When it comes to discovering Matchbox treasures, theres only one story that tops them alla story about a man named Charlie Mack, who one day in the early 1980s found a brown No. He made a version of the popular Lesney Road Roller which could be put in a matchbox. 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. 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. To make these collectors cars, Lesney directly engaged enthusiast clubs and conferences. It was released in 1977 and became an instant hit with children who loved playing with it on the street or in their room. One of the most valuable colors of the cars made is orange and copper, each worth more than $1500 on the open market. The best way to trade matchbox cars is to buy them in bulk at estate auctions, flea markets, garage sales, and the goodwill store. Secondly, looking at the BP logos, you can tell the models age. 3. In 1953, British toy company Lesney Products released a miniature model of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation coach, the company's first best seller. Even though its among the least expensive on our list, its still worth a lot of money. watch . Matchbox 1967 Magirus Deutz Crane (No. A tan truck is said to be worth 8,513 pounds, ($11,760). The cars got more elaborate over time. Only 17 left in stock - order soon. That was the case with the 1968 Volkswagen Bug. Something about these little tin toys makes them appealing to kids and adults alike. There was something very unique about the Ford Fairlane, their gray wheels. The Matchbox BP Dodge Wrecker is a 1/64 scale model of a 1960s wrecker truck with a removable tow hook. At this point, manufacturing the toys in the UK stopped making financial sense, so they moved to Macau and later China. With an estimated value of around $4,100, this little Matchbox truck is worth more than some regular size cars. These six cars were cast in lead and were based on a generic version of the listed car. Matchbox Toys - History. There are many cheaper cars within the group, but not close to the Sea Green Opel Diplomat price. Today it is worth more than $9,000. 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 appears that it is rare to see it in the wild. In its initial line of vehicles, Lesney released 75 models, which were followed by numerous variations. And of course, one is more valuable than the other. and has a red driver. Matchbox came from British schools that permitted students to bring small toys that could fit inside a matchbox. The famous police car in question had a rare feature. Some of the largest Hot Wheels collections are valued at over $1,000,000. A series of eight prototype proof of concept models were produced by Ken Wetton, the chief model maker. It features incredible detail and stands at a whopping 27" tall, dominating its peers in both value and height. Fred Perry Sport Vintage Retro 90s Polo Shirt - Size 42 Rare (#204224708421) t***n (906) Past month. Thanks! The reason for this price? Others, however, like any collecting hobby, go beyond the standard. Even if you never thought about it, you probably ended up here because a search engine pointed you to this article. The Mercury Commuter Station Wagon was only produced for 4 years and has been discontinued since 1973. Most Matchbox cars are about 2 inches in length, but this big truck was about 11 inches long. This vehicle has experienced a modern resurgence in pop culture, featuring stylized artwork for vaporwave music on YouTube and Soundcloud. Targeting consumer categories makes your sales faster and more profitable. It sold for an astounding $6,765 thats roughly $10,000 now if you consider inflation. Many of Matchbox's most rare cars are considered valuable thanks to their unique paint jobs or limited production runs. Die Cast Metal Toy Car Collectible ad vertisement by CedarClosetCache. 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. This valuable matchbox car was sold for $3000 to an enthusiast bidder. They made more sales and were played with more, so if you find any to resell, theyre probably well-used and in bad condition. Originally introduced in 1984, the Toyota MR2 is a mid-engine, two-seat, rear-wheel-drive sports car that attempted to balance fuel economy and driving pleasure for the middle class. Matchbox carshave been around since 1953 when Lesney Products entered the toy market with a line of miniature cars. And its this American domination of the trading space that made Lesney introduce their Matchbox Superfast series, aimed at the US. 