March 30th Matchbox Ambassador Report, by Larry Scaduto...

Ambassador’s Report March 30^th, 2015

By: Larry Scaduto

INTRODUCTION

Good day to one and all. Wow what an informative report this time around! I am starting out with one of the latest Supreme Heroes releases. The Chevy Suburban! The deco is simple and clean. This is a very nice addition to the series. I have a nice selection of PrePro’s in this report. I’m showcasing a collector’s favorite… The Volvo Container Truck! Oh….there is a small selection of 2015 models. And if ANYONE is interested……. I finally have a picture of the new Alfa Romeo 4C. Like I said……. it is well worth the wait!!!!

NEW RELEASES

SUPREME HEROES CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

WILTON FIRE MARSHALL

All images and articles are presented here with the consent and permission of Mattel and the Matchbox Team.

If you need to reach me, send an e-mail to:

matchboxamb10@outlook.com

SB124 Roto Warrior 

2015 RELEASES…

Here’s the Alfa!!! I’m only able to show you the license plate!!! Hope you like it!

MB821 Ford Police Interceptor & The Sahara Sweeper

May I Introduce to you the Alfa Romeo 4C!!!

I know…. that was mean of me to tease you with just the license plate. I don’t want to be responsible for anyone’s rise in blood pressure!! So we now have the long awaited and beautiful MB905 Alfa Romeo 4C in red. There will be a recolor this year as well, Charcoal Gray. 

PREPRODUCTIONS FROM MY COLLECTION

Up first is a PrePro of MB31 Mazda RX7. This model features a gloss black body and 1982 gloss black metal Lesney England base. Usually you’ll find this PrePro with a red interior, but this one sports a black interior. Quite striking in all over black!!!!  Boy, do I miss opening doors as well!!

Here I have a MB17 Ferrari 456GT. This is a PrePro of the Gold Challenge model. It is painted in a non-metallic dark copper / gold with a black plastic 1994 China base.  This model features a dark tan interior where the Challenge model had a black interior.

Pictured above is the MB34 Chevy Pro Stocker painted in a dark maroon with a 1980 Macau gloss black metal base. This model features a black interior and amber window. There’s enough metal in this model to make two or three of today’s regular line releases!!!!!

Next I have pictured a Taxi FX4R in white with an unpainted 1986 Macau metal base. This model also features light gray interior and clear windows.

This MB38 Ford Courier / Courrier van features a dark blue body and matching dark blue 1991 Thailand plastic base. It appears to be the PrePro of The Ideal Premium German Promotional 

PREPRO VOLVO CONTAINER TRUCKS

I have always liked the Volvo Container Truck and I’ve tried to get as many variations as possible. And when it came to ASAP’s, there were more variations available than I had money to buy them! But I did what I could without starving my family too much!! Occasionally a PrePro would come along and if the price was reasonable I bought it. Here are the Volvo’s I have……

The first Volvo Container Truck has an Aqua Blue cab with black container and a gray plastic 1981 China base.

Next is an interesting version for Hawaiian Fruit Punch. This truck has a bright yellow body and a matching container. Here again the model features a gray plastic 1981 China base.

And this Volvo has a blue body and a matching hand sprayed blue container. I can see it was originally white where some paint has chipped off by an edge. This model also has a black plastic 1981 China base.  

Next I have pictured a cream colored PrePro of this wonderful model with a matching cream container. The base is the same, 1981 black plastic China. What sets this model apart from the others is that it has red rear doors.

And finally this Volvo Container Truck is white with a cream container and clear rivella labels applied. There’s a Blue label on the left and red on the right side. And let’s not forget the usual 1981 black plastic China base. So that’s it for PrePros this time around. Hope you like them!!

HISTORY

MATCHBOX 48 CAR CARRY CASES

 

                      

So it’s no big mystery that I really like the 48 car carry cases. I know I have mentioned this in an earlier report. What I’ve pictured above is all of the cases that I know of. I’m missing a few variations. One is a case that is molded in red vinyl and I’ve seen one in gray vinyl as well. This case color is usually found with a Sky Busters insert, but I did see one online that had a Super-Fast picture. There is also a case at the end of my pictures. It’s the blue case with a Lamborghini and Dodge pictured above three smaller vehicles. I was bidding on this case and lost the auction to another person. It appears to be a Canadian issue I’ve never seen before last month. But I did get the picture for my report. If somebody has one not pictured here, I would appreciate hearing about it. I’ve collected the other size cases as well but ended up selling them and just kept pursuing the 48 car variety. Just about all the cases pictured are the same with a different picture sealed under clear plastic. Plus different color trays can be found in the cases. The case with the biggest difference is the one pictured next to the last Canadian case. That one featured a clasp that closed the two halves of the case together. There are cardboard inserts that separate the models. Anyone who has this case knows you have to open and close it really fast or the models all fall out. Not exactly a great design…but a nice case none-the-less. 

WHAT’S NEW

I bit the bullet and purchased these on e-bay for (let’s say) more than retail! Since they are not going to be available as singles I thought these were the ones to get. This series was an exclusive for Kroger Food Stores here in the states. All models in this packaging were regular issues from somewhere within the Matchbox line, 5-Packs etc…. Nice packaging for Easter!!

MODELS WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MADE

1976 Chevy Monte Carlo

2014 Maserati Gran Turismo

BMW Aplpina B4 Bi-Turbo Convertible

1994 Venturi 400GT

Holden Special Vehicles / HSV Gen-F GTS

BMW 3.0 CSL

Honda Civic R-Type

1971 Plymouth Duster Super Bee

(Matchbox TV Commercial from 1993)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcBptm_n5bM

MISCELLANEOUS

Larry, 

Thanks for including the Gathering update in this report.

