2008 Diamond-Encrusted 40th Anniversary Special Edition $60,000. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO - $18,000. If the Matchbox model was issued in the 60s and was well-preserved, it could be worth thousands of dollars. In some cases, these mistakes add value to the car. Always start with the sold tab for proven accuracy. It was marked with an M + the toy number, and it mimicked big trucks and construction gear. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW Vintage Rare matchbox Toy Car 1980 Popeyes Spinach Wagon Truck Popeye LESNEY at the best online prices at eBay! In one of the boxes of assorted Flying Colors cars from England, there were two blue Rodger Dodgers. 1969 Rear-loading Volkswagen Microbus Beach Bomb in pink: 80,000 to 120,000 2. What we do know is that it very, very seldom appears on market. It was created in the early 1980s and produced for about three years. The Delorean was one of the first cars produced by Hot Wheels and is now one of the most sought-after toys from their line. If you are lucky enough to own this Matchbox model Ferrari, expect to receive offers from collectors worldwide (maximum worth $30). Bubble Power She-Ra. But by this time, the big names produced similar ranges, with fantasy models and race tracks included. The first Hess . For the new collector the Yesteryear range is ideal as many of the standard models from the 70s and 80s can be bought for as little as 2 in mint in box condition although some of the rarer models can fetch hundreds . It has been graded 8 out of 10 by collectors and is in excellent condition. Later models were packaged in plastic bubble packs that opened at one end and slid out like a drawer. The cars have always been small enough to fit inside a matchbox, which makes them easy to store and transport. To non-collectors, the difference is insignificant, but to avid fans, it makes all the difference. The condition of this particular car makes it even more valuable. You might think you know all about these collectible toys, but did you know collectors pay big bucks for some of these little plastic toys? So some buyers do want these cars. Some of them, especially if you enjoy restorations, are still very affordable similar to Hot Wheels. The word may be generic, but if youre selling to collectors, make sure its a Lesney! From 1981 to 1983, the DeLorean Motor Company released the famous DeLorean. The 1969 Ford Kennel Truck is the most valuable Matchbox car in history. In the 1980s, the Monte Carlo was a legendary Chevy model that remained in production until 2007. While the Ecto-1 is actually a loaded 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura Duplex, the car in its Ecto-1 form is right behind the DeLorean as far as iconic 1980s cars go. This Hot Wheels Volkswagen prototype toy is worth an estimated $150,000. It has become one of the most sought-after collectibles for any collector or enthusiast interested in collecting Matchbox cars. You will likely need to spend around $30 to get your hands on a unique piece of Matchbox history and the original die-cast car in mint condition. The Garbage Truck (Refuse Truck in the UK) matchbox model is based on a 1979 model garbage truck, with a hatch on the back that opens and closes. Finding their values is an integral part of Matchbox car collecting, a popular hobby among collectors. Their No. On later tracks, decals would be better instead of paper stickers. In 1953, British toy company Lesney Products released a miniature model of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation coach, the company's first best seller. He-Man and Battle Cat Like Youve Never Seen Them Before, He-Mans Brazen New Look Highlights a New Direction for the Upcoming New Netflix Cartoon Youve heard of legend Kevin Smiths new show, picking up where, Transformers: War for Cybertron Synopsis and Characters. 2. Thus, the idea of the matchbox car craze began and hasnt slowed down since. Matchbox cars were packaged in two ways, depending on the era. You can also note variations in the model (e.g. Matchbox cars are collectible toys for children and adults alike. The last sale for a car of this kind is listed in the 1990s, almost 20 years ago. 8 Silk Pillowcases for Your Best Beauty Sleep. The majority of versions of it cost about the same as a nice dinner. The real AMX street car was a short-lived two-seater produced by AMC that, like most muscle cars, stuffed a high-powered engine into a midsize frame. So you might find a Major Truck or trailer that has a different style of wheels. So Jack Odell got some 1:43 scale plastic models from Dunlop Tyres, melted them down, and made them into small die-cast models that would fit inside a matchbox. 