Porsche 944 Turbo has a stethoscope on the parcel shelf

The Hot Wheels Porsche 944 Turbo has a stethoscope in the back. The late Ryu Asada designed this casting, his doctor drove a red Porsche 944 Turbo. So the model was a tribute to his doctor. I like these Hot Wheels Easter Eggs, even if this one is a little sad.

Monthly Acquisitions March 2021

Overview

March has been a good month for collecting I added 11 cars to my collection including 8 from my favourite brand: Matchbox.

Matchbox

8 Matchbox Models

1. Boss Mustang. Made in England 1:65 Scale. Early 1970s.The car is in near mint condition but the box is rough.
2. Opel Kadett GSi “Police”. Made in China. 1:57 scale. 1990s. Quite playworn but wheels run well and light bar is intact.
3. Ferrari 308 GTB Made in Macau. Mid 1980s. 1:55 scale.
4. AMX Pro Stocker, Made in Macau. 1985. This is in a rough state, missing windscreen and part of the roof.
5. Fandango. Rola-matics. Late 1970s. This was a gift from Ladi. Made in England.
6. Swamp Commander. 2017. Made in Thailand. A recent model, bought secondhand. Part of the Explorers series.
7. ´80 Mercedes-Benz W 123 Wagon. 2020. A new model, finally we have some new Matchbox in Tbilisi.
8. 1970 Plymouth Cuda. 2020 1:62 scale.

New Matchbox and Hot Wheels in Blisters

Hot Wheels

There were just two Hot Wheels added this month, but I was very happy to find them both.

1. 2020 Jaguar F Type This is one of my favourite new cars, I had a chance to sit inside one in the showroom.

At the wheel

2. ’89 Porsche 944 Turbo. One of my favourite car designs of all time.

I was pleased to see new Matchbox models on the pegs in my local Pepela, I was worried the Jeep I bought back in January may have been the last.

There was also one car I found by a brand new to me called Playmates, this was a model of the Rat King in Hearse. This was from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series.

Rat King in Hearse

Bilan

Totals: 11 Models:  8 Matchbox, 2 Hot Wheels, 1 Playmates

4 Bought new 6 bought second hand 1 Gift

Outlets:  3 Dry Bridge Market, 3 Cheap secondhand Stores near Station, 2 Pepela, 2 Carrefour and 1 gift from Ladi

Net expenditure: 86.60 GEL ($25.81)

1 lari = 30 US cents

Monthly Acquisitions october 2020

It has been like a pre Pandemic month, collecting wise with a diverse range of models picked up from various locations around Tbilisi. A mix of old and new, different brands, different types of vehicle. Also going over budget…oops!

October 2020 haul

Hot Wheels

Hot Wheels haul

1. Land Rover Defender Double Cab It is strange seeing Land Rovers in the Hot Wheels range, they seem more suited to the Matchbox brand. (Corgi also had a lot of Land Rovers) What is the difference between Hot Wheels and Matchbox?
2. ’69 Custom Volkswagen Squareback I like the classic Volkswagens from the sixties and early seventies.
3. Wheel Loader A tractor shovel with a hot rod engine, another strange kind of vehicle for Hot Wheels, not the kind of vehicle I’d usually collect, I might give it to my grandson.
4. Dragster. This was a McDonald’s Happy Meals toy. Made in Vietnam.
5. Batmobile. This is a really odd cross over: a Batmobile in Scooby Doo style livery. Batmobile
6. ’89 Porsche 944 Turbo. This is the second time I’ve bought this model, I wanted to keep one on the card and have one loose. I love all pre 2000 Porsches.

Matchbox

Matchbox haul October 2020

Just three Matchbox vehicles this month.

1. Hovercraft This is a SuperKings model 1:116 scale. It works like a Rola-matics car, when you push it along the radar and propellor revolve. This was a bargain at just 2 lari (less than $1). Hovercraft Made in England
2. Scania T142 tractor cab. I have a trailer this can pull.
3. Peugeot 305 Also SuperKings. This car is heavily playworn missing its left hand side A pillar, but the wheels still roll, the doors and boot still open. My father had a Peugeot 305, when we were growing up, this was after a long succession of Fords, a Moskvitch and an Opel. He would go onto buy two more Peugeots. My Dad’s Cars Made in England

Other Brands

Other brands October 2020

1. FAB 1 Lady Penelope’s Car. This is plastic but the wings spring out when you push down on the canopy. Dinky had many vehicles related to Gerry Anderson’s TV programmes like Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet.
2. Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (Bburago) 1:43 Scale. I was visiting the Goodwill hypermarket in Didi Dighomi and I really wanted to get at least one diecast car. They didn’t have any Matchbox and very few Hot Wheels. There were some Maisto, which seemed overpriced, they had shelves stoced with larger scale models (1:24 and 1:18). Finally I decided on the Ferrari, I’m not impressed by the Bburago wheels but it is a beautiful car.
3. Kamaz Cement Mixer. 1:43 scale. I have a weakness for Cement Mixers. This model was from Dry Bridge Market and is made in Russia.
4. Citroen Bertone Camargue (Majorette) 1:55 scale. This model was from Beso at Dry Bridge Market Bonanza Time! It is from the seventies and comes complete with a box. Made in France
5. New Mini (Realtoy). This was very cheap, it looks as though the previous owner handpainted the roof, it also looks slightly burnt. Made in China

Bilan

Totals: 14 Models:  6 Hot Wheels,3 Matchbox 1 Majorette, 1 Realtoy, 1 Bburago, 1 Made in China brand unknown, 1 Made in Russia brand unknown

5 Bought new, 9 bought secondhand, 

Outlets:  3 Dry Bridge Market, 6 Secondhand Toy Shops, 2 Carrefour, 2 Pepela and 1 Goodwill

Net expenditure: 158.20 lari ($48.83)

1 lari = 31 US cents

Monthly Acquisitions: March 2020

Alpine A110 (Majorette) and Volvo 850 Estate (Hot Wheels)

I usually wait until close to the end of the month to write about my monthly acquisitions but this is not a normal month. At the end of February, I was excited to see that 2020 Hot Wheels have finally arrived in Tbilisi 🙂 In the first five days of March, I picked up some more new Hot Wheels and a few secondhand Matchbox, I thought it would be another crazy month for collecting, but it turned out to be a crazy month for a different reason. The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic hit home, I was no longer going out on expeditions around the city looking for toy cars, I was mostly staying at home venturing out to get provisions from the nearest supermarket. The supermarket does have a few Hot Wheels but only 2019 peg warmers like Surf n Turf and Zoom In and I was more concerned with getting pasta and fresh fruit and getting out as quickly as possible. Here is my blog post with my reflections on COVID 19 : COVID-19 Post

March Haul

Hot Wheels

Four new models and one secondhand.

1. ’89 Porsche 944 Turbo. I was really happy to find this, as a child one of my favourite cars was the Porsche 924, I really liked its style. I might have to pop it out of its blister sometime soon to have a better look.
2. Ford GT-40. I saw the movie Ford v Ferrari recently, a film I’d highly recommend. I have a few Ford GTs in my model car collection but couldn’t resist this new model in the classic Gulf livery.
3. Alpine A110 Cup. A modern update of the classic Alpine A110, in blue like any good French racing car.
4. Volvo 850 Estate. Hot Wheels don’t produce a lot of estate cars/ station wagons but I love the ones they do (Chevy Nova, Datsun 510 and this Volvo). This is the first of the new 2020 models I have liberated from its blister. It is always a dilemma as to whether to keep the model on the card or liberate it.
5. DeLorean Time Machine. This was the only secondhand Hot Wheels I picked up this month. From the film Back to the Future.

Matchbox

 

All the Matchbox models I bought secondhand, there have been no new Matchbox models here for years.

Matchbox and Days Gone By

1. 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible. This is a more playworn model of one I already have. 1:66 scale.
2. Runway Wrangler. One of those strange trucks you see at airports.
3. Porsche 911 GT3RS. Like with the Chevy, this is a more playworn model of one I already have. But I find Matchbox 911s almost impossible to resist. 1:60 scale.
4. VW (T2) Bus 1970. I was very happy to find this in the secondhand shop. I’d have been even happier were it the VW Camper in the 1970 Matchbox range.
5. William Lusty Horse and Cart Model (Days Gone). I didn’t have any horse-drawn vehicles in my collection and this was just 5 lari. Days Gone/Lledo made a lot of horse-drawn vehicles. This model was Made in England.

Alpine A110, VW T2 Bus and Horse and Cart

The most expensive model this month was a Majorette Alpine A110 with opening doors. The usual price here is 16.95 lari in XS Toys, but I waited until they had a -30% sale and picked it up for 11.86 lari. It is an impressive looking model of the classic rally car, in French racing blue with Monte Carlo tampos. 1:53 scale, Made in Thailand.

29 March: I thought I wouldn’t be adding any more models this month, after a week indoors, I ventured out to the local supermarket. We waited half an hour to get in, we passed through the sanitiser station and donned plastic gloves, I was just out to replenish our food stocks, but I happened to glance at the Hot Wheels pegs. A week ago they had been very scantily stocked. Today, to my surprise they were full and had some new 2020 models. I didn’t tarry long but I did pick up the Bugatti Chiron, that had been on my Wants’ List.

Bugatti Chiron

 

Bilan

Totals: 12 Models:  6 Hot Wheels, 4 Matchbox,  1 Majorette and 1 Days Gone By

6 bought new,  6 bought secondhand,

Outlets: 4 Pepela, 6 Secondhand stores, 1 Carrefour and 1 XS Toys

Net expenditure: 64.62 GEL ($19.49)

1 lari = 30 US cents (last month it was 36 cents)

“The only way out is through, and the only way through is together.” John Green

I hope you will all be safe as this pandemic passes through.

2020 Hot Wheels have finally arrived in Tbilisi :)

Tbilisi doesn’t get every Hot Wheels case of the year (Hot Wheels releases 15 cases a year and each batch is assigned a letter…in Tbilisi we get just two or three different cases). I’ve been waiting a long time for some 2020 models, the last new case we got was the 2019 H case. On Friday I visited the Pepela store near Delisi Metro and was surprised to see some 2020 models, I was tempted to come out with an armful, but restrained myself and chose three I couldn’t resist. A ’65 Mustang Convertible in a baby blue shade from James Bond’s Thunderball, another ’70 Ford Escort RS1600  this time in orange and a ’95 Mazda RX7, which I’d been searching for a very long time. These are from the 2020 C Case (I’m pretty sure we won’t get the A case or B Case). I left on the pegs a Ford GT40 in Gulf Livery, a blue Porsche 917 and a black ’96 Porsche Carrera.

I then did my “research”, watching some YouTube videos of 2020 C case unboxings. The Lamley Group unboxing is usually quite thorough: Lamley Group 2020 C Case. 
I also looked at the Hallsguide 2020 Hot Wheels C Case Unboxing in case I missed something. The two models I hadn’t found but really wanted were the Volvo 850 Estate and Porsche 944 Turbo. Obviously it would be great to find the Super Treasure Hunt for the case (a ’67 Jeepster Commando) but they are as rare as hen’s teeth, in all my hunting I have only ever found two Super Treasure Hunt models on the pegs. There are plenty of examples of the normal ’67 Jeepster Commando.

Most stores don’t have any of the 2020 selection yet, I have only seen 2019 models in Carrefour and XS Toys. I ventured to the Pepela store in Pekini Street, they too had in the 2020 models…and I was able to find the two I was looking for the Volvo 850 Estate and Porsche 944 Turbo.

the stars of the 2020 C case

I will continue to look out for the ’67 Jeepster Commando (Super Treasure Hunt) and I may succumb to the tempting Ford GT40 in Gulf Livery and the blue Porsche 917. Now, I’m wondering which of these five I can liberate from their blister packs…

I’m also looking for these recent Hot Wheels releases:

1. ’64 Buick Riviera “Day of the Dead“
2. Lamborghini Countach in Police Livery
3. Mazda MX 5 Miata
4. ’16 Bugatti Chiron (found 22 March 2020)
5. Alpine A110 (found 5 March 2020)
6. Audi RS5
7. Jaguar XE SV Project 8
8. Nissan Silvia S13
9. ‘84 Audi Quattro Sport
10. Mercedes Benz 1300 Unimog

As for Matchbox, there have been no mainline releases here since 2015… and since then only some Jurassic Park models in 2018…

 

Front Engined Porsches

Some Porsche models 924, 944 and 928

I have a lot of Porsches in my collection but most are rear-engined 911s and the like. When you think of Porsche you think the engine should be behind the driver. In the seventies Porsche executives and engineers were considering replacing the iconic 911, with a front-engined V8 powered fastback. They were looking to combine the power and handling of a sports car with the refinement, comfort, and equipment of a luxury saloon. They wanted a car to compete with the Mercedes SL, which enjoyed phenomenal sales in the US. Porsche executives believed such a flagship car would have wider appeal than the compact, quirky and sometimes difficult to drive 911. Sales were dependent mainly on the US, so when the US market had a blip, Porsche was worried. New noise and emissions limits had been proposed and the engineers at Porsche were uncertain if it would be possible to adapt the classic flat six engine of the 911 to pass the new regulations.

Porsche 928 (Bburago) 1:43 scale

 

The Porsche 928 debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1977 to critical acclaim but sales were slow as the price was high and the new design alienated Porsche purists. The 928 won the European Car of the Year award, the only sports car ever to have done so. The body, styled by Wolfgang Möbius under guidance of Anatole Lapine, was mainly galvanized steel, but the doors, front fenders, and hood were aluminum in order to make the car more lightweight. The 928 was the first model in the company’s history that Porsche had designed entirely on its own. It was, in point of fact, the first real Porsche sports car. It contained no VW parts, no Audi engine or suspension, no major component invented outside of Zuffenhausen or Weissach.

Porsche 928 (the cream and gold models are Hot Wheels, the black one is an unidentified Chinese brand)

History shows us that the 928 didn’t replace the 911, which continues to be made to this day. The 928 was eventually discontinued in 1995.

A smaller front-engined Porsche was also designed, the 924, which was introduced in 1977.  From the time of the 924’s introduction, there were rumours among Porsche enthusiasts, that like the earlier 914, it was a Volkswagen in Porsche clothing. And it was true, more or less. The 924 had originally been developed for Volkswagen by Porsche AG as a cheaper successor to the 914 in Europe, but when VW decided not to build it, largely because of the global energy crisis Porsche AG took over the project. It was criticised by enthusiasts for its mediocre performance, but was a sales success with just over 150,000 produced during a 1977-1988 production run. I loved the design, as a teenager, this along with the Maserati Bora were my dream cars. There were sadly far fewer diecast versions than for the 911. I was very happy recently to find a Majorette model of the 924.

Matchbox Super Kings Porsche 944 Turbo and Majorette Porsche 924

The 944 was introduced in 1982 on the the 924 platform and later morphed into a 968.

Now Porsche has many front-engined models like the Cayenne, the Macan and the Panamera, not only are they front-engined but they are also have four doors. These are not my idea of what a Porsche should be.  I have a Siku model of the Cayenne minus its tyres and a Hot Wheels Panamera but I much prefer the iconic 911.

79 model Porsches

Though, it might not be one of the more famous cars in Porsche’s rich history, the 928 did bring new customers to the brand. Some say the Porsche 928 is the best Mercedes-Benz built by Porsche.

Monthly Acquisitions: December 2018

December Haul

I didn’t go as crazy as last month but 26 27 models is still a significant number of additions to the ever growing collection. Ten of these were made by Matchbox my favourite brand.

Matchbox

Matchbox haul

Some of the Matchbox models are in quite a rough condition and many date back to the late sixties/early seventies (my favourite period).

1. DAF Girder Truck – transitional Superfast, the wheels’ axles are a little bent, the girders are missing, which isn’t surprising for a model which was produced in 1970 or 1971.
2. GMC Tipper Truck – regular wheels (1968-1969). This has its red cab painted black by a previous user, the chassis is slightly bent.
3. Dodge Wreck Truck – regular wheels (1965-1969). This is missing its cab light, but it still has its towing hook unlike the other two examples I have of this model.
4. Dodge Dragster – Superfast (1972-1976). This is a funny car, the body lifts up from the chassis like Dragon Wheels. The support for the body is broken and the axles are slightly twisted.
5. Dodge Challenger – Superfast (1976-1980). Aside from some paint chips this model is in reasonable condition.
6. VW 1600 TL – transitional superfast (1970-1972). A previous owner has painted the model black even painting over the windows.(it would have been purple).
7. Dodge Dumper Truck – regular wheels (1967-1969). Another Dodge, this is in surprisingly good condition considering its age.
8. Mercury Cougar – King Size (1968-1970). The highlight of the month has been finding a Matchbox King Size Mercury Cougar, this was from 1969, the first King Size car and it came just before the range became Speed Kings with Superfast style wheels. This model is missing its two back tyres but the steering mechanism on the front wheels still works.
9. Porsche 944 Turbo – Super Kings. (1988-1991). This is the only Matchbox model this month not made in England. It is made in Macau, in the Matchbox International Era. In very good condition.
10. Matra Rancho – Super Kings (1985-1987). The base is marked Lesney Products even though this is slightly after the Lesney era. Made in England. The model is missing its opening tailgate.

All the Matchbox models are over 25 years old, some are around 50 years old. There is a tremendous frisson of nostalgia with some of these models.

Hot Wheels

Unlike the Matchbox models the Hot Wheels models were new.

