July-August 2006
http://www.mbxforum.com
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
John Yanouzas
Chairman & Newsletter Editor
Scott Firmender
Treasurer
Ray Flader
Secretary
Bob Burdick
Editor, Lightning Rod
John Nijhuis
Editor, Webmaster
Issue 8.4
johny3@earthlink.net
sfirmender@blumshapiro.com
ray.flader@milfordhospital.org
capt1075@cox.net
matchbox@box.nl
CLUB NEWS
Matchbox Forum Shirt
Matchbox Forum is offering to Club members exclusively a specially designed short sleeve golf shirt
with a unique Club logo on it. The deco on the shirt is the same as the letterhead logo above. The price
is US$22.00 plus $4.00 postage. If you are interested in acquiring this special shirt, fill in the order
form on the last page with payment of US$26.00 and send it to Club Treasurer: Scott Firmender, 16
Centennial Drive, Milford, CT 06461. John Nijhuis will supply Euro members, Euros 22 plus postage.
A photo image of the special shirt can be viewed on the Forum web page.
Please visit the club's bulletin board more frequently. It's there for you! Access it at:
http://p102.ezboard.com/bmatchboxeurope
2006 Posters
Mattel has supplied Matchbox Forum with enough 2006 Posters for all of its Club members. The
Poster can be obtained either through mail. To cover postage, please send payment of $1.00 to Club
Treasurer: Scott Firmender, 16 Centennial Drive, Milford, CT 06461
Matchbox Forum-NA
-1-
Newsletter 8.4
MBX Forum Charity Program
The Forum Charity Program was given a nice boost by Kathleen Manfredi, Doug Rowles, Jim
Richards, Rick Nelson, Joe Farrell, Joe Tortoriello, John Clifford and Rusty Ponce de Leon who
combined donated 380 models. The Charity inventory is well stocked for the upcoming holiday
seasons.
Everett Marshall Fund
Mattel has donated the following models for the Everett Marshall Fund Raiser.
2005 Hershey Toy Show, Oldsmobile 442, metallic lime body, $15.00
2005 Hershey Toy Show Model, Mustang Concept, green body (no tampo), $10.00
2005 Hershey Toy Show Model, Corvette, maroon body "Hershey Toy Show" $10.00
2003 Hollywood Toy Fair, Fire Truck, red body, $`10.00
2003 Mattel Toy Show, NY City Cab, yellow body, $10.00
2002 Pre-Toy Fair Airport Fire Pumper, yellow body, $10.00
2002 NYC Toy Show, Ford Expedition, Fire, red body, $5.00
2001 Hershey Toy Show, Ford Expedition Sport Track, red body, $5.00
1997 Hershey Toy Show, Viper, black body, $5.00
1995 Hershey Toy Show, Corvette Sting Ray, florescent orange body, $10.00
Matchbox Key Chain, $12.00
SF06, Ford Mustang, dark blue “Get Well Everett” $10.00
SF24, Corvette C6, dark red, “Get Well Everett” $10.00
To order any of these models, please make payment to Matchbox forum and
send it to Club Treasurer: Scott Firmender, 16 Centennial Drive, Milford 06461.
Everett Update
Shelby Automobiles, Inc., donated $500.00 plus two 1:18 scale Cobras autographed by Carroll
Shelby. Disposition of these models is undecided at
the present time.
Report from Bill Shisler:
The golf tournament on 18 August for Everett was a tremendous success. The weather was perfect for
an August afternoon with about 110 golfers taking the links in support of E-man. Everett came about
12:15, just prior to the tee off. He spoke to the crowd with sincere appreciation as we awaited the start
of the tournament and then went back home for a few hours to rest before coming back for the dinner
part of the event. There were several Matchbox supporters highlighting the numerous tee signs on the
course. ColorComp produced a model from Everett's stock, the original "Newfield Borough Fire Co."
made by Matchbox in the pre Tyco days that were given to all the golfers. This model went back in
the original box, too. They were offered for sale to the attendees of the dinner, also. I'm sure the
remainder of the run
will be available to the collectors with all model proceeds benefiting the Everett Marshall Charities
Fund.
