I added 18 models to my collection in May, a mix of Hot Wheels, Matchbox and other brands.
Matchbox
Mazda MX 5 Miata. It is good to find a Japanese sports car in the Matchbox line up. Made in Thailand.
MBX Cabover & Auto Transport Trailer with 2011 Mini Countryman. This is my first of the Matchbox convoy series. I like transporters for displaying cars, this transporter seems a little out of scale with the Mini, another set has a Ford Mustang, I would have preferred that but haven’t found it here. Made in Thailand.
Racing Car Transporter. King-Size. This is an old model in extremely playworn condition. I made an earlier post about this, my earliest memory ever was being on a train holding a model like this, I would have been around 3 years old at the time, I have no earlier memories of anything so this vehicle is particularly treasured by me despite its poor condition. 1:54 scale. Made in England.
Porsche 928. Missing a door. 1:59 scale. Made in England
Mercedes CLK Convertible. 1:60 scale. Made in China
Peterbilt Truck. Super Kings. The original model would have been towing a refrigerated trailer. Made in England.
Hot Wheels
1968 Mazda Cosmo Sport. A pioneering rotary engined sports car. Made in Malaysia.
BMW 507. Classic BMW from 1950s. Made in Malaysia.
DMC DeLorean. I picked this up for a friend in England, who has a real DeLorean. Made in Malaysia.
’82 Cadillac Seville. From an era when Cadillacs looked like Cadillacs. Made in Malaysia.
Austin Healey. Made in China.
Aston Martin Vulcan. Made in Malaysia.
Other brands
Dennis Delivery Truck “Hamleys” (Lledo). 1:60 scale. Hamleys is a magnificent toyshop in Regent Street, London. I have fond memories of the store. Made in England.
Beach Buggy (Corgi). This model is missing its windshield, steering wheel and tow hook. The original would have come in a set with a trailer carrying a yacht. Made in Great Britain
Jaguar E Type (Marx). Made in Hong Kong
Range Rover Police. (Corgi Juniors) In “Crash Tender” Livery. Made in Great Britain.
This was the response: Adults collect Matchbox cars for various reasons, and it can be a hobby that brings joy, nostalgia, and a sense of fulfillment. Here are a few reasons why adults might choose to collect Matchbox cars:
Nostalgia: Matchbox cars have been popular since their introduction in the 1950s, and many adults grew up playing with them. Collecting Matchbox cars allows them to relive those childhood memories and recapture the joy and excitement associated with these miniature vehicles.
Appreciation of Design: Matchbox cars are known for their attention to detail and craftsmanship. Collectors appreciate the intricate designs, accurate scaling, and quality construction of these miniature replicas. The cars often showcase different models, variations, and historical representations, making them appealing to those with an interest in automotive design and history.
Investment Potential: Some collectors see Matchbox cars as an investment opportunity. Certain rare or limited-edition models can increase in value over time, especially if they are well-preserved and sought after by other collectors. For these individuals, collecting Matchbox cars can be a way to combine their passion for cars with the potential for financial gain.
Connecting with Others: Collecting Matchbox cars can also be a social activity. Many enthusiasts join collector clubs, attend conventions or swap meets, and engage in online communities to share their collections, trade or sell cars, and connect with like-minded individuals. It provides a platform for building friendships, exchanging knowledge, and fostering a sense of community.
Personal Enjoyment: Ultimately, collecting Matchbox cars is often driven by personal enjoyment and the satisfaction of building a unique collection. For some, it’s a way to pursue a specific interest or challenge themselves to complete a particular set or series. The act of hunting for rare models, organizing and displaying the collection, and simply appreciating the beauty of the cars can bring a sense of fulfillment and pride.
It’s important to note that collecting Matchbox cars, like any hobby, can vary greatly from person to person. Each collector may have their own motivations and reasons that resonate with them individually.
1:64 Meeting in Tbilisi, April 2023
Most of what ChatGPT came up with resonates with me. The nostalgia certainly, I noticed I started collecting in a big way after my father died in 2011. I appreciate the changing design of cars and particularly like the design of cars between 1964 and 1974. My collecting, I don’t see as an investment, I doubt I will get more from selling the collection than it cost to put together, although I do look out for Super Treasure Hunts. The social aspect is important, the meeting above was from the local 1:64 collectors group that connects usually via Facebook. I also love hunting around markets and secondhand shops to add particular cars to my collection.
