#tranquilcollecting
One of those drop-the-mic type moments for Matchbox. They have these every once in awhile.It probably isn't fair to compare Hot Wheels and Matchbox Camaros. Actually, it is fair. They are both $1, and while the output from each might reflect the branding, I know which one I prefer.Camaros and Hot Wheels just go together. …
Continue reading "Matchbox doesn’t always do Camaros, but when they do…"
Better late than never.
More fun from the Hot Wheels Design IG feed: 🇯🇵✌️ #hotwheelsdreamteamA post shared by HW Diecast Design Squad (@hotwheelsdreamteam) on Mar 23, 2017 at 10:35pm PDT//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.jsAnd not to be outdone: A couple more sneaksA post shared by @matchboxworld on Mar 22, 2017 at 7:39am PDT//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js
I like the BMW i3. I know in some circles that is a blasphemous thing to say, but I think it is pretty cool. It is unique to say the least, and I am cool with anything forward thinking like the i3 is.But I know many of you disagree. You don't like its looks, its …
I called @matchboxworld the OG of Mattel IG yesterday, because it is. One day the account appeared, with its "eff it, collectors need to see this stuff" approach, and it has been a blast ever since. It has set a nice precedent, and we are all benefitting. Seeing a designer's work, or workspace, is always a …
Continue reading "The sneak peek party on Instagram continues. This time it is Matchbox’s turn."
Look what just popped up on Instagram:Printouts for days in @tuske427 's office. Who wants some 😜 #hotwheelsdreamteam #hotwheelsA post shared by HW Diecast Design Team (@hotwheelsdreamteam) on Mar 15, 2017 at 8:38am PDT//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.jsNew Datsun who dis #hotwheels #greddy #advan #kaidohouse #yokohamatire #jncA post shared by HW Diecast Design Team (@hotwheelsdreamteam) on Mar 14, 2017 …
Continue reading "Following the Hot Wheels Design Team on Instagram yet? You should be."
Yesterday the latest from both Mattel brands arrived from Wheel Collectors. So I opened the package on Facebook Live. Leave a comment here of what model you want to see first. Enjoy.
In 30+ years my collection has veered off at various tangents – Models of Yesteryear (still great, now largely worthless), Royal Mail vans (sold to fund a custom-built display cabinet), Corgi Juniors, Tomica, Majorette, Schuco, CM's rally cars and – especially since I moved to Canada two years ago – a few Hot Wheels, too. But Matchbox miniatures will always form the bulk of my collection, which currently stands at around 3,000
Matchbox E Assortment at Wheel CollectorsI think this has been the longest lull of the year. And this is the time of year that things are a little slower. Post-holidays is always a time to ramp back up, and I think all the ramping is done. Onward and upward the rest of the year.So expect …
Continue reading "Case Report: Opening a 2017 Matchbox E Case."
Just a quick heads up that UK-based diecast seller Modelmatic has 2017 Matchbox Best of World in stock. If you need a reminder, this is the 6-car set released late last year, and some of the models are sporting Hot Wheels Real Riders. The Lamborghini Miura is the must-have, but there really is no slouch …
Continue reading "UK Collectors, Modelmatic now has 2017 Matchbox Best of World in stock."
Ah, the trispoke Miata. The model that never was.If you remember, last year Matchbox debuted the new Miata casting on their Instagram feed: Here's a look at the stellar #2015mazdamx5 #miata #mb1012 coming to a peg, (hopefully near you!) @matchboxworld designers Abe and @devilminer1 did a great job.A post shared by @matchboxworld on Jan 14, …
Continue reading "The trispoke Matchbox Miata has been found! Only it is the 2017 version."
It is nice to see an old friend. Among the preview models the Matchbox Team sent over was this flat gray VW Golf GTI. It seemed it has been awhile since we had seen it, and sure enough, 7 years. 7 years!The VW Golf seems like it should be a Matchbox mainstay. Sure, we say …
Continue reading "Hello Again! Matchbox brings back the Volkswagen Golf GTI."
