other models that would have a chance at being a Matchbox model. Enjoy!

Ford F-750 Super Duty Fire Truck

Kia K900

Mazda3

Ford E-350 Super Duty Ambulance

Chevy Volt

Jeep Wrangler Police

Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck

Alfa Romeo 4C

Lexus RCF

Ford Transit

Ford F-550 Fire Truck

Above is the Ford Mustang and below is the McLaren 650S Spider


Custom Models 
I received some pictures from fellow collector Alex Boock and  I must say these are done really well!! Some great ideas the Matchbox Team should look into. The Chevy Pickup is an excellent choice for the National Parks Series. And the Toyota Pickup is awesome! Well done Sir!

         

The Ford Crown Vic is expertly done as well!

  

All images and articles are presented here with the consent and permission of Mattel and the Matchbox Team.

If you have a question or just need to reach me, send an e-mail to:

10 Replies to “February 27th Matchbox Ambassador Report, by Larry Scaduto…”

  1. Lamborghini LM002! Lamborghini LM002! Lamborghini LM002! Wow, it looks amazing! I knew Matchbox wouldn't disappoint with this casting and I was right. They've nailed it! I will admit that I would've preferred to see it debut in black or red but hell, it could be done later. Yellow looks nice and all the signs of a perfect Matchbox are there: exceptional detail, crisp execution, full tampo hits, correct wheels and most important of all – making a car that not everybody knows, even if the manufacturer is world-famous. In fact, I'm ready to bet any amount of money that there will be at least one chump who will think this is a Hummer and rage about it until he reads ahead. Thank you Matchbox for this little gem! Can't wait to get my hands on this.

    Moving on, the rest of the models are great as well. The Ford Ambulance looks lovely as do the new wheels. The Express Delivery and City bus are very nicely done as well. I like the graphics on the delivery van. Will be buying both of those. I am also interested in the BMW 1M. I wonder what kind of red it will be. I'm hoping for a metallic one.

    As for the 'Models we would love to see made' section, nice selection again. Whoever suggested the Asterion, good one!

    Great cars on display at the Chicago Auto Show. And I agree with you, there are quite a lot of cars that would make great Matchbox models, especially the Ford GT and McLaren 650S. Matchbox needs to make some supercars. I am tired of Hot Wheels ruining them with hopeless large rear wheels, up-slopped chins and shoddy execution. Any idea when the next report is coming? I wonder what new model will be unveiled next time.

    Reply

  2. Yep, the LM002 is beautiful. Very nice. A return to form for Matchbox.
    Hey John, where's “As Is the Custom” been? I don't think we've seen one yet this year.

    Reply

  3. Oh, yes, I'm excited for the Rambo Lambo. The headlights look really great, as do the hood vents and the spare and, well, everything about it. Well done Matchbox! The only thing that could make it better is if the suspension works…I'm hoping for that.

    Nice to see the customs. There's some good work there. I like the way the lifeguard Tacoma turned out in yellow—I hope Matchbox releases it in yellow in the Mainline.

    Reply

  6. Hmmm – if the R1200GS BMW bike in yellow was produced, it would seem there would be more google-search images than the one that was one the Lamley blog a couple years ago. Looked through hundreds & hundreds of google images, the _only_ one shown in yellow was the pic Lamley had. If it was put out there and sold to the public anywhere in the world, I'd like to see some proof of that…

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  7. Can you ask the ambassador if the nissan xterra will ever return to the line and if so will it retain its opening trunk or will it be retooled? My dad has every version of the xterra and i do as well, its a great casting with plenty of potential.

    Reply

  8. I love this blog L. I look foward to more than ever cause it seems Mattel and MB are getting the message about what the consumers want. If they would just get away from the plastic, add $.50 to the price and keep diecast diecast. The Hero line looks great and price is not bad at all. Hope I can get them.

    Reply

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