Matchbox Porsche 911 Turbo Variations

The Matchbox Porsche 911 Turbo is a popular casting which first debuted in 1978 and has been produced in over 50 different variations. In recent months, I’ve acquired three more variations of this casting from my Wichita eBay friend, to make a total of five different variations in my collection. This silver example is from 1979.

The Matchbox Porsche 911 Turbo features opening doors and a two hook.

Matchbox | 1979 | #3 | Porsche 911 Turbo | metallic gray, clear windows, red interior, black metal base, opening doors | England | Superfast 5-arch wheels

This next example, with red paint and black and white Porsche Turbo graphics was issued in 1982 and 1983.

Matchbox | 1982-1983 | #3 | Porsche 911 Turbo | red with white and black Porsche Turbo 90 tampo, clear windows, tan interior, opening doors, dark gray metal base | England | Superfast 5-arch wheels

Although I try to collect only England-cast Matchbox, this next red model with black, white and yellow Turbo 911 graphics is an early ’90s variation that was made in Thailand.

Matchbox | 1990-1993 | #3 | Porsche 911 Turbo | red with white, yellow and black Porsche 911 Turbo tampo, clear windows, white interior, black metal base | Thailand | Superfast 5-arch wheels

Other examples in my collection of the Matchbox Porsche 911 Turbo include a metallic brown version from 1978 and the black and gold Macau-cast release from 1984.

Matchbox Ford Model A Van and Model T 1921 Van Variations

The most-produced Matchbox ever is the MB38 Ford Model A Van. First released in 1982, this rolling billboard has been a regular issue in the 1-75 line, but even more so has been used as a promotional model for a wide range of products. In 1984, Matchbox teamed up with Kellogg’s in the UK for an on-pack mail-in offer for a free Ford Model A Van with Corn Flakes livery. The offer was repeated in France in 1986 and in Denmark in 1987, resulting in about 2 million MB38s sent to consumers. In 1990 and 1991, White Rose Collectibles used the MB38 for its line of vehicles promoting all 26 baseball team and 28 football teams. Many, many other brands were promoted on the sides of the Ford Modal A Van. During its years of production from 1982 until 2007, well over 400 different variations of the MB38 were released.

This example of the England-cast 1982 first-release of the MB38 with Champion Spark Plugs labels on the sides is one of my R&S Resale finds.

Matchbox | 1982-1997 | 38 | Ford Model A Van | blue with black fenders, white roof, Champion Spark Plugs | England | Superfast 5 crown front, dot dash back

This next example, also from R&S Resale, is a 1990 mail-in promo with Kellogg’s Rice Krispies livery.

Matchbox | 1990 | 38 | Ford Model A Van | dark blue with black fenders, black roof, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies | Macau | Superfast 5 crown front, dot dash back

Another Matchbox model used widely for product promotions is the MB44 Ford Model T 1921 Van. Produced from 1990 until 2005, the casting was released in over 150 different variations.

This Ford Model T 1921 Van with Kellogg’s Apple Jacks livery is from a 1996 promotion and was also found at R&S Resale.

Matchbox | 1996 | 44 | Ford Model T 1921 Van | flourescent green with black roof and fenders, Kellogg’s Apple Jacks | CH | spoked wheels

I have two other examples of the Matchbox Ford Model T 1921 Van. First, another Kellogg’s promotion from 1996, this one featuring Corn Pops cereal.

Matchbox | 1996 | 44 | Ford Model T 1921 Van | yellow with red roof and blue fenders, Kellogg’s Corn Pops | CH | spoked wheels

And finally, despite the fact that it’s missing a front wheel, I’m fond of this Model T Van with Count Dracula on the sides. This spooky variation would have been found in the 2005 Haunted Castle 5-Pack.

Matchbox | 2005 Haunted Castle 5-Pack | 44 | Ford Model T 1921 Van | dark blue with black roof and red fenders, Dracula WOOA | CH | spoked wheels

[EDIT 10/11/21] I recently added another Matchbox Ford Model T 1921 Van to my collection. I got this China-cast Bird’s Custard version for a good price from my Wichita eBay friend.

Matchbox | 1990-1992 | #44 | Ford Model T 1921 Van | yellow with red roof and blue fenders, Bird’s Custard Powder | CH | spoked wheels