Well, the 13th Annual Matchbox Collectors International Gathering of Friends Convention is less than 4 months away.  Have you made your reservations for dinner and your table?  The 1st 75 dinners have long since sold out but there are more dinners and tables available.

The dinner and dealer models have selected and the E-Sheets look great.  They are sure to be as popular as ever so do not miss out.  Michael again has outdone himself.  By the way, Michael and others will be at the event again this year.  We also have registered guests from Japan, Germany, England, Australia, and Canada as well as all over the US. Our seminars are being finalized with Ali Sakariti, Harvey Ristau and Jim Reid sharing their collections and knowledge with all.  The ever popular first responder display will be in the west parking lot and possible the Police Helicopter too.

Who will be the next Ambassador?  A tough act to follow for sure.

Now accepting auction items for the Gathering.  100% of proceeds from this event go to Rachel's Courtyard Children's Hospital.

Send donations to:

Gathering 2015 Auction
Jim Gallegos
P.O. Box 15414
Rio Rancho, NM 87174

Email me @ matchb0x1@aol.com with questions or to request a registration form.  There is also one below as well.

Thanks to all of you who have supported me in the past and again this year.  It could not happen without all of you.

Yours in collecting,

Jim Gallegos
matchb0x1@aol.com

Thank you for your interest in the 2015, 13^th Annual Matchbox Collectors International Gathering of Friends Toy Vehicle Convention, brought to you by Route 66 Promotions and sponsored by the Mattel Matchbox Team.

Registration starts 1, Jan 2015 midnight MST. (Please no earlier)

The Convention will be held July 17^th-July 19^th 2015 at the Albuquerque Marriott, 2101 Louisiana Blvd. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America.  Phone:  001 (505) 881-6800

The event includes:

  *    The Mattel Matchbox Design and Marketing Team from El Segundo California.
  *    The top collectors from around the world.
  *    Exciting presentations form world renowned experts in the world of Matchbox.
  *    A Sit down Dinner followed by a Mattel Mini Line Preview Presentation by the Mattel Team.
  *    Charity auction featuring many proto types as well as a large selection of models and memorabilia donated
        by Mattel and collectors from around the world.
  *    Huge Sunday Toy Show.
  *    Custom displays from novice to expert.
  *    First responder vehicle show featuring, Albuquerque Police, Albuquerque Fire Department, Bernalillo
       County Fire Department, SWAT and Bomb Squads as well as many others.
  *  Come meet old friends and make new ones.  This event is all about the friends we make and hobby we share.

Please read and complete the following to secure your spot at the event!

To select which of the following you would like to purchase, please complete and return the registration form.


Dinner and Auction:
Saturday 18^th  July 2015.  5:30pm

The dinner is limited to 125 guests.  Only the 1^st 75 paid guests receive a special limited 75 piece run model. They may purchase the 2^nd run model.  All other paid dinner guests receive a limited second variation of the 75 piece run model.
Admission includes dinner, participation in auction, early admission to Toy Show on Sunday, July 19^th, and an exclusive Code 1 dinner model (1 of no more than 250 produced).  Must be present to receive models, they cannot be mailed.


Table(s) for Toy Show:  Sunday, 19^th July 2015 

Table selection is available on a first come, first served basis. 

By purchasing tables, you agree to the following:

• Set-up time is 8-9:30AM, Sunday, July 19^th.  Set-up must be completed by 9:30AM
• No take down prior to 3PM
• There is a limit of two people admitted per paid table reservation
• Vendors and guests must wear provided badges while in the show
• You will be directed to your space upon arrival
• You must have a badge to be admitted to the toy show prior to 10AM on Sunday. 
• There are no refunds after July 1^st, 2015,       no exceptions
• the promoters and/or sponsors CANNOT accept any liability for items lost, stolen, damaged, or otherwise. 

I would like to reserve _____________ dinner guest places @ US$75 per guest on 18^th July 2015.


Name of dinner guest #1: ______________________________________________________________________________

Name of dinner guest #2: ______________________________________________________________________________

Name of dinner guest #3: ______________________________________________________________________________

Name of dinner guest #4: ______________________________________________________________________________

Name of dinner guest #5: ______________________________________________________________________________

I would like to reserve __________ table(s) @ US$45 per table on 19^th July 2015.



Please complete in BLOCK CAPTIALS the details below:

First Name:	____________________________________________________________________
Last Name:	____________________________________________________________________
Phone:	____________________________________________________________________
Street Address:	____________________________________________________________________
City:	____________________________________________________________________
State/Postcode:	____________________________________________________________________
Country:	____________________________________________________________________
Email Address:	____________________________________________________________________

List Guests here:         ____________________________________________________________________



Payment details:

Due with reservation, NO EXCEPTIONS. 

Please choose from the following options:  
• Money Order: Payable to Jim Gallegos
 MUST ADD 5% to cover Pay Pal fees.


Return this completed form via mail or email to: Jim Gallegos:

Paypal:  matchb0x1@aol.com.  All Pay Pal payments
Address: P.O. Box 15414, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 87174, USA.
Email: matchb0x1@aol.com
Questions? Contact Jim Gallegos or call 001 (505) 892-8848.
Hotel Reservations:


For Hotel Reservations:

Call 001 (505) 881-6800

visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/abqnm-albuquerque-marriott/?toDate=7/25/12&groupCode=diediea&fromDate=7/18/12&app=resvlink

Mention Route 66 die cast convention code DIE.  Or Die Cast Show

2015 Convention rate is US$100/night per room.

Map: