stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on May 26, 2009 22:19:44 GMT 1
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jun 16, 2009 1:25:56 GMT 1
Dear All:
I just got the 2004 Mercury Marauder, and this model by Greenlight is just stunning, to say the least. Completely happy about this item.
Matchbox 1968 Toyota Land Cruiser is also out, and is not a soft cover as it was the one from RC2 / Johnny Lightning. This miniature is also not bad.
Mattel has a custom in theirs 2009 New Models range: 1953 Cadillac Pick Up, with a hill racer in its bed. I do not know, I like these type of Caddys, and I am not just very open for customs of these vehicles. They also are offering (K Mart stores only) a range of father's Day Cars, which includes a 1970 Chevelle, Barracuda and a very sweet item (but difficult to find) - 1957 Buick Station Wagon. They also have a Mercury Cyclone avaliable at the Larry's Garage series ($3.00 each). Up to now, only Johnny Lightning (duryng the Playing Mantis Era, but still avaliable) had a Cyclone. A sweet companion (both of them - Hot Wheels and Johnny Lightning's replicas) to the Marauder.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jul 1, 2009 1:30:35 GMT 1
Dear All:
When one look at the basement line from Maisto, Fresh Metal, will find a lot of 'customs' a la Hot Wheels. Yet, interesting models were developed, such as the Challenger and the next-to-come Camaro, or Volvo Station Wagon. Not shown at their website, and readily avaliable, is the 2010 Mustang GT and BMW 6 series. I pick up the Mustanh and 2004 Ford F-150 Pick up, and for a vehicle with no interior, there is mirror detail and the badges are correctly positioned (specially on the F-150 and Mustang). To be quite frank, the Maisto version of the Mustang looks better than the Mattel version, and the Maisto sells at $ .77 and their ware literally fly off the shelfs. Nothing new at their more costly diecast, albeit there is a Toronado listed at their Target Series (the poster of 100 vehicles prepared for the Store) which I did not saw up to now.
The Matchbox Land Cruiser, along with their Budget Truck (which is generic in Nature, but very good graphics) are bestsellers. There are complains among collectors of the brand who can not find it.
Minichamps alredy put photos of their incoming 1/64 scaled vehicles (an Alfa Romeo is avaliable in July) and three - yes,three - Bentley models were announced. The models are sold at $13.00 each, and at this price, I hope that they are better than the M2 miniatures. Correctly scaled, tough. A whole series of Porsche Racers will also be avaliable.
M2 meanwhile has released a 1966 Dodge Charger, a 1967 Chevy Nova and a 1970 Boss Mustang 429. As always, very nice items.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Dec 14, 2009 20:58:57 GMT 1
Dear All:
I got most of the final Motormax Fresh Cherries models, except the Dodge Diplomat (only the 1/24 scaled models are avaliable) and Honda Civic. Lately, I managed to get the Horizon, Le Baron Wagon (M body), Dodge Omni, Ford Granada (the Omni was also luck, because mostly are avaliable in 1/24 scale). Also purchased were the Aries and Reliant.
Due to the fact that Matchbox are doing prime models in tree inch, despite the Recession, their sales were up 22% this year. Their truck series (which were criticized here) are also best sellers, specially the Autocar Garbage truck; the Actros does not sell well. I appointed their Dodge Monaco - 1978 - as car of the year, and it is a best seller - I did not found any in the stores since June. Their 1971 Vista Cruiser also a missing item in the stores; I found one because I went to Target when it opened at 08:00 hours and I pretty sure that this one would go away quickly if I had not done that. Their Sahara Survivor is a modification of the Land Rover pick up; is even RHD and looks very good for a generic item. The Toyota Land Cruiser - 1968 - and Prius are also good sellers. Another great model of the year was the Mercury Marauder from Greenlight; so is their Crown Victoria with their moon-type hubcaps. One the best three inch Vickies in the market. And so are the M2s; their 1959 Cadillac 62 is just an wonderful item. Oh, and Minichamps (as Paul's Models) 1/64 are also a dream - their Porsche Racer has disk brake details - a first one for 1/64!!! So, I had a blast this year, literally. I also got Matchbox Maserati racer in red, whose casting was introduced in 1958. I intend to get many of the older Matchboxes.