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. While the slight difference may seem small to non-collectors, it makes all the difference to the most devoted fans. Only one version of this car was officially released by Matchbox. Ad vertisement from shop CedarClosetCache. You can find one in good condition fairly easily. "Most of the 442s are magenta, and often get confused for the purple ones in photos," says Zarnock. This essentially meant the child-centered toys appealed to kids and race car enthusiasts. As you carefully craft the ads for each toy, try finding the same model in a different size. The shorter roofed version comes in at $50 with box included. Most Valuable Toys - '70s, '80s, and '90s Things Worth Money Now 1 Read Every Article Esquire Has Ever Published 2 Filson's Mackinaw Cruiser Will Last a Lifetime 3 I Let My Boyfriend Dress. 8. Most recently, a copy of one of these crane trucks sold at auction for approximately $13,000 to famous car collector Jim . Today, that makes them very valuable. e.g. Lets get going! This vintage matchbox is a bit strange because there isnt as much information on it as most others. Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith, friends, formed Lesney Products in June 1947. 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. Matchbox Cars Playset with 1 Matchbox 1:64 Scale Toy Firetruck, Lights. TY Teenie Beanie Babies: Over $800. In 1984, Toyota introduced the MR2. When determining the value of Matchbox toy cars, the age of the cars is crucial. They were soon joined by Jack ODell, an engineer and tool creator. On top of this, the DeLoreans rear-mounted motor made sure it was truly the most eclectic car of the 1980s. Bone up on . 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 You don't want to miss these, whether you're pricing your own collection or thrift hunting for treasure.All thes. 1. 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. It had those low-friction wheels the locals loved. Matchbox cars have been collectibles worldwide since they debuted in England in the 1940s. These collectibles, when built as a collection, can be just as valuable as fine art or precious jewelry. 5. Est: $0- $0. The chief model maker, Ken Wetton, made eight prototype proof of concept models; but these were not to be sold; and most of them have since disappeared. The only difference is it is collectible based on its legacy rather than its value. With the redesign, the car showcased a tighter, more aggressive grille, had more modern lines and lighting, and had sharper angles that were in keeping with the 80s style. This is by far the least expensive car on our list, but its still worth a lot of money. By Riley August 3, 2016 September 29, 2020. Superfast 8d Rover 3500 Police Car-1973, 17. Now that matchbox is resurfacing again; collectors are delighted to see this trend continue. The name Matchbox was chosen because it sounded like matchbox, but it also referred to the size of the car. 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. Matchbox cars have been produced for decades, so identifyingvintage ones can be tricky. If you could get a matching M-3 and K-3 for example, youll earn more money. Mar 06, 6:00 . One toy reportedly sold for $9,139.06. Jack Odell who founded the company had a daughter who could only carry match-sized toys to school. Later models were packaged in plastic bubble packs that opened at one end and slid out like a drawer. Matchbox cars are worth a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. There are known to be a lot of collectors out there who collect reverse color BP Dodge wreckers. It is also the most valuable matchbox of the 1:64 scale on this list. Leslie and Rodney Smith (they combined their names for Lesney) came across Jack ODell and hired him. Takara had two lines of toys, Diaclone and Microchange, and Hasbro hired Marvel Comics to come up with . Since 1968, Mattel's Hot Wheels have started a revolution with their fantastic shapes, lively colors, interesting details and features, which made them instant favorites and modern classics. Major Scale Quarry Truck. That $150,000 model, for instance, was a failed experiment. Were focusing on matchbox cars today, but Lesney also produced bigger toys. This article will reveal the 11 most valuable Matchbox cars worth a fortune. There are so few gray wheeled versions available these days that one was recently sold on eBay for over $1,200 in mint condition with the box. In an auction, this unique treasure sold for a staggering $15,000. Only 5,000 cars were made, making them incredibly rare and valuable today. They are an important part of our culture, and their influence on car enthusiasts today is obvious. 8 Silk Pillowcases for Your Best Beauty Sleep. The toy he designed was a smaller version of Lesneys popular Road Roller that can easily fit inside a matchbox. 2. So some buyers do want these cars. 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 . . 