Captain Scarlet Security Vehicle (Dinky) and Racing Car Transporter (Matchbox)
My Earliest Memory
My earliest memory was that I was on a train examining a Matchbox Racing Car Transporter (King Size K-5). I would have been around 3 years old at the time. I can’t remember anything earlier. So, I was delighted to find the model, when I visited Manana’s secondhand store on Thursday. The model in the store was in poor condition. The tyres are missing the windows are cracked and broken. The paint has lasted well for such an old and playworn model and it has the interior levels to take two racing cars, but is missing the ramp for them to load on and off the vehicle. It was a blast from the past.
This is how it should look.
My First day at School
What do you remember from your first day at school? The teacher? The other kids? All I can remember is playing with a Dinky model of the Captain Scarlet Maximum Security Vehicle, my diecast obsession goes back to a very early age! I found a similar model a few months ago in Tbilisi, in a secondhand toy shop in the basement of an apartment block near Vazha-Pshavela Metro. It is in better condition that the Racing Car Transporter.
Both models have a terrific nostalgia buzz that fuels my collecting urges.
15 models added to my collection this month and a few left it, too.
Matchbox
I added six Matchbox cars, five of which were made in England.
Ford Cortina. One of the first Superfast models.(1970 or 1971). I exchanged a Hot Wheels Nissan Skyline GT-R34 for this and the Opel Diplomat. Opening doors. Scale 1:62. Made in England.
Opel Diplomat. This has been painted by a previous owner and the wheels have been changed. I don’t mind, I like the color scheme chosen and the detailing. I also have the model with original paint in my collection. Opening bonnet. Scale 1:71. Made in England.
Siva Spyder. From mid 1970s. Scale 1:54. Made in England.
Jaguar XJ12. Super Kings. From the K-66 Police Set, missing Honda Motorcycles and accessories. Opening boot/trunk. Made in England.
Lightning. K-35. Speed Kings. A generic Formula one racing car. 1976/1977. Scale 1:40. Made in England.
1965 Ford C900. Recent Model. Shell tampos. Made in Thailand.
Opel Diplomats and Ford Cortinas
Hot Wheels
’90 Honda Civic EF. Red. Made in Malaysia. Exchanged a Toyota Supra for this.
BMW 507. New model for 2023. Made in Malaysia.
Pagani Zonda R. Made in Malaysia.
LB Silhouette Nissan Silvia (S15). I exchanged a white version of the same model for this. Made in Malaysia.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL. x2. Classic 50s sports car. Made in Malaysia.
Honda CR-X. Made in Malaysia.
Jaguar XE SV Project 8. This came from the Motor-Show 5 Pack (2022). Made in Indonesia.
also
Corgi Mercedes 300SL Opening bonnet/hood and gull wing doors. From early 1980s. Made in Great Britain.
Bilan
Totals: 15 Models: 8 Hot Wheels, 6 Matchbox, 1 Corgi
In March, I only purchased two model cars for my collection. I did acquire another 6 through exchanges at the 1:64 diecast collectors’ meeting in Tbilisi.
Subaru SVX (Matchbox). A new casting (2019) by Matchbox and the first time I have a model of this particular car. Designed by Ryu Asada. Made in Thailand
Land Rover 90 (Matchbox). “Polizei”. 2015 design. Tow hook. Made in Thailand.
Mazda 787B (Hot Wheels). A new model in the Mainline (2023). Goodyear logo on wing. Made in Malaysia.
Dodge Challenger Drift Car (Hot Wheels). I exchanged a loose Majorette Audi Quattro for this. Made in Malaysia.
Shelby Cobra 427. (Hot Wheels). I exchanged a Hot Wheels Sol-Aire CX4 for this. Made in Malaysia.
VW Golf. (Hot Wheels). I exchanged a Solaire CX 4 for this. Made in Malaysia.
Custom ’13 Ford Mustang GT. (Hot Wheels). I exchanged something for this. Made in Malaysia.
Simca 1308. (Majorette). 1:60 scale. I exchanged a Lamborghini Evoque (Hot Wheels) for this. Made in France.
Bilan
Totals: 8 Models: 5 Hot Wheels, 2 Matchbox, 1 Majorette
2 Bought new, 6 exchanges
Outlets: 1 Carrefour, 1 Pepela, 6 other collectors
February saw just four models added to my collection, it wasn’t a notable month for collecting. Two recent Hot Wheels models and a couple of older Corgi Juniors models
January saw another 27 cars added to my collection a few came through exchanges so about 7 also left the collection. Most of the cars were Hot Wheels or Matchbox.
Matchbox
Merryweather Fire Engine. This was an early Superfast model (from 1969 or 1970). 1:86 scale. Missing its ladder and one of the emergency lights has been pushed into the interior. Made in England. High nostalgia buzz.