Matchbox also itroduced a line of bigger Convoy trucks (as were the Superkings, but they are not so big as the latter) and they are also selling good. For 2010, 1957 GMC pick up (in this year, most Manufacturers did the Chevy pick up), the Fisker Karma Hibrid sedan, Honda Insight.
From Mattel (Hot Wheels): 1967 and 2010 Shelby Mustang, Triumph TR6 racer, Malibu Station Wagon and V8 Chevrolet Vega, besides the AMC Javelin AMX (which is also made by Greenlight). And this year, their real models were made seriously, with very few customs. A lesson from Matchbox, perhaps? On their more expensive line, there is an Avanti, Tucker and Edsel.
And basically, that will be it. Great year for my two favorite scales, indeed!!
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Feb 8, 2010 21:26:00 GMT 1
Dear All:
New 2010 Matchbox:
1957 GMC Pick Up. As far as I can tell, most miniatures of this vehicle were Chevy oriented, so is a pleasure to have a GMC ro be displayed alongside the Chevys.
Fisker Karma. This 4-door hybrid sedan has a high performance and acceleration and Matchbox started to issue the green cars sterting with their very sucessful Toyota Prius model. I am quite sure that this one will also be a best seller.
1985 Toyota 4Runner. The first generation of this vehicle - as is the Matchbox model - was basically a SR5 pick up with a metal cover in the rear; later it became the 4-door version which is widely known and modeled. This is like the GMC pick up - a seldom done model.
Porsche 914. The Volkswagen - Porsche, as I used to know and call it. After Playart, it is a new casting for this vehicle. Just got it.
Stepvan. Generic, and has a window in its roof, so the inside of it can be seen. I had to compare this to the Masterpiece one, because I assume that this vehicle does approach 1/87 scale. Got it.
Jeep Willys. Military type, and this one is at least done right. Up to now, with two wheel sets. Have it as well.
Holden Ute. I was wnthusiastic when I been at the 2009 Auto Show and heard that Pontiac would bring that to the USA. However, as is widely known, Pontiac is no longer around, so exciting vehicles such as G8 and this Ute been canceled, albeit Chevy is bringing the Caprice badge back, based on the Holden Stateman, which is a solid cop car for the Aussies and abroad. I compliment Matchbox for bringing the Ute.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Mar 13, 2010 3:20:05 GMT 1
Dear All:
1. Is interesting what been going at Target stores since late January: abscence of Matchbox cars. While the Hot Wheels shelfs are beyond overloaded, the Matchbox section is always with one or two cars on it or nothing at all. Recently, the one store close to my neck of the woods had grey circular tags pegged at the price sticker, which I was informed that means that they are out of stock and will be reloaded soon. Thing is, this affair being going on since January, so I wonder if this is Mattel's reaction to the fact that Matchbox, on a Recession year such as 2009, had an sales surge of 22% as compared to 2008. And their new protos are not any bad, either. So is to be seen. Meanwhile, Hot Wheels have some interesting items such as the Maverick Grabber and 1956 Mercury (the latter belonged to a more exclusive - and more expensive - series). I just hope that they also bring their Buick Wagon to the regular series, as they did to the Mercury. They are also are in love with Stationn Wagons, seemly, for they also made a Custom Pontiac GTO Station Wagon (i.e., converted a GTO - 1967 - to a Wagon - and it is very cool. Belongs to $3.00 Larry's Garage Series). Also noteworthy is their 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco Racer.
2. Boley is defined by most as a Toy Manufacturer. Their three inch cars were at times avaliable at dollar stores and the Vehicles were not prototypical at all. Target also carried their brand at their $1.00 section, but were sets of cars, again non-prototypical. In 2010, Target had their 1/64 car range again - and by Jolly, the scale is correct, even to the Subaru, which is often done in 1/55 scale - and they come boxed (window boxed), the name of the car and so on. All have a separate piece for the headlights; the tailights are painted on some and a separate piece on others. Some have the reference number on the chassi, and some date on it (11/09) - date of manufacture?
And these are: Volkswagen Bug Subaru WRC Porsche 911 Porsche Cayenne BMW Z and X Renault C2. This one has its side windows half down.
3. From RC2, with the cheaper versions of Johnny Lightning, a 1981 Malibu 2-door sedan is being offered. Not a car that is being often molded.
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Post by Cor_DutchArt on Mar 13, 2010 15:21:35 GMT 1
Sure? Renault C2?
