Its no surprise that Matchbox cars are very popular among avid collectors worldwide who love collecting this timeless classic toy! 13. Matchbox model cars, noted 'Matchbox Series 40th Anniversary Collection'; 'Matchbox, the Flavours of Australia, Limited Edition Gift Set' (2) ; Models of Yesteryear (13). The first version was made with opening doors and a trunk and had chrome wheels. Here are some of the most valuable Matchbox cards sold recently. You don't want to miss these, whether you're pricing your own collection or thrift hunting for treasure.All thes. Ending Wednesday at 11:16AM PST 13h 38m. For a short time, Lesney even released a series of rechargeable electric Scorpion cars. What powers matchbox cars? So some buyers do want these cars. Like other items on our list, this is not your ordinary car. The statue consists of almost 106 individual pieces and even includes light-up eyes. Matchbox is renowned for the detail and attention to the quality they put into each model. 5. Jack Odell who founded the company had a daughter who could only carry match-sized toys to school. Only 5,000 cars were made, making them incredibly rare and valuable today. And of course, one is more valuable than the other. The famous police car in question had a rare feature. The rare Volkswagen without the sunroof was only sold across Europe. The average model earns about $30, which isnt much. Original Matchbox Lesney Dodge Wreck Truck Check Prices eBay. Refreshed 2024 VW Atlas Bows with Upscale Updates. 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. The best way to trade matchbox cars is to buy them in bulk at estate auctions, flea markets, garage sales, and the goodwill store. Its another reason why collectors pay more for UK models. Historical Vehicle says that in its day, the Diplomat was a very cheap car. Initially, the Matchbox Series contained 75 cars in matchbox replica packaging. Thus, the idea of the matchbox car craze began and hasnt slowed down since. Masters of The Universe: Revelation Debut. Matchbox was a brand name for British die-cast vehicles produced by Lesney Products beginning in 1953. So Jack Odell got some 1:43 scale plastic models from Dunlop Tyres, melted them down, and made them into small die-cast models that would fit inside a matchbox. This model came in green and cream colors. Generally, Magirus Deutz Cranes arms are orange, while the bodies are silver. 7. The 1968 version is the most valuable of them all, with its red, blue, and white colors and the matching wheels. The matchbox model released in 2011 had a similarly limited supply run, with Hot Wheels only releasing 4,000 door-open models into the wild. The Major Scale Quarry Truck is the holy grail of Matchbox cars. 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. It made our top 11 list of the most valuable and rare matchbox cars considering the cars value. This amazing crane truck was auctioned for $ 13000. 8 Silk Pillowcases for Your Best Beauty Sleep. Year Produced: 1968. photo source: Hot Wheels Wiki. You will likely need to spend around $30 to get your hands on a unique piece of Matchbox history and the original die-cast car in mint condition. The cream version is even rarer, as it was only produced for a short period in 1968. 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. One of the most valuable colors of the cars made is orange and copper, each worth more than $1500 on the open market. King-size cars came in 1960. In 1953, British toy company Lesney Products released a miniature model of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation coach, the company's first best seller. While Lesney Products made their name in matchbox cars, it wasnt the only thing they made. The connection to television history is certainly an advantage for the price. Vaporwave is a music genre that reimagines the 80s plasticity and turns it into an aesthetic that evokes the best of nostalgia and alchemy. It is a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car directed at middle-class families while still ensuring fuel economy. The 1968 version is the most valuable of them all, with its red, blue, and white colors and the matching wheels. Weve talked about the 75 miniatures that were 2 tall and had no windows or interiors. Check out our 1980s matchbox cars selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. chips, dents, or repairs), and working condition (e.g. Leslie and Rodney Smith (they combined their names for Lesney) came across Jack ODell and hired him. But by this time, the big names produced similar ranges, with fantasy models and race tracks included. Have you ever wondered which Matchbox toy carsare the most valuable collectibles? Road Roller Originally had been designed to be a larger vehicle, but it shrunk in size to make it easier for kids to use it as a toy. In an auction, this unique treasure sold for a staggering $15,000. Some resellers will even ditch the Mokos and focus on American brands. The two-door version is worth around $15, while the four-door model can be worth as much as $30. Here are seven of the most valuable Hess trucks. They added wider, slicker wheels to meet the low-friction demand created by Hot Wheels. It has several features that make it unique, including working headlights, a detailed interior, and wheels. TY Teenie Beanie Babies: Over $800. Opel Diplomat in Seafoam Green. Some sellers are offering single unopened, obscure Teenies Beanies for thousands of dollars. The first true Matchbox toys were produced that . Of course, once the manufacturer discovers this, they begin to produce high-end units targeted at collectors. Die-cast Matchbox toys first gained their name because they originally came packaged similarly to matches. How to Find out How Much Matchbox Cars Are Worth? It has always been a 2-door coupe, but the models 37-year production life saw it undergo several drastic redesigns. Cars in the series were marked with a Y + the toy number. These small cars tend to fetch a higher price for their distinctive color or other features most of the time. 1 and had a green driver. You can find one in good condition fairly easily. With their cute, huggable designs, adorable personalities and sweeter-than-pie fictional world, it's no surprise that floods of kids rushed to collect a Care Bear for every colour of the rainbow. This article will reveal the 11 most valuable Matchbox cars worth a fortune. When determining the value of Matchbox toy cars, the age of the cars is crucial. The gray-wheeled model is so rare that a recent sale of a used model was recorded at a price of nearly $2,000. But the quality was lower so these cars arent as profitable to resell. The Opel Diplomat is a matchbox car made in a variety of colors, some being more popular than others. 60 Most Valuable Toys From Childhood - Best Vintage Kids Toys. The majority of versions of it cost about the same as a nice dinner. Matchbox 1967 Magirus Deutz Crane (No. 30) - $13,000. Y-16. By then, it was a public company complete with a glitzy New York IPO. Photo: McDonald's. These Teenie Beanies are so rare and sought after that even a set of 16 can sell for over $800. Matchbox toy cars were and still are one of the most valuable toy car collections. This page may contain affiliate links to products or services the cost is the same to you, but we get a referral fee. A tan truck is said to be worth 8,513 pounds, ($11,760). It was created in the early 1980s and produced for about three years. e.g. Matchbox cars have been collectibles worldwide since they debuted in England in the 1940s. The red model with a white interior is now worth more than $1,000. As you probably guessed, it's a show dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette and those who love it. There were some minor differences in the way the wheels were made and the way the rivets were made, but otherwise, the two models are almost the same. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 19 Most Valuable Matchbox Cars Worth Money, 19 Most Valuable Vintage Tonka Trucks Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Vintage Swatch Watches (80s & 90s) Worth Money, 18 Most Valuable Royal Doulton Figurines Worth Money, 19 Most Valuable Depression Glass Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Vintage Trifari Jewelry Worth Money, 15 Most Valuable Vintage Glassware Worth Money, Antique Toy Pedal Cars Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Coffee Grinders Value (Identification & Price Guides), Benrus Watch Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Blue Willow China Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Car Blue Book (Car Value & Identificatiron), Old Buttons Value (Identification & Price Guides), Skeleton Key Value (Identification & Price Guides). Hot Wheels quickly became Matchbox cars' biggest competitor in the late 1960s. The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was first introduced as a Matchbox car in 1988 and has remained popular. 30 Toy Cars Collectors Covet. It featured two doors and three headlights but only had four wheels instead of five because of licensing restrictions regarding toy cars that appeared similar to vehicles on the road. Matchbox cars are small toys designed to fit inside a matchbox. . It seems like its only recently been discovered as a valuable collectible. If you bump into them, they resell for a truckload, so keep an eye out! This one of a kind toy car keepsake was sold for a record price of $15,000. The cars got more elaborate over time. Worse, it is not entirely clear why this vehicle is so valuable. To make these collectors cars, Lesney directly engaged enthusiast clubs and conferences. CedarClosetCache From shop CedarClosetCache. But do not worry because we are here to help. and has a red driver. Some rare models sell for thousands of dollars, while others can be found on eBay or Craigslist for less than $10! Hot Wheels didn't do much to mark the event, but fans have. It has been graded 8 out of 10 by collectors and is in excellent condition. '55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser "Candy Striper," $1,000-Plus. Matchbox Cars Playset with 1 Matchbox 1:64 Scale Toy Firetruck, Lights. But the king-size steamroller is marked K-9 (not K-1!) These boxes were branded Moko Lesney. Generally, the early cars with redline tires are some of the most valuable; the most desirable ones can command thousands of dollars. Matchbox 50 Car Pack. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO - $18,000. Three different colors for Mercedes Benz 230 SL models were available: white, yellow, and white (Superfast). The car was first released in 1968 and had two different variations. Great seller. Matchbox cars are collectible toys for children and adults alike. In this case, the longer roofed model is the most valuable. The school had a specific rule that the toys that could fit inside of a matchbox were allowed on their campus. But which Matchbox car is the most valuable? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Matchbox cars were packaged in two ways, depending on the era. Bubble Power She-Ra. This is an extremely rare car only one specimen exists! For exactly 50 years, Hot Wheels have been the most popular toy cars in the world. The 280ZX is a beautiful car that looked like a sports car but drove like a luxury coupe. This is because almost all of the Magirus-Deutz Cranes were known to be silver with a crane arm tinted orange. Matchbox has been producing toys for children for over 60 years now. 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. You are much less likely to find one with the original box in good condition. 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