Vantastic. Super GT Series. 1:65 scale. Made in China
Hail-Cat. Arctic explorer style vehicle. Made in Thailand.
Bentley Continental GT. 1:64 scale. Made in Thailand.
Porsche 911 Rally. This came with a box. Made in Thailand.
Wildlife Truck (not in picture). Rol-amatics Missing Lion and clear canopy. Made in England.
2012 BMW 3 Series Touring. Made in Thailand. I got this hoping for future exchanges, Georgian collectors like BMWs and black cars in general.
Subaru Sambar. This is very small. Made in Thailand.
Mercedes G500. Metallic blue. Made in Thailand.
‘71 Porsche 914. 1:60 scale. Made in Thailand.
1966 Land Rover Gen II. Zebra stripe livery. Made in Thailand.
Hot Wheels
Nissan Maxima Drift Car. Made in Malaysia.
Volvo P1800 Gasser. Made in Malaysia.
Bugatti EB110 SS. Made in Malaysia. This I got for my grandson who is crazy about Bugattis.
Ford Escort RS2000. Made in Malaysia.
Toyota Supra Mk IV. One of the sought after trinity of JDM Cars here (Nissan Skyline GTR 34, Toyota Supra Mk IV and ’95 Mazda RX7). I exchanged a Nissan Skyline 2000 GT/X for this. Made in Malaysia.
Mad Manga. Crazy Bouzouki style car. Made in Malaysia.
Mercury Cyclone. Made in Malaysia.
71 Dodge Charger. HW Art Cars. Made in Malaysia.
Kia Stinger GT. This is the only Kia in my collection. Made in Malaysia.
Datsun 240Z. Made in Malaysia.
Other Brands
1939 Delage D8:120. 1:43 Scale. Solido. Made in France
Audi Q7. 1:65 Scale. Realtoy. Made in China
Toyota Land Cruiser. 1:53 scale. Majorette. Made in France
Rolls Royce Phantom VI. 1:78 scale. Tomica. Made in Japan
25 January 2023. I visited a couple of secondhand toy shops near Vazha Pshavela Metro in Tbilisi and came away with these 4 cars. I am thinking to reduce the size of my collection this year as I have more cars than storage/display space.
But I still get tempted…and feel reluctant to leave a store empty handed. None of these vehicles were on my Wants’ List but I was quite pleased to find each of them.
Merryweather Fire Engine (Matchbox). This is an old Superfast, it has the thin wheels and the adapters on the axles so from the beginning of the Superfast era which began in 1969. It is playworn, one of the lights has been pushed into the body and it is unsurprisingly missing its ladder. The wheels are a bit wobbly and the front windscreen is cracked. The paintwork is not bad for such an old model. It does have that nostalgia buzz I get from Matchbox vehicles of that era.
Vantastic (Matchbox) This is a model from the budget Super GT Series of the 1990s, it is Made in China. These models are based on earlier castings but without interiors and have no opening parts. Vantastic (#34) from 1975 had no opening parts it was a customised van loosely based on a Ford Mustang.
Mercedes Benz SL (HTi) This is by a brand I don’t collect, but I do like Mercedes sports cars. Made in China.
Hail Cat (Matchbox) This is a recent Matchbox model suited for arctic expeditions. If we have some snow it would be a good model to photograph outside. Made in Thailand.
None of the models were particularly expensive being 3 or 4 lari each ($1.14-$1.52). But I am not super excited about any of them. I think I should be more disciplined when diecast hunting.
December has been another crazy month for collecting and it is not over yet, if I get any more models in the last 6 days of the month I will add another photo. There is a mix of old and new as usual, new Hot Wheels stock has been arriving in the Tbilisi shops (2022 M case), I also made a visit to Manana’s secondhand toy shop (16 to 31) and came away with 17 models, there is a new shop on Pekini Street, toyz.ge which has an amazing array of Matchbox although the prices are high.
The models are listed as they are in the photo, beginning with the left hand column and working my way to the right.
Greyhound MC 8 Bus (Hot Wheels). This is a heavy model having a metal body and metal base. Made in Hong Kong.
’71 Lamborghini Miura SV. (Hot Wheels). This is my second HW Miura, my favorite Lamborghini, I prefer the Matchbox casting, the Miura looks odd with larger rear wheels.
Nissan Maxima Drift Car (Hot Wheels). This is an impressive looking JDM wagon. New model for 2022.
Bread Box (Hot Wheels). Cute casting “HWPS” (Hot Wheels Parcel Service : Faster Than Ever Mail Delivery)
Lancia Delta Integrale (Hot Wheels). One of the dominant cars of the 80s Rally Scene, in dark green. I have the same model in black.