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Mar 16, 2010 0:12:27 GMT 1
Sure? Renault C2? Dear All: Oh, darn!! Renault models start with the letter R; Citroen, with C. The Boley model is a Citroen C2. The good part about it: 1/64, not 1/55 scale; and I have a kick of the half-opened window.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Mar 22, 2010 4:38:00 GMT 1
Dear All:
Miniatures of the El Camino are aplenty in 1/64 and cover pratically all body styles and years. Not so with Ford's Ranchero. In the 1980's, a Company called Ideal made a series of vehicles, which, with an addition of an AAA battery (the smaller ones) who had working lights. Three interesting offering were a Ford Bronco II (virtually, at that time, the sole model of it) a 1957 Nomad (Nomad models were not offered then; a bit later, Zylmex released their version and a diffixult model to find) and a Ranchero. I did found the first two, but never saw the Ford's Ute.
By the 2000's, RC2/ Johnny Lightning did offer a 1964 Ranchero (again, a tough item to find) and as of 2010 Mattel released a 1972 Model year, at their $3.00 / Metal chassis miniatures. A bit on the low-rider side, but not a bad miniature.
The debacle with Matchbox stocking at Target seems over; now there are plenty of them at their reserved pegs. Notice that as of 2010, Superfast miniatures have metal insted of plastic chassi; so, at 1-75 range, a model, say, 1975 Chevrolet Pick Up will spot a plastic chassi; on the Superfast series, metal. And Mattel brought the Lesney name back as well.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Apr 9, 2010 23:29:57 GMT 1
Dear All:
Back in Brazil, there was a product similar to Ovaltine - the chocolate the one adds to their milk - which was called Toddy, and around 1967, some of these had toy cars inside them. A comic magazine from that period did stated what is avaliable, and two vehicles that were shown include the Simca Marly (Jangada in Brazil) station wagon and the Alpine based Interlagos. Other not shown included a Jeep Pick up (the Rural Pick up, as called in Brazil, which was based on the 1950's Jeep Station Wagon) - I am not talking about the Gladiator - and as I discovered recently, they also did the Brazilian Jeep CJ5 4-door, with a roof. These are crude miniatures, but have play features as a removing chassis and wheels (yeah, I know, dangerous features for the kiddies). I consider them around 1/76 scale, and I had their 1967 Itamaraty (the luxury version of the Brazilian Aero Willys) and Gordini (based on the Reanult Dauphine). On my 'explorations' on the Internet, I found a site called 'brinquedos raros' (rare toys) which have some English writing in it and they have some of these Toddy items; some were, according to them, made by TROL, which was a major manufacturer in there and besides the 4-door Jeep, they also had a bunch of Karmann Ghias (sold). Additionally, there is a Brazilain Aero Willys, Itamaraty, Gordini, DKW sedan and Station wagon, Simca Sedan and of course, Volkswagen Beetle. The site has a fair amount of Brazilian Toys, but from other Global Manufacturers as well. They deal with Pay Pal and deliver quite quickly (but is a good ideia to buy in quantity, because shipping is nearly prohibitive - $45.00 for the item I got).
I knew about this series since 1967, and commited the stupidity to throw away the comic book which has its listing. I been looking actively for these since 1971, and now I can say I scored and hope more are brought to that store.
The Brazilian DKW sedan lost its chrome at the trunk around 1960, had a wider opening rear door about the same period; in 1965, the door opened normally (not suicide-type) and one did not had to add oil when putting gas in it and at its final year of production, it gain quad headlights and the front grille went from on headlight set to the another; the rear stoplights were re-designed as well. Hence, the piece I ordered from Brinquedos Raros was - a big surprise for me - the DKW Vemaguet Statio Wagon from the Toddy series - which happens to be a 1967 Year Model, and as far as I know - toy or not - the only miniature of it. Oh, alas, the 2-door DKW coupe were never made - or avaliable - in Brazil. I am now aiming for the 4-door Jeep and DKW sedan, for, they are single models in the small size.
Matchbox did released the 1957 GMC pick up and - seriously - is a great model for the money. It has the GMC logo at the hood and at its back gate, and is pratically unique, for most manufacturers go for the Chevy version of that era. Mattel is really treating Matchbox with the respect that Universal had and creating superb little models in three inch. I can have enough of their 1978 Monacos, for crying out loud! The Olds Vista Cruiser is not to be seen anywhere on the pegs.
