The Matchbox Model A Ford was first released in 1979 and was produced in about 26 different variations, only about 8 of which were cast in England. This cream over green model is an England-cast variation that I found in the 50 cent tub at J & J’s Treasures.
Matchbox | 1980-1981 | #73 | Model A Ford | cream with dark green fenders, no windows, chrome plastic grille, lights and bumper, black plastic base | England | 5-crown wheels front, open dot dash wheels back
After I picked up the Matchbox King Size Racing Car Transporter at an estate sale, I was on eBay looking for some period-correct Matchbox race cars to put inside it. I scored a nice Ford GT pretty quickly. Then I put in a bid on a Ferrari F1 Racing Car, but wasn’t able to land it. A few days later, I was wandering through an estate sale, when I found this Matchbox Ferrari F1 Racing Car waiting for me.
The Matchbox Ferrari F1 Racing Car was first released in 1962 and was produced until 1968. It includes a driver, which can be molded in either white or gray plastic. This example is missing the driver and one wheel, which has been sheared off at the spokes, but it has most of its paint and the decals as well.
The Matchbox #73 Ferrari F1 Racing Car features an unpainted metal steering wheel and exhaust pipes, and two-piece wheels with diecast metal spoked hubs and black plastic tires.
Matchbox | 1962 | #73 | Ferrari F1 Racing Car | red with Ferrari 73 decals, missing driver, unpainted metal exhaust and steering wheel, black metal base | England | black plastic tires on spoked metal hubs (missing one)
The Matchbox Mercury Commuter Wagon was first released in 1968 and was produced in about 4 different variations. The ’68 release was metallic lime and had black plastic tires on chrome hubs. In 1970, the metallic lime Commuter was given Superfast wheels and the later variation with red paint had a cow head label on the hood. (My copy of Dana Johnson’s Matchbox Toys 1947 to 2007 also lists a red Superfast variation with a cat head label, but I’m unable to find any photos of this version online.) This example of the red Superfast model – a Christmas gift last year from my brother-in-law, John – is a little rough and is missing the label as well as a fair amount of paint.
Click here to compare to the 1968 Matchbox Mercury Commuter Wagon already in my collection.
The Matchbox #73 Mercury Commuter Wagon is well know for the two plastic dogs molded into the rear of the interior.
Matchbox | 1972 | #73 | Mercury Commuter Wagon | red with missing label, clear windows, white interior, unpainted metal base | England | Superfast 5-spoke
The Race Case MBX 