First Look: 2015 Matchbox MC Gathering of Friends '75 Mack CF Pumper Dinner Exclusive...

It has been a great couple of days so far.  I have been able to spend some time with the new Matchbox team, and there are many reasons to be excited about the direction of the brand.  More on that in time, or you can watch the presentation tonight on Periscope (more details on the post below this one).

But now, let's unveil the first two exclusives being handed out at the Gathering.  Just a couple of minutes ago the two versions of the '75 Mack CF Pumper Dinner model were unveiled and handed out.  One for the first 75 registrants and one for the other 125.  These models come in small numbers, and are beautiful.  Put those two together and you have some highly desirable models.

Since we want to get to dinner, we will move onto the photos.  The first, with no top tampos, is for the first 75 registrants, the other, with tampos on the roof, is for the next 125, although all attendees have the option to buy both.  (The first 75 was supposed to have roof tampo, and vice versa, but that is a story for another time.)

With these two, and Everett Marshall Charities two exclusives, the Mack CF collection just jumped from one to five models.  Not a bad thing if you are a fire collector.

Enjoy the pics.  We will unveil the Dealer Model tomorrow morning...


Matchbox '75 Mack CF Pumper (2015 MC Gathering of Friends Dinner Exclusive):

First Look: 2015 Matchbox 1975 Mack CF Pumper...

Everyone loves fire trucks.

You may not scroll endlessly through Instagram hunting for slammed and cambered fire truck pics, but if you dig deep down far enough, you will find that happy place.  Fire trucks live there.

I am in the same boat.  Fire trucks may not occupy a large portion of my brain like they did when I was 5-years-old, but I am always happy when Matchbox releases another one.  That's because Matchbox knows how to do a fire vehicle.  Whether it be a standard pumper like the Pierce Dash, classics like the Seagrave, or off-roaders like the International Brush Truck, Matcbbox does them right.

So excitement has been high for the '75 Mack CF Pumper.  But we are in the plastic era with Matchbox, so all bets are off until we actually see and feel the model.  Well, I have it in hand, and...

I love it.

But there is a fair amount of plastic, and it is small, so why don't I address those as part of the post:

Q:  Is the '75 Mack too small?

A:  Yes and no.  Here is the yes:

It is dwarfed by a Porsche Cayman.  That is a little out of scale.  Compare that to the scale-obsessed folks at Tomica Limited Vintage:

But the big difference is the two TLV's came in two different-sized packages, and all basic Matchbox have to fit into the same size blister.  Plus, they have to go with the wheels they have.  You can't always compare the size of one Matchbox with the next, when they all have to fit on the same card.  So I am ok with that.

Here is the no:

As different as one model might be to the next, Matchbox has done a fine job of keeping similar models the same size.  Case in point?  The most recent fire/emergency castings:

Pierce Dash

Hazard Squad

Seagrave

Mack

They work together.  That right there is a fleet.  I can get behind that.

Q:  Am I bothered by all the plastic on this new model?

A:  No.

I have been accused of being a Matchbox apologist in the past, and it might be true, but in the case of this model, honestly I am not bothered.  And that's not to say plastic on models hasn't bothered me before.  The Renault Ambulance and other full-body plastic models are not in the collection.

But in the case of the Mack, there is a nice metal frame, and some plastic fill-in.  The most visible plastic piece is the rear panel, but this is actually a good thing, because it allows for a two tone model each time it is made.  I will say the plastic could look a little more substantial, but that is being a little too much of a stickler.

Q:  Will I collect it?

A:  Absolutely.

I love Matchbox fire trucks, and this one is a wonderful addition.  And a mid-70's classic at that.  The Mack wins...

(Find the '75 Mack at Wheel Collectors...)


Matchbox 1975 Mack CF Pumper (2015 New Models):

ordnance department truck, seems to be on a hell of a rough piece of terrain for 2 wheel drive

found on http://truquetructruk.tumblr.com/

First Look: Matchbox 2015 Supreme Heroes Batch A...

So what about Supreme Heroes?

I mean, just two days ago I was lamenting about the small numbers of actual licensed vehicles coming from Matchbox, yet here are four great models showing how well Matchbox can do.

Exactly.  As we have said before, to quote Ed Helms in The Hangover, "He's still got it..."

When Matchbox takes on a licensed model, more times than not they nail it.  It is just they are not making a lot of them.

That is why I was very excited for the release of the Supreme Heroes.  Here was Matchbox using real licensed vehicles, and putting real licensed liveries on them, and with rubber tires to boot!  Sure, the wheels might be a little too sporty for some of the models, and yeah, the bases are plastic, but to us that doesn't matter much.  They all look really good.  The problem is the line was cut down right before its scheduled release, and many of the police cars slated to be part were dropped.

So here are the first four, and as excited as we are about them, they still remind us how good Matchbox could really be if they did more.  Instead, it appears they are doing less.

But no matter, let's take Supreme Heroes for what it is.  The first Matchbox premium line in awhile.  These models are worth having, and we need to let Mattel know it.  So go get them and enjoy them.  We sure are.

You can find the Supreme Heroes at your local Kroger store or at Wheel Collectors as part of their Lamley Deal Sale....

Matchbox Supreme Heroes Batch A:

1963 Mack B Fire Engine:

Hazard Squad:

Pierce Dash Fire Engine:

Ford Explorer: