But Jack Odell kept some stuff for himself, rebranding his toys as Lledo spot the anagram! That way, you can get tens or even hundreds at about a buck each. They were also modeled after popular TV and . The matchbox equivalent of this car, much like the Toyota MR2, is scheduled for a 2021 release in a similarly striking shade of pastel blue with neon green doors. Current price: MSRP $1250, sold out. Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith, friends, formed Lesney Products in June 1947. So Jack Odell got some 1:43 scale plastic models from Dunlop Tyres, melted them down, and made them into small die-cast models that would fit inside a matchbox. Over the years, the number of vehicles has increased substantially, especially since Mattel acquired the company. Their No. Check out our matchbox 1980s cars selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. The model was introduced in 1963 and ran for two years. Check out our 1980s matchbox cars selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Bubble Power She-Ra. 3. Its not uncommon to find a Matchbox car with factory paint mistakes. Image Credit: Valuable Matchbox Cars. This list of the top 21 most valuable Matchbox cars shows you just how much your collection could be worth. Alongside the hot pink MR2 model likely to be released in the same line, it seems as though the 1980s are being remembered through vaporwave glasses. There were four world segments in the 2022 1-100 Series; MBX Highway, MBX Metro, MBX Showroom, and MBX Off-Road. Value: $3,000. Among the two editions (and the older one), the Road Roller with the more extended roof is the most valuable. The 1967 Matchbox 27D Mercedes-Benz 230SL in apple green became one of the most valuable Matchbox cars ever sold when it fetched a whopping $6,765 at auction in 1999. In some cases, these mistakes add value to the car. The 1968 Pink Beatnik Bandit is one of the 16 original Hot Wheels cars, also known as the "sweet 16." Ed "Big Daddy" Roth designed this particular car, and the ultra-vivid colors are worth a pretty penny today. Also, speaking of Mattel, the Hot Wheels line of cars is often considered a valid matchbox car by collectors and enthusiasts heads up! The Opel Diplomat is a matchbox car made in a variety of colors, some being more popular than others. The name Matchbox was chosen because it sounded like matchbox, but it also referred to the size of the car. Following are the 11 most valuable matchbox cars that you should purchase. Secondly, looking at the BP logos, you can tell the models age. You will likely need to spend around $30 to get your hands on a unique piece of Matchbox history and the original die-cast car in mint condition. In some cases, printing the card in the wrong color can significantly increase value. The Major Scale Quarry Truck is the holy grail of Matchbox cars. Facing a crisis, the firm introduced its "Superfast" line with racing wheels and slicker designs in 1969, ending what is known as "the regular wheels" era, Mack says. Jack Odell who founded the company had a daughter who could only carry match-sized toys to school. Original Matchbox Lesney Dodge Wreck Truck Check Prices eBay. watch . The two-door version is worth around $15, while the four-door model can be worth as much as $30. Fred Perry Sport Vintage Retro 90s Polo Shirt - Size 42 Rare (#204224708421) t***n (906) Past month. Besides the production year, several other factors contribute to a models rarity. They can also be Hot Wheels, Dinky, Corgi, or Johnny Lightning, but only if your buyer is open to these other brands. Valuable Happy Meal sets include TY Teenie Beanie Babies, Furbys, and Halloween Buckets. The Road Roller was made as a large vehicle, but it was made small enough for children to carry in a matchbox. Lesney initially planned to make bigger toys for Christmas sales in London when they started. If youre unfamiliar with Matchbox models, three body molds have been used over the years: 1:43, 1:55, and 1:64 scale. In 1953, British toy company Lesney Products released a miniature model of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation coach, the company's first best seller. 2008 Diamond-Encrusted 40th Anniversary Special Edition $60,000. You are much less likely to find one with the original box in good condition. Consequently, the 2021-22 release date may result from some romanticization, but it is all just speculation until we hear any further marketing or information about the new vehicle. While eBay has helped diminish the hobby by giving everyone access to Matchbox cars, dealer shows remain a great place to exchange information and buy and sell Matchbox cars. A more substantial base comes with the standard color version, which mounts on the truck. Die-cast Matchbox toys first gained their name because they originally came packaged similarly to matches. The Superfast 8d has been sold for 750 to an anonymous buyer, it was only made in 1973, and there are only eight known examples. Matchbox, Random 70's 80's 90's Car Lot of 5 Toy Cars - Vintage Toy Cars Lot 3 . Matchbox Lesney Superfast SF8 Ford Mustang (Sold: $635.00) The first Mustang car was introduced in 1964, and the car has been ever since a must-have for collectors and toy enthusiasts. When it comes to discovering Matchbox treasures, theres only one story that tops them alla story about a man named Charlie Mack, who one day in the early 1980s found a brown No. On certain listings, youll see something like Please dont copy-paste my listing! Its a fair request since it takes weeks to do the research. It appears that it is rare to see it in the wild. A 1980's iconoclast, it's not hard to see why the matchbox models are so coveted. So heres one way to maximize profit. For a short time, Lesney even released a series of rechargeable electric Scorpion cars. The real AMX street car was a short-lived two-seater produced by AMC that, like most muscle cars, stuffed a high-powered engine into a midsize frame. By Riley August 3, 2016 September 29, 2020. The cars got more elaborate over time. There are many cheaper cars within the group, but not close to the Sea Green Opel Diplomat price. As you probably guessed, it's a show dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette and those who love it. The cars proved popular, and soon Dinky Toys was . The Microbus is so rare there's not even a picture of it on the list of 50 . Here are some of the most valuable Matchbox cards sold recently. So to see a matchbox release for the Ecto-1 in 2010 is a huge win for fans of 1980s matchbox cars, as we get to welcome an absolute icon into the mix. Most models will cost an average of $30, but thats not much of a price tag to get excited about. If you could get a matching M-3 and K-3 for example, youll earn more money. That is, except for the pre-production models. These cars are collectible because they have accurate details such as wheels and headlights, making them look authentic. Matchbox HOT ROD 48 CAR CARRY CASE w/ Cars & Trucks Vintage 1970's & 80's. $10.49. But the quality was lower so these cars arent as profitable to resell. Lots of them had clockwork motors, meaning youd reverse the car or manually turn the wheels to gain momentum, then release it and watch it shoot forward. It was created by Lesney Products, a British company that also produced the successful Corgi model cars. They are an important part of our culture, and their influence on car enthusiasts today is obvious. Later, cars would run on both. This is a vintage Matchbox model of aMercury Cougar. The Superfast 8d Rover 3500 Police Car is a very rare item that can be found only in a few places worldwide today. Another feature is that each model has a detailed interior and exterior, which makes it look realistic. 1966 Opel Diplomat. Just about every kid in America has played with some form of this matchbox car at some point in their lives. In the history of Matchbox cars, very few vehicles have reached the value level of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Yet again, we see how a tiny color mishap years ago leads to a valuable collectors item today. The first diecast toy cars were sold in a set of six cars together: a sports car, a delivery van, a tank, a sports coupe, a truck and a farm tractor. The first ever matchbox car was a steamroller cast in red and green (though they called it a road roller in the UK). The garbage truck is one of the most popular models from the 1970s and 80s. It has always been at the forefront of innovation regarding new technologies and materials used for toy production. Model Number: 55B. Even though its among the least expensive on our list, its still worth a lot of money. The first Hess . The company was founded by Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith in North London. 1971 Spectraflame Purple Bye Focal - $6000. A different box design doesnt necessarily mean its fake. 1 and had a green driver. Since Matchbox cars first appeared in England in the 1940s, they have been collectibles worldwide. The cars have always been small enough to fit inside a matchbox, which makes them easy to store and transport. 8. The stylish coupe, with the iconic gullwing doors, enjoyed only a fleeting two-year production run but was immortalized shortly after in 1985 by numerous appearances as the time machine in theBack to The Futurefranchise. 2. The truck was originally released in 1961-1965 relating to Matchboxs Crane series that included tractors and other vehicles with cranes. It gave the car a tighter, meaner grille, and more modern lines and light, and the sharp angles of the car lent themselves well to the 80s aesthetic following the redesign. 1971 Purple Olds 442 Ebay / 84check Value: $5,000 Why? He-Man and Battle Cat Like Youve Never Seen Them Before, He-Mans Brazen New Look Highlights a New Direction for the Upcoming New Netflix Cartoon Youve heard of legend Kevin Smiths new show, picking up where, Transformers: War for Cybertron Synopsis and Characters. These were matchbox models of normal-sized vintage cars that ran on steam engines. While the slight difference may seem small to non-collectors, it makes all the difference to the most devoted fans. If a Matchbox collector is interested in buying, selling, or learning about car values, he should visit a collector show. Matchbox cars are worth anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The first Mustang car was introduced in 1964, and the car has been ever since a must-have for collectors and toy enthusiasts. Initially, the Matchbox Series contained 75 cars in matchbox replica packaging. Check the date of the sale to gauge market interest. The earliest cars were 2 full-metal without glass window panes. '55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser "Candy Striper," $1,000-Plus. There hasnt been a sale mentioned since and any information on how or why the car was created is no longer available to the public. For exactly 50 years, Hot Wheels have been the most popular toy cars in the world. Matchbox has been producing toys for children for over 60 years now. Matchbox 50 Car Pack Variety of 1:64 Scale Realistic Vehicles with Authentic Designs, for Play & Display, Instant Collection for Ages 3 & older & Toy Car Collectors. John Odell (1920-2007), Leslie Smith (1918-2005), and Rodney . Many collectibles start their life as toys targeted at kids. A price / valuation and model variation guide for the Models of Yesteryear range of die cast models by Lesney Matchbox, . This hidden treasure was sold for a startling $6,765thats more than $10,000 today. 