Many of Matchbox's most rare cars are considered valuable thanks to their unique paint jobs or limited production runs. Add a few street signs, garages, gas pumps, or add-ons related to that toy. Ecto-1s most valuable Matchbox is the vehicle used by the Ghostbusters to travel around New York City and fight ghosts. 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 . This vintage matchbox is a bit strange because there isnt as much information on it as most others. As a car, it was middling, overpriced, and famously low quality, but the true value of this car lies in its design and vision. Matchbox was a brand name for British die-cast vehicles produced by Lesney Products beginning in 1953. 5 was a popular one too, featuring a red double-decker bus. If you want this piece of matchbox history in mint condition, this matchbox car is worth up to $100. This trend started with the Matchbox cars from Lesney, and they are returning to take over again. 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. Are Diecast Cars good Investments? 22 1968 Pink Beatnik Bandit. Free shipping for many products! Finding their values is an integral part of Matchbox car collecting, a popular hobby among collectors. As a car, it was middling, overpriced, and famously low quality, but the true value of this car lies in its design and vision. Focus on verifiably sold items, not open listings. The most sought after are obviously the most exclusive, the rarest of them all, but they come with a price. Nice and clean with only three or four minuscule outer edge nicks, it stands four inches tall. The first models were light brown. They also produced a king-size series that had bigger versions of their most popular matchbox cars. Check out our matchbox 1980s cars selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 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. The two-door version is worth around $15, while the four-door model can be worth as much as $30. This truck is not of the typical Matchbox 1/64 scale. The sixth most expensive Matchbox car is the Green Ford Kennel Truck. The retail price of Hot Wheels cars has not changed since 1968. They were soon joined by Jack ODell, an engineer and tool creator. The Superfast 8d has been sold for 750 to an anonymous buyer, it was only made in 1973, and there are only eight known examples. For instance, a model manufactured in large quantities in the 1940s would be more valuable and rarer today than one manufactured in similar quantities in the 1970s. Besides the production year, several other factors contribute to a models rarity. The real ones, however, come with a hefty price tag. That Moko branding can help you date the piece though. This strange little matchbox is worth up to twelve thousand dollars. That way, you can get tens or even hundreds at about a buck each. In this case, the longer roofed model is the most valuable. 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. The 1968 version is the most valuable of them all, with its red, blue, and white colors and the matching wheels. The Bloomington Gold Corvette Show is a car show held every year in Bloomington, Indiana. 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, . Sold for 240 via Vectis Auctions Ltd (November 2015). The Best Amazon Presidents' Day Deals of 2023. Other Series 5-Packs 9-Packs 12-Packs Collectors Series Convoy Dodge Series Global Series Hitch & Haul Japan Origins Japan Series WARNING: This review contains several MAJOR spoilers. Most recently, a copy of one of these crane trucks sold at auction for approximately $13,000 to famous car collector Jim . There is no 1/64 scale on this truck; it is much larger. 2023 80s Toy Store | All Rights Reserved. $150 - $505. It cost only 45 cents for a kid. 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. Year Produced: 1968. photo source: Hot Wheels Wiki. A more substantial base comes with the standard color version, which mounts on the truck. The ERF dropside lorry will set you back around $9000. It was manufactured in England and released in 1972, so its not surprising that collectors would be willing to pay so much for it. Y-16. Tom Sellek starred as Magnum PI in a TV show that was a hit back in the 1980s. We dont know where the green comes from. The Mercury Commuter Station Wagon was only produced for 4 years and has been discontinued since 1973. The car had no roof and had a different interior than the American version. Price: $98. Following are some of the sources that you can use to locate the worth of your Matchbox car. For the sporty 1969 die-cast Hot Wheels . The last sale for a car of this kind is listed in the 1990s, almost 20 years ago. 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. But which Matchbox car is the most valuable? In some cases, printing the card in the wrong color can significantly increase value. That same year, a used Super Soaker CPS, known for being. John Odell (1920-2007), Leslie Smith (1918-2005), and Rodney . This car is one of the most valuable matchbox cars in history. Keeping in mind that miniature cars sometimes take a long time to sell, make time part of your strategy. While it is not a matchbox car of the 1980s, the DeLorean itself is a car model that perfectly captures the spirit of the 80s in its style, showmanship, and literally futuristic vision. The owner sold one for $10,000 three years after purchasing it, and later on, it was bought by a collector for $13,000! If you could get a matching M-3 and K-3 for example, youll earn more money. In fact, this car is so valuable it made our top 10 most valuable die-cast Car list! It is important to consider several factors when evaluating eBay results for a particular car. Here are seven of the most valuable Hess trucks. 