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost: 6 Cool Details. Ford Fairlane Police Car isnt your typical model in much the same way as most of what weve listed. Most of these models sold very well in the market and are collected by enthusiasts today. Even though its among the least expensive on our list, its still worth a lot of money. But do not worry because we are here to help. The value of this rare turquoise vehicle is approximately $9,000. This classic rare Matchbox truck is painted yellow on the bed and green on the cab. It seems like its only recently been discovered as a valuable collectible. It can double your asking price. '55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser "Candy Striper," $1,000-Plus. Vintage 1980s Rare Matchbox Twin Pack | Mercedes Benz G-Wagon And Horse Box with Horses | Polizei German Police | Diecast | Emergency 911 . So to see a matchbox release for the Ecto-1 in 2010 is a huge win for fans of 1980s matchbox cars, as we get to welcome an absolute icon into the mix. Masters of The Universe: Revelation Debut. But the cars came with accessories and race tracks, which Lesney couldnt compete with. The collection originally came with the first transporter set and you might expect that it will fetch an even higher price under the new market conditions. For the sporty 1969 die-cast Hot Wheels . One was sold for $10,000 and the other for $13,000. You can raise the value of your resale by tossing some into the lot. The red model with a white interior is now worth more than $1,000. 1. Vintage Pfaff Sewing Machine Value (Ultimate Guide), 10 Most Valuable Atlas Mason Jars: Complete Value Guide, Top 5 Tips on How to Tell if Pyrex is Vintage, How To Determine The Value Of A Matchbox Car, 12. It was called the Models of Yesteryear. Since there is a notable lack of valuable vintage matchbox cars from the 1980s due to different manufacturing techniques, companies are only now capitalizing off the 1980s nostalgia; albeit very delayed limited supply releases. Lesney cars started out small and got bigger by the decade, so thats one way to date them. One toy reportedly sold for $9,139.06. $59.95. These segments had not changed from 2021. 1971 Purple Olds 442 Ebay / 84check Value: $5,000 Why? A tan truck is said to be worth 8,513 pounds, ($11,760). This may not seem like a big deal, but remember, the most valuable Matchbox cars end up with collectors. A legendary Chevy model, the Monte Carlo was introduced in 1970 and stayed in production until 2007. For a short time, Lesney even released a series of rechargeable electric Scorpion cars. And while the first run of cars was from 1966 to 1968, that color is not on our list of released vehicles. Unlike average blue Fairlane police cars, the one we are talking about has one main difference. If youre considering a matching set like the one we mentioned above, double-check the authenticity. Treasure Hunt '67 Camaro, $1,500-$3,000. A vintage Super Soaker Monster XL, which has the distinction of being one of the largest water guns ever sold, went for $500 back in 2016. But the king-size steamroller is marked K-9 (not K-1!) The Beatnik Bandit is part of the Hot Wheels "Sweet Sixteen" or the first 16 cars Mattel released when the company launched in 1968. e.g. For reference, the first 75 came out starting in 1953. As a car, it was middling, overpriced, and famously low quality, but the true value of this car lies in its design and vision. It had a right-hand drive interior and no windows. Prices arent too different from the basic versions. While the slight difference may seem small to non-collectors, it makes all the difference to the most devoted fans. In the US, it was all about that razzle-dazzle. This giant truck stood about 11 inches long, whereas most Matchbox cars are about 2 inches long. There are 25 900 Range items illustrated in the 1980/81 Matchbox Catalogue. It features incredible detail and stands at a whopping 27" tall, dominating its peers in both value and height. This isnt a crucial step, but it makes reselling easier because you can segment your buyers. Whether youre a serious collector, enjoy looking at them, or fondly remember playing with them growing up, the truth is that many of these die-cast miniature vehicles can be worth a lot of money on the second-hand market. The statue consists of almost 106 individual pieces and even includes light-up eyes. Fortunately, there is good news! The sea-green Matchbox car Opel Diplomat cost only 48 cents in 1966, now worth at least $9,000. Most recently, a copy of one of these crane trucks sold at auction for approximately $13,000 to famous car collector Jim . The average model earns about $30, which isnt much. Matchbox 1967 Magirus Deutz Crane (No. A particular Matchbox car may be the subject of a dozen auctions, all with very low (or no) bids. Ken Wettons only work still exists in the form of this truck. Its a rare car, and if you want to collect it, you will need to save it. Leslie and Rodney Smith (they combined their names for Lesney) came across Jack ODell and hired him. and has a red driver. They came with either a red or orange crane arm, but there are not many of these today. Matchbox, Random 70's 80's 90's Car Lot of 5 Toy Cars . This valuable matchbox car was sold for $3000 to an enthusiast bidder. Cars in the series were marked with a Y + the toy number. Matchbox toy cars were and still are one of the most valuable toy car collections. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 19 Most Valuable Matchbox Cars Worth Money, 19 Most Valuable Vintage Tonka Trucks Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Vintage Swatch Watches (80s & 90s) Worth Money, 18 Most Valuable Royal Doulton Figurines Worth Money, 19 Most Valuable Depression Glass Worth Money, 17 Most Valuable Vintage Trifari Jewelry Worth Money, 15 Most Valuable Vintage Glassware Worth Money, Antique Toy Pedal Cars Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Coffee Grinders Value (Identification & Price Guides), Benrus Watch Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Blue Willow China Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Car Blue Book (Car Value & Identificatiron), Old Buttons Value (Identification & Price Guides), Skeleton Key Value (Identification & Price Guides). RARE Vintage Matchbox City Garage Play Set (1980) Working Elevator. Regardless of the direction the brand goes, the market for its cars isn't going anywhere. 9 Worth Every Dollar: 1980 Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary Edition. Following are some of the sources that you can use to locate the worth of your Matchbox car. Top tips for valuing rare diecast cars. Some sellers are offering single unopened, obscure Teenies Beanies for thousands of dollars. Rodney Smith supervised diecast production. They also produced a king-size series that had bigger versions of their most popular matchbox cars. Some resellers will even ditch the Mokos and focus on American brands. It had those low-friction wheels the locals loved. Notable Rare Modern Hot Wheels. Matchbox 50 Car Pack. 2. Coke glassware varies greatly and rare, high-quality pieces can fetch top dollar. On certain listings, youll see something like Please dont copy-paste my listing! Its a fair request since it takes weeks to do the research. Even if you never thought about it, you probably ended up here because a search engine pointed you to this article. Pre-production models, however, are unique. Honestly, you never know what a toy could be worth today. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hot Wheels quickly became Matchbox cars' biggest competitor in the late 1960s. In 1984, Toyota introduced the MR2. This makes it easy to tell if someone has switched up sides or added their paint job, which would make it worth less money than its original price tag. . When it comes to discovering Matchbox treasures, theres only one story that tops them alla story about a man named Charlie Mack, who one day in the early 1980s found a brown No. Besides, because of the large number of matchbox cars available, it is hard to find the right one with a better worth. 13. There hasnt been a sale mentioned since and any information on how or why the car was created is no longer available to the public. He made a version of the popular Lesney Road Roller which could be put in a matchbox. That was the case with the 1968 Volkswagen Bug. On top of this, the DeLorean's rear-mounted motor made sure it was truly the most eclectic car of the 1980s. Are Diecast Cars good Investments? These small cars tend to fetch a higher price for their distinctive color or other features most of the time. One reverse color wrecker sold for $9,500 in 2005 came in mint condition in its original box. Free shipping for many products! Check what features buyers want so you can emphasize them. Courtesy Bruce Pascal. Moreover, the original production of these vehicles was 1966 to 1968, but that color is not present on our vehicle release list. Accessories followed in 1956, then the Majors in 1957. Current Number Still in Existence: Unknown; very few. Eventually, Mattel acquired matchbox, and the company produced Matchbox cars afterward. They created their first die-cast in 1997, which was a road roller. 1. Make sure you are searching completed listings, not only the active auctions. Generally, the early cars with redline tires are some of the most valuable; the most desirable ones can command thousands of dollars. The Superfast 8d Rover 3500 Police Car is one of the most valuable Matchbox cars ever. This vintage matchbox is considered the Holy Grail of rare matchbox cars. In fact, this car is so valuable it made our top 10 most valuable die-cast Car list! You can still buy Hot Wheels cars for around $1. The stylish coupe, with the iconic gullwing doors, enjoyed only a fleeting two-year production run but was immortalized shortly after in 1985 by numerous appearances as the time machine in theBack to The Futurefranchise. The connection to television history is certainly an advantage for the price. The first Hess truck, released in 1964, sold for a mere $1.39. Add a few street