9 Worth Every Dollar: 1980 Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary Edition. Its not difficult to find a good one if you know how to look for them. What powers matchbox cars? The reverse color scheme is exceptionally rare and hard to find, and according to the Matchbox Wikia, it was a factory mistake. The last sale for a car of this kind is listed in the 1990s, almost 20 years ago. It seems like its only recently been discovered as a valuable collectible. Refreshed 2024 VW Atlas Bows with Upscale Updates. Even though its the firs it isnt the most valuable. Vaporwave is a music genre that reimagines the 80s plasticity and turns it into an aesthetic that evokes the best of nostalgia and alchemy. You can also note variations in the model (e.g. Some of the largest Hot Wheels collections are valued at over $1,000,000. Some have bright colors and fun stickers, but others have doors that open and interiors that mimic their life-size muse. The chief model maker, Ken Wetton, made eight prototype proof of concept models; but these were not to be sold; and most of them have since disappeared. Fortunately, there is good news! The 1969 Ford Kennel Truck is the most valuable Matchbox car in history. This model features a yellow body with white plastic wheels and an open sunroof. Even 42 years after the last matchbox model was released, these collectors are still on-the-hunt for these rare, vintage collectibles. 9. Generally, the early cars with redline tires are some of the most valuable; the most desirable ones can command thousands of dollars. However, the Smiths hired a man called Jack ODell. You can raise the value of your resale by tossing some into the lot. It was manufactured in England and released in 1972, so its not surprising that collectors would be willing to pay so much for it. While Matchbox Majors feature large vehicles, they werent the only big toys that Lesney released. You can find one in good condition fairly easily. Matchbox cars were first made out of metal with die-cast bodies. Are hot wheels, matchbox and diecast cars good investments? This isnt a crucial step, but it makes reselling easier because you can segment your buyers. Matchbox cars were initially made by the Lesney Company in 1953. And of course, one is more valuable than the other. Among the most valuable Matchbox cars ever is the brown Magirus Deutz Crane. This is the most valuable Matchbox car in history. Here are seven of the most valuable Hess trucks. This car is mainly sold in two colors, white and blue. It was made in England and is one of the most valuable Matchbox cars ever made. Number Produced: Unknown for sure but believed to be very few. As a car, it was middling, overpriced, and famously low quality, but the true value of this car lies in its design and vision. On top of this, the DeLoreans rear-mounted motor made sure it was truly the most eclectic car of the 1980s. This Magirus-Deutz truck with a tan body is incredibly rare, with only two thought to have been produced. The Magirus-Deutz Truck is modeled after the old type of crane, from the 1960s. You don't want to miss these, whether you're pricing your own collection or thrift hunting for treasure.All thes. Most children today would be unable to buy a Ferrari, and they certainly wont be able to drive one, so the matchbox version was the only option. Capitalism follows a pretty predictable formula. Notable Rare Modern Hot Wheels. If you bump into them, they resell for a truckload, so keep an eye out! Matchbox cars are collectible toys for children and adults alike. 1961 Magirus-Deutz Truck, Matchbox in tan/orange: 8,513. And the Most Expensive Matchbox Cars on Ebay Right NOW. That Moko branding can help you date the piece though. Points to note include colors (both interior and exterior), moving parts (e.g. Tom Sellek starred as Magnum PI in a TV show that was a hit back in the 1980s. It is said that Jack O Dell made a small version of this toy so that his daughter could take it with her to school. 5 Best Rare Matchbox Cars To Buy Right Now . Many of Matchbox's most rare cars are considered valuable thanks to their unique paint jobs or limited production runs. Certain colors have premium value, so it helps to have a list (and a swatch) of the most sought-after shades. A huge one. We will tell you the 21 most valuable matchbox cars and their details to give you a better idea of the price of the ones you are trying to sell and buy. The Matchbox Major Scale Quarry Truck from the early 1960s is an extremely sought-after vehicle. Now that matchbox is resurfacing again; collectors are delighted to see this trend continue. It is important to consider several factors when evaluating eBay results for a particular car. There was a unique roof on this car, and the interiors were different from that of the American version. And while the first run of cars was from 1966 to 1968, that color is not on our list of released vehicles. This article will reveal the 11 most valuable Matchbox cars worth a fortune. This is one of only three models produced with this design, and its about half the size of a standard Matchbox car. At least the valuable version is. Regardless of the direction the brand goes, the market for its cars isn't going anywhere. Newer cars came from Macau or China. How much are these matchbox cars worth? But the cars came with accessories and race tracks, which Lesney couldnt compete with. This is the case for the unusual brown colored no. The brown Magirus Deutz Crane is one of the most valuable Matchbox cars ever made. Some models were made with grey wheels. Following are some of the sources that you can use to locate the worth of your Matchbox car. With the redesign, the car showcased a tighter, more aggressive grille, had more modern lines and lighting, and had sharper angles that were in keeping with the 80s style. It appears that matchboxes switched to blister packs in the 1980s from the traditional plastic and cardboard boxes that other die-cast toy brands used. 1. This one of a kind toy car keepsake was sold for a record price of $15,000. Review listings of similar models to see what features you can highlight. Not much is known about this release, as it is scheduled for 2021. There was something very unique about the Ford Fairlane, their gray wheels. Here are the other nine: 1961 Magirus-Deutz Truck, Matchbox (tan-orange): $11,822; Bone up on . However, later in 1997, Mattel, Inc purchased the brand. 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