July 10th Matchbox Ambassador Report, by Larry Scaduto...

By
Advertisement
Ambassador’s Report July 10th, 2015
By: Larry Scaduto


INTRODUCTION
Good day and welcome to my 2nd to the last Ambassador’s Report. One more to go and that will be covering all the new models shown at the Gathering along with an overview of presentation by the Matchbox Team after dinner. Also my 2017 Collector’s Poll results will be included as well. You still have till July 12th at midnight to get you top 20 lists to me. The response has been very good and you will be surprised at what the final choices will be. A copy of the candidates list is near the end of this report. This issue’s History section covers a variety of games and garages released over the years and the Models We Would Love to See Made section has been expanded for one last time with some great ideas that were sent to me. I just want to say Thank you to all the collectors who have sent me pictures over this past year. Your participation has been wonderful. It has made a difference and the 2017 Collector’s Poll is proof of that!!!! Well, that’s enough from me…..let’s get the New Releases!!!! Regards, Larry

NEW RELEASES

MB965 Attack Track 


Attack Track (Front View)


Attack Track (Rear View)


MB959 Gator Raider (Front View)


Gator Raider (Rear View w/rotating prop)


Heavy Freighter (Front View)


Heavy Freighter (Rear View)


MB871 Highway Rescue Fire Truck (Front View)


Highway Rescue Fire Truck (Rear View)


MB862 Dodge A-100 Pickup (Front View)


Dodge A-100 Pickup
(Must be Michael’s 4991st design……what will number 5000 be???)


MB961 Mauler Hauler (Front View)


Mauler Hauler (Rear View)


Mauler Hauler w/ open cage section


GATHERING PREPRODUCTIONS FROM MY COLLECTION


First up is a MB29 Dodge Magnum in orange with smoke tinted windows, black surf boards,  grey interior and grey plastic 2005 Thailand base. 


Now I have a MB869 2006 Ford Crown Victoria in a metallic orange/red body, silver/grey interior with purple windows. Also featured is a burnt orange 2005 plastic Thailand base.


Next up I have a MB737 Quarry King. This tractor is painted metallic orange with a grey shovel and a smooth plastic chrome base without any text. The radiator at the rear is smooth and has no detailing as well.


Now this MB737 Quarry King is painted in creamy beige with a blue shovel black plastic 2007 Thailand base. The radiator on this model has a design pattern. And of course the wheels are different from the model above. 


Moving along to the MB711 2007 Volvo C30…. The body is painted a metallic red with red windows and a grey interior. The bumper and rocker panels are olive green and the base is black plastic Thailand


I’m picturing a 2000 Chevy Corvette Convertible. It is painted in a satin dove gray with a clear windshield and a light purple interior. The base is a flesh color without any text. 


MB871 Highway Rescue Fire Truck in a medium blue with clear frosted windows and a 2002 grey plastic Thailand base. Nice to see this model back in the line up!


The above model was not from any convention, but I had some extra space to fill…so I have pictured a MB56 Mercedes 450 SEL in an off white with a beige interior and blue windows. Also featured is a silver painted metal 1979 Lesney England base. Ahhh….the good old days when models had opening doors! This model does not meet the 4 part rule of today’s standards!!! 

HISTORY
In my last History section I will be covering items issued by Matchbox that were not Diecast related. First up is a game called Race for the Cup which was released in Australia in 1987 in conjunction with the America’s Cup Race. This is an interesting game since the main sponsor was Swan Premium Lager, a beer company. I’m thinking by today’s standards, this would not be an acceptable association for a kid’s game.  Please read on for other games….


Race for the Cup an America’s Cup Yacht Race Game (1987)


The Geller’s Strike Game (1986)


Zillion (Laser Tag Game) (1987)

Over the past year I’ve pictured other games I have, but there are a few I’m missing like Cascade, Chopper Chase, and the Traffic Game. Chopper Chase I never got but the other two I played with until they broke. Someday I’ll get the others….I’m in no rush!
Now I am showing my parking garages along with other items I’ve collected over the years. First picture is my Matchbox Autopark from 1970. This is a battery operated parking garage that has a ramp that raises cars to the round parking structure. This garage is interesting in that it has a gear system that allows the wheel to rotate while keeping the cars level. Also this garage is complete with all you see on the box….including the pumps. I know at one time it was said that the gas pumps didn’t come with the set, but it is included and it’s exactly as pictured. 