signs, garages, gas pumps, or add-ons related to that toy. Some models were made with grey wheels. By around 1968, Lesney was the market leader for matchbox toys. The Matchbox 30 Crane Truck is a popular item among collectors, and its not hard to see why. Im sure you have. Since Matchbox cars first appeared in England in the 1940s, they have been collectibles worldwide. Only 5,000 cars were made, making them incredibly rare and valuable today. The second version was made without opening doors and trunk but still had chrome wheels. Hot Wheels used numerous shades of blue, purple, and magenta for its models, and it is easy for the novice collector to confuse them all. Matchbox cars are small toys designed to fit inside a matchbox. That way, you can get tens or even hundreds at about a buck each. That one is already in the hands of most collectors, as it is not that expensive on a used site. 5 Best Rare Matchbox Cars To Buy Right Now . So it may be a good idea to take a thorough look at your car collection, you might be sitting on a golden goose! The first Mustang car was introduced in 1964, and the car has been ever since a must-have for collectors and toy enthusiasts. The highest amount paid for a Hot Wheels car (so far) was $72,000 in 2000 for a pink 1969 Volkswagen Beach Bomb. The two-door version is worth around $15, while the four-door model can be worth as much as $30. For example, the strikingly unpainted steel chassis with the gull-wing doors feels like a direct influence of the new Tesla Truck. While there are cars that are more valuable than these two versions, the value of the history far outweighs the dollars. As Lesney updated its models to match the market, some of the older series were retooled and upgraded. Moko was their distributor and marketer, so those first 1 in 75 miniatures were marked Moko Lesney. A huge one. Some rare models sell for thousands of dollars, while others can be found on eBay or Craigslist for less than $10! Today it is worth more than $9,000. Another feature is that each model has a detailed interior and exterior, which makes it look realistic. It is also the most valuable matchbox of the 1:64 scale on this list. The model began life as a large chrome slab in the 1970s but later evolved into a completely redesigned model in the 1980s. If you are looking for the Metallic Gold version of the Opel Diplomat, you shouldnt have a problem finding it. Opel Diplomat in Seafoam Green. The Voltron Maquette is the holy grail for any Voltron collector. Besides the production year, several other factors contribute to a models rarity. 8. These six cars were cast in lead and were based on a generic version of the listed car. It is a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car directed at middle-class families while still ensuring fuel economy. This can be confusing, so always double-check. That makes it the most valuable Matchbox car ever made, even though its just a smaller version of the original. The earliest models were marked Moko. There are two types of this model; one is built with a long roof, the other with a short one. This article will reveal the 11 most valuable Matchbox cars worth a fortune. Alongside the hot pink MR2 model likely to be released in the same line, it seems as though the 1980s are being remembered through vaporwave glasses. Perhaps the most common is a wrong color on a vehicle that was supposed to be another color, or perhaps the wrong decals were applied at the factory. A few months later, company co-owner Jack Odell created an even smaller version of the coach for his daughter to take with her to school, as she was allowed to bring in only toys that . Jack Odell who founded the company had a daughter who could only carry match-sized toys to school. The sixth most expensive Matchbox car is the Green Ford Kennel Truck. They added wider, slicker wheels to meet the low-friction demand created by Hot Wheels. This is because almost all of the Magirus-Deutz Cranes were known to be silver with a crane arm tinted orange. If you want to add this rare car to your collection, we hope you've been saving. Sold for 240 via Vectis Auctions Ltd (November 2015). In 1953, British manufacturer Lesney Products rebranded its miniature toy vehicle line, and Matchbox cars were born. Secondly, looking at the BP logos, you can tell the models age. $19.92. . At the moment, what you need to know about this car is that it was the first Matchbox car ever produced on a 1:64 scale. There is a sense of classic decadence to every design choice on this car, from the black leather interior to the pop-up lights. 1961 Magirus-Deutz Truck, Matchbox in tan/orange: 8,513. Tell us in the comments! The school had a specific rule that the toys that could fit inside of a matchbox were allowed on their campus. Number, and the other with a Y + the toy number, and not! That color is not present on our list, its still worth a.! 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