Matchbox Monday dives back into the collection VII

I hope people had a happy Easter. As it was a holiday period, especially in the UK when Friday and Monday are also holiday days, giving people a 4-day weekend, I thought now would be a good time to take a break from the look at new stuff and take another dive into my collection. I hope I didn't pull out models I have already been through. I chose 5 random models from the history of the brand. As many know, I only start with the beginning of the Superfast era, so anything from before 1969 is something I do not have. So, let's get on with this selection of classics.

The first model I am choosing to look at this time is Badger. This was the last of the slots to change to Superfast wheels, as until 1974, a Bulldozer with no wheels was in the slot. So, this is MB16-A. Back in the day, the UK army used to give many of their military vehicles animal names. So, when Lesney decided to create their own castings for the new Rolamatics series, they also used animal names. We also saw Stoat and Weasel. Badger was loosely based on Pig. A light armoured truck built by Humber. Of course, that was only a starting point, and they came up with their own unique design, which was also used as a basis for a later Cement Truck.

As part of the Rolmatics function, one of the middle axle wheels sported a pin sticking out of the wheel, which would rotate the antenna on the roof as it rolled along. A clever little function, which was used on a number of vehicles in the range in the 1970s. The model was always bronze throughout its 6-year run. However, things would never stay the same.

For starters, bronze was never going to stay the same shade. Variations between lighter and darker shades ran continuously through its time. These are both sporting a chrome antenna, which was how they came for the first 2 years. As was often the case, many models began life with something plastic being chromed, then after a while, they got bored with chroming it, and it became regular plastic.

In 1976, we started seeing the antenna in cream.

And, obviously, bronze varied in shades throughout its run, so you should find variants with all antenna colours.

You can also find shades of grey to the base insert. It varied between lighter and darker grey. You might even find some with a black insert in later years. You might also wonder is the unpainted base/grille saw any changes? It did. When Lesney started Rolamatics, they applied for a patent for it. All Rolamatics models saw the Patent application number until some time in 1976, when it was granted and they updated all bases with the actual patent number. So from launch, the bases stated PAT. APP. 12174/72. When they got the licence, during 1976, it changed to PAT. NO. 1424808. This can lead to smaller run variants, like cream antenna with a PAT APP base. I have not worried about the PAT APP/PAT NO variation. Others might.

I tend to stick with what is visible without turning it over. Ooh, that antenna is black.

And isn't that a cream antenna? Nope! Ivory.

Both appeared in 1977, but many miss the ivory as it is quite similar to cream, until you line them up. Ivory was not in production long.

As a black antenna became the norm for the final 3 years of production.

Green was the regular window choice. During the first 3 years, all windows were green, although in 1976, a few cream antenna models saw a slightly blueish tint to the green window, and some black antennas later on also did. They are not easy to spot either. However, purple? Yes, that was a small run in 1978 before reverting to green. That one is easy to spot. This model was quickly dropped in 1980, as everything military was dropped at the start of the year.

Now, there is also the case of a second version. In 1976, they added a twin pack series and TP-14 was a pair of military models. For the first 2 years, this was the Badger, paired up with a Freeway Gas Tanker, before being replaced in 1978 by a Mercedes-Benz 300E and Mercedes-Benz Binz Ambulance pairing.

With only a short production run, and being a twin pack, so not run in big numbers like basics, there is not a lot of variants to look for. Many know that the initial run was a very dark green. This is known as Olive Drab, and as soon as they hit stores, feedback was that they were too dark, and the olive paint used was made a lot lighter. Olive Drab is never easy to find, but regular olive is not overly common. Obviously, this also ran through the PAT APP/PAT NO change, and the grey strip on the base can be lighter or darker grey. But, aside from that, you might find a random error. A chrome antenna has been found. Chrome wheels has been found. But, these tend to be an exception. Without doing base changes, it really is a case of drab or olive paint as a variant on the twin pack issue.