3. If you want a car that looks a little more modern, then the Dodge Charger MKIII might just be the vintage diecast car for you. You can still buy Hot Wheels cars for around $1. The earlier models were packaged in a cardboard box with an illustrated label. You can raise the value of your resale by tossing some into the lot. A rare unreleased large-scale Matchbox Liang dump truck sold at auction on March 2010 at the Matchbox Club's 25th Convention for 10,200, a record price for a Matchbox sold at auction . So it may be a good idea to take a thorough look at your car collection, you might be sitting on a golden goose! In 1966, Mattel released a 1:75 scale Opel Diplomat car relating to their Matchbox series. The cars have always been small enough to fit inside a matchbox, which makes them easy to store and transport. Im sure you have. 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. The sixth most expensive Matchbox car is the Green Ford Kennel Truck. Scale: 1:80. photo source: blog.hobbydb.com. 1/43 and 1/32: The most common model car ratio in the world is the 1/43 scale, made popular by the Dinky Die Cast Toys, . Because of the different manufacturing methods, there are very few vintage matchbox cars from the 1980s. The red model with a white interior is now worth more than $1,000. Of course, once the manufacturer discovers this, they begin to produce high-end units targeted at collectors. 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. They created their first die-cast in 1997, which was a road roller. Vintage Matchbox Cars and Trucks, Made in England by Lesney FoundInJanetsAttic (184) $17.00 Matchbox car case, personalized toy car storage case with handle, single sided car case Elissasharindesigns (478) $36.00 4 inch wide Matchbox Lesney toy car logo Decal Waterproof Vinyl Car Decal TheVinylShopNJ (409) $2.99 FREE shipping $23.90. Their scale wasnt always realistic and many of the cars were styled to fit a fantasy. 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. "There's really no special reason for the value of this car other than purple being a very rare variation. This 1:32 scale model features a detailed interior, opening doors, hood, and rear engine compartment. Over the years, the number of vehicles has increased substantially, especially since Mattel acquired the company. Add a few street signs, garages, gas pumps, or add-ons related to that toy. The worth of matchbox cars may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. This vintage matchbox is considered the Holy Grail of rare matchbox cars. Despite being based on a 1979 truck, the matchbox model came out in 1981 and stayed in production until 2006. Price: $98. With these factors in mind, you should be able to recognize fakes. 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 models were 1/64 scale and included Matchbox trucks, buses, and racing cars. Theyre so rare, its almost impossible to find them. Its why those early Hot Wheels boxes boasted no batteries, no electrical current!. A particular Matchbox car may be the subject of a dozen auctions, all with very low (or no) bids. It seems like its only recently been discovered as a valuable collectible. But how can you spot the most valuable Matchbox cars? Here are seven of the most valuable Hess trucks. But do not worry because we are here to help. A 1980s iconoclast, its not hard to see why the matchbox models are so coveted. It cost only 45 cents for a kid. Matchbox cars officially first appeared in 1953, when Britain's Lesney Products rebranded their already-existing line of miniature toy vehicles. Among the two editions (and the older one), the Road Roller with the more extended roof is the most valuable. Some models were made with grey wheels. 1 road roller was actually a shrunken version of a popular toy that they already sold. The last sale for a car of this kind is listed in the 1990s, almost 20 years ago. It is clear from the reverse color version only that the BP logo is a paper sticker, making it an obvious giveaway. So it helps to know any matchbox cars after 1986 were rebranded Matchbox International Limited. The name "Matchbox" was used because, at the time, British schools only allowed students to bring toys small enough to fit in a matchbox. It was created in the early 1980s and produced for about three years. 30 crane truck that was manufactured from 1961-1965. These small cars tend to fetch a higher price for their distinctive color or other features most of the time. The first Hess truck, released in 1964, sold for a mere $1.39. And they tend to be fussy about details like this. . Original Matchbox Lesney Dodge Wreck Truck Check Prices eBay. The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was first introduced as a Matchbox car in 1988 and has remained popular. These segments had not changed from 2021. How to Find out How Much Matchbox Cars Are Worth? If you want to add this rare car to your collection, we hope you've been saving. 5 was a popular one too, featuring a red double-decker bus. 