White Oaks CC was packed with people when we came off the course. In all, there were about 275
people for the Dinner. Everett's son, Rhett wheeled Everett in around 6:00 PM and obviously the
throng of well wishers lined up to greet him. He was in great spirits and genuinely overwhelmed by
the turnout for him. He spoke again thanking everyone and vowed to be out on the course next year
with his new legs. (State of the art ones, too that "will give me an extra 20 yards", according to
Everett). I'm sure the long, well deserved standing ovation that followed was an emotional one for
Matchbox Forum-NA
-2-
Newsletter 8.4
him with many in the crowd wiping their eyes. In all, a truly successful event. Everett will remain
home now for several weeks then return to Moss Rehabilitation Center to receive his new legs.
Best Regards,
Bill Shisler
ColorComp, Inc.
Everett Marshall Fund Raiser Models
Heads Up by Art Cox...Follows prelim news of models being produced for the
'Everett Marshall – Get Well Soon' Fund Raiser. All Artwork and Printing expense
were covered by Color Comp. All Models will have common tampo printing. Model
stock (50 pc Lots) donated by the respective organizations...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nbr
Model Name
Color
Donor Stock
Price
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SF06 Ford Mustang
Dark Blue
Matchbox Forum $10.00
SF24 Corvette C6
Dark Red
Matchbox Forum
$10.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MB38 Ford Model T
White / Blue
ColorComp
MB43 Camaro Z28
Metl Gold
Mb Road Museum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MB72
VW Microbus
Metl Blue
MICA-NA
MB59 PT Cruiser
Dark Blue
MICA-NA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------All but the two models by Matchbox Forum will be sold by the Everett Marshall family.
Shelby Automobiles, Inc., donated $500.00 plus two 1:18 scale Cobras autographed by
Carroll Shelby. Disposition of these models is undecided at the time.
1-75s
The following 2006 miniature have been appeared on the pegs.
#19 Mustang GT Concept, yellow body
#25 Porsche 911 Turbo, metallic light blue body
#26 Ford crown Victoria Police, black/white body
#29 International CXT, yellow body
#52 2006 Mixer, yellow body
#59 Hummer H3, silver-grey body
#60 Volvo XC90, red body
#62 Jeep rescue, orange body with muddy tires and mud splatter
#63 Land Rover CVX, olive body
MATCHBOX MONSTER CARS
Exclusively issued at Target are five plastic Matchbox Monsters standing on top of a model, each in a
blister pack. To date only four have been reported by collectors. Price point is US$2.00.
Matchbox Forum-NA
-3-
Newsletter 8.4
4x4 Chevy Van, black body/base “Swamp Runner” with a green swamp monster
Highway Maintenance Truck, white body, blue dumper/blade, chrome base with a white ice monster
Jeep Wrangler, pumpkin orange body, brown base/spare with dinosaur monster
Hovercraft, dark grey hull, burgundy deck, white cabin with black octopus monster
MATCHBOX BATTLE KINGS
Four sets of Matchbox Battle Kings each with four models in large blister pack are at Target
exclusively. Price point is US$5.00 per set.
