Within the next few weeks, a new Matchbox 9-pack will hit:
An updated Golf Country, a Ford Thunderbird, and as the exclusive in this pack, the beautiful Cadillac Fleetwood.
Except that Fleetwood would probably scoff at the “beautiful” label. In the past, the Fleetwood embraced it. From Superfast to Lesney Edition to the Mainline, the Fleetwood has always donned classic colors and trim that hearken back to the 50’s. This one, however, sports a gunmetal gray color and dark wheels. It seems a tad more sinister, a little more “aftermarket”.
It’s most telling sign? Look at the rear. That is not something you expect to see on a Matchbox. More something you might see on, say, a ’54 Chevy owned by Jesse James (look it up). If you know what I am talking about, you definitely would not see that on a Matchbox car. So let’s take a closer look:
Not a message about “_______ things up again”, just a little plug for the IG feed. But it looks awesome, and definitely is the work of Matchbox Designer Abe Lugo. You just need to follow the @matchboxworld feed to know the rear of the Caddy is right down his alley.
I mentioned the Cadillac got a facelift. Gone is the plastic roof, replaced with a diecast roof. That is the most significant change, but there could be others.
One way or the other, this is a fun little changeup for Matchbox, and a model destined for my collection.
This looks good. I am not sure about the IG tag on a model like this. I like the metal roof but I suspect this means no more 2 tone paint jobs. I do think it is time for a new classic car wheel. This one begs for a nice chrome hub wheel.
Wow, I guess I’ll be buying a 9-pack – or 10-pack as we see in Canada. I just wish the model had a chrome base. I suppose the darker bumpers work for the look of the car though.
This one will look nice beside the Greenlight Elvis Presley ’55 Fleetwood in pink.
Let’s see the Eldorado convertible return as well, Matchbox! And perhaps a ’59 DeVille one of these years?
I may actually buy the set for this one, killer!
Love this casting. My only buggaboo has been the slightly smallish front fender arch. I like it low, like it is. But if it were just a tad longer. Just a smidge. So that the entire front wheel is visible still draped by the top of the fender….
It might actually look longer visually. I know this because I have shaved the trailing edge of the fender on previous castings.
Still a stunning bit of work. Matchbox goes a little bad boy….
Nice.
It may be a little early to admit defeat, but I’m thinking this 9-pack may be my only chance at scoring the Golf Country. It’s good to see this post ahead of time though, because now I can consciously avoid the T-Bird, Opel Speedster and Taurus Interceptor as singles, with the knowledge I’ll be able to get them as part of the 9-pack (assuming none of those are 5-pack releases). The Caddy is a nice little bonus on top of it.
I’m planning on getting the 9-pack for that reason, too, as well as for the Cadillac and the T-Bird. You won’t have to worry about avoiding the T-Bird, Opel, and Taurus in the singles, though, because they are part of the Open Road Cruisers 5-Pack (along with a Porsche 911 Turbo and a convertible Camaro). I’d rather have the Cadillac and the Golf than the 911 and the Camaro, so 9-pack it is.
Hmm, that’s not a bad idea…I never was a huge fan of those 911 and Camaro castings, so I think the 9-pack is the way to go.
Hey, that’s a cool multi-pack and I’d love to get that Caddy. I’d have a better chance of getting that Fleetwood in the pack as opposed to a single bubble because some mainline MBX singles are kinda’ like Treasure Hunts.. very, very hard to find!
But anyhow.. it’ll probably be until April when I see them.
It is the only way to get the Fleetwood since it is the exclusive model.
That version of the Golf looks more like the real thing than the bright green mainline, so this is definitely the release I want. Getting a VX220 into the bargain as well sweetens the deal.