Mattel, with their Hot Wheels series, also did released the Ghostbuasters ECTO-1 Ambulance, equipped with the miriad of tooling the original had. The problem: only one of these comes in a bos of Hot Wheels, so as the Vista Cruiser, will be a pain to find. I have my ways, however.
After a stationary period, Golden Wheel released some new models, inluding a Subaru, BMW X5 and X6. The good news: avaliable at 99 Cents only stores. Time to hunt them.
I got this book on Toy / Model buses, and I went online to hunt for some oldies. I got the Renwall Plastic Transit bus, which approaches 1/64, and Plasticville (Crown) bus, which also come close to my other favorite scale. I want to find the other plastic ones which carried the 'Hollywood' name. And many others to find..........
Other buses I got carry the Best Choose name; one is a Volvo Double Decker and the other is a Daimler Double Decker, both Hong Kong issued buses. I thought that they were 1/87, but they are 1/120 and are very detailed. These two live on my browser now. Fantastic items, really. They also do buses in 1/76. And the Chinese are issuing buses in 1/64 scale, mostly of Shangai make. Cool. I also wanto to get their Flexble Metro version, albeit this is issued in 1/76 scale.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on May 1, 2010 4:59:00 GMT 1
Dear All: It was bound to happen, since it will be the Vicky's replacement. There will be a miniature of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, Greenlight LLC., Country Roads Series #4. See below: www.greenlightcollectibles.com/%5B~189~%5D
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on May 5, 2010 6:41:17 GMT 1
Dear All:
The following close to 1/64 scale models were won at eBay last month:
Konami 1967 Subaru. I did not saw any of these for a long while, so is a welcome addition to the collection.
Tiger Wheels Ford Crown Victoria 'Manati Police', Puerto Rico. The Manufacturer is Puerto Rico based, so they did a whole amount of Vickys marked with the Island's Police forces. This is the first one in my collection; more will come. Johnny Lightning did, in the 1990's, a Caprice Police Unit with Puerto Rican Police markings; got that, and is a rare piece. The ones from Tiger Wheels do not show often.
Norev Reanult Dauphine. It is a fantastic piece; Norev also did (and still does) some high class, very detailed 1/64 scaled models, and this is one of them and was considered the best detailed 1/64 scale model for 2007 and been wanting it ever since. Found that in the U.K.
Majorette Toyota Prius, Lexus SUV (Hibrid Version) and Range Rover Stormer. This guy in Turkey has a good amount of them, but do to his prices, I buy them on quantity. Glad to find new Majorette castings.
Majorette Chevrolet Impala. Is the 1990's version, which Majorette is still molding, but this one has a twist: comes with a piece of gum (as Konami) and is marked with Tokyo's (Japan) F.D. Of course, specially made for the Japanese market.
ERTL wrecker (bad shape, missing a wheel), Shinsey Fire Apparatus (again, a seldom - seen piece), Lledo Ford A Van and Majorette HO sized Saviem Bus.
Wannatoy Transit Buses. I love these antique pieces, even if they do not represent much. I also have a Renwal Transit bus and three Plasticville scholl buses (one was severely damaged in Transit). Love all of these, including the damaged one.
Motormax Dodge Diplomat x 2, but different collors. Well, a car I wanted a model of for nearly twenty years, is meticulosy done in 1/64 and then is quickly discontinued (in 2007)? I been wanting one since then and they are not flocking on eBay, so when I saw this combo under 'Buy it Now' deal, I just did so! They are very nicely done, too!!
Yat Ming Aston Matin DB9. After a hiatus in molding 1/64 scale pieces, by 2008 this company did some high - detailed trucks and hot rods, then went quiet again. Now, they are releasing some basic models in 1/64, and the Aston is one of them. No matter what, Yat Ming creations - even if done cheaply - are a good value for the money.
NABI Low Floor with CAT (Las Vegas) markings. The seller detailed it for me, and looks good at any angle. Company to my Santa Monica NABI.
SIKU Weismann GT. 1/55, granted, but hey, is a SIKU and is a great piece. Oh, for 2010, they will bring a Dodge Charger Police to their range. Want that!!
And this is it. Of course, as is, my budget went left, but hey, I am in good company.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on May 5, 2010 6:55:00 GMT 1
Dear All:
This reader from Model Auto Review got some of them, and was asking about them. I finally found my answer, and since one of them is declared as 1/48 scale, that approches three inches (three and a half, perhaps).
The reader stated that these are made in China, and that is a surprise for me, for we talking about Brazilian protos here. Is a Del Prado Type Collection (yes, with the magazine) and showcases the following vehicles:
Brazilian Chevrolet Pick Up (whose design was specially made for that market only; lasted up to the mid - 1990's).
Chevrolet Veraneio. Yes, their big SUV which was a darling of their Police Forces (1966 - to circa 1995).
Dodge Dart.
Volkswagen Brasilia.
Willys Renault Dauphine (called the Gordini there).
Alfa Romeo 2000 4-door sedan
Ford Pick Up.
DKW Four door sedan.
They are considered 1/43 scale, but the Veraneio is stated as 1/48. I found a dealer there who will send the pieces to me and I can pay him via Money Gram, so the Veraneio is my first.
On the bad side, they have a very badly executed opening front door and are motorized. But hey, unique pieces here.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on May 21, 2010 2:15:18 GMT 1
Dear All: It was bound to happen someday, seriously, and I think that it will be a very disputed model: Mattel Volkswagen SP 2 Sports car, of Brazilian origin. The real car debuted in the early 1970's, and laste until the early 1980's. In the States, it did not made it, due to emission regulations. Brazilain gas is the poor quality, so the vehicles in there are tuned accordingly, so they do not choke on it and obviously creates more emissions. In Europe they were seen, and some were even preserved. Hot Wheels Global series, orange colors with stripe, as was the real car, and the good news - is not 'costumized' , as are many of the Hot Wheels cars. Hence, it may be a headache (as is their Ecto Ambulance) to find. Thing is, Brazilian cars are being seen, first on expensive 1/43 scale that were avaliable only in there (Automobilia) - and they molded cars that were created only for the Brazilian market. There was this other manufacturer who did Brazilian Vehicles in 1/43 and 1/64 - but again, only to be sold at their market (which mades very expensive to bring to the States); now there are the vehicles which I talked of above and thanks God - some guy is selling them at the regular eBay (yes, Paypal accepted) - and these are made in China! Now, Hot Wheels brings that - hm, hm! See below: hotwheels.wikia.com/wiki/VW_SP-2
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jun 7, 2010 0:04:09 GMT 1
Dear All:
It is official news about the fate of the Mercury brand from Ford. It been discontinued as the end of 2010. The cars they had they were not, besides the Gran Marquis, so exciting but still, I am of opinion that that could be like a Lincoln Jr. division, offering cars for the ones who do not want a Ford, but can not afford a Lincoln. But as it happened in Detroit in the last twenty - thirty years, the benefit of stockholders came above the Public's Interest.
But let's commemorate.
Existing Mercurys in near 1/64:
The 1949 - 1951 Coupe was made by many manufacturers, in custom or stock versions. Serious model came from ERTL, whose doors opened and these were 'complete' - i.e., the door had the upper frame. It was tad weak on painting, since the one I have never been played with, but the paint around the doors is vanishing. Is a good model, tough. Racing Champions also made a model of it, either stock or custom, and these are excellent, but their wheels have issues (they 'melt', I been told, so I monitor my Racing Champions continously). The final one I can think came from Motormax, and this is your $ .50 model, but is not so generic and also looks great. Pretty sure that more manufacturers made it.
The 1949 - 1951 Mercury Wagon is, in real life, a very rare item. Only 1001 were made, and I could not tell how many survived - alas, never saw one, but I did met several of the Fords of the same period. It graduated to 1/64 scale thanks to a TV show - Mod Squad, and of course, one of the members had it and - aaaaaaarghhh!!!! - it got destroyed (I remeber that episode after all these years). Playing Mantis / Johnny Lightning did the honors, and the car was replicated as the TV Show's car and other series that could show a Station Wagon it. It is fair to say that there are more miniatures of it that the real car!! Have it, love it. No destroying it!!
Is a known fact that cereals had prizes (inside the box) in the past, and two brands, made of Plastic, are known as the Toys (or models) the were cereal's prizes. One is F & F, which made a fair amount of Fords (including a 4 - door 1950 Ford Sedan - on eBay, commands high amout of bids and of course, cash) Mercurys and Plymouths. The 1953 Mercury was the center of their attention, because there is a Convertible, 2-door Sedan and I think that there is a 4-door sedan as well. They are made of Plastic, no interiors or chassi (well, interiors for the Convertibles) but the details on them is fair enough, and one can tell at least what Model Year these are.
There is another that one could hunt at its cereal box, and it was call JVZ. They are responsable for the 1969 Marauder and Marquis, and the ones I got I like. Indeed, simple models, horrific wheels, but the details of the cars are just there! JVZ also molded other Ford Cars, such as the Thunderbird.
Matchbox seem to have a thing for Mercurys as well. They started to have a American Station Wagon range (with dogs in the back and all) and the first to get the honor was circa 1968 Mercury Wagon (based on the Park Lane). The 'civilian' version is green, but there were 'emergency' versions as well, as police (white) and Fire (of course, red). As is the case, these were copied by other manufacturers, such as Yat Ming and Playart, but the cracker is the fact that these models are not generic copies, they are very well done items (and snapped by the collectors). Of course, civilian and emergency ranges.
Next, Matchbox issued a 1977 Mercury Cougar Villager Wagon (the Cougar was issued as 4 - door vehicle for only 2 years). Hm, hm! It happened again! A car seldom seen in the streets got a model of it. This car was based on the Ford LTD II, which in real life was never popular of the buyers; likewise, I never see these in the streets (but I saw them now and them; one of them appears as a Police Cruiser on the original 'Cannonball Run). Regarding the wagon, in my thirthy years in America, if I saw it twice will be way too much. And, besides the fact that was issued on USA and ROW (Rest of the World) series, it also appeared on Matchbox Bulgarian series (in different colors and details, of course - and Latin American series, with the same treatment. Again, is the case when there is more miniatures than the real car in the streets.
And of course, the Wagon series ended in the late 1980's (a little before the SUV craze) with the Mercury Sable Station Wagon. The 1968 and 1977 Mercs were treated in green, the Sable was decorated in white.
Yes , yes yes!! When I see it, the Hawaii 5 -0 song comes to my mind. Matchbox Mercury Park Lane. Granted, Mcgarret car's was hardtop, and in that 12 season show, he only drove two Mercs: the 1968 Park Lane and a 1974 Marquis, which, fortunately, both are on hands of collectors. On the Pilot of the show, he drove a 2-door Merc, and that is shown now and them and the regular TV series.
Matchbox's Park Lane been around, tough. Cop car, Fire car, car made specially to represent and Fire Chief vehicle from a TV show, and was also added to Superfast series which, during the Universal era, was a separate one (they had the regular 1 - 75 and Superfast series, as Mattel is doing today.
The Mercury Cyclone was a winner on Nascar, and made Chrysler to develop the Plymouth Superbird (the one with the big rear wing) in order to combat it. Hence, Playing Mantis / Johnny Lightning did offered Mercury Cyclone's Nascar miniatures. Lovely done.
When GM brought back the Impala in 1994, the proposition was to offer a full - time cop car for the public. Oh, the 454 cubic inch engine was also avaliable. Goes withouth saying that this became a very collectable car, and there was an outcry when it was discontinued in 1996 and - argh - they bought out the Lumina based Impala, which, despite its limitations, is a good seller, but the cops dislike it - badly. Anyways. As the story goes, a CEO of GM stopped a gas station, and saw a very modified Caprice in there. He asked the owner about it, and when he went back to GM headquarters, he proposed the Impala revival, based on that modified Caprice. The rest, as they say, is History.
By 2001 or 2002, Car and Driver bought a Vicky, and modified it to be a 300 horsepower or more sedan (again, a full - blown cop car to be sold to the Public) and painted mainly in black. Then they send an enquire to Ford. The result was the 2004 Marauder which. in reality, the Magazine testers were not impressed - and it seems that neither was the public. They did not offer a larger engine that the conventional one, but it could perform well. It was killed and two years, but was an interestin car, nevertheless. Greenlight is responsable for the molding of the 2004 Marauder, and that is a very impressive model - chrome on the top of the windows as well, plus a full amount of rich details A pain to find, but I found two of them, which made me very happy. One of these miniatures reached $42.00 on eBay and that is a $5.00 miniature.
I will close this report with Siku's Mercury Wagon (1957 - I believe - and Plastic) and Hot Wheels did a Merc Coupe as well, but I am not sure what the model is. I got to check M2's inventory as well. Of course, more miniatures may exist, and I do not consider this a full report.
You will be missed, Mercury! Loved the Gran Marquis / Marquis very, very much!
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