Matchbox Diecast

Hi folks,

I’ve just come back from holidays so thought I would get back into action and post a nice video I found on Youtube. Some nice examples of what you would love to find. Bear in mind that some of them are quite worn and used which is nice in its own way because they have been loved by some kid back in the day.  But for the sake of value, much better if you can find models like these in original condition and even better with the original box (like the Opel in the previous post).

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Joe the Collector.

Okay. so you have decided that you would like to collect  Matchbox Diecast models.  The first thing to know is that its a good idea (no actually its essential) to keep the models you buy in their original packaging. If you must open them, do so as carefully as you can so as to keep both the packaging and the models themselves  intact. You want to make sure that you keep them away from damaging UV rays so that they keep their original new look – and you want to make sure that you keep them away from dust (a display cabinet is a good way to go here). The key word to look for is “mint” condition which essentially means just what they were when they left the factory.

What kind of Matchbox models do you want to collect. Every Volkswagen Beetle model that Matchbox ever made? Or would you prefer to specialize in a particular year release of Matchbox models or Models of Yesteryear? What scale models do you wish to collect (ie 1/75, 1/43…) Or would you prefer to specifically target models that are sought after and most likely to appreciate in value? You might choose to collect Hot Wheels or Diecast Trucks (like me) or… the list goes on and on.

I recommend collecting Matchbox Diecast models that mean something to you. After all, it’s you that will be doing all the footwork: going to garage sales, carboot sales, estate sales, and scouring the internet for bargains. So you might as well be looking for something you enjoy because if you don’t have any fun doing this you won’t keep at it. And what’s the point anyway? As I said in my first article in this blog, this is a hobby that can pay for itself if you educate yourself in your chosen field of Matchbox Diecast collecting – but you’re probably not going to retire on the proceeds!

If you are in this game to collect a line of cars that you like (Volkswagen Beetles and Kombis for example) or just out to start building a collection that you hope will be worth something one day – websites and ebay are where you want to start looking (before you get into the antiques). Choose something you like but bear in mind that if you are wanting to get a return on your investment in the near to medium term, you want to acquaint yourself with what other collectors out there are wanting and are what they are willing to pay for them. I recommend looking for club websites and forums that have members from your particular area for a start from whom you can learn the best local knowledge which you can then build on. With this knowledge, you can then start to really work out what types of Matchbox Diecast models are sought after, where you can find them and for how much.  Start your education with this Wikipedia page: History of Matchbox Models.

Having identified your chosen field, look at investing in field guides and collectors almanacs to help value and identify the rarest models etc (see example top righthand corne of this page).

Let me close with an example of what you would love to find. A 1966 Opel Diplomat now valued at $9000 (probably more than an ACTUAL Opel Diplomat!). As I understand it, when they first came out they were less than 50 cents!