The Bloomington Gold Corvette Show is a car show held every year in Bloomington, Indiana. That is, until out of nowhere the Matchbox community learned that it had been sold to a Japanese collector by the name of Takuyo Yoshise. 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. It was created in the early 1980s and produced for about three years. Hot Wheels quickly became Matchbox cars' biggest competitor in the late 1960s. We do know that it is a hot pink 1984 Toyota MR2, and it is honestly quite hard to think of a mainstream car that captures the 80s quite like this car does. Matchbox cars are collectible toys for children and adults alike. 1 and had a green driver. It sold for an astounding $6,765 thats roughly $10,000 now if you consider inflation. 5 . The earliest boxes had no text on them except for the name of the car and its number, while later boxes also included information such as Made in England and Corgi Toys Ltd.. 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. But you need to consider two dates. This one of a kind toy car keepsake was sold for a record price of $15,000. 5. Add a few street signs, garages, gas pumps, or add-ons related to that toy. Model cars that are 1/64 can sometimes be described as being on the S scale. The 1969 pink Beach Bomb leads his list of the top 10 most valuable Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. There is one version thats worth its weight in gold. A 1980s iconoclast, its not hard to see why the matchbox models are so coveted. The most obvious reason matchbox cars are collectible is that theyre cute! 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. The only difference is it is collectible based on its legacy rather than its value. The word grail does not get tossed around lightly, but this car falls under that category, as do many other items on this list. RARE Vintage Matchbox City Garage Play Set (1980) Working Elevator. Almost five years ago, a similar model sold for $8,500 on eBay. Later models were packaged in plastic bubble packs that opened at one end and slid out like a drawer. 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. The name "Matchbox" was used because, at the time, British schools only allowed students to bring toys small enough to fit in a matchbox. 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. They also released a retro series in 1956. . Aston Martin Could Team Up with Lucid. 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. Finding their values is an integral part of Matchbox car collecting, a popular hobby among collectors. Some of the most valuable Hot Wheels from the 1990s that have sold recently are: Hot Wheels Collector Number 271 ($3,000+) Hot Wheels #37 1990 All American Hot Bird ($200) 1990 '65 White Mustang Convertible #26 ($150) 1990 California Custom Blown Camaro #1289 ($150) 1991 Hot Wheels Bigfoot Champions Monster Rig Trucks like these typically had a green bed and yellow body, but the version worth the most money had a reversed color scheme. There was only a right-hand drive interior, and there were no windows. The Matchbox brand has been around for over 50 years and is still going strong today. This isnt a crucial step, but it makes reselling easier because you can segment your buyers. Even more, theres hardly any information on the car at all. In the late 1960s, Mattel which today owns Matchbox introduced Hot Wheels. 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. This is the first official Matchbox model produced in 1953 and was modeled on a real vintage steamroller belonging to the owner of Lesney Products. As a car, it was middling, overpriced, and famously low quality, but the true value of this car lies in its design and vision. Most of the real-life cars I've . That was the case with the 1968 Volkswagen Bug. Some models were made with grey wheels. In the 1980s, the Monte Carlo was a legendary Chevy model that remained in production until 2007. While the DeLorean Motor Company filed for bankruptcy in 1982, the DeLoreans representation in theBack to The Futurefilms has given it a cult following, with models appreciating greatly in value; and in many ways was unappreciated for its avant-garde design. When the company began, they had to roll out the first line of cars and this was one. And of course, one is more valuable than the other. There were some minor differences in the way the wheels were made and the way the rivets were made, but otherwise, the two models are almost the same. Even though it was discontinued from production several years ago, collectors still love it and will pay top dollar for any version of this model they can find. Coke glassware varies greatly and rare, high-quality pieces can fetch top dollar. The truck was thought to be an indestructible company treasure. 