When it comes to collecting diecast cars, there are almost as many specific areas of interest as there are people who collect. In my case, my various areas of interest have evolved and changed over the years. My current obsession are the Matchbox Two Packs. I blame this 1977 TP-14 Military Tanker and Radar Truck for starting the whole thing. I saw it in a case at Paramount East Antique Mall almost a year ago and was instantly enamored with the package as much as the vehicles inside. I actually passed it up on two separate visits before I finally coughed up the money and brought it home in late January of this year. I do have a Matchbox Two Pack from my childhood – the TP-8 Field Car with Honda Motorcycle and Trailer – but they are loose and I have no memory of the original package.
The first Matchbox Two Packs were released in 1976, two related models packed in the same oversized blister card decorated with colorful and exciting illustrations and graphics. Some Two Packs are cars or trucks with trailers, some are semi-tractor/trailers, and others, like this military-themed TP-14, are simply a pair of vehicles that share a mission.
Matchbox Two Packs | 1977 | TP-14 | Military Tanker and Radar Truck
The Matchbox Freeway Gas Tanker was first released in 1973 and was produced in about 21 different variations. Many of these had the liveries of various fuel brands and most were packaged both individually as well as in Two Packs. The TP-17 Double Tanker Set included a Freeway Gas Tanker that has a tow hook paired with a Freeway Gas Tanker Trailer that could be pulled behind the first. I believe this olive Freeway Gas Tanker was not packaged individually and was only found in the TP-14 set.
#63 | Freeway Gas Tanker | olive with 95 High Octane labels, purple windows, black plastic base | England | black Superfast Maltese cross front, black Superfast 5-spoke rear
The Matchbox Badger Exploration Truck was first released in 1974 in the Rolamatics series – it has a radar dish that rotates as the vehicle rolls. There are about 12 variations, at least two of which were found the TP-14 set. Click here to see the metallic orange-red version in my collection.
#16 | Badger Exploration Truck | olive, green tint windows, ivory plastic spinning radar, unpainted metal Rolamatics base with gray plastic insert | England | black Superfast Maltese cross
As a special bonus, the back of each of the Matchbox Two Packs includes another beautiful illustration.
The Race Case MBX 