MOST petrolheads foster their love of cars well before hitting legal driving age in the company of die-cast toy cars, writes David Roy.
The name Matchbox has been synonymous with playtime motoring for four generations now – indeed, the brand celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Currently owned/operated by US toy giants Mattel – although, of course, I remember when they were still proudly 'Made in England by Lesney' (and all this around here was still fields) – this Matchbox milestone will be marked with the release of a special commemorative range of limited edition toy cars.
These die-cast vehicles will be split into seven different selections across the Matchbox range, all of which will feature special platinum detailing to mark the occasion. As for what will be available, according to Mattel there will be "a combination of collector favourites and iconic vehicles spanning seven decades and regions around the world".
The range is set to include the Porsche 910 and Jaguar D-Type classic racers, a Porsche 911, a Mini Cooper, a MGB GT, a Morris Minor, a Mercedes-AMG G63 6x6, a Routemaster double decker bus and even a modified Aérospatiale Gazelle 'rescue helicopter' – a toy Matchbox first produced back in the 1980s that was clearly based on the unique design of the Blue Thunder movie chopper, although never officially released as such.
Some of the new 70th anniversary collection will be made from recycled zinc, a move Mattel describes as "continuing its commitment to sustainability in the die-cast category" – indeed, the company want to make all their toys and packaging from "100 per cent recycled, recycle-ready or bio-based plastic materials" by 2030.
Kids 'of all ages' can look out for the 70th anniversary collection cars in the toy sections of Tesco, Sainsbury's and B&M Bargains and at Toymaster stores throughout this year. The RRP for individual cars will start at £2.30.
Find out more at mattel.com/pages/matchbox-70th-anniversary.