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. 28 Best Classic Cars In The World Top Vintage Cars, Top 10 Most Valuable Coke Bottles Worth A Fortune, The Top 15 Most Valuable Marbles Worth a Fortune, 10 Most Valuable Johnny Lightning Cars: Value and Price Guide, 30+ Vintage Christmas Cards Worth Looking At In 2022, 28+ Vintage Record Players That Are Worth Looking At In 2022, Vintage Linens (Identification and Value Guide), Vintage Luggage: Brands, Identification, and Buying Guide, Vintage Playing Cards (Identification and Value Guide), Vintage Japanese Music Box Rare Collectibles, Sports Memorabilia Price and Identification Guide, Where to Sell Beanie Babies: Tips for Selling, Vintage Skateboards Identification and Value Guide, Vintage Raleigh Bikes: History, Models, Value, Vintage John Deere Toy Tractor Value Guide, Vintage Huffy Bike Model: Identification and Value Guide, Value of Collectible Barbie Dolls: Complete Price Guide. They are an important part of our culture, and their influence on car enthusiasts today is obvious. Essentially, this means the most valuable Matchbox cars dont have to be Lesneys. 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. They were initially made in England and are in high demand among collectors. Back in the 80s, there was a hit TV series called Magnum PI starring Tom Sellek. The second version was made without opening doors and trunk but still had chrome wheels. Another reason matchbox cars are popular is that they can be used as toys and collectibles. Just as an example, the first ever steamroller was marked Moko No. This essentially meant the child-centered toys appealed to kids and race car enthusiasts. The selling price through Morphy Auctions in 2010 was $345. Many believed that this matchbox car would be kept in the company indefinitely. This car is mainly sold in two colors, white and blue. Besides, because of the large number of matchbox cars available, it is hard to find the right one with a better worth. Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith, friends, formed Lesney Products in June 1947. Hope amassed almost . Road Roller Originally had been designed to be a larger vehicle, but it shrunk in size to make it easier for kids to use it as a toy. The idea for Matchbox cars came from Jack Odells daughter, who wanted to bring her toy cars to school but wouldnt fit inside her schoolbag unless they were made smaller. The Superfast 8d Rover 3500 Police Car is one of the most valuable Matchbox cars ever. Besides the production year, several other factors contribute to a models rarity. Beatnik Bandit Hot Wheels - $15,000. 3. This list of the top 21 most valuable Matchbox cars shows you just how much your collection could be worth. Later ones were stamped Matchbox Lesney. This trend started with the Matchbox cars from Lesney, and they are returning to take over again. One of the most valuable Happy Meal toys, "Inspector Gadget" from 1995, could fetch you around $350.. 3. With the black leather interior, stick shift, pop up lights, sharp yet futuristic linesevery design choice on this car seems to epitomize the decade. They made more sales and were played with more, so if you find any to resell, theyre probably well-used and in bad condition. 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 mint condition version can sell for $30 today! But some savvy parent or elder sibling spots the potential profits. Some sellers are offering single unopened, obscure Teenies Beanies for thousands of dollars. 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. Ending Wednesday at 11:16AM PST 13h 38m. Matchbox was a brand name for British die-cast vehicles produced by Lesney Products beginning in 1953. Matchbox car collecting is a fun hobby, and there is a large community of collectors worldwide. Generally, the early cars with redline tires are some of the most valuable; the most desirable ones can command thousands of dollars. In the history of Matchbox cars, very few vehicles have reached the value level of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Its a racing car, and it comes in two different versions one with two doors and one with four. 7. This model is valuable because of its reverse color schemethe body is dark green on the other side, and vice versa for the yellow interior. These were matchbox models of normal-sized vintage cars that ran on steam engines. A different box design doesnt necessarily mean its fake. This is one of the few remaining works of Ken Wetton, and to top it all off, its a beautiful vehicle. Lets get going! 