The Matchbox Blaze Buster Fire Engine was first released in 1975 and was produced in about 5 variations, with differences in base, ladder, interior and window colors. This very clean version with a yellow ladder, chrome interior and black base is from 1977 and is another of my eBay scores from the Collection of the Crafter’s Son.
While the plastic ladder on the Blaze Buster can be raised up and down, the two sections are molded together and can not be extended.
Matchbox | 1977 | 22 | Blaze Buster Fire Engine | red with Fire labels, yellow ladder, chrome interior, black base | England | Superfast 5 spoke square
The Matchbox Renault 5TL LeCar was first released in 1978 and can be found in a whopping 46 different variations. This nice yellow example from 1980 is another of my eBay scores from the Collection of the Crafter’s Son.
Before Hot Wheels came along, Matchbox made sensible diecast cars. In the early 1960s, the Matchbox Fire Chief car was a Ford Fairlane. A few years later, the Matchbox Ford Galaxie was given the Fire Chief livery. Both of these were official-looking 4-door sedans with wheels that could pass for government issue, cars that any self-respecting Fire Chief would drive. After Hot Wheels dropped in 1968, things changed quickly for Matchbox. It wasn’t enough for the Galaxie Fire Chief to receive those narrow Superfast wheels in 1970. Superfast wheels got fatter and fantasy castings appeared in the Matchbox line-up left and right. If Hot Wheels could use an Olds 442 coupe – the Chief’s Special – for their Fire Chief car, then Matchbox would have to do it one better. In 1976, Matchbox introduced their new Fire Chief Car. Based on what looks like a customized Ford Torino, it has dual chrome hood vents, bulging fender flares, a roof spoiler, a chrome interior that gleams through the blue tinted glass, and colorful labels on the doors that all but scream FIRE. Sensible it is not. But I’m surprised they didn’t give it a catchier name than, simply, Fire Chief Car.
First released in 1975, the Matchbox DeTomaso Pantera is based on the Ford-powered Italian car that was manufactured from 1971 to 1993. The Matchbox version was produced in about 9 different variations. A modified casting called Greased Lightning, that included a blown engine, was produced in 1983. This white variation with Pantera 8 labels on the hood and sides was produced from 1975 to 1981. This super-clean example is one of my eBay scores from the collection of the Crafter’s Son.
Matchbox | 1975-1981 | 8 | DeTomaso Pantera | white with blue, orange and black Pantera 8 labels, orange interior, blue base | England | Superfast maltese cross front, 5 spoke square rear
The Matchbox Vantastic – a Ford Mustang customized with a station wagon-like rear end – was first released in 1975 and can be found in about 10 different variations. Early versions had a blown engine sticking out of the hood. This example from the eBay collection of the Crafter’s Son, has orange paint, no exposed engine, 34 labels and a white base, and was produced from 1978 to 1980.
Matchbox | 1978-1980 | 34 | Vantastic | orange with no exposed engine, black, white and orange 34 labels, white base and interior, blue-green windows | England | Superfast 5 arch front, dot dash rear
The Matchbox Porsche 928 was first released in 1980 and can be found in about 29 different variations. This metallic light gray model with tampo in three shades of blue was produced from 1984 to 1987. I try to collect only England-cast Matchbox, but this Macau-made Porsche is one of three models from the eBay collection of the Crafter’s Son that violate this rule. Even though I didn’t win everything I bid on, it was such a nice bunch of cars that I wanted to try to keep them all together – cast in England or not.
While there are a few exceptions, most variations of the Matchbox Porsche 928 feature opening doors.
Matchbox | 1984-1987 | 59 | Porsche 928 | metallic light gray with light blue, blue and dark blue Porsche 928 tampo, red interior, orange windows | Macau | Superfast 5 arch
The Matchbox Porsche 911 Turbo is a popular casting which first debuted in 1978 and has been produced in over 50 different variations. This clean black and gold version from 1984 is another of my eBay finds from the collection of the Crafter’s Son. I try to collect only made-in-England Matchbox, but I’ll make an exception for this Macau-cast Porsche.
The Matchbox Weasel Armored Vehicle, later called the Military Tank, was first released in 1974 and was produced in about 13 different variations. The Rolamatics action on this model causes the gun turret to turn as the wheels roll. This sharp metallic green version with silver hubs and a black turret is another eBay score from the collection of the Crafter’s Son.
The Matchbox #13 Snorkel Fire Engine (with closed cab) was first released in 1977 and was produced in about 7 different variations. Based on the real-life GMC 7000 Series Fire Engine, the model features an articulating and swiveling plastic boom with a fireman in the bucket. This nice example is another of my eBay finds from the collection of the Crafter’s Son.
Matchbox | 1977-1982 | 13 | Snorkel Fire Engine (closed cab) | red with blue windows, yellow boom, & bucket, unpainted base | England | Superfast 5-arch
The Matchbox Dodge Cattle Truck is a long-running casting that was first released in 1967 as the #4 Stake Truck. In 1976 it was reissued as the #71 Cattle Truck, with two plastic cows riding in the back. (This is not to be confused with the #37 Dodge Cattle Truck, first released in 1966, which had a higher, more enclosed cattle compartment with an opening ramp at the rear.) This example, another score from the eBay collection of the Crafter’s Son, is identical to the one I still have from my childhood, but – except for the missing cows – is in better shape.
The Race Case MBX 