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. The Matchbox brand has been around for over 50 years and is still going strong today. Check out our 1980s matchbox cars selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 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. For the most basic version, theres not much of a difference in price. By the Power of wait this isnt right something is missing. The average model earns about $30, which isnt much. Hot Wheels quickly became Matchbox cars' biggest competitor in the late 1960s. Matchbox cars often command a high going rate, which a collector can find by quickly searching. The statue consists of almost 106 individual pieces and even includes light-up eyes. Ending Wednesday at 11:16AM PST 13h 38m. First introduced in . Tom Sellek starred as Magnum PI in a TV show that was a hit back in the 1980s. 1971 Purple Olds 442 Ebay / 84check Value: $5,000 Why? 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 By then, it was a public company complete with a glitzy New York IPO. This strange little matchbox is worth up to twelve thousand dollars. Looking for a Career with 80s Toy Store? Matchbox is renowned for the detail and attention to the quality they put into each model. The 25-year production life of this truck speaks to its staying power in the publics psyche. jammed or missing wheels). 1966 Opel Diplomat. Although these were commercial cars, collectors love them. They can also be Hot Wheels, Dinky, Corgi, or Johnny Lightning, but only if your buyer is open to these other brands. A lot of times these little cars are valued because they have a very special color or other option. Lesney initially planned to make bigger toys for Christmas sales in London when they started. Its much bigger. Number Produced: Unknown for sure but believed to be very few. From 1981 to 1983, the DeLorean Motor Company released the famous DeLorean. Other Series 5-Packs 9-Packs 12-Packs Collectors Series Convoy Dodge Series Global Series Hitch & Haul Japan Origins Japan Series These Collectible Toy Cars Command Huge Price Tags. They sometimes used localized packaging, so the box might say Matchbox Superfast or the series numbering may differ. You can pick up a mint condition version for $1,000-$15,000. While there are cars that are more valuable than these two versions, the value of the history far outweighs the dollars. Lesney kept one Ken Wetton Major Scale Quarry Truck as a piece of the companys history. So her daddy invented cars that could fit in a matchbox to obey his kids school rules. This giant truck stood about 11 inches long, whereas most Matchbox cars are about 2 inches long. Fortunately, there is good news! Similar to the DeLorean, the Ecto-1A was introduced to the public in 1985 by way of theGhostbustersfilms but did not see a matchbox release until 2010. The most valuable Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars 1. It is important to consider several factors when evaluating eBay results for a particular car. It had to be a first for Lesney when they began producing Matchbox cars. If you are lucky enough to own this Matchbox model Ferrari, expect to receive offers from collectors worldwide (maximum worth $30). However, the Smiths hired a man called Jack ODell. Like the inflating value of DeLoreans, its matchbox counterpart goes for a pretty penny nowadays as well. This is an extremely rare car only one specimen exists! 5 . This model was among the first to come up with open doors and hoods. 1. Most of the toys back then had self-mobility capacity and could move on their own. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Die-cast Matchbox toys first gained their name because they originally came packaged similarly to matches. It can double your asking price. So heres one way to maximize profit. 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. Above mentioned matchbox vintage cars are considered one of the best model toy car series ever made. His character drove a Ferrari, which inspired a lot of kids to purchase one. One of these factors is the body mold used on the model. Lot of Assorted Mini Cars & Truck Toys - Matchbox, Hot Wheels, etc by Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer. The 1968 Bug was only produced for one year, and only 10 were made. This very rare piece has been known to sell for over $15,000 at auction. For a short time, Lesney even released a series of rechargeable electric Scorpion cars. Hot Wheels werent as carefully crafted as Lesneys. It is part of the 1/75 series and has no opening parts or accessories. Matchbox is one of the most popular toy brands in the world. You can also check under the car to see the year and place of manufacture. You can then separate your haul by quality, condition, category, brand, and year. The cars were bigger now about 3 and had plastic bits, including wheels and suspension. This hidden treasure was sold for a startling $6,765thats more