#tranquilcollecting
Another in David Tilley's Up-Close series, this time looking at the new Mountain Adventure 5-pack, out in most overseas locations, and due in about a month in the US:As it is a Matchbox Monday, it is time for a look at another of the recent Matchbox 5-packs. This should be out in USA pretty soon, …
Continue reading "Matchbox Monday: David Tilley’s Up-Close with the Mountain Adventure 5-pack…"
Matchbox Monday again, and we start with a model that has appeared on US and Australian pegs in the last couple of weeks. This is one of only five recolors that Matchbox is doing this year. Â It is no surprise the chose the Mustang. Â The casting is very popular, and it stands out in red. …
Continue reading "Matchbox Monday First Look: 1968 Ford Mustang GT CS…"
We collectors are nerds. Â I know this from experience. Â I do nerdy things.Like...Only collecting plain-colored Matchbox Land Cruisers. Â You don't want to know how much time I spent a couple of years ago thinking that through. Â Nonetheless...generic liveries on the FJ40? Â Out. Â Plain colors? Â Way in. Â Don't ask me why, just know I am a …
Continue reading "First Look: Matchbox 1968 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40…"
Did I ever acknowledge the Olympics here on the blog? Â Probably not. Â Nice event, them Olympics. There, this Jag is not a tribute to the 2012 host city. Â It is just a British car, looking pretty sweet in black with red rims. Thanks GB. Thanks MB.Matchbox Jaguars for sale...Matchbox 1954 Jaguar XK120 (2009 First Editions …
Continue reading "Model of the Day: Matchbox 1954 Jaguar XK120 in black…"
Well, it is Tuesday in most parts of the world, but still Monday here, so I feel it is still appropriate to post this Matchbox find today:One of my local Walmarts just stocked what is easily the best Matchbox 5-pack this year, the Police pack. We have already seen David Tilley's Up-Close review of the …
Continue reading "Matchbox Monday (extended): The Matchbox Police 5-pack is now out in the US…"
Another model that is an exception to what I normally collect. Â When you go through my collection, you see Astons, Ferraris, some muscle, a whole lot of current and classic Japanese, some great 70's cars like the Gran Torino Sport and the Olds Vista Cruiser, and a slew of supercars and sports cars. Â Of course …
Continue reading "Matchbox Monday Model of the Day: 1957 GMC Stepside Pickup in black…"
Preproductions aren't for everyone. Â Most of those who collect them are either diehard collectors of that particular brand, or that particular casting. Â Me, I guess I am a casting guy.There are obviously a few ways to acquire a prepro. Â Some aren't so legal, or better, the model available was made available by not-so-legal means. Â Nonetheless, …
Here are some poor quality iPhone photos of upcoming 2012 and 2013 Matchbox models, displayed by the Mattel team at last month's Gathering. Most of these were seen in Shabbir Malik's final Ambassador report.Some have just started to appear in Australia, so I thought I would get these out while they are still relevant.