Hot Wheels haul

The Audi RS6 Avant was on my Wants’ List  but I was surprised to find the Super Treasure Hunt! 

Audi RS6 Avant (Super Treasure Hunt)

The Dodge D100 Pick up is the fifth Dodge model added this month. The Millenium Falcon is a Star Wars Character car, it looks strange on 4 wheels. I’m not usually interested in character cars because they are very expensive and just an elaborate kind of fantasy car. The Millennium Falcon I found in a Toys Outlet for just 5 lari, which was too tempting to pass by. The Nissan Fairlady Z was also on my Wants’ List.

Siku

Last month (Monthly Acquisitions: November 2018) I picked up 7 Siku models, this month another three. I don’t know a lot about this German brand, it wasn’t part of my childhood. It seems to be a kind of German Matchbox, two of these models are from the seventies a Hanomag Henschel Pritschenwagen (#215) and a Ford TSF Feuerloschfahrzeug (#237) (missing its ladder). The ESA Rocket is more recent and would have come originally with a Scania Low Loader (#1614).

Majorette and Norev

Majorette Mercedes AMG GT Norev Maserati Boomerang and Renault 4L

Majorette and Norev are French brands, now like Matchbox, Majorette are “Made in Thailand”. They have an interesting selection, I picked out a Mercedes AMG GT from the limited edition “Glow in the Dark” series. The Norev models: a Maserati Boomerang and Renault 4 are made in France, I found them at Dry Bridge Market.

Maserati Boomerang (Norev)

Other Brands

Other Brands

Finally I added five models from other brands:

1. A Dinky Austin Mini Moke This is in a rough condition, missing many of its original parts like a steering wheel, a canopy, a tyre on the spare wheel and maybe even a parachute. It was cheap, just 2 lari and reminds me of the model I had in my childhood, which had a parachute.
2. Oil Tanker This is a TootsieToys model, an American Brand.
3. Audi Quattro “Polizei” This is a Welly model made in China. I imagine it was for the German or Austrian market, I also have the same model with emergency doctor “Notarzt”livery.
4. 1934 Ford Model A “RNLI” Van, Lledo. Made in England. One of many promotional vehicles made by Lledo for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
5. Corgi Bedford Tractor Unit. This is from the mid sixties and would have been sold originally with a Carrimore Machinery Carrier. It is missing its side view mirrors.
   

It has been yet another interesting month on the collecting front. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many old Lesney Matchbox models here in Tbilisi.

Finally…after publishing this post I found one final model in the Secondhand Store, a 2016 Wing Chiller…a Matchbox fantasy model for ice and snow exploration, with a propellor that rotates. Perfect for taking to Tsagveri.

Wing Chiller

 

Bilan

Totals: 27 Models: 11 Matchbox, 5 Hot Wheels, 1 Majorette, 3 Siku, 1 Welly, 1 Corgi,  1 TootsieToys, 1 Dinky, 2 Norev and 1 Lledo

5 bought new, 22 bought secondhand

Outlets: 18 Secondhand Toy Stores, 4 Dry Bridge Market, 2 XS Toys, 1 Carrefour, 1 Lilo Toys Outlet,  and  1 Pepela

Net expenditure: 125.07 lari ($46.93)

1 lari = 38 US cents

 

 

Wants’ List

Majorette 200 Series

I have more cars than I can display but still I want more, I watch YouTube channels like RaceGrooves, where each new case of Hot Wheels is unboxed and commented upon, like the 2017 P Case. I also watch the Lamley Showcase and on Facebook, I am in many groups related to diecast models.

Hot Wheels

Hot Wheels is the most dynamic Wants’ List because the line is readily available here in Georgia and the models I want are often current unlike my wants’ lists for Matchbox, Corgi or Majorette. There are a few historical Hot Wheels like the Maserati Mistral, which I’d love, but as it was only issued in 1969, it will be nearly impossible to get.

