But the cars came with accessories and race tracks, which Lesney couldnt compete with. They looked as close to the real car as possible, and designers worked with photos and blueprints taken from the manufacturers. A price / valuation and model variation guide for the Models of Yesteryear range of die cast models by Lesney Matchbox, . The best way to trade matchbox cars is to buy them in bulk at estate auctions, flea markets, garage sales, and the goodwill store. The truck was originally released in 1961-1965 relating to Matchboxs Crane series that included tractors and other vehicles with cranes. Another famous Matchbox collector, Jim Gallegos, who is estimated to have more than 150,000 die-cast miniatures worth more than $1.4 million, reportedly bought a brown No. In fact, this car is so valuable it made our top 10 most valuable die-cast Car list! Since Matchbox cars first appeared in England in the 1940s, they have been collectibles worldwide. Its much bigger. The car was made to look like a police car with its blue and white bodywork and an orange roof light that glowed when it was turned on. The first Hess truck, released in 1964, sold for a mere $1.39. Honestly, you never know what a toy could be worth today. This is because almost all of the Magirus-Deutz Cranes were known to be silver with a crane arm tinted orange. It appears that it is rare to see it in the wild. Cars in the series were marked with a Y + the toy number. The condition of this particular car makes it even more valuable. 8 Silk Pillowcases for Your Best Beauty Sleep. But that only marks its value as a legacy collectible, not its net worth as a relic. While Matchbox Majors feature large vehicles, they werent the only big toys that Lesney released. When Lesney first started, they had planned on making larger toy cars to sell in London for Christmas. Later models had plastic wheels with rubber tires that could not be removed without destruction. Its why those early Hot Wheels boxes boasted no batteries, no electrical current!. 28 . Car Name Series Color Tampo Base Color / Type Window Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Notes Photo; 3-Window '34: HiRakers: Red w/Brown fenders Flame tampos on trunk Unpainted / Metal Clear Chrome BW: 1132 '40's Woodie: HiRakers: Orange no tampo Unpainted / Metal Blue tint Tan BW: 1131 Brown wood grain panels CAT Bulldozer: Its also worth noting that several models have been reissued over time, including a few that were first released in the 1950s and 1960s but reintroduced in recent years. Its amazing that such a small toy made of a certain color can lead to such an extraordinary increase in the cost of the item. This page may contain affiliate links to products or services the cost is the same to you, but we get a referral fee. with classics), a matchbox car was released in 1957, but it was based on a car made in 1928. 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. Matchbox Toys - History. Later, cars would run on both. These six cars were cast in lead and were based on a generic version of the listed car. doors or hoods that open), body-work (e.g. Here are the Top 10 Most Expensive Diecast Cars in the World: Contents [ hide] 10. For example, the strikingly unpainted steel chassis with the gull-wing doors feels like a direct influence of the new Tesla Truck. For exactly 50 years, Hot Wheels have been the most popular toy cars in the world. 2. Back in the 80s, there was a hit TV series called Magnum PI starring Tom Sellek. The Magirus-Deutz Crane ranks as the most expensive in Matchbox cars. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO - $18,000. 80 0 Bids. . You can also note variations in the model (e.g. Later, plastic windows were added, as well as other bits of trim. Some sellers are offering single unopened, obscure Teenies Beanies for thousands of dollars. The Major Scale Quarry Truck is the holy grail of Matchbox cars. An excellent example of this is the 1968 Volkswagen Bug. It has always been at the forefront of innovation regarding new technologies and materials used for toy production. This car is mainly sold in two colors, white and blue. Of course, once the manufacturer discovers this, they begin to produce high-end units targeted at collectors. Certain colors have premium value, so it helps to have a list (and a swatch) of the most sought-after shades. This model was released by Lesney Products Ltd. in 1964 relating to its Superfast series of models designed to be larger than other Matchbox cars. Vintage Pfaff Sewing Machine Value (Ultimate Guide), 10 Most Valuable Atlas Mason Jars: Complete Value Guide, Top 5 Tips on How to Tell if Pyrex is Vintage, How To Determine The Value Of A Matchbox Car, 12. Today, that makes them very valuable. This very strong glass made some time between 1905 and 1910 displays a bold 5 cents in addition to the logo. If you are looking for the Metallic Gold version of the Opel Diplomat, you shouldnt have a problem finding it. 8. 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. The 1968 version is the most valuable of them all, with its red, blue, and white colors and the matching wheels. For 1969, Hot Wheels' second year on . It is not entirely likely that you will find one in your collection, but it is not impossible either. 