2021 Matchbox Showroom 1979 Chevy Nova

Back in October (yes, I’m a bit behind), I got a nice box of Chevys in the mail from my friend, Brad. Included in the package was the first ever Matchbox Nova. Novas have been in the Hot Wheels line-up since the ’68 Chevy Nova was released in 2004, and they now include the ’63 Chevy II, the ’64 Chevy Nova Station Wagon, the ’64 Chevy Nova Delivery, the ’64 Nova Wagon Gasser, the ’66 Chevy Nova, the ’66 Super Nova, and the ’70 Chevy Nova SS. But Matchbox has never cast a Nova until now.

It’s interesting that they chose to model the final year of the fourth generation (1975-1979), the last of the rear-wheel drive Novas. This generation of Novas is what I always thought of as the ugly years; I was’t fond of the squared-off, angular look. (Though, there is one just like this that lives down the street from me, and I have more appreciation for its beastly appearance now than I did when I was younger. And bye the way, the fifth generation does not even deserve the name Nova.) But that seems to be Matchbox’s forte these days – bringing to life obscure cars that no other brand deems worthy.

Matchbox | GBX20 | 2021 MBX Showroom | 1979 Chevy Nova | metalflake light blue with white stripes on hood, light smoke windows, black interior, chrome plastic base | Thailand | cut tri spoke wheels

1965 Matchbox Chevrolet Impala Taxi

My adult collection really started with Chevy Impalas. In the early ’00s, Impalas seemed to be everywhere, especially lowriders. Revell had the Lowrider Magazine series and the Collectible Chevys, Jada had Homie Rollerz. Hot Wheels had the ’59 Impala and the ’65 Impala in their lineup. And Johnny Lightning loved the Impalas. I made it a point to buy every one I could find.

It was in those years that I realized that Matchbox had made an Impala starting back in 1965, so I went on eBay and found myself one. The Matchbox Chevrolet Impala Taxi Cab can be found in only a few variations:

• orange with gray wheels, ivory interior
• orange with black wheels, ivory interior
• orange with black wheels, red interior
• yellow with black wheels, ivory interior
• yellow with black wheels, red interior

My yellow with black wheels and ivory interior model has a few paint chips, but it still has an intact plastic tow hook and Taxi sticker on the hood.

I’m a little surprised Matchbox didn’t put out the Impala with a range of different liveries, but I guess they had the Ford Galaxie Police and Fire Chief cars to fill those roles.

The Matchbox Impala Taxi has a rather animated plastic driver, who seems to be gesturing with both hands off the steering wheel in true cab driver fashion.

Don’t get in the way of this guy!

Matchbox | 1965 | 20 | Chevrolet Impala Taxi | yellow with ivory interior | England | black plastic wheels

2018 Matchbox ’59 Chevy Wagon

In 2017, when I first saw photos online of the red Matchbox ’59 Chevy Wagon, I knew it was a one I had to have. Unfortunately, I was never able to find one. In fact, I didn’t even know they had released a blue version in 2018 until I came across this one at a Dollar Tree store back in June. It’s a great model with nice details and perfectly understated wheels. And it even comes with a canoe on top.

In fact, Matchbox upped the fun-factor by making the canoe interchangeable with the two variations of plastic luggage that can be found on the new 2019 Matchbox Land Rover Gen II.

Matchbox | 2018 MBX Road Trip | MB10 | ’59 Chevy Wagon | dark blue with silver stripe and Brookwood, tan plastic canoe | black rim ringed disc wheels

Matchbox Forum Online

Just a few days ago, I got an email from the Matchbox Forum administrator, informing me of all the latest updates to their website. Even though Matchbox/Lesney cars make up a fairly small part of my collection, I joined the Forum about a year and a half ago hoping to make some connections with other collectors. To be honest, I find their site really hard to navigate and I never did figure out how to use the message boards. However, they have done a lot of work on their catalogs which are a good resource for someone with a little determination.

I guess the best part about joining is that I got these two nice Matchbox models. I especially like the white-letter Goodyear Eagles on the ’57 Chevy.

1996 Premiere Collector Club | MB321 | 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop | black with white top

1998 | MB325 (MB30-12) | Chevy Tahoe Police “Official Matchbox Collectors Club” promo | black

1961 Matchbox Chevrolet Impala – an eBay Misadventure

I’d been watching and bidding on a few of these old Impalas on eBay for awhile, but most of them were going way outside my price range – partly because they originated in the UK, but mostly just because they’re worth a fair chunk of money. Finally I managed to find one in Canada that had a hole in the back window, a missing tow hook, and less than perfect paint. A good fit for my misfit collection. I won the bidding and waited excitedly to receive my prize in the mail. But the seller had basically tossed it in a bubble wrap envelope and sent it on its way. By the time it arrived in my mailbox, the roof of the car had been crushed as you see it here. Fortunately, the seller was kind enough to refund my entire purchase, so I accepted the car into my collection despite its many flaws. Even with a crushed top, the lines of the ’61 are undeniably awesome.

1961 | 57 | Chevrolet Impala | metallic blue body, light blue roof, black base | gray plastic wheels