A little discussion emerged the other day in the comments section of the blog about whether it was worth collecting different colors and releases of a particular casting versus keeping just one release.The logic for some was "Why collect more colors if you already have one decent version?".I get the question, and of course any …
Continue reading "Beige isn’t bland with the latest Volvo V60 from Matchbox."
The VW Transporter was easily one of collector's favorite new releases from Matchbox last year. Cool model choice, excellent execution, and the added fun of the bed variations.But if there was one gripe, it was what the initial release looked like. The livery was cool - and was definitely a shoutout to Gerry Cody's love …
Continue reading "Matchbox goes stock with the 2017 release of the VW Transporter."
This is what my office looks like right now.Since moving to a new house last year, I have wanted to bring my new office back up to the standard of the last. That means blue walls to contrast nicely with my white Carney displays, and even more display space.I have also added an area to …
Another Matchbox preview, thanks to the Matchbox team. Yesterday we previewed a preproduction of the '90 VW Golf Country, and today a look at how the Jeep Gladiator is coming along.The last few years Matchbox has had a thing for Jeeps, so the Gladiator, while a concept, is no surprise. Me? I am not a …
I loved this post from what is becoming a favorite IG feed: VW Golf Country with Syncro 4x4 - one of only 7735 made - spotted & 📸 by @sigvicious #icelandcarculture #carspottingreykjavik #vw #volkswagen #vwgolf #vwgolfmk2 #golfmk2 #vwgolfcountry #vwgolfcountry4x4 #vwgolfsyncro #vwlove #dasauto #4x4 #syncro #offroad #allrad #adventuremobile #landmannalaugar #carworld #carstagram #carspotting #carsofinstagram #icelandtravel #icelandA photo …
Continue reading "Here is a little preview of the 2017 Matchbox ’90 VW Golf Country…"
Every rose has its thorn. Just like every night has its dawn. Just like every cowboy, sings his sad, sad song. Every year has its dud case.Think those are the lyrics immortalized by Poison. Maybe not. Even so these lyrics seemed appropriate. There are some good models in the case, but all in all it …
Matchbox police cars are a mixed bag for some of you. There are so many cars out there that collectors want to see get the "Matchbox Treatment", meaning realism compared to the more racing and modified style of Hot Wheels.So when you say Subaru is doing the latest WRX STI, there is bound to be …
Matchbox 2017 D Case at Wheel CollectorsAnd we keep moving along.You never know when something new will arrive from Mattel, and in the case of the Matchbox D Assortment, that was late Friday. So Matt & Matt and the gang at Wheel Collectors spent the evening prepping the D Case.Thankfully, they grabbed one for a …
Continue reading "Case Report: Opening a 2017 Matchbox D Case…"
It's Big Red.Not to be confused with my father's "Big Red", a red (of course) Ford Galaxie 500 that whisked he and my mother away on their honeymoon. (Later replaced by a Ford Maverick, then the oft-mentioned Honda Accord I have written about here.)This Big Red, or '95 Custom Chevy Van, a converted ambulance no …
Continue reading "The 2017 Matchbox ’95 Custom Chevy Van already has a nickname…"
Before we jump into the mainline release of the 6x6 (which the Matchbox team have provided for a preview), let's acknowledge something kind of cool. This isn't the first time we have seen the 6x6. In fact, its release shouldn't be a surprise for anyone. The model was announced officially at the Gathering last July, …
Another preproduction sneak peek courtesy of the Matchbox Team, this time the upcoming Glass Truck.Only three photos on this one, but we will get a tad more detailed when the finished model is ready to preview. This is obviously a preproduction with crazy colors it is sporting. The fun part is looking at how Abe …
Continue reading "The new Matchbox Glass Truck is coming along, and it’s a good-looking generic…"
Matchbox and generics is a touchy subject. For the most part, collectors don't like them. Or at least that is how it sounds.It is a bit odd that Matchbox gets a lot of guff for their generics, when Hot Wheels produces quite a few more, and way more outlandish. But it speaks to what collectors …
Continue reading "So what about these? 2017 Matchbox Sonoran Shredder & Snow Thrasher…"