Okay, let's jump forward a little in time. 1988 to be exact. This was the heart of the Universal era, and they added a cool new Porsche to the range. The MB191 Porsche 944 Turbo debuted as MB71 in the US range or MB59 in the ROW range. It ran until 1994. Porsche had debuted the 944 in 1982, but the Turbo was not added until mid-1985, as a 1986 model. Matchbox debuted theirs in red, with the model name down the side and at the front, as well as a large Porsche badge across the bonnet/hood.

It also included opening doors.

Of course, with a little hunting, you might find something random. I actually found this one with no tampo. I am not 100% sure if it is a prepro or not. But, I like it anyway.

The model ran in red through 1991. A 4-year run. There was scope for variations. One of them is quite an unusual one. In 1989, the base went through a writing revamp. Some of the writing was moved to create a large gap on the upper part. Why?

Because when they first launched a premium series, which was initially known as World Class, they wanted to add a large tampo printed World Class logo to the base, so wanted the space to include it. Hence, the revamp.

It was a part of the first series of World Class vehicles. This series did begin production in Macau, but a late run was made in Thailand, as production in the Macau factory ceased in 1990, and the factory closed. It is also worth pointing out that the doors were sealed shut for this release. The only issue with sealed doors.

At the end of 1989, we saw a first promotional issue made for the model. This was for a UK company called Creditcharge. They had been around since 1969, but went bust in 2015. The regular issue saw the large Porsche logo replaced by a Creditcharge logo instead.

With a second promotion arriving in 1990. This time it was painted white, and was an on-pack offer for Duckhams Oil, again in the UK. I do have a prepro in red, which is pretty cool.

The promotion extended out through 1991, at which time it was also spread out to Germany and Austria. Later 944s were noted as having a purple background to the Duckhams logo, instead of blue.

Which was down to production moving to Thailand after Macau closed.

1990 also saw another issue. ROW markets saw a 3-pack arrive. Known as MP-804, this featured 3 different Porsches, and all were in matching black looks. It was sold in ROW markets, in a special Porsche themed package.

However, some packages saw the original Porsche tampo used from the red model. This is most notable with the Porsche badge itself being much larger than was used on the MP-804 pack.

The black model then continued in 1991 as part of an MC-23 gift set, featuring 4 Porsches, all in different colours, but using the same logo. However, this stayed in black, like the 3-pack. It did move production to Thailand for this set.

And with the basic range still running in red, this also moved to Thailand.

Aside from the different country, you might also note interiors were a much lighter tan shade from Thailand.

After 4 years in red, the basic range switched to metallic green in 1992, where it ran for 3 more years before being replaced.

Production of the green model was always in Thailand. However, 3 years of continuous production did mean, if you looked, you could find a shade of green.

1994 also saw this lovely yellow release. Made in collaboration with White Rose, a special series of 24 models were created in small numbers as Collectors Choice. The small catalogue that came with them touted it as series 1. However, we never saw a series 2.

After 1994, the model was replaced in the basic range in both markets. We were close to seeing a pair of "Chromers" models. A new series that was being planned for 1995, as an extension to the shiny stuff that they were doing. Graffic Traffic had turned chrome for 1994, and Matchcaps were also launched in 1995, in chrome. This was the proposed next step, with a number of models in dual colours being painted up over the top. However, the series was shelved before it went into production.

However, it did return in 1997 in premium guises. The ROW markets were getting some Premiere World Class models, and series 2 saw a red release. A US only Gold Collection issue in dark red was also released.

And in 1998, it was given one more outing. This was in the regular Premiere World Class series 19 in the US market in iridescent white. After this, the model was retired for good.

I move into the 1990s now, with another almost original design. However, the MB233 Airport Fire Truck is heavily influenced by a certain Gloster-Saro Javelin. It pretty much is the Gloster-Saro, tweaked just enough to avoid paying licence fees. Cheeky! It debuted as MB8 in the US market and MB24 in the ROW market, where it ran for 2 years in fluorescent orange. And that was it. It was dropped from the range.