We are a few weeks removed, but since The Lamley Group is the home for all things Gathering, there are a few things to review before we start ramping up for next year.One of those things is the charity auction that was done after the Saturday dinner. Â Event organizer Jim Gallegos wanted to make sure …
We are still showing off a few of the newest Matchbox models, and one of the models is the Land Rover Discovery in National Parks livery. Â Now I probably should not capitalize that, because the Forest Service and National Parks designs we have seen the last few years are non-licensed liveries designed by Mattel, but …
Continue reading "Matchbox Monday: A new National Parks livery…"
Last week DT profiled what most Matchbox collectors (including me) consider the best 5-pack of the year, the Police 5-pack.  He is back with another pack this week, the Outdoor Sights pack, which is out in most places except the US.From DT:Ok this week we do an up close with the Outdoor Sights 5-pack. This …
Continue reading "Matchbox Monday: David Tilley’s Up-Close with the Outdoor Sights 5-pack…"
The Matchbox Firebird has gotten a lot of play lately. Â It was the Gathering Dinner model, coming in two fantastic variants, it was one of the best Mattel-donated prepros at the auction, and even Scale-Master featured it as one of his muscle car customs. Â And on top of all that it has just appeared in …
Continue reading "First Look: Matchbox 1971 Firebird Formula…"
My Lamley cohort David Tilley jumps in with what will be a regular feature on the blog, his "Up-close" series. Â Look for a lot of Tilley contributions on Matchbox Monday.Today he reviews the latest Matchbox Police 5-pack, which is out overseas, and should hit the US shortly:This set is proving to be one of the …
Continue reading "Matchbox Monday: David Tilley’s Up-Close with the Police 5-pack…"
It is time to start my job as Matchbox Ambassador...As we approach August, I want to make sure that Ambassador reports and updates are out on a regular monthly basis. Â It may not mean I will have photos of upcoming models then and there, but I can at least submit collector questions to Mattel and …
We are going to try to create what you might call an unofficial reference list here on the Lamley Group blog. As I have said many times, I don't collect everything, but if there is a model I really like, I become a completist of that model. I want every version and variation.Well I thought …
Continue reading "Model List: Matchbox Classic Seagrave Fire Engine"
We are going to try to create what you might call an unofficial reference list here on the Lamley Group blog. Â As I have said many times, I don't collect everything, but if there is a model I really like, I become a completist of that model. Â I want every version and variation.Well I thought …
Continue reading "Model List: Matchbox Classic Seagrave Fire Engine"
Let us continue our up-close look at the preproduction models donated by Mattel to the Gathering charity auction.If you missed Part 1, which explained a little more about the purpose of these prepros, click below:Part 1Part 2 features three more models, the Lesney Edition X5 with a metal base, an unpainted and unriveted and unpainted …
Let us continue our up-close look at the preproduction models donated by Mattel to the Gathering charity auction.If you missed Part 1, which explained a little more about the purpose of these prepros, click below:Part 1Part 2 features three more models, the Lesney Edition X5 with a metal base, an unpainted and unriveted and unpainted …
It has been awhile since Matchbox has done a motorcycle. They just did one. As far as motorcycles go, I like it. But I have not collected any of the Hot Wheels bikes, and I will walk the same path with this one. I love that they did it for variety's sake, but it will …
Continue reading "First Look: Matchbox BMW R1200 RT-P Police Motorcycle…"
It has been awhile since Matchbox has done a motorcycle. Â They just did one. As far as motorcycles go, I like it. Â But I have not collected any of the Hot Wheels bikes, and I will walk the same path with this one. Â I love that they did it for variety's sake, but it will …
Continue reading "First Look: Matchbox BMW R1200 RT-P Police Motorcycle…"
Normally I do First Looks separately. I like to give each model its proper attention. But when I started photographing these two, it just made sense to post them together. In fact, the BMW Motorcycle was going to be posted tonight, but these are just too cool to wait.With all the opinions on where Matchbox …
Continue reading "First Look: Matchbox Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Police & Subaru Impreza Police…"
Normally I do First Looks separately. Â I like to give each model its proper attention. Â But when I started photographing these two, it just made sense to post them together. Â In fact, the BMW Motorcycle was going to be posted tonight, but these are just too cool to wait.With all the opinions on where Matchbox …
Continue reading "First Look: Matchbox Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Police & Subaru Impreza Police…"
One of the hightlights of the Matchbox Collectors International Gathering of Friends is the charity auction held after the dinner. Many people donate items to the auction, and Mattel always brings some unique items from the Design Center. The preproduction models they bring always garner a ton of interest, and watching the bidding wars erupt …
One of the hightlights of the Matchbox Collectors International Gathering of Friends is the charity auction held after the dinner. Many people donate items to the auction, and Mattel always brings some unique items from the Design Center. The preproduction models they bring always garner a ton of interest, and watching the bidding wars erupt …