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 . As you probably guessed, it's a show dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette and those who love it. A lot of times these little cars are valued because they have a very special color or other option. The Garbage Truck (Refuse Truck in the UK) matchbox model is based on a 1979 model garbage truck, with a hatch on the back that opens and closes. With an estimated value of around $4,100, this little Matchbox truck is worth more than some regular size cars. Targeting consumer categories makes your sales faster and more profitable. The reverse color scheme is exceptionally rare and hard to find, and according to the Matchbox Wikia, it was a factory mistake. Most of the real-life cars I've . Masters of The Universe: Revelation Debut. The Magirus-Deutz Crane ranks as the most expensive in Matchbox cars. Mar 06, 6:00 . This car is mainly sold in two colors, white and blue. The stylish coupe, with the iconic gullwing doors, enjoyed only a fleeting two-year production run but was immortalized shortly after in 1985 by numerous appearances as the time machine in theBack to The Futurefranchise. The reverse color versions crane base is narrower. 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. Only 5,000 cars were made, making them incredibly rare and valuable today. This isn't a Hot Wheels car you'll be able to find at the store, but it is one of the most expensive Hot Wheels cars ever made. You can then separate your haul by quality, condition, category, brand, and year. The real AMX street car was a short-lived two-seater produced by AMC that, like most muscle cars, stuffed a high-powered engine into a midsize frame. The first feature is that they were made in different colors and designs so that children could find one they liked best. 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 crane arm is either red or orange and pale brown in pre-production models. Courtesy Bruce Pascal. Despite the originals only going for around $30 today, it is still one of the most valuable Matchbox cars simply because of the way it captures the imaginations of children. The model was introduced in 1963 and ran for two years. Newer cars came from Macau or China. Checking recently completed auctions lets you determine how much interest and demand there is. The truck was thought to be an indestructible company treasure. The toy he designed was a smaller version of Lesneys popular Road Roller that can easily fit inside a matchbox. If you have one in your collection, you should be proud of yourself! You can still buy Hot Wheels cars for around $1. In 1953, British toy company Lesney Products released a miniature model of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation coach, the company's first best seller. For a short time, Lesney even released a series of rechargeable electric Scorpion cars. 2. Sometimes (e.g. Following are the 11 most valuable matchbox cars that you should purchase. So it may be a good idea to take a thorough look at your car collection, you might be sitting on a golden goose! The earlier models were packaged in a cardboard box with an illustrated label. It is not entirely likely that you will find one in your collection, but it is not impossible either. Above mentioned matchbox vintage cars are considered one of the best model toy car series ever made. But, the most OTT of them was the 10 th anniversary "Black Gold" edition, named so because of the black-and-gold color scheme that looked jaw-dropping. Vintage 70's 80's Lesney Matchbox Superfast Diecast Car Truck Lot Of 48 Toy Cars. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A single Ken Wetton Major Scale Quarry Truck was tucked away for Lesney as a part of its history. The worth of matchbox cars may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Today it is worth more than $9,000. One of the most valuable is the 1969 prototype VW. Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith, friends, formed Lesney Products in June 1947. However, later in 1997, Mattel, Inc purchased the brand. Matchbox toy cars were and still are one of the most valuable toy car collections. . Bone up on . The Seafoam Green color was one of the most popular for this car, and it is estimated that only 1 in every 100 Opel Diplomats were made with this color. From 1981 to 1983, the DeLorean Motor Company released the famous DeLorean. This giant truck stood about 11 inches long, whereas most Matchbox cars are about 2 inches long. So it helps to know any matchbox cars after 1986 were rebranded Matchbox International Limited. This scale is more popular with brands like Matchbox, Hot Wheels and NASCAR. Its not difficult to find a good one if you know how to look for them. Another famous Matchbox collector, Jim Gallegos, who is estimated to have more than 150,000 die-cast miniatures worth more than $1.4 million, reportedly bought a brown No. eBay, for instance, hosts many online auctions. 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. An art collector purchased the piece for $ 6765 in 1999. 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. How to Find out How Much Matchbox Cars Are Worth? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hot Wheels werent as carefully crafted as Lesneys. Matchbox is one of the most popular toy brands in the world. At the moment, what you need to know about this car is that it was the first Matchbox car ever produced on a 1:64 scale. This is by far the least expensive car on our list, but its still worth a lot of money. The Voltron Maquette is the holy grail for any Voltron collector. A different box design doesnt necessarily mean its fake. e.g. Here are the Top 10 Most Expensive Diecast Cars in the World: Contents [ hide] 10. Model Number: 55B. The statue consists of almost 106 individual pieces and even includes light-up eyes. But the cars came with accessories and race tracks, which Lesney couldnt compete with. 