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. Are Diecast Cars good Investments? Hot Wheels used numerous shades of blue, purple, and magenta for its models, and it is easy for the novice collector to confuse them all. That makes it the most valuable Matchbox car ever made, even though its just a smaller version of the original. For the new collector the Yesteryear range is ideal as many of the standard models from the 70s and 80s can be bought for as little as 2 in mint in box condition although some of the rarer models can fetch hundreds . Compensation does not affect opinions stated. Have you ever wondered which Matchbox toy carsare the most valuable collectibles? Over time, the brand expanded to include large-scale die-cast models. This scale is more popular with brands like Matchbox, Hot Wheels and NASCAR. 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. 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. As for the BP Dodge Wrecker, they miscalculated when it came to the icons color. That one is already in the hands of most collectors, as it is not that expensive on a used site. The Major Scale Quarry Truck is the holy grail of Matchbox cars. Over the years, the number of vehicles has increased substantially, especially since Mattel acquired the company. Not much is known about this release, as it is scheduled for 2021. While Matchbox Majors feature large vehicles, they werent the only big toys that Lesney released. It was marked with an M + the toy number, and it mimicked big trucks and construction gear. Its a different story from the Sea Green version. Only one version of this car was officially released by Matchbox. For the sporty 1969 die-cast Hot Wheels . 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. $18.50 + $14.99 shipping. King-size cars came in 1960. 1971 Purple Olds 442 Ebay / 84check Value: $5,000 Why? We keep mentioning the importance of dates in this reselling sector. In 1953, British toy company Lesney Products released a miniature model of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation coach, the company's first best seller. The reverse color versions crane base is narrower. And while the first run of cars was from 1966 to 1968, that color is not on our list of released vehicles. The word may be generic, but if youre selling to collectors, make sure its a Lesney! There was a unique roof on this car, and the interiors were different from that of the American version. It is important to consider several factors when evaluating eBay results for a particular car. The 1984 MR2 is one of the most iconic Matchbox cars. It seems like its only recently been discovered as a valuable collectible. Matchbox cars officially first appeared in 1953, when Britain's Lesney Products rebranded their already-existing line of miniature toy vehicles. Prices arent too different from the basic versions. Original Matchbox Lesney Dodge Wreck Truck Check Prices eBay. They created their first die-cast in 1997, which was a road roller. Some resellers will even ditch the Mokos and focus on American brands. The gray-wheeled model is so rare that a recent sale of a used model was recorded at a price of nearly $2,000. Matchbox cars were first made out of metal with die-cast bodies. This has always been a big part of the appeal and keeping with the times. 2. For Lesney Matchbox cars, these took the form of regional models with localized advertising. Today, that makes them very valuable. Treasure Hunt '67 Camaro, $1,500-$3,000. The Matchbox line of toy cars became extremely popular during the 1960s and 1970s when many children collected them. Even though its the firs it isnt the most valuable. Vukasin Herbez November 12, 2018. Matchbox cars were designed with several unique features that made them appealing to children and collectors alike. It made our top 11 list of the most valuable and rare matchbox cars considering the cars value. Hot Wheels werent as carefully crafted as Lesneys. Of course, most children could not buy a Ferrari and they certainly couldnt drive one, so they had to settle for the matchbox version. Matchbox Diecast Cars Best Selling 2022 Matchbox Moving Parts 1978 Subaru Brat Die Cast Car (6) $3.50 New Matchbox Diecast Collectible Car (MTL-30782) (50) $1.30 New Matchbox 79391473 1:64 Super Service Center Play Set $34.95 New Matchbox 2019 50th Anniversary Superfast 59 VOLKSWAGEN 23 Microbus (8) $6.89 New For example, the strikingly unpainted steel chassis with the gull-wing doors feels like a direct influence of the new Tesla Truck. $150 - $505. So some buyers do want these cars. 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. At this point, manufacturing the toys in the UK stopped making financial sense, so they moved to Macau and later China. doors or hoods that open), body-work (e.g. 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. 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