Which is a shame, as it had some lovely moving parts. The ladder and hose both swiveled around.

Although, again, you can find shades of orange if you hunt around. However, this was not the end of the model. It did continue elsewhere. There is a rare 1994 Intercom City release, which looks the same, except an addition of the IC logo, and a bar code base. However, I have not been able to find one. It is a rarity.

We finally saw a new outing in common rotation as it was a part of a 1995 Fire 5-pack in red and white.

And returned in the 1997 Fire 5-pack in red.

It was also given its first premium outing that year as well. Premier World Class series 7 was bright yellow with Westford Airport Fire Rescue on the sides.

And World Class series 21 in 1998 gave us another yellow, with Newfield Airport Fire Rescue on it.

It was also added to 2 5-packs that year. The Fire 5-pack saw the same design as 1997, but on a yellow model. There was also a new Airport 5-pack with another livery on that yellow one.

In 1999, the model returned to the basic range. It was sold as MB8 almost worldwide. However, the US market saw Runway Rescue 1 added to the side print.

However, the German market went with something completely different. Sold as MB13, and then again in 2000 as MB14, this model was red with a Feuerwehr livery.

It was also given another yellow 5-pack release. This was in an Emergency Rescue set. There is another 1999 release. A final premium outing in a Fire themed set, in bright yellow with a City of Denver DIA 2 livery. Again, another I am still trying to obtain.

For 2000, it was a US exclusive basic range issue, sold as MB29. The first 10,000 made had a Matchbox 2000 logo on the front window.

However, as I noted, the German market did see the red 1999 model roll over for another run. However, there was also a very unusual scenario. The 2000 market had been split 5 ways. US markets saw a set of 100 models. The ROW market saw only 75 with 15 being exclusive to all 4 ROW markets. But another 10 of these were further split 4 ways. The UK market, Australian market and German market saw 10 models just for them. The plan was for all other ROW markets to get a fursther set of 10. The first batch of 5 were released, but the second set of 5 (numbers 36 through 40) were not. However, 3 of the models did end up out there. A TV News Truck popped up in an FAO Schwartz 10-pack in the USA, and this and an Ambulance were sold in 3-packs, along with the BMW 328i Police that was already out in the first ROW only batch. A Ford Transit with a taxi livery never appeared, and the final model is not even known. Mattel never told anybody what it was even going to be. The other ROW markets were not that big, and they just happened skip the batch where these were supposed to pop up.

We did see a yellow model in a 5-Alarm Launcher set that year as well.

In 2001, it was added to a Fire Drenchers 5-pack in yellow.

And the 5-Alarm Launcher set was re-issued with transposed colours for models. This was now yellow on red, instead of red on yellow.

In 2002, the model returned to the basic range one more time. It was now in orange as MB41, and the first 10,000 worldwide saw a 50 logo added to the side.

2002 saw the model get its one and only promotional release. It was a giveaway at a 76ers game in January.

It was also given another Launcher outing. This 2003 release was called Fire Truck, and saw it in yellow with flames on the side. It worth noting that the base was updated in 2003. Originally it had the lozenge logo and Matchbox Intl Ltd on it. During 2003, it was changed to the oval logo and Mattel Inc. This release saw a transition between bases.

However, by the time the Fire Drenchers 5-pack arrived, which was the 2001 pack in all new colours, the logo was always Mattel. Funnily enough, they decided to update the base in 2003, and after this pack, they never used the model again. Was it worth it? Ha ha!

So, now we move in to the Mattel era. Only just. 1998. They had taken over Tyco in November 1996, which meant that 1997 was already sorted. 1998 was the first year that Mattel were officially in charge of the Matchbox brand releases. One of the new castings was the MB320 '57 Chevy Belair Convertible. Part of a dual release alongside MB321, which was simply the same casting, with an altered window section to go all the way over, and a plastic roof insert, to turn it into a hardtop variant. The Convertible was first issued as part of a First Editions set, where the first 5,000 off the production line were left unpainted, and the next 5-000 given a highly detailed look, this one in red. One of each was packaged together in a twin pack.

It then was given a regular basic range release as MB36 worldwide. This was in turquoise with a purple side flash, which if you hunted around, you might notice the purple flash was good for a shade or 2.

While 1998 also saw another premium outing at the end of the year, when it was given a blue release in the Premiere Nostalgia set.

It was given a second outing in the basic range as either MB47 in the US market or MB42 in ROW markets. This was a lovely creamy yellow with red and black side flash. After this, it was dropped from the basic range.

In 2000, Mattel decided to create some really high-end models, with some being based on regular issues. The '57 Chevy was given a new casting with opening hood that showed a detailed engine. This was released in yellow, with a very high level of detailing. It was never used again.

The model was not seen in its regular guise in 2000, but in 2001, a few new examples appeared. One was in an Avon 2-pack, as part of a 1950s themed set alongside a Holden FJ Panel Van.

Which also coincided with an upgrade. The chromed plastic base was changed to metal.

It also appeared in purple with Snap, Crackle and Pop on the side in a Kellogg's themed licenced 5-pack.

The metal base did not last long. It was not seen in 2002, and when it returned in 2003, it was back to a plastic base.

This was a part of a Hero City Sports themed Convertibles 5-pack.

And, look. This is rather timely. What do you mean, I deliberately chose this model because of this? Hmm! I cannot confirm or deny that. Ha ha! In 2004, it was a part of an Easter 3-pack release in yellow.

And then, it was added to the new Superfast range as number 61 in dark blue. The first year of Superfast saw all models (apart from a few special ones) see the same bling wheel. It was not a popular choice and was phased out during 2005.

The 2005 Superfast series saw it now sporting retro 5-spoke wheels in either white (ROW markets) or blue (USA market).

Although it was dropped from the Superfast series for 2006, we did see a lovely yellow release, as a promotion for the 2006 USA convention.

Plus, it was 1 of 2 inaugural models chosen to be part of the 10-pack exclusives (later 9-packs, now 8-packs). This (and a '33 Ford Coupe Police) were exclusive in all 3 batches of 10-packs that year. However, with each batch, they would change colour. From orange, through off-white and eventually purple.

In 2007, the model was added to the US Classics 5-pack in dark blue. At first, this disc wheel was being used.

But they soon switched to tri-spokes as the wheel was being launched that year.

In 2008, a Best of International set was created. These were a mid-level range of models, between core and premium. This was in brown, and the wheels saw whitewall detailing.

After that, we saw nothing in 2009, but the Real all-exclusive 10-pack in 2010 saw this mid-blue offering.

After this though, it was not used in 2011 or 2012, but saw a return to the basic range. Ending very similar to how it began there. A light blue, although now with a more detailed side design. It has not been seen since, but you never know. It may return.

Which brings me to my final model in this dive back report. Another that has not seen many outings, and a return to where I started with a military themed model. This is the MB888 International MXT-MVA. This debuted in the last year the Belair was seen. 2013. It started as MB81 in tan.

For 2014, it was MB86 in a blueish grey look.

It was also given 2 more outings that year. A Battle Mission 5-pack in light grey and a Mission Force Tactical outing in a dark grey.

2015 saw the model's final outing in the basic range. MB68 was in white.

With 2016 seeing the model's final outing full stop. This was in beige as part of the Military 5-pack. I don't know if we will see this again. There has not been much in the way of the military style vehicles being used in Matchbox ranges lately. However, I always thought this was a good casting, and should get some other outing.

And, on that note, I am done for another week. I hope you enjoyed my little foray into my collection. I got inspired when I pulled out all my old Site Dumpers in last week's Batch C part 1 report. Hmm! I suppose I should get back to Batch C. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.