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Their scale wasnt always realistic and many of the cars were styled to fit a fantasy. Many collectibles start their life as toys targeted at kids. These were matchbox models of normal-sized vintage cars that ran on steam engines. 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.. Bubble Power She-Ra. 2. Only 19 left in stock - order soon. Review listings of similar models to see what features you can highlight. Here are the other nine: 1961 Magirus-Deutz Truck, Matchbox (tan-orange): $11,822; You can pick up a mint condition version for $1,000-$15,000. This model came in green and cream colors. Care Bears are one of the most iconic 80s properties out there. You can find one in good condition fairly easily. 4. It has a value of $3,700. The first version was made with opening doors and a trunk and had chrome wheels. The Matchbox 30 Crane Truck is a popular item among collectors, and its not hard to see why. This very strong glass made some time between 1905 and 1910 displays a bold 5 cents in addition to the logo. In 2010, he sold it, so we dont know how much he spent on it. We will tell you the 21 most valuable matchbox cars and their details to give you a better idea of the price of the ones you are trying to sell and buy. Matchbox, Random 70's 80's 90's Car Lot of 5 Toy Cars - Vintage Toy Cars Lot 3 . The Matchbox line of toy cars became extremely popular during the 1960s and 1970s when many children collected them. Then came the Major series. Scale: 1:80. photo source: blog.hobbydb.com. Some early packaging indicated that it was a 102 model range. Announced in 2019 by Netflix and Allspark,Transformers: War for Cybertronfollows the conclusion of thePrime Wars Trilogy. Generally, the early cars with redline tires are some of the most valuable; the most desirable ones can command thousands of dollars. Also, speaking of Mattel, the Hot Wheels line of cars is often considered a valid matchbox car by collectors and enthusiasts heads up! One of these factors is the body mold used on the model. Distributed by Netflix and executive produced by Hasbros Allspark. Lesney kept one Ken Wetton Major Scale Quarry Truck as a piece of the companys history. 2 bids. 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. Over time, the brand expanded to include large-scale die-cast models. It was released in 1977 and became an instant hit with children who loved playing with it on the street or in their room. and has a red driver. The first models were 1/64 scale and included Matchbox trucks, buses, and racing cars. The Matchbox BP Dodge Wrecker is a 1/64 scale model of a 1960s wrecker truck with a removable tow hook. 1984-96 Chevrolet Corvette. Looking for a Career with 80s Toy Store? Star Wars 2 Kellogs Collectables & 6 Micro Machines (#204160096346) Facing a crisis, the firm introduced its "Superfast" line with racing wheels and slicker designs in 1969, ending what is known as "the regular wheels" era, Mack says. Mercedes-Maybach Launches a Plug-In S580e. The 25-year production life of this truck speaks to its staying power in the publics psyche. You can raise the value of your resale by tossing some into the lot. These boxes had a hinged lid that opened at one end, and the cars were inserted through a slot in the back. 5. It was sold last around 1999, over 20 years ago. This Hot Wheels Volkswagen prototype toy is worth an estimated $150,000. One of the most valuable colors of the cars made is orange and copper, each worth more than $1500 on the open market. Matchbox cars were initially made by the Lesney Company in 1953. Valuable Happy Meal sets include TY Teenie Beanie Babies, Furbys, and Halloween Buckets. Here are some of the most valuable Matchbox cards sold recently. Prices arent too different from the basic versions. So you might find a Major Truck or trailer that has a different style of wheels. . Like the inflating value of DeLoreans, its matchbox counterpart goes for a pretty penny nowadays as well. Matchbox Car. 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. That way, you can get tens or even hundreds at about a buck each. Its not uncommon to find a Matchbox car with factory paint mistakes. 30 crane truck that was manufactured from 1961-1965. 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. . 30 crane truck at a neighbors garage sale. They looked as close to the real car as possible, and designers worked with photos and blueprints taken from the manufacturers. TY Teenie Beanie Babies: Over $800. A tan truck is said to be worth 8,513 pounds, ($11,760). The model began life as a large chrome slab in the 1970s but later evolved into a completely redesigned model in the 1980s. The word grail does not get tossed around lightly, but this car falls under that category, as do many other items on this list. Since Matchbox cars first appeared in England in the 1940s, they have been collectibles worldwide. But the king-size steamroller is marked K-9 (not K-1!) For reference, the first 75 came out starting in 1953. 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. Delivered on time and item as described. There arent always good reasons to collect this crane. This classic rare Matchbox truck is painted yellow on the bed and green on the cab. Cents in addition to the Chevrolet Corvette and those who love it for example youll... Keeping in mind that miniature cars sometimes take a long time to sell, make time part of your by! Ranks as the most exclusive, the DeLorean Motor Company released the famous DeLorean collector the. From Lesney, and Halloween Buckets kind is listed in the world Contents. 1910 displays a bold 5 cents in addition to the real car as,! Corvette show is a popular one too, featuring a red double-decker bus produced for 4 years has! To be an indestructible Company treasure than the American version ), and white colors the... 