Back home.
I will always say the Matchbox Gathering is one of the more enjoyable weekends a diecast collector can have. It can also be one of the most tiring. But that hasn't bothered me, and probably doesn't bother most attendees.
Anyone who attends a diecast convention knows the one thing missing is sleep. Days are busy, and nights even busier, as room-to-room trading is an endless sea of collection gap-fillers. The Gathering is no different, and now here on Monday I am surprised I did as well as I did making the 10-hour drive back yesterday.
I walked into my house last night and hit the bed. And here is the first chance to put up a post. That is the problem with the Gathering. It is loaded with news, and I always return too tired to get to reporting it. But I am rested, and here we go. Prepare, because the news and photos are coming. In droves.
We've got upcoming 2015 and 2016 models to show, some fantastic prepros that were auctioned off, and a whole slew of finds. We have shown some things on Facebook and Instagram, but there is a lot more coming.
So let's start with the Dealer Model. Every Gathering has a Dinner model in two variations, and a Dealer Model for those who reserve tables at the Toy Show on Sunday. We showed the Dinner Model, the '75 Mack CF Pumper
This year, instead of a recent model, Matchbox took us back to the Ford Bronco, which has been out for a few years now. This is definitely one of those "Golden Age of Matchbox" models. Sure, it is an off-road vehicle, which has been shoved down our throats for a few years now, but it is a classic vehicle, done wonderfully well, with one glaring exception.
That damned towhook. Before I started whining about upsloped chins with the blue brand, the towhook on the Bronco was my favorite topic to complain about. Collectors at the time were clamoring for more towhooks on models, which was a Matchbox staple back in the day, and Mattel obliged on a few models, including the Bronco. And instead of a clean hook, the thing grew a tail.
That was the only major oops at a time when the Matchbox team could do little wrong. Unfortunately we haven't seen it change. Otherwise this model is fantastic, and to be honest, a deserved selection for an event exclusive. And towhook or no towhook, Michael Heralda did a fantastic job in its design. Purple Broncos are cool.
So here it is, properly DLM'd. Those of you who weren't there, eBay is your best bet
Matchbox Ford Bronco 4x4 (2015 MC Gathering of Friends Dealer Exclusive):
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