Matchbox 5-Pack of 1:64 Scale Vehicles, 5 Toy Car Collection of Real-World Replicas for Kids 3 Years Old & Up, C1817

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Again this is a real livery, and this time it is spot on. No slight tweaks or anything. It even has MCI 514 on the door. Well actually, just in front this time. Of course the actual model is not of the real one that Boone County use, but Matchbox has already done one with the tooling that is closest to it. You may notice the star of life is not there. There are issues as it is its own mini-license and does require additional verifications before production. So they simply left it off this time. But that is about it now. For sure. I hope you managed to stay until the end. My reports are getting longer and longer aren’t they. In 2002 the model was sold worldwide as MB44, and being a logo year meant the first 10,000 of these sported a 50 logo behind the rear wheels. Now I rarely do code 2 models, but once in a while something appeals to me because of who has made it. In this case, Keith had a special run made of the MB1087 ’33 Plymouth PC Sedan. Being friends, I was interested in acquiring one of the 30 that were made through Color Comp. They took the original 2018 debut version of the Plymouth which sported a Police side design. Which again has a habit of not being applied to the doors. After 1974 the model was dropped from the range and never used again.

Again a very nice design. These models all look to have been very tastefully and respectfully created honouring those who just kept on going during the most difficult of times. But you know what I am like. I did some older models inspired by vehicles from this set too. So first up….Yes I was enjoying myself with these, and didn’t want to forget the photos after all that went into doing them. So I hope you didn’t mind this report going into extra time. In 2005 with a new team and new direction at Matchbox, the model made a triumphant return to the basic range in a realistic red design as MB13. And then it disappeared. The MB1178 International TerraStar Ambulance with the 3 tampo hits looks extremely good honouring those who looked after us during the worst times. Ambulance drivers in particular had a very rough time of things but just kept on going. There were 7 models in this set including 5 miniatures, 1 Working Rig and this Skybuster. It is pretty rare for me to show Skybusters as I don’t collect them, but this is the SB86 Airblade. In 2000 this model did see a release in the “other” ROW markets, as MB15. This meant the UK, German and Australian markets did not get it, as well as the US market which had a distinctly different range.

The MB55-B Mercury Commuter Police Car. Inspired by the Ford Interceptor Utility as I do SUVs as being somewhat closely linked to wagons (albeit taller) and this one was also in white just the like the new SUV is. And as I mentioned with the International TerraStar, this E-350 had already been done, which is why they used a modern casting instead. And the 5-Alarm Launcher set simply saw the red and blue tampo switch places. It is easy to remember which model was which. 2001 was the year they starter introducing flower wheels. And slapping the new oval Matchbox logo they had created to replace the lozenge (only lasted 4 years, lozenge rightly returned in 2005) on pretty much anything that had tampo.

The UK did later get its own version though as MB39 in the UK market was this London Fire Brigade issue. This is white with brown striping a Boone County Sheriff on the side. A very simple design and also very striking. I like the look of it. Mind you I couldn’t help but notice how different the shade of brown was too. I don’t think there is a crossover, as these were 2 entirely different runs in different years. But it is really nice seeing the new Ambulance casting getting more use. Plus being a real one is always nice too. Again, this is a nice colour scheme, and a white ambulance always works week with a real license.