1966 Matchbox Opel Diplomat

The Opel Diplomat is a luxury car made by the German automaker from 1964 to 1977. In 1964, Opel’s Kapitän (introduced in 1938) and Admiral (introduced in 1937) were brought together with the Diplomat in a completely new three-tiered model range. At the high-end of the range, the front-engine, rear-wheel drive Diplomat could be had with a Chevrolet 283 or 327 V8 engine. A 2-door Diplomat coupe was also available, though it was produced in much smaller numbers than the 4-door sedan. The KAD models were redesigned in 1969 and given a slightly smaller body with a more sophisticated chassis.

The Matchbox Opel Diplomat, based on the Diplomat A (1964-1968) was first released in 1966 and was produced in four different variations up to 1970. Early versions have metallic gold paint and black plastic wheels with either a chrome or gray motor. A considerably more rare and valuable sea green variation was included in the 1967 G-2 Car Transporter Gift Set. And in 1970, the Opel Diplomat with metallic gold paint was given Superfast wheels. This metallic gold model with regular wheels and a chrome motor is one of my finds from Bondie’s Antiques back in October.

This is actually the second example of this variation of the Matchbox Opel Diplomat that I’ve added to my collection; click here to see one in slightly worse condition.

The Matchbox #36 Opel Diplomat features a hood that opens to reveal the Chevrolet V8 engine.

Matchbox | 1966-1969 | #36 | Opel Diplomat | metallic gold with chrome motor | England | black plastic wheels

1967 Matchbox Dodge Stake Truck

I was interested in this Matchbox Dodge Stake Truck because it’s the precursor to the Superfast version from my childhood. I found this one on eBay and it’s in such great shape that I had to ask the seller if it had been restored (the seller claimed it was all original).

This casting first appeared in 1966 as the #37 Dodge Cattle Truck, but it had a more enclosed plastic compartment with an opening tailgate ramp. It also came with two plastic cows. My eBay find is the #4 Dodge Stake Truck, which could be found from 1967-1969 with regular wheels, then from 1970-1971 with Superfast wheels. In 1976 it was reissued as #71 Cattle Truck with Superfast wheels and the two plastic cows (I still have the cows with mine). Since then, there are more than 40 variations continuing up until 2000.

Matchbox | 1967 | 4 | Dodge Stake Truck | yellow with green stake bed, no tow hook | black plastic wheels