Maserati Mistral

1. 1. Nissan Skyline H/T 2000 GT-R I have 6 models of the GT-X but haven’t seen a GT-R yet. (found 10 May 2018 -still looking for police variant -found police variant too)
   2. Maserati Mistral as this was only produced in 1969, I fear my chances of finding one are quite slim.
   3. 96 Nissan 180 SX Type X (found 01 June 2018)
      
   4. Subaru Brat(found 04 March 2019)
   5. Lancia Stratos (found 28 April 2018) Mystery Model: Lancia Stratos (video clip)
      
   6. Custom ’69 VW Squareback (found 4 January 2018)
      
   7. ‘65 Pontiac GTO
   8. Renault Sport RS 01 ( I saw a Silver version of this model in Super but I didn’t like the wheels, I’m only interested in the blue or yellow versions)(found orange version in HW Exotics 5 Pack, 20 January 2019)
      
   9. Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) (found 5 February 2018)
      
   10. Lotus Esprit S1 (black with gold pinstriping)(found 16 September 2018)
   11. ’15 Mercedes AMG GT (seen 01 August 2018 in XS Toys but waiting for discount day) (bought 25 August 2018 from Pepela at 30% discount)
   12. ’71 Datsun Bluebird 510 Wagon “Surf Patrol“ (found in Surf’s Up (Hot Wheels 5 Pack 5 January 2018)
   13. ‘71 Porsche 911   now I notice there is a “Polizei” variant of this casting (found 10 May 2018)
       
   14. Porsche 356A Outlaw (turquoise)(found 10 January 2022)
   15. ’17 Nissan GTR (found 5 August 2018)
   16. ’95 Mazda RX7 (found 28 February 2020)
   17. VW Golf MkII (yellow or blue)(found in white 22 July 2018, found in blue 23 August 2020)
   18. ’82 Nissan Skyline R30 (found 10 October 2022)
   19. ’85 Honda City Turbo II (found 23 March 2018)
   20. ’88 Honda CR-X (found 16 August 2019)
       
   21. Mazda Repu (found in red 23 March 2018, found in metallic blue 21 April 2019)
   22. Plymouth Barracuda
   23. Ford Transit Supervan (found 2 March 2022)

   24. ’71 Porsche 917 LH (in Gulf livery)(found 22 October 2018)
       

   25. Lamborghini Countach Pace car (found 01 June 2018)
       
   26. Lamborghini Aventador Miura Homage (found 10 March 2019)
       
   27. Batman Animated Series (found 25 August 2018)
       
   28. ‘84 Audi Quattro Sport (found 16 November 2022)
   29. ’49 VW Beetle Pick Up(found in red on 5 July 2019, looking for “Moon Eyes” variant))
   30. Porsche 918 Spyder (found 8 February 2019)
       
   31. Mercedes Benz 1300 Unimog (found 14 July 2020)
   32. ’96 Porsche Carrera(found 5 July 2019)
   33. Nissan Skyline H/T 2000 GT-R (Police livery)(found 5 July 2019)
   34. ’64 Buick Riviera “Day of the Dead“
   35. Lamborghini Countach in Police Livery (found 19 September 2020)
   36. Mazda MX 5 Miata
   37. ’16 Bugatti Chiron (found 29 March 2020)
   38. Alpine A110 (found 5 March 2020)
   39. Nissan Silvia S13(found 22 January 2022)
   40. Porsche 944 Turbo (found 1 March 2020)
   41. ’65 Ford Mustang Convertible (found 28 February 2020)
   42. ’57 Plymouth Fury (found 22 August 2023)
   43. ‘98 Honda Prelude  (found 2 July 2021)
   44. ’64 Ford Galaxie
   45.  Porsche 914 Safari (found 22 January 2022)
   46. Mazda RX-3  (found 20 August 2021)
   47. Jaguar F Type (found 27 March 2021)
   48. X-34 Landspeeder (Star Wars)(found 17 December 2020)
   49. Lancia Delta Integrale  (found 15 January 2022)
   50. Mercedes 300SL (found 12 December 2021)
   51. 87 Ford Sierra Cosworth (found 2 March 2022)
   52. Lamborghini Miura SV (found 24 November 2022)
   53. Toyota Supra Mk IV (found 13 January 2023)
   54. Mercedes 300SL red (found 15 April 2023)
   55. Alfetta GTV (found 3 September 2023)

   56. Matchbox

green ticks got, orange ticks got since posting originally, green circles want most

My Matchbox Wants’ List tend to be older models, often connected to my childhood, they are not readily available here in Georgia.

1. Lamborghini Miura…loved this car since seeing it smashed in “The Italian Job” (found the recent casting but really want the 1969 model) I also found a Bulgarian made Matchbox Miura…(11 Feb 2016.) The wheels are different and the interior is black not white. I still want the original Lesney model. (This model arrived in a package from the Netherlands on 29 January)
   

Matchbox from 1971

Foden Cement Mixer.. I have a weakness for cement mixers, I have a few but this is the one I REALLY want. In the 1969 range. (found 22 February 2022)

Ford Mustang (#8)… I have a lot of Ford Mustangs this, or the Mercury Cougar, may have been the first American Muscle Car I was aware of…I have the hot rod version of each but I would like the earlier unmodified version.