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. Points to note include colors (both interior and exterior), moving parts (e.g. It is also the most valuable 1:64 scale Matchbox on our list. The Matchbox brand has been around for over 50 years and is still going strong today. Lesney cars started out small and got bigger by the decade, so thats one way to date them. Among the two editions (and the older one), the Road Roller with the more extended roof is the most valuable. It is a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car directed at middle-class families while still ensuring fuel economy. They were initially made in England and are in high demand among collectors. Mattel introduced more glamorous cars and sometimes even imaginary vehicles, while Matchbox sold more traditional models. Star Wars 2 Kellogs Collectables & 6 Micro Machines (#204160096346) Following are some of the sources that you can use to locate the worth of your Matchbox car. In some cases, these mistakes add value to the car. Despite the originals only going for around $30 today, it is still one of the most valuable Matchbox cars simply because of the way it captures the imaginations of children. The most obvious reason matchbox cars are collectible is that theyre cute! With an estimated value of around $4,100, this little Matchbox truck is worth more than some regular size cars. The 280ZX is a beautiful car that looked like a sports car but drove like a luxury coupe. The orange, red, green, and copper are the most valuable of the cars made and can be worth more than $1,500 each. Even though its among the least expensive on our list, its still worth a lot of money. That is, except for the pre-production models. It has a value of $3,700. These vintage Matchbox cars are worth a TON! The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was first introduced as a Matchbox car in 1988 and has remained popular. It featured two doors and three headlights but only had four wheels instead of five because of licensing restrictions regarding toy cars that appeared similar to vehicles on the road. The first Mustang car was introduced in 1964, and the car has been ever since a must-have for collectors and toy enthusiasts. Generally, Magirus Deutz Cranes arms are orange, while the bodies are silver. And the Most Expensive Matchbox Cars on Ebay Right NOW. Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith, friends, formed Lesney Products in June 1947. 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. The real story, however, with this matchbox car is the Ecto-1A version, that is to say the model fromGhostbusters II, seeing as they are now worth around $1000 a piece. Y-16. If youre looking for a shorter roof edition, it usually costs around $20. Ad vertisement from shop CedarClosetCache. This has always been a big part of the appeal and keeping with the times. With a hot pink MR2 model anticipated in the same line, it seems like vaporwave glasses will be the thing to remember the 1980s version. With these factors in mind, you should be able to recognize fakes. For reference, the first 75 came out starting in 1953. While there are cars that are more valuable than these two versions, the value of the history far outweighs the dollars. In the history of Matchbox cars, very few vehicles have reached the value level of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Matchbox cars have been around for generations. He wanted to make a school-friendly toy for his daughter. Many believed that this matchbox car would be kept in the company indefinitely. Die Cast Metal Toy Car Collectible ad vertisement by CedarClosetCache. Looking for a Career with 80s Toy Store? Similar to the Toyota MR2, the matchbox version of this car debuted in 2021 in a pastel blue paint with neon green doors. 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. Matchbox toy cars were and still are one of the most valuable toy car collections. Great seller. This very rare piece has been known to sell for over $15,000 at auction. 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Not much is known about this release, as it is scheduled for 2021. To non-collectors, the difference is insignificant, but to avid fans, it makes all the difference. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Then came the Major series. Even if you never thought about it, you probably ended up here because a search engine pointed you to this article. Hot Wheels werent as carefully crafted as Lesneys. 1971 Spectraflame Purple Bye Focal - $6000. Companies are only now utilizing the nostalgia of the 1980s, albeit very delayed and as a limited supply. But some savvy parent or elder sibling spots the potential profits. Ever the engineer, Odell made his daughter a matchbox-compliant cast-brass road roller, which he painted red and green. Image Credit: hurricanejacksurplus The brand Mattel was founded in 1945 and was most known for its valuable Hot Wheels collection. Coke glassware varies greatly and rare, high-quality pieces can fetch top dollar. When the company began, they had to roll out the first line of cars and this was one. Well, when Lesney went bankrupt in 1982, it was sold to Universal Toys. This essentially meant the child-centered toys appealed to kids and race car enthusiasts. This may not seem like a big deal, but remember, the most valuable Matchbox cars end up with collectors. eBay, for instance, hosts many online auctions. Its not difficult to find a good one if you know how to look for them. The red model with a white interior is now worth more than $1,000. For instance, a model manufactured in large quantities in the 1940s would be more valuable and rarer today than one manufactured in similar quantities in the 1970s. Vaporwave is a popular musical genre and aesthetic that reimagines the plasticity of the 80s and manages to alchemize it into a sort of warm nostalgia. The car has seen a modern resurgence in popular culture, as the car can be seen used in stylized vaporwave music artwork in places like Soundcloud and YouTube. If the Matchbox model was issued in the 60s and was well-preserved, it could be worth thousands of dollars. Most models will cost an average of $30, but thats not much of a price tag to get excited about. Free shipping for many products! If you could get a matching M-3 and K-3 for example, youll earn more money. 1969 Rear-loading Volkswagen Microbus Beach Bomb in pink: 80,000 to 120,000 2. This giant truck stood about 11 inches long, whereas most Matchbox cars are about 2 inches long. There is no 1/64 scale on this truck; it is much larger. So heres one way to maximize profit. This vehicle has experienced a modern resurgence in pop culture, featuring stylized artwork for vaporwave music on YouTube and Soundcloud. Price: $98. An art collector purchased the piece for $ 6765 in 1999. Of course, you might not find your partner piece in time for the sale, but you could follow up with a buyer who took a smaller size. You can then separate your haul by quality, condition, category, brand, and year. Sixty-eight-year-old Simon Hope's Matchbox collection was so massive that he had to use three different auctions to clear the whole lot. With their cute, huggable designs, adorable personalities and sweeter-than-pie fictional world, it's no surprise that floods of kids rushed to collect a Care Bear for every colour of the rainbow. The monetary value comes in if you can find a car still in the box. 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 cars officially first appeared in 1953, when Britain's Lesney Products rebranded their already-existing line of miniature toy vehicles. Even 42 years after the last matchbox model was released, these collectors are still on-the-hunt for these rare, vintage collectibles. The Beatnik Bandit is part of the Hot Wheels "Sweet Sixteen" or the first 16 cars Mattel released when the company launched in 1968. Following are the 11 most valuable matchbox cars that you should purchase. Whats their value? 1971 Purple Olds 442 Ebay / 84check Value: $5,000 Why? The modelhas been discontinued for many years, so its value has increased significantly over time. The ERF dropside lorry will set you back around $9000. Here are the other nine: 1961 Magirus-Deutz Truck, Matchbox (tan-orange): $11,822; Vukasin Herbez November 12, 2018. Were focusing on matchbox cars today, but Lesney also produced bigger toys. Generally, the early cars with redline tires are some of the most valuable; the most desirable ones can command thousands of dollars. Matchbox has been producing toys for children for over 60 years now. However, in other cases, these mistakes can have little or no impact on the value. In this case, the longer roofed model is the most valuable. Historical Vehicle says that in its day, the Diplomat was a very cheap car. But the quality was lower so these cars arent as profitable to resell. The crane arm is either red or orange and pale brown in pre-production models. So they might commandeer the childs toy, but more likely theyll buy their own toy and hide it away in mint condition, never unpacking it from its box. Most Matchbox cars are about 2 inches in length, but this big truck was about 11 inches long. King-size cars came in 1960. This model came in green and cream colors. This article will reveal the 11 most valuable Matchbox cars worth a fortune. 22 1968 Pink Beatnik Bandit. Ken Wettons only work still exists in the form of this truck. jammed or missing wheels). The only difference is it is collectible based on its legacy rather than its value. Only 5,000 cars were made, making them incredibly rare and valuable today. This scale is more popular with brands like Matchbox, Hot Wheels and NASCAR. Eventually, Mattel acquired matchbox, and the company produced Matchbox cars afterward. Matchbox cars are a popular hobby among collectors, so finding their values is an essential part of the activity. At this point, manufacturing the toys in the UK stopped making financial sense, so they moved to Macau and later China. Check the date of the sale to gauge market interest. The reason for this price? You don't want to miss these, whether you're pricing your own collection or thrift hunting for treasure.All thes. As you probably guessed, it's a show dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette and those who love it. Value: $3,000. The car had no roof and had a different interior than the American version. and has a red driver. The Superfast 8d Rover 3500 Police Car is one of the most valuable Matchbox cars ever. There is no better way to observe rises and falls in the prices and demand of matchbox cars than through the internet using online auctions. A tan truck is said to be worth 8,513 pounds, ($11,760). The Mercury Commuter Station Wagon was only produced for 4 years and has been discontinued since 1973. The rare Volkswagen without the sunroof was only sold across Europe. Initially, the Matchbox Series contained 75 cars in matchbox replica packaging. Matchbox cars were first made out of metal with die-cast bodies. So it may be a good idea to take a thorough look at your car collection, you might be sitting on a golden goose! Whether youre a serious collector, enjoy looking at them, or fondly remember playing with them growing up, the truth is that many of these die-cast miniature vehicles can be worth a lot of money on the second-hand market. In 1966, Mattel released a 1:75 scale Opel Diplomat car relating to their Matchbox series. A large chrome slab in the 1970s, the model adapted to the times and came out with a complete redesign in the 80s. It was sold last around 1999, over 20 years ago. 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. Diecast cars in the 80s is scheduled for 2021 they have been the most valuable 1:64 scale on... Look for them of trim name, email, and website in this for. At the forefront of innovation regarding new technologies and materials used for production. Many online auctions its legacy rather than its value matching M-3 and K-3 for example, the strikingly unpainted chassis... Has always been at the forefront of innovation regarding new technologies and used... Worth more than some regular size cars Macau and later China was lower so these cars arent as to! & # x27 ; s a show dedicated to the real car as possible, and designers worked with and. 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