Are Diecast Cars good Investments? It seems like its only recently been discovered as a valuable collectible. In this case, the longer roofed model is the most valuable. Matchbox was a brand name for British die-cast vehicles produced by Lesney Products beginning in 1953. For the most basic version, theres not much of a difference in price. While the Ecto-1 is actually a loaded 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura Duplex, the car in its Ecto-1 form is right behind the DeLorean as far as iconic 1980s cars go. The first version was made with opening doors and a trunk and had chrome wheels. As the first three ever molded, they can fetch amazing prices as a full set. It can double your asking price. 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. 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. Its not difficult to find a good one if you know how to look for them. Generally, the early cars with redline tires are some of the most valuable; the most desirable ones can command thousands of dollars. By this time, the teeny tiny vehicles commanded the market, so youd find small toy cars described as matchbox cars, even when they were made by rival brands like Corgi and Dinky. It is important to consider the age of Matchbox cars when determining their value. 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 second version was made without opening doors and trunk but still had chrome wheels. They are miniature versions of real-life vehicles, but they also feature design details that make them appealing to collectors. Some rare models sell for thousands of dollars, while others can be found on eBay or Craigslist for less than $10! Thanks! But the quality was lower so these cars arent as profitable to resell. '55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser "Candy Striper," $1,000-Plus. The standard model of Matchbox Ford Fairlane Police car had a blue and white body. 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. Capitalism follows a pretty predictable formula. The earliest cars were 2 full-metal without glass window panes. Later, these were replaced by plastic models that have become synonymous with Matchboxs brand identity. Vukasin Herbez November 12, 2018. Hot Wheels quickly became Matchbox cars' biggest competitor in the late 1960s. Despite being based on a 1979 truck, the matchbox model came out in 1981 and stayed in production until 2006. Of course, most children could not buy a Ferrari and they certainly couldnt drive one, so they had to settle for the matchbox version. Kids can play with them like any other toy car, while collectors display them on shelves or store them in boxes when not being played with or displayed. Most of the real-life cars I've . Matchbox cars were packaged in two ways, depending on the era. Nice and clean with only three or four minuscule outer edge nicks, it stands four inches tall. In the history of Matchbox cars, very few vehicles have reached the value level of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Matchbox, Random 70's 80's 90's Car Lot of 5 Toy Cars . Vintage 1980s Rare Matchbox Twin Pack | Mercedes Benz G-Wagon And Horse Box with Horses | Polizei German Police | Diecast | Emergency 911 . Here are the other nine: 1961 Magirus-Deutz Truck, Matchbox (tan-orange): $11,822; Sold by Alisho's and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. In the late 1960s, Mattel which today owns Matchbox introduced Hot Wheels. This 1:32 scale model features a detailed interior, opening doors, hood, and rear engine compartment. It was manufactured in England and released in 1972, so its not surprising that collectors would be willing to pay so much for it. But the cars came with accessories and race tracks, which Lesney couldnt compete with. Some of these were produced for promotional purposes or as promotional items for companies that sold their goods at a discount to stores that purchased large quantities of merchandise from them. Here are the Top 10 Most Expensive Diecast Cars in the World: Contents [ hide] 10. The statue consists of almost 106 individual pieces and even includes light-up eyes. Its a racing car, and it comes in two different versions one with two doors and one with four. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is also the most valuable 1:64 scale Matchbox on our list. Number Produced: Unknown for sure but believed to be very few. It is not entirely likely that you will find one in your collection, but it is not impossible either. A price / valuation and model variation guide for the Models of Yesteryear range of die cast models by Lesney Matchbox, . It wasnt until the Matchbox community heard it had been sold to a Japanese collector named Takuyo Yoshise. The owner sold one for $10,000 three years after purchasing it, and later on, it was bought by a collector for $13,000! The 1980 Series 1-75 models, which are illustrated in the 1980/81 International edition Matchbox Catalogue under the name "Matchbox 75", were mostly issued with Superfast Wheels. . It was marked with an M + the toy number, and it mimicked big trucks and construction gear. As you probably guessed, it's a show dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette and those who love it. John Odell (1920-2007), Leslie Smith (1918-2005), and Rodney . Look for the original box. Of course, once the manufacturer discovers this, they begin to produce high-end units targeted at collectors. As Lesney updated its models to match the market, some of the older series were retooled and upgraded. By Riley August 3, 2016 September 29, 2020. Perhaps the most common is a wrong color on a vehicle that was supposed to be another color, or perhaps the wrong decals were applied at the factory. 30 Toy Cars Collectors Covet. 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. Founded in 1953 by Lesney Products, Matchbox is a well-known toy brand. Even more, theres hardly any information on the car at all. 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. Mar 06, 6:00 . You can also check under the car to see the year and place of manufacture. The company made promotional vehicles for product placement, mostly on their double-decker buses and yesteryear classics. If the Matchbox model was issued in the 60s and was well-preserved, it could be worth thousands of dollars. 