Model: Chevy Van
Release: Matchbox Superfast 2009 / 40th Anniversary
eBay link: Matchbox Superfast Chevy Van
Why I am featuring it: I mentioned in my recent NASCAR Convoy post that the Matchbox Chevy Vans that come with some of those old Team Convoy releases are collectible in their own right. Those custom-style vans are all based on the original MB068 casting, which dates back to the classic orange Lesney release from 1979 (below). But the modern incarnation – MB709, first seen in 2007 – is just as nice.
This red one is from the 2009 Superfast line. Maybe it’s just me but the Superfast models from that year seem to be harder to find than the preceding years’. I think they may have been Walmart-only but I’m sure somebody can confirm in the comments below. There were certainly fewer of them, just 20 different models, of which I only have a couple. Some, like the Civic Type-R and the Stepside, command decent money.
There’s something great about the packaging, too, which was blister-free. Instead the model and trademark ‘Matchbox’ came in clear boxes with the car on top of the attractive box art commemorating the 40th anniversary of Superfast.
I picked this one up earlier this year from a friend on IG (thanks Jeff!). It might be my favourite of the half-dozen issues I own, although I have a soft spot for the SpongeBob one! Note that the Chevy Van was used again for the 50th Anniversary Superfast series, as a five-pack model in gold.
To finish, here are a few of the older and newer Chevy Vans from my collection.