Honda Civic Custom x 2 (Hot Wheels). I have one on a card and one I bought loose. There is “Asada” on the tampo in tribute to HW designer Ryu Asada. The wheels are mismatched deliberately.
’70 Toyota Celica (Hot Wheels). One of my favorite JDM castings.
VW Caravette (Matchbox). This is a model from the 1960s, I found it at Dry Bridge Market for just 5 lari ($1.87). The doors are missing but the paintwork is in good condition. Made in England.
Commer TV Service Van (Matchbox). This is also a model from the 1960s, I found it at Dry Bridge Market for just 5 lari ($1.87). Rather Playworn, missing aerial and ladder. 1:86 scale. The Radio Rentals sticker was on the last models put out in 1968. Made in England.
Mod Rod (Matchbox). Missing engine and cheetah sticker on bonnet. 1:62 scale. The red wheeled model is from 1973. Made in England.
Fiat X1/9 (Corgi Juniors). Made in Great Britain.
’20 Toyota GR Supra(hot Wheels). Then and Now series. The MkIV Supra is very popular with collectors here in Georgia. I had three of the Mk IV Supra but I have traded them all.
Saab Sonnet (Matchbox). Super GT Series. Made in China. 1:53 scale.
Lotus Super Seven (Matchbox). Made in England. 1:51 scale. Missing windshield.
Range Rover Sport. (Matchbox). 1:64 scale. “60 Years” tampo. Made in Thailand.
BP Autotanker (Matchbox) This was #6 in the Matchbox Major Series. This was the highlight of my visit to Manana’s Toy Shop, my first Major model. 1:89 scale. Made in England.
Renault 11 Turbo (Matchbox). Model from the late 1980s. 1:56 scale. Made in China.
Baja Buggy (Matchbox). 1:49 Scale. I am not a great fan of the Matchbox Beach Buggies but it was cheap and it is an early 1970s casting and has its engine. Made in England.
Ford Grit Spreader Truck (Matchbox). 1:85 scale. Regular wheels from late 1960s. Playworn but a lot of nostalgia with this casting. Made in England.
1972 Lotus Europa (Matchbox). Black with gold stripe livery (like JPS). Ryu Asada design. Made in Thailand.
Jeep CJ6 (Matchbox). Made in England. Tow hook.
London Bus (Matchbox). Leyland Titan from 1981. “York Festival and Mysteries” 1:124 scale. Made in England. Plastic base.
Ford Escort RS Cosworth (Matchbox). 1:57 scale. 1994 model. Made in China.
Mercedes 230SL (Matchbox). Made in England. Missing windshield. Opening doors. 1:60 scale. Early 1970s.
Monteverdi Hai (Matchbox). Super GT Series. Made in England. 1:58 scale.
DAF Truck (Matchbox Super Kings). 1:66 scale. Made in England. Missing load and fork lift truck.
Refuse Truck. (Matchbox King Size) 1:66 scale. K-7. Missing two tires. Made in England.
Marcos XF. (Corgi Juniors) “Growler” Made in Great Britain.
8-Crate (Hot Wheels). I like the hearse like style and the purple windows.
VW Fourgon “Police” (Majorette). 1:60 scale. Made in France. Opening rear hatch.
VW Golf (Siku). Opening rear hatch.
’65 Volkswagen Type 3 Fastback (Matchbox). 50th Anniversary Superfast. Opening Doors. Made in Thailand. with box and blister. This was nice but pricey. 29.95 lari ($11.20).
’80 Mercedes S123 Station Wagon (Matchbox), Made in Thailand.
Since posting this blog post on 26 December I added a further 6 models to my collection.
6 additions
1975 Opel Kadett C GT/E (Matchbox) x 2. My father had an Opel Kadett, not this one but the estate car back in the 1970s. This sporting model is in Opel’s racing colors: white, yellow and black. I liked the model so much I got two of them.
2004 Honda S 2000 (Matchbox) Moving Parts Series. Opening hood.
BMW 6 Series (Realtoy) 1:61 scale. I’m not a great fan of BMWs but they make useful models to trade with other collectors for cars I do want. I did sell three BMW models this month.
Renault 5 Turbo (Corgi). Opening doors. Made in Great Britain. Rally decals.
Lamborghini Countach (Hot Wheels). Metal base and metal body.
Bilan
Totals: 40 Models: 11 Hot Wheels, 23 Matchbox, 3 Corgi, 1 Majorette, 1 Siku and 1 Realtoy
Diecast Car Collector 