Sahara Strike with a Triad Gun, Bradley M2 Tank desert camouflage, Humvee desert camouflage,
Missile Launcher desert camouflage and three Desert Trackers
Night Landing, Hovercraft with gun, Amphibious Personnel Carrier, Mobile Grenade Launcher, Sea
Chopper and three Commandos all in black
Jungle Recon, Revolving Cannon, Swamp Boat, Chevy K1500 Pick up Truck, Abrams Tank and three
Jungle Commandos all in olive drab
Polar Rescue, Armor Piercing Gun, Radar Truck, Hummer, Airlift Helicopter and three Arctic
Commandos all in arctic camouflage
Matchbox Forum-NA
-4-
Newsletter 8.4
SUPERFAST WAVE J
#2 SVT Lightning Concept, White Body
#2 SVT Lightning Concept, Forest Green Body
#16 1965 Ford Shelby Cobra 427, Red Body, Bk In, Ch Bs, Wh Stripe
#28 Ford falcon Police, Black/White Body, Bk Bs, Gy In, Red Domebar
#20 Porsche 911 Turbo, White Body, Black Base, Tan In, Amber Windows
#29 Jeep Wrangler, Yellow Body, Black Roof/Interior/Base
#34 Nissan Z, Gold Body, Black Base/Interior
#39 GMC Wrecker, Black Body/Boom, Chrome Base, Black Hubs
#41 Ford GT, Red Body, Blue/White Stripe, Black Base
#41 Ford GT, Black Body
#44 1976 Corvette, Red Body, Slate Grey In, Chrome Base, Checker Stripe
#51 Land Rover Discovery, Black Body/Base/Interior
#55 Mitsubishi Eclipse, White Body, Black Bs, Grey In, Lt Green Wn “55”
#69 London Taxi, Grey Base, Black Roof, Chrome Base
MORE SUPERFAST “CHASE” CARS
In Superfast Wave J, there are more “chase” cars, that is, spit production run on color.
#2 Ford Lightning, white body
#2 Ford Lightning, forest green body
#16 Shelby Cobra, red body
#16 Shelby Cobra, black body
MULTI-PACKS
Reported by Scott Firmender.
Found the following at Wal-Mart:
2 new 10-packs with new "Chase Cars"
1957 Chevrolet Convertible, Light Power Blue Body & disc wheels
1933 Ford Coupe Police Car, White Body with Black doors & black lace wheels
Construction Zone 5-Pack (not a launcher)
Atlas Excavator
Chevrolet Silverado
6-Wheel Dump Truck
Tractor Cab
Helicopter (Skybuster size)
More important the 10-packs have a 2006 fold-out catalog. Found mine at Target.
Kevin Z.
Matchbox Forum-NA
-5-
Newsletter 8.4
INTERNATIONAL GATHERING OF FRIENDS
The 4th Annual International Gathering of Friends was held in Albuquerque, NM on July 21-23. Events started on Friday
with check in, Hospitality Time and room trading involving about 25 collectors.
On Saturday, room trading spread out on four hotel floors was brisk offering collectors a ‘first chance” to shop for a
wide variety of die cast models. Two lectures were offered on Saturday; Kay Schwab (Germany) presented a good
look at presentation and gift sets from 1958 to 1969. Along with Marcel Bakker (Netherlands), they have put
together a “must see” show for those interested in gift sets. All of the slides are available on the Matchbox Forum
web site at:
http://www.mbxforum.com/11-Catalogs/08-Playsets/jnpsindex.htm
Mark Curtiss made an interesting presentation on fakes, frauds and copies emphasizing the many quirks and turns in
that area of collecting.
The auction preview from 5:45 to 6:00 preceded the Mexican fiesta dinner attended by about 120 guests. The dinner
model presented to each diner is the Jag XK 140 in dark green housed in a hard plastic box with the MBX East/West logo
in the rear window.
Mattel Presentation
The Mattel presentation by John Coyne and Felix Holst covered many of the items reported earlier in the MBX USA
report with an updated for development since June. Mattel will continue to focus on the basic line and adult products.
“We did what we promised” proudly proclaimed John Coyne with plenty of new wheels, generic becoming less generic,
more detail, refined replications, new convoy trailers, re-introduction of vintage Yesteryear and Dinky. The Bentley
license is all but wrapped up just waiting for final approval from Bentley.
Basic Line
Responding to retailer pressure to expand the 1-75 line, there will be 100 models for 2007 with 21 new castings that
will include Audi, Lexus, Honda Civic, Alpha STV, Austin, Mini and more. Sorry that my fingers could not keep
up with all of the presentation on the 21 new castings. There will also be an Action Car Carrier, Unimog, Bulldozer
and Chevy Van (classic not the monster), Rally 4x4, rally Service truck, Jeep Gladiator and ’72 Bronco 4x4. As
tools wear out they will be improved or replaced. Interiors will be “life-styled” so we can expect more handcuffs
and donuts and life like detailed added to exteriors like muddy tires and mud splash.