Matchbox Autopark (1970)


Matchbox Motors (1989)


Matchbox Motorcity Freight Yard (1990)


Intercom City MC-560 (1992)


Sears Parking Garage


Not an official Matchbox Garage, but worthy of mentioning here in this report is the Sears Parking Garage that was available thought their Christmas Wish Catalog for $14.99. The box pictures several Matchbox regular wheels and a lone Hot Wheels car. I could not find a release date on the box. But judging by the types of models on the packaging, I’m guessing this was available 1969. I’ve had this since I was in Junior High!!! Still mint in the box!!!

China Specials
I’m not sure what to officially call these unique models other than China Specials. It would appear when SUTC took over the issuing of left over Matchbox models for the China market, they had a surplus assortment of World Class and Premiere unassembled models. Premium style wheels were not placed on these left over models. The use of 6 spoke gold spiral wheels can be seen throughout most of the issues I have seen. Models were assembled without regard for the matching of bases to bodies. So there is an array of different color combinations that don’t always match very well but are interesting and fun to collect non-the-less. I’m picturing a small selection of what I have. I’m guessing that these were available somewhere around 2005.


MB32 ’62 Corvette 
The front model is a regular issue in blue without hood printing, but it does feature gold spiral wheels. The model in the rear is much more unique painted metallic blue with a yellow metal China base. It is pictured below with blue tinted windows and a red interior
       
Next is a silver Vette with a black & white interior and a metallic purple metal China base.

      
Here I am picturing a black Vette with a black & white interior, blue tinted windows and a metallic purple China base. Next to this is a red Corvette with a red interior, blue tinted windows and a metallic blue China base. 

      
Here I have two more Corvettes. The first one is a MB14 1987 Corvette in white with a red World Class base and a blue interior. Next is a MB4 1997 Corvette in black with a black interior and a silver painted window roof combination. All four above models feature gold spiral wheels.

   
In these last two pictures I have a MB37 ’70 Boss Mustang from the First Edition Premiere Collection. It is of course light lemon yellow with a matching metal China base. The interior is black & white and this model also features the 6 spoke gold spiral wheels. Lastly I have one of my favorite China Specials. This is the MB4 ’57 Chevy from the Premiere Series. The body is black with a black & chrome interior. This model features a silver/gray metal China base. Now what makes this Chevy so much different from the regular release you say??? The hood should be red and not yellow!!! See the red flames on the doors….the hood should have been red to match that. And the wheels are 5 arch fronts with 5 crown in back and not the usual Premiere style wheels.

WHAT’S NEW
     Canadian Batch F     
Got the latest releases From Midwest Diecast and noticed the cards were different. The cases that arrived at Tom’s were Canadian Releases. I wonder if they’re packed different from the US! 
                                           

MB1 2014 Porsche Cayman (copper 5 spoke wheels)


         MB15 1968 Ford Mustang GT/CS                                             MB89 Cliff Hanger
        (Awesome in black w/gold stripe)


                MB55 1975 Mack CF Pumper                    MB62 Pierce Dash Fire Engine (Thingy)


              MB83 Lamborghini LM002                                           MB1 Porsche Cayman
(It does not get any better than the above 2 models!!!!)


                    MB81 Roar-By-Four                                                           MB10 Turn Tamer


          MB32 H2O HLX (Water Truck)                     MB48 Ford F-350 (Blister Card Reads Ford F-150)

                      MB72 Sahara Sweeper                                        MB102 Sahara Survivor


Mission Force: Strike Squad


(Found on Amazon.com by Shabbir)



Here are the two latest 9-Packs found at Target

MODELS WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MADE
(Last Installment)
I was inspired by the inclusion of the Heavy Freighter in the New Releases section of this report. What excellent play value it would be to have train cars to go along with this engine!!! Like the good old days (as they say!) Here are some ideas worth checking out…. 


Rail Flat Car


Passenger Rail Car


Tanker Car


Box car


…..and lastly a Caboose!!!



1971 Checker Marathon Wagon


Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45


Austin Mini Pickup


P8 Poseidon (Sky Buster Idea) 