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. A 1980's iconoclast, it's not hard to see why the matchbox models are so coveted. How to Find out How Much Matchbox Cars Are Worth? All boxed in good condition. While its bad form to Ctrl C + Ctrl V, you can study listings that are well crafted and use the same style in your own matchbox car listing. There was only a right-hand drive interior, and there were no windows. WARNING: This review contains several MAJOR spoilers. The Matchbox line includes more than 2,000 cars, trucks, and other vehicles. They might be willing to bid on the bigger version and make your auction more exciting, even if they dont end up buying the larger matchbox car. The first Mustang car was introduced in 1964, and the car has been ever since a must-have for collectors and toy enthusiasts. Aston Martin Could Team Up with Lucid. Matchbox model cars, noted 'Matchbox Series 40th Anniversary Collection'; 'Matchbox, the Flavours of Australia, Limited Edition Gift Set' (2) ; Models of Yesteryear (13). Heck, it's not even a toy. 8. . Jack Odell who founded the company had a daughter who could only carry match-sized toys to school. The first period was from 1953 to 1965, and the second was from 1966 to 1991. Its much bigger. They are an important part of our culture, and their influence on car enthusiasts today is obvious. This trend started with the Matchbox cars from Lesney, and they are returning to take over again. These small cars tend to fetch a higher price for their distinctive color or other features most of the time. The 1968 Bug was only produced for one year, and only 10 were made. This one of a kind toy car keepsake was sold for a record price of $15,000. The two-door version is worth around $15, while the four-door model can be worth as much as $30. A few months later, company co-owner Jack Odell created an even smaller version of the coach for his daughter to take with her to school, as she was allowed to bring in only toys that . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 19 Most Valuable Matchbox Cars Worth Money, 19 Most Valuable Vintage Tonka Trucks Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Vintage Swatch Watches (80s & 90s) Worth Money, 18 Most Valuable Royal Doulton Figurines Worth Money, 19 Most Valuable Depression Glass Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Vintage Trifari Jewelry Worth Money, 15 Most Valuable Vintage Glassware Worth Money, Antique Toy Pedal Cars Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Coffee Grinders Value (Identification & Price Guides), Benrus Watch Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Blue Willow China Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Car Blue Book (Car Value & Identificatiron), Old Buttons Value (Identification & Price Guides), Skeleton Key Value (Identification & Price Guides). Sometimes (e.g. The Magirus-Deutz Truck is modeled after the old type of crane, from the 1960s. Its why those early Hot Wheels boxes boasted no batteries, no electrical current!. Points to note include colors (both interior and exterior), moving parts (e.g. With sporty racing rim wheels and flamboyant designs, they were faster and flashier than Matchboxes. The Superfast 8d Rover 3500 Police Car is a very rare item that can be found only in a few places worldwide today. He wanted to make a school-friendly toy for his daughter. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In some cases, printing the card in the wrong color can significantly increase value. 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Now that matchbox is resurfacing again; collectors are delighted to see this trend continue. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO - $18,000. 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost: 6 Cool Details. Matchbox cars often command a high going rate, which a collector can find by quickly searching. The company was founded by Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith in North London. The word may be generic, but if youre selling to collectors, make sure its a Lesney! Although these were commercial cars, collectors love them. There is one version thats worth its weight in gold. This is a vintage Matchbox model of aMercury Cougar. So you might find a Major Truck or trailer that has a different style of wheels. A Magirus-Deutz Crane truck sold for $10 in 1961 went for $10,000 after a few years and was purchased by a collector for $13,000 later. Beatnik Bandit Hot Wheels - $15,000. But some savvy parent or elder sibling spots the potential profits. Bone up on . A vintage Super Soaker Monster XL, which has the distinction of being one of the largest water guns ever sold, went for $500 back in 2016. Ad vertisement from shop CedarClosetCache. Matchbox toy cars were and still are one of the most valuable toy car collections. You don't want to miss these, whether you're pricing your own collection or thrift hunting for treasure.All thes. Eventually, Mattel acquired matchbox, and the company produced Matchbox cars afterward. This Magirus-Deutz truck with a tan body is incredibly rare, with only two thought to have been produced. You might think you know all about these collectible toys, but did you know collectors pay big bucks for some of these little plastic toys? Some resellers will even ditch the Mokos and focus on American brands. King-size cars came in 1960. Current value: $8,000 to $10,000. There is no 1/64 scale on this truck; it is much larger. 2023 80s Toy Store | All Rights Reserved. Photo: McDonald's. These Teenie Beanies are so rare and sought after that even a set of 16 can sell for over $800. We do know that the Mercedes Benz 230 SL was produced in three colors: white, white (Superfast), and yellow (Superfast). Model cars that are 1/64 can sometimes be described as being on the S scale. A Price list of 600 old corgi toys mostly boxed from the 1960s 70s 80s including Buses Juniors Classics and links to other old diecasts by Dinky Matchbox Lledo Solido & 60 other makers. The monetary value comes in if you can find a car still in the box. Matchbox cars are worth a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. A 1980s iconoclast, its not hard to see why the matchbox models are so coveted. The Matchbox line of toy cars became extremely popular during the 1960s and 1970s when many children collected them. Matchbox 1967 Magirus Deutz Crane (No. They added wider, slicker wheels to meet the low-friction demand created by Hot Wheels. Great deals on Matchbox 1980 Vehicle Year Vintage Manufacture Diecast Cars, Trucks & Vans. Hope amassed almost . Compensation does not affect opinions stated. Check out our matchbox 1980s cars selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 100 Black-Owned Businesses to . Looking for a Career with 80s Toy Store? 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. With opening doors, hood, and the car to see why the Matchbox models are so coveted,. A must-have for collectors and toy enthusiasts, and the second was from 1953 to,. Incredibly rare, with only two thought to have been produced glass window panes spots. Until the Matchbox cars are worth 1960s, Mattel acquired Matchbox, and other vehicles 3500 car. Community heard it had been sold to a Japanese collector named Takuyo Yoshise see year... 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