Mercury Cougar (#62) I have the later models of the Mustang and Cougar, when they were transformed into Hot Rods with exposed engines.

Jaguar E Type (regular wheels)… “the most beautiful car in the world”, as a child I was sorely tempted to steal the Matchbox model, now I’d prefer to find it and buy it legally…I did see one in an antiques shop in York but was deterred by the £45 price tag.

Ferrari 250 GTL Berlinetta … I had a couple of rough models of this casting before I left England but I sold them at a Boot Sale, an act I now regret. (This model arrived in a package from the Netherlands on 29 January)

Aston Martin DB2 … old Matchbox model from before I was born

Citroen SM … I would like some model of this iconic French car…I picked up a beat up model for 20p….would like to find one in better condition. (This model arrived in a package from the Netherlands on 29 January)

Fiat 1500 … it came out in turquoise and a much rarer red (found 15 July 2019, minus luggage and in a rough condition)

Cadillac Ambulance…I had one of these too (there is also a different Cadillac Ambulance in the 2016 range which is also worthy of inclusion)(found 15 July 2019, painted brown and black by a previous owner and in a rough condition)(found 22 February 2022)

Alfa Giulia Sprint … this just came out in red and white because of licensing issues with Ala Romeo

Pontiac Convertible … this was a casting before I was born

Pontiac Grand Prix… another transitional model released in Regular Wheels and Superfast

Ford Pick up Truck …a red truck with a white canopy (found 12 June 2023 but without canopy or front grille)

Volvo P1800s … a recent model (found 25 July 2019)

Mercedes 300 Coupe … the regular wheels model had opening doors AND am opening boot (The superfast model arrived in a package from the Netherlands on 29 January)

Lamborghini Countach ...the first one put out by Matchbox in the early 70s not the later ones. (found 17 November 2021)

Mercedes 230SL … convertible Mercedes from 60s (This model arrived in a package from the Netherlands on 29 January 2018)

Lamborghini LM002… off road Lamborghini

Racing Car Transporter (King Size Model)- found a wrecked model 04 May 2023

DAF Car Transporter … I love car transporters for displaying cars.

Ford Mustang Mudstanger…Mustang with 4 x 4 big wheels treatment

‘66 Dodge A100 Truck (found 3 March 2018)

Mazda RX 500 renewed interest having seen the car in GT6 (found a rough Streakers model 25 May 2017) (This model arrived in a package from the Netherlands on 29 January 2018)

1971 Nissan Skyline 2000GTX  (found 1 October 2019)

Ford Transit News Van

Toyota Prius  (found 17 July 2018)

Runway Wrangler (found 3 March 2020)

’64 Ford Fairlane Wagon

Volkswagen 1500 Saloon … I prefer this one (issued 1968-1972) to the earlier Volkswagen 1200 Sedan (issued 1961-1964) because I had it as a child.

’64 Austin Mini Cooper (found 25 July 2019)

Mercedes G60 6 wheeler

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

’59 Chevy Wagon (with canoe)  (found 15 January 2018)

 ’80 Mercedes-Benz W123 Wagon    (found 27 March 2021)

Matchbox 2019

Matchbox 2019

(found 17 December 2020)

’51 Hudson Hornet Police

’69 BMW 2002 (found 25 January 2022)

Dodge Charger funny car (found 8 December 2018)

Ford Escort RS 2000 (found 9 June 2018)

Datsun 260Z

Matra Rancho (found 15 January 2022)

Rover 3500 Police

Mercedes 450SEL

Volvo 480ES

Datsun 510 Rally

1976 Honda Civic (found 28 June 2021)

NASA S.E.V./ Chariot

‘55 GMC Scenic Cruiser

Ford Explorer (Jurassic Park)

Dodge Challenger in metallic dark pink

1933 Plymouth Sedan

Land Rover 90 (found 21 June 2018)

VW Golf Mk 1 (found 9 September 2022)

’90 VW Golf Country

Peugeot 205(found 25 August 2023)

Renault 11  (found 20 December2022)

1971 MGB GT Coupe (found 20 August 2021)

Austin Healey (found 30 April 2022).

’56 Aston Martin DBR1 (found 5 April 2021)This is a model that came out for the new Top Gun film.

Lotus Europa (JPS Colours)(found 20 December2022)

Jaguar F-Type…I sat in the real car in a showroom recently a gorgeous car(found 30 April 2022).

Opel Kadett GTE (found 26 December2022)

’65 Land Rover (Safari deco) (found 4 January 2023)

I can dream….Jaguar F Type

The display below is of the kind of collection I’d love, they are Matchbox models from the late 60s in mint or close to mint condition.

Karl-Erik Thomsen’s Matchbox Collection

(found 20 August 2021)

Corgi

1. Jaguar Mark X … my father’s dream car (he never realised the dream…but he did have the Corgi)…found a playworn Husky Mark X but would still like the full size Corgi model.
2. Porsche Targa 911S… found a really rough model of this 12 June 2023
3. Ferrari 206 Dino Sport
   
4. Datsun 240Z (found 13 April 2019)
   
5. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
   
6. Iso Grifo
7. Porsche 911 Police (Corgi Juniors)
8. Mercedes 280 SL (Corgi Rockets)
9. Citroen Safari (Corgi Juniors)
10. Cadillac Eldorado (Corgi Juniors)
11. De Tomaso Mangusta (Corgi Juniors) (saw one in Dry Bridge Market in October 2023 but priced too high)
12. NSU Ro80 (Corgi Juniors)(found 6 September 2022)
13. Jensen Interceptor (Corgi Juniors)
14. Ford Escort Rally (Corgi Juniors)
15. Ford Mustang Mach 1 (James Bond)
16. Mercury Cougar Fire Chief (Corgi Juniors)
17. Ford Capri Fire Chief (Corgi Juniors)
18. VW Double Trouble Hot Rod (Corgi Juniors)(found 28 July 2023)
19. Volvo P1800S (Corgi Juniors)
20. Porsche Carrera 6 (Corgi Juniors)(found 26 June 2023)
21. Ford Mustang Competition Model This was on the same page of the 1969 Corgi Catalogue as the Ferrari 250 LM and Porsche Carrera 6 (both of which I have). It would be nice to have all three.
22. Buick Riviera

Corgi Juniors wants ringed

1. Siku Wants:

   1. Porsche 911E Targa
   2. Citroen SM
   3. Alfa Montreal
   4. Lamborghini Espada

Dinky wants

1. Opel Commodore
2. Jensen FF
3. Range Rover (Fire Chief)
4. Mercury Cougar
5. NSU Ro 80 
6. VW Porsche 914
7. Monterverdi 375L
8. Lotus Europa

Welly wants

1. Citroen DS19 Convertible
2. Ford Mustang
   
3. Peugeot 404 Cabriolet
4. Peugeot 504
5. Pontiac GTO
6. 1973 Citroen DS23 (found 20 August 2021)
7. 1969 Ford Capri
8. Jaguar F Type
9. Renault 5

My preferences when collecting models are:

Diecast Brand: Matchbox is my favourite. This is partly for nostalgic reasons, they were the cars I had most when I was a child. The current Matchbox range only has a few vehicles which interest me, I find more in the Hot Wheels range to excite me. I have more Hot Wheels than any other brand, partly because they are more readily available than other brands (except Kinsmart, which is everywhere).

My favourite brands:

1. Matchbox
2. Corgi
3. Majorette
4. Hot Wheels
5. Siku

Models: Generally I prefer sports cars from the sixties and seventies, I particularly like the first generation Ford Mustang, second generation Chevrolet Corvette, Maserati Bora, Alfa Romeo Montreal, Citroen SM, Mercury Cougar, Datsun 240Z, Jaguar E Type and Porsche 911.

Scale: 1:64 The scale for Hot Wheels, Matchbox and Majorette. This again is the scale I collected as a child and is usually cheaper to buy and easier to store and display than larger scales. My largest scale models are 1:18 Scale

Car Make: Some makes I prefer to others. I particularly like Porsche, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Citroen and Maserati.

1. More details about my choosing criteria: In the mind of this collector
   
2. Unusually for this blog this page contains pictures which aren’t mine, apart from the photo of me in the Jaguar.
3. Majorette wants:
   1. Citroen SM (found 27 August 2020)
   2. Renault 17
   3. Simca 1100 (found 18 March 2018)
      
   4. Mercedes 350SL (found 27 August 2020)
   5. Chrysler 180 (found 23 May 2019)
      
   6. Jaguar E Type (found 23 August 2020)
   7. Matra Simca Bagheera (found 2 May 2018)
      
   8. BMW 3.0CSL (found 27 August 2020)
   9. Renault 16 
   10. Jaguar F Type (found 24 November 2018)
   11. Fiat 127
   12. Volvo 245D