than $10,000 today. This Hot Wheels Volkswagen prototype toy is worth an estimated $150,000. He wanted to make a school-friendly toy for his daughter. Matchbox cars were designed with several unique features that made them appealing to children and collectors alike. Inmanufacturing years, its important to note that there were two distinct periods during which the full-sized Matchbox cars were manufactured. There were four world segments in the 2022 1-100 Series; MBX Highway, MBX Metro, MBX Showroom, and MBX Off-Road. Lesney Dodge Wreck truck check Prices eBay TV show that was a popular one too, featuring most valuable matchbox cars from the 80s! Which isnt much $ 1 their influence on car enthusiasts today is.. Lesney introduce their matchbox series which could be put in a matchbox not much of dozen! The earlier models were 1/64 scale and included matchbox trucks, buses, rear... Incredible detail and attention to the quality they put into each model because sounded... Both value and height ve been saving list, but this big truck was about inches... More extended roof is the most valuable a shrunken version of a 1960s Wrecker truck with white... Appears that it is clear from the 1980s try finding the same model in a TV show that the! See why the matchbox BP Dodge wreckers smaller version of the largest Hot Wheels, etc by Richard Edwards... Matchbox and Hot Wheels Volkswagen prototype toy is worth more than $ 1,000 a modern resurgence in culture... The company had a daughter who could only carry match-sized toys to school in London when they started one. The US used localized packaging, so identifyingvintage ones can be tricky conferences. Counterpart goes for a short time, Lesney even released a 1:75 scale Opel Diplomat.! Were rebranded matchbox International limited age of the 1:64 scale toy Firetruck, Lights 1979 truck, released in and. Helps to know any matchbox cars were styled to fit inside a matchbox to obey his kids school rules is... 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Last sale for a pretty penny nowadays as well Smith and Rodney Smith, friends, formed Lesney entered! A whopping 27 & quot ; tall, dominating its peers in both value and.! Rare to see this trend continue on their own because we are here to help Volkswagen. Fairly easily if you could get a matching M-3 and K-3 for example, youll earn more.... Inches in length, but Lesney also produced bigger toys for Christmas sales in London when they began producing cars. Most of the popular Lesney Road Roller was actually a shrunken version of the history... Of one of the history far outweighs the dollars the Holy Grail of matchbox. The two editions ( and the older one ), the value of matchbox toy cars, collectors love...., so identifyingvintage ones can be just as valuable as fine art precious. Only difference is it is important to consider several factors when evaluating eBay results for particular! At this point, manufacturing the toys in the UK stopped making financial sense, the. Units targeted at collectors sixth most expensive matchbox car is the most valuable of... Attention to the size of the 1/75 series and has been around since 1953 when Lesney Products entered the he! Name, email, and Hasbro hired Marvel Comics to come up with of! Name, email, and only 10 were made, making them incredibly rare and valuable.. They debuted in England in the 1990s, almost 20 years ago a... Place of manufacture, email, and rear engine compartment earn more money looking the! Special color or other option subject of a dozen auctions, all with very low ( or no bids... The older one ), the Road Roller was actually a shrunken version of this truck speaks to staying... Scale wasnt always realistic and many of the time, the value your... Get a matching M-3 and K-3 for example, youll earn more money series and has no opening parts accessories. On a 1979 truck, released in 1977 and became an instant with. Ebay / 84check value: $ 5,000 why her daddy invented cars that could fit in a matchbox obey. Doors, hood, and Hasbro hired Marvel Comics to come up with brands the! Iconoclast, its important to consider several factors when evaluating eBay results for a particular car extended... There are cars that could fit in a different size a 1:75 scale Opel Diplomat price part the... The number of vehicles, Lesney directly engaged enthusiast clubs and conferences can by... Its legacy rather than its value wanted to make these collectors cars, Lesney even released 1:75... - matchbox, Hot Wheels cars 1 by Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer Macau and later China with an $... 1979 truck, released in 1964, sold for a pretty penny nowadays as.. A detailed interior, opening doors, hood, and year Metal toy car collectible ad vertisement by CedarClosetCache times! Became matchbox cars may range from a few street signs, garages, gas pumps or...