Willys 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles


Ohhhhhhh… and one last request for the Ford Contractor’s Truck


Dodge C-Series Cab


Ford “Louisville” L-Series Truck


U-Haul Trailer

MBX Glass Truck

I know you didn't ask for anything new to be proposed, but this is something that might perk Gerry Cody's ears because it can actually be a "Matchbox Original," which they're always looking to make to save money on licensing.  I've always thought a Glass Truck would be the perfect type of vehicle for Matchbox's unique approach to "blue collar" vehicles over the years.  I've enclosed a pic of a licensed truck that could be modified to fit into the "four piece maximum" mantra for making a vehicle: 
1. Cab and flatbed strip are diecast metal
2. Plastic base
3. Plastic glass frame holders on either side are actually one piece that lies above plastic base, but under metal flatbed strip (allows for color blocking potential with cab, i.e. red cab, white glass frame holders)
4. Different size "glass" that sits in the frame holder, united by an unseen strip at bottom that the glass "sprouts" from.  Again, this piece could be united through the floor of the flatbed.  This last piece, although still only being the fourth piece, would likely have to go before pre-production, because it would be hard enough uniting three pieces at the flatbed (plastic base, plastic glass frame holder, and diecast flatbed strip).
Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to throw in my two cents, Larry.
Regards, Marco
Ambassador’s Note: Nice idea Marco!!! Well thought out plan. Glad to share it with everyone. 



Miscellaneous

A huge Thank You goes out to Tom Sarlitto of 
Midwest Diecast Miniatures
for supplying all the newest Batches of Matchbox for these reports.  
One last push……..
As a reminder we just have a few days till the July 12th deadline to submit your top 20 lists to me. I have been keeping a tally of your votes for possible models for 2017 and beyond. The Collector’s Choice Poll is once again here in this report. Please use the list I have below, it is really too late at this point to start adding personal choices and new models to the list. If you wish, hold onto your picks and we’ll see if the new ambassador will keep this going. Thank you to all who have submitted their picks to me. Results in my next report……
August 19th Report:
Polaris 700 Twin      1975 AMC Pacer      2014 Honda Crosstour      1948 Tucker Torpedo
1971 Buick Riviera
September 2nd Report
Ford Capri II Turbo      Bombardier B-12 Snowmobile      Bedford TK-1 Fire Vehicle     
Toyota Land Cruiser F-70 Troopy      1968 Chevy Impala      1967 Ford Galaxie Fastback 
Austin FX4 Taxi      1967 MGB GT
September 18th Report
1970 Chevy Nova SS350      Asphalt Spreader      Prius Taxi      The Schwimmwagen
2015 Kai Soul EV      2015 Ford Mustang      Speed Trap Trailer

October 10th Report
1986 Mitsubishi Mills-Tui Pumper     1993 Chevy Caprice Police Car      2008 Nissan GT-R
2015 Dodge Viper      Asphalt Grinder      Paymaster Semi Tractor      BMW i8      2016 Audi RS7
October 22nd Report
1962 Divco Delivery Van      1961 Ferrari      Ford Tri-Motor      Deepflight Submersible  
VW XL Sport      1992 Fiat Tipo      Toyota FJ      Airstream Trailer    
November 5th Report
1968 Oldsmobile Delta 88      1990 Honda NSX     2010 Lancia New Stratos      2013 Jaguar F-Type
Airport Luggage Vehicle      BMW R-75 w/sidecar      Site Dumper      2011 Nissan Juke
November 25th Report
Oshkosh Cement Mixer      Hino Cement Truck      International Paystar Cement Truck
1986 Isuzu JCS Rural Fire Engine      1960 Dennis Fire Truck      Scania Bus      Porsche Macon
Mazda Miata MX-5      2015 Chevy Corvette Z-06      2015 Toyota Highlander
2015 Dodge Charger Hellcat       Segway 
December 12th Report
2012 Ford Focus      2012 Mazda CX5      2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat      2015 Mustang Rocket
Audi A9     2015 Chrysler 300 Hellcat     2012 Volvo S60 Polest     Bedford Water Truck       
Bentley   SUV
December 22nd Report
2015 McLaren 650S      Hyundai i20      2013 Ford Fiesta ST      Volkswagen Atacama      
1990 Jaguar XJR-1      Honda Pilot      Volkswagen Vision Gran Turismo
January 8th Report
1958 Ford Edsel Corsair      1960 Chevy El Camino      1992 Aston Martin Vantage     
 2016 Ford Bronco      1963 Ford Thunderbird      Volkswagen Tristar      Sea Ray Cabin Cruiser

January 27th Report
1981 Checker Police Car      1981 Checker Fire Chief Car      2014 VW Golf      2016 Toyota Mirai
2016 Volkswagen Beetle Dune     2016 Ford GT     2016 Toyota Supra     Infiniti Q60      Jaguar XJS
February 10th Report
1959 Aston-Martin DB4     2014 BMW i3     2014 Porsche 918 Spyder      1973 Lamborghini Jarma 
1990 Scania G93M Fire Engine      2011 Opel Insignia opc Unlimited      2012 Volkswagen Up
2014 Jaguar xfr-s Sportbrake
February 27th Report
2014 Volkswagen Scirocco     2013 Subaru Lavorg      2015 Volvo XC90      2009 Alfa Romeo Brera
Dump Truck Trailer     Shipping Container Trailer      2015 Nissan March Nismo      
2014 Lamborghini Asterion     Ford F-750 Super Duty Fire Truck    2016 Kia K900     2016 Mazda 3
Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck      2016 Ford Transit
     March 16th Report
1953 Studebaker Starliner      Kia Sportspace Concept      Donkervoort D8 GTO     
 Audi RS3 Sportback      1974 Plymouth Duster      Cement Mixer Trailer    
2014 Porsche 918 Spyder-Weissac      Flybridge Cabin Cruiser 
March 30th Report
1976 Chevy Monte Carlo     2014 Maserati Gran Turismo     BMW Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Convertible
1994 Venturi 400GT      Holden Special Vehicles / HSV Ge-F GTS       Honda Civic R-Type    
  1971 Plymouth Duster Super Bee
April 13th Report
1967 Pontiac GTO      2015 Jeep Renegade Latitude      Can-Am Spyder F3 
Citroen Xsara Picasso Tunning 3      1959 Plymouth Fury      2015 Polaris Slingshot     
2015 Volkswagen Crafter

May 4th Report
2015 Aston-Martin Vulcan     1973 BMW 3.0 CSL      1930 Cadillac Fleetwood     
2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen      1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec     Honda Civic Concept
2016 Volvo XC-90      1954 Hudson Hornet      2016 Porsche Boxster      2015 Chevy Tahoe 
2016 Chevy Malibu
May 19th Report
1939 Dodge Sedan Police Car      1947 Series 62 Convertible      1991 BMW Nazca C2      
2013 SAAB 9-3      2016 Nissan Maxima      2016 Ford Focus      Volkswagen GT1 Roadster
1999 Lamborghini Diablo GT-5
June 4th Report
Toyota FT-1 Concept      Subaru STI Performance Concept    Chevrolet FNR Concept
Maserati Alfieri Concept      Land Rover Defender Flying Huntsman Concept   Nissan Sway
Lexus LF-C2 Concept Convertible      Honda Concept C     Bentley EXP10 Concept
June 15th Report
1979 Pontiac Tran Am     1980 Firebird Red Bird / Sky Bird / Yellow Bird     Volvo 850 T-5R
Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE     2014 Audi S8-4     2016 Chevy Camaro     2015 Kia Sorento
June 26th Report
Army Duck     Bedford Army Personal Carrier     GMC Canteen Lunch Wagon     Aquada Car-Boat
2009 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT     Kia Tral’ster Concept     2016 Hyundai Tucson     
Chevrolet Chaparral 2x Vision GT     1995 Ford GT90 Concept       2014 BMW M3  
 Aston-Martin DBX      Ford Falcon GT HO Phase 3
July 8th Report
1971 Checker Marathon Wagon   1954 Willys Jeep Wagon & Sedan Delivery   Austin Mini Pickup
Toyota FJ45     

A Parting gift from Michael Heralda
The Ambassador’s (former & current) received a gift from Michael Heralda. It was his way of saying thank you for supporting the Matchbox Brand and for the friendships that were built over the years. He had several t-shirts made up with the company logo in Taiwanese. The picture below shows the front of the shirt and the picture underneath has what is printed on the sleeve. Does anyone want to guess what ADLAR58 means?



Thank you, Michael for the gift and for all those wonderful years at Mattel!!! 


0 comments:

Post a Comment

Hot Wheels (128) Matchbox (90) First Look (61) 2015 Hot Wheels (52) 2016 Matchbox (44) 2016 Hot Wheels (43) Japan Booster (27) Wheel Collectors (27) Matchbox Gathering (25) 2015 Matchbox (24) Tomica Limited Vintage (24) Just Unveiled (21) New Models (21) Nissan (20) Lamley YouTube (19) Case Report (16) Super TH (16) BMW (15) Skyline (15) Toyota (13) Cars Modification (12) Kyosho (12) JDM (11) Datsun (10) Ferrari (10) Lamley News (10) police vehicles (10) Lamley Customs (9) Porsche (9) as is the custom 2 (9) Case Unboxing (8) Dodge (8) Golden Age of Matchbox (8) pickups (8) Ambassador Report (7) Car Culture (7) Ford (7) Greenlight (7) Just Released (7) Matchbox Ambassador (7) VW (7) variation alert (7) 2017 Matchbox (6) Larry Scaduto (6) Mazda (6) Mini Cooper (6) Mustang (6) RLC (6) Tesla (6) customs (6) Alfa Romeo (5) Cadillac (5) Corvette (5) Hakosuka (5) Honda (5) Lamley Sale (5) Minivans Custom (5) Zamac (5) variations (5) Acura (4) Land Rover (4) Mercedes-Benz (4) Retro Entertainment (4) Subaru (4) Volkswagen (4) hobbyDB (4) preproduction (4) wagons (4) Audi (3) Breaking Bad (3) Camaro (3) Carney Plastics (3) Chevy (3) Cool is Cool is Cool (3) Curitiba Customs (3) DLM (3) Datsun 510 (3) Diecast Storage (3) Euro Style (3) Extreme car modification (3) Ford GT (3) Gran Turismo (3) Hot Wheels Heritage (3) Hot Wheels Hunting (3) Japan Historics (3) Japanese Nostalgic Car (3) Jay Kho (3) Lamborghini (3) Mack (3) Mopar (3) New Model (3) R34 (3) Super Silhouette (3) Tomica (3) diecast displays (3) finds (3) fire vehicles (3) prototype (3) unboxing (3) 1/43 (2) 2014 Hot Wheels (2) 2014 Matchbox (2) 5-pack (2) A Tale of Two (2) A&J Toys (2) Aoshima (2) Aston Martin (2) Auto World (2) Carriage House Models (2) Datsun 510 Day (2) Ethan (2) Falken (2) Fiat (2) Grachan (2) Hitch & Tow (2) Ignition Models (2) Isuzu (2) Japan (2) Jeff Koch (2) Jun Imai (2) Lamley Finds (2) Majorette (2) Matchbox Best of the World (2) Mattel (2) Miguel Lopez (2) Mitsubishi (2) Model of the Day (2) NYPD (2) Pop Culture (2) Prepros (2) RLC exclusive (2) Road Trippin (2) Seibu Keisatsu (2) Sterling Protectors (2) Superfast (2) The Simpsons (2) Tokyo Auto Salon 2010 (2) Tomica Premium (2) UCC Coffee (2) Volvo (2) Wagon (2) Walmart (2) error (2) no tampo (2) 2017 Hot Wheels (1) AE86 (1) Airstream (1) AnMinh To (1) Anime Cars (1) Auto Salon (1) BRE (1) Bburago (1) Best of the RLC (1) Boulevard (1) Challenger SRT-8 (1) Charawheels (1) Chevelle (1) Chevrolet (1) Chrysler (1) Comic Con (1) Cool Classics (1) Creative Options Case (1) Custom Star Wars Van (1) Custom classics with a modern twist. (1) DR30 (1) Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition (1) Dekotora (1) Delorean (1) Derek Albert (1) Dirk Schleuer (1) FDNY (1) Facebook (1) Facebook Live (1) First43 (1) Fisker (1) Fukuoka Auto Salon (1) GEMR (1) Ghe-O (1) Gift Packs (1) Grandturismo (1) Gulf (1) Gumpert Car (1) Holden Sandman Concept (1) Holy Grail (1) Honda Odyssey (1) Hot Pursuit (1) Hot Wheels Convention (1) Initial D (1) JDM Legends (1) Jaguar (1) Jeep (1) Johnny Lightning (1) Jurassic Park (1) Kool Kombi (1) Lamley Charities (1) Lamley Deal (1) Lamley Fundraising (1) Lotus (1) Maisto (1) Maserati (1) Matchbox Custom Contest (1) Matchox (1) Mercedes (1) Mercury (1) Michael Heralda (1) Mistubishi (1) Modelmatic (1) My Collection (1) National Parks (1) Nissan Isuzu (1) Nissan Jam (1) Nitto Tire (1) Phil Rielhman (1) Pierce (1) Playsets (1) Plymouth (1) Promo models (1) RLC Preview (1) RTE (1) RV (1) Range Rover (1) Renault (1) Robert Graves (1) Routemaster Bus (1) Ryu Asada (1) Sammy Fox (1) Sema 2010 Auto Concept (1) Silvia (1) South Texas (1) Super TH Experiment (1) Superlift (1) Supreme Heroes (1) T-hunted (1) Target (1) Taxi (1) Tomica Limted Vintage (1) Toyota F3r Concept Car (1) Toys R Us (1) Trucks (1) Vans (1) Veritas RS 111 (1) Viper (1) as is the custom (1) bosozoku (1) buses (1) fakes (1) mail-in (1) multipack (1) off-road (1) variations in car (1) wheels (1)