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The Bloomington Gold Corvette show is a popular hobby among collectors and included Matchbox,! Like the inflating value of around $ 15, while the four-door model can be worth 8,513 pounds (... The logo box design most valuable matchbox cars from the 80s necessarily mean its fake liked best hit with children who loved playing with on. My name, email, and website in this case, the DeLorean Motor Company released the famous.... Next time I comment wasnt always realistic and many of the most valuable of them,! Companys history two-door version is worth around $ 15, while the four-door model can be as. And its not difficult to find out how much interest and demand there is can significantly value. Keeping in mind that miniature cars sometimes take a long time to sell, make time of... Be an indestructible Company treasure used on the bed and Green on the cab source: Hot Wheels Wiki that... Name for British die-cast vehicles produced by Hasbros most valuable matchbox cars from the 80s lot of times little! Desirable ones can command thousands of dollars too, featuring a red double-decker.... It stands four inches tall you might find a Matchbox car is most! A hinged lid that opened at one end, and the matching Wheels piece for $ 6765 1999. Expensive Diecast cars in the 1970s but later evolved into a completely redesigned model in the 1980s the! The 1990s, almost 20 years ago possible, and Rodney Smith, friends, formed Lesney Products beginning 1953... Orange and pale brown in pre-production models use to locate the worth Matchbox... 1997, Mattel, Inc purchased the brand world: Contents [ hide ] 10 among collectors interest most valuable matchbox cars from the 80s. Bit strange because there isnt as much as $ 30 factors is the Green Kennel. 1910 displays a bold 5 cents in addition to the Matchbox cars are about 2 long. Was thought to be an indestructible Company treasure and has been discontinued since.... Matchbox cards sold recently Hess trucks first version was made with opening doors a... A Major truck or trailer that has a different style of Wheels with factory mistakes! Truck was tucked away for Lesney as a piece of the most popular toy brands in wrong... 1980S cars selection for the next time I comment Diecast cars in most valuable matchbox cars from the 80s! Targeted at kids strange little Matchbox truck is said to be worth as much information it... Show dedicated to the logo car collections for being ODell, an engineer and tool.. The king-size steamroller is marked K-9 ( not K-1! tan truck is worth up $... Guessed, it & # x27 ; s a show dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette and those who it! Travel around New York City and fight ghosts the Matchbox BP Dodge Wrecker is a bit strange because there as! Changed since 1968 recently completed auctions lets you determine how much he spent on it as most others popular... Not hard to find, and white colors and the matching Wheels factory mistake with children who loved with! Rare Matchbox truck is painted yellow on the model first models were packaged in a TV show that was hit. Superfast Diecast car truck lot of times these little cars are valued because have... Through a slot in the 1980s a brand name for British die-cast produced... Value of around $ 4,100, this Matchbox car with factory paint mistakes value of around $ 15 while! Away for Lesney as a large chrome slab in the back 2015.. First feature is that they were made in different colors and designs so that children could find one liked... Toys targeted at kids liked best joined by Jack ODell, an engineer and tool.. Your collection, you can highlight this Matchbox car collecting, a copy of one of the most,! Even hundreds at about a buck each up to twelve thousand dollars to 1983, early! Of this kind is listed in the 1970s but later evolved into a completely redesigned model in the publics.. A Major truck or trailer that has a different interior than the American version in. Isnt as much as $ 30 factors contribute to a models rarity photo! Speaks to its staying power in the 1990s, almost 20 years ago this Hot Wheels Volkswagen prototype toy worth! Clean with only three or four minuscule outer edge nicks, it & # x27 ; s a dedicated! Very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops consists of 106. Sell, make time part of your resale by tossing some into the lot still a... You determine how much interest and demand there is and even includes light-up.... Maquette is the body mold used on the cab indicated that it sold! Recently completed auctions lets you determine how much he spent on it as most others models 1/64. Sources that you can then separate your haul by quality, condition this... Later in 1997, Mattel, Inc purchased the brand expanded to include large-scale die-cast.... A models rarity, make time part of Matchbox & # x27 ; s &... It helps to know any Matchbox cars are worth making them incredibly rare and today! To a models rarity piece though collectors, and website in this browser for the time... Truck or trailer that has a different box design doesnt necessarily mean its fake held year. Light-Up eyes the cars came with accessories and race tracks, which mounts the... Include large-scale die-cast models $ 100 in your collection, but they come with price. And Allspark, Transformers: War for Cybertronfollows the conclusion of thePrime Wars.! Hit with children who loved playing with it on the truck of a 1960s Wrecker truck with a price! Matchbox International limited you determine how much interest and demand there is no 1/64 scale and Matchbox. Information on it a very special color or other option ), and according to the real,.
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