Multi-Packs
5-packs are doing well this year and there will be 15 of them for year 2007 all numbered sequentially on the
package.
Hitch n’ Haul are in the 2007 line-up with three new trailer tools one being the Caravan.
Matchbox Forum-NA
-6-
Newsletter 8.4
Action Packs (10-Paxcks) will each include an exclusive model.
Convoys
The convoy line-up will show two new tools, a flat bed and a Volvo Cab. No more entertainment licenses. Realism will
be there with real licenses and the flat bed compatible with the Fork Lift.
Skybusters
Five new casting will include Airbus A-380, Boeing Dreamliner 787 and other real licenses.
Battle Kings
Battle Kings are back and will be distributed exclusively by Target.
Seasonal
Look again for Dino Eggs with exclusive models in them.
Announcements
John Coyne presented the outgoing Ambassador with a cap decoed with the current Matchbox logo and announced
that the incoming Ambassador is Jim Gallegos. Caps were sold at the Toy Show on Sunday for $15.00 each.
John Coyne wished Louise Ocasion good luck on her new assignment in Mattel’s Game Division and hoped that
she would not get bored with it.
The evening ended with an auction containing over 140 items.
Toy Show
The Mattel West supported Toy Show of the International Gathering of Friends was held in the Grand Ballroom of
the Marriott Hotel Albuquerque. Plenty of die cast products were found on 88 tables offered by vendors from
USA, Canada, Germany and Australia. Over 500 came through the gate to look, buy and graze.
Mattel staff had a front table to sell the show model and caps and to show some new product, Superfast Wave and
Battle Kings.
Jim Gallegos and Mark Curtiss should be congratulated for organizing a good convention and toy show.
John Yanouzas
Co-Chairman
Matchbox Forum
Matchbox Forum-NA
-7-
Newsletter 8.4
Reported by Club members
While visiting family in Illinois and I decided to check the local Wally worlds and Target. Target was in
the middle of a big reset. While there, I found a Matchbox pop-up that had a sticker on the outside that
said Collector Booklet Inside.
The cover has 'Ready for Action 2006' and 'Collector Booklet' on the cover. Inside cover has a web site to
'let
us
know
what
you
think'.
Site
is
http://www.matchbox.com/surveyA
http://www.matchbox.com/surveyA.
The next pages have the 1-75 line displayed, split out by the groupings of Road, City and Terrain.
Interestingly, each of these groupings has a number under them. These are 18, 15, 1, 4 for Road, 3, 9, 20,
25 for City and 20, 5, 18, 18, 9, 14 for Terrain. There is a statement in one sidebar that reads: “Know the
MBX (TM) code”.
Each page has a text box message. On one page, it talks about how the models are made in a factory in
Thailand by Mattel Bangkok Limited. Another talks about the Mattel Design Center in El Segundo,
California.
It then has 2 pages with the Mummy's Gold playset, Tut's Treasure H&H, Skybusters and 5 pack. Two
more pages of the pop-ups. Two more on the fire station and haunted castle (with the cars on top) and the
Sto & Go playmat. Finally, the last two pages are the Mega Rig Dino Adventure sets.
Back page is the normal legal stuff. It has all of the brand permission logos, including Dodge, Carroll
Shelby, Land Rover, GM, Jaguar, Opel, Ford, Chrysler, Volvo, Jeep, VW, International and Design
(GM).
Matchbox Forum-NA
-8-
Newsletter 8.4
CLUB SHIRT ORDER FORM
Name:
Street Address
City/Town
State/Zip Code
Size: Medium
Color Preference:
Large
Blue
X Large
Tan
2X Large 3X Large (circle your size)
Black (circle your preference)
Since supply is limited in each color/size, your color preference cannot be guaranteed. We will try to
honor your choice, but you must be willing to accept any color. A photo image of the shirt can be
viewed on the Forum web site.
Matchbox Forum-NA
-9-
Newsletter 8.4