Do old Matchbox cars have value?
Matchbox Cars Commanding a High Price Also featuring a rarer colour version is the Opel Diplomat. Introduced in 1967 and painted in turquoise instead of the much more common gold, it can be worth around $9,000. Another diecast model that’s rare due to its colouring is the BP Dodge Wrecker. A factory error or pre-production model: The rarest Matchbox cars are the ones that weren’t meant to be sold. If your car has the wrong colorway or is a pre-production model, it’s probably pretty valuable.Major Quarry Truck Many claim this is both the rarest Matchbox car in existence and the most valuable. It is the true Holy Grail of Matchbox cars. The company never put the actual truck into production. However, chief model maker Ken Wetton built between six and eight prototypes.Matchboxes took their name from the box the vehicles came in, which for most years included a color rendering of the toy inside. All 41 of these toys include that box—the sign of a very fastidious collector. Nearly all of these are from the regular wheels years, which extended to 1969.A factory error or pre-production model: The rarest Matchbox cars are the ones that weren’t meant to be sold. If your car has the wrong colorway or is a pre-production model, it’s probably pretty valuable.The value of Matchbox cars is set by several different things, with condition being one obvious consideration: examples free from paint chips and damage are naturally going to be worth more.
What was the very first Matchbox car?
The first Matchbox cars were based on larger toys that Lesney Products had made between 1948 and 1953, including a Diesel Road Roller and a Cement Mixer. Only a year after the cars were offered in England, Lesney worked out a deal with the Fred Bonner Corporation to import the cars to America. In 1953 the first Matchbox Cars were made. Introduced in 1953 were MB1 Diesel Roadroller, MB2 Dumper and MB3 Cement Mixer. Each year new models were added, with some being replaced, until there were 75 in the range – thus the range was kept to 75 models at any one time, and was known as the ‘1-75 range’.Model numbering: The 1-75 (or 75) series. Lesney gradually increased the number of models in its standard Matchbox Series range from three in 1953 to 75 in 1960.With most Matchbox cars, older vehicles tend to be more valuable than those produced in recent years. When a Matchbox car was produced in the first run of any specific model, it tends to be more valuable than those produced in subsequent years. So do your research on your particular model to see what value it holds!
How to tell which Matchbox cars are valuable?
With most Matchbox cars, older vehicles tend to be more valuable than those produced in recent years. When a Matchbox car was produced in the first run of any specific model, it tends to be more valuable than those produced in subsequent years. So do your research on your particular model to see what value it holds! The main difference today is that Matchbox vehicles are generally more accurate scale models, not as customized as most Hot Wheels. The biggest difference is in the histories of the two brands.
Are Matchbox cars a good investment?
Diecast model cars can be a good investment if you know what to look for and are willing to invest time in research and maintenance. Rarity, condition, provenance, and market demand are critical factors that influence value. Rarity – limited edition diecast models are more sought after. Year of production – older diecast cars are harder to find and tend to be more valuable, especially if they are in good condition.
Are old matchboxes worth anything?
Some matchboxes are bought and sold for many hundreds of pounds and whole collections can be worth many thousands of pounds. The hobby is so vast that new collectors have to decide eventually what interests them most and in what area they wish to specialise. Is it matchbox labels or bookmatch covers? You can make them into a magnet, frame them as art, or exhibit them in other creative methods. Matchbooks originated in the 1800s as a handy way to start a fire when needed for cigars or cigarettes, but weren’t the advertising vehicle they are today.