Ambassador’s Report September 18th, 2014
By: Larry Scaduto
BREAKING NEWS! I have something new to announce:
The Matchbox website was updated yesterday with a new look:
It is with great pleasure that we announce that Matchbox has officially re-launched our website: MATCHBOX.COM
The new site, which has gone LIVE as of September 17th, 2014, will
represent the first comprehensive refresh of our website in several
years. Our website is now mobile and tablet enabled. While our new
website will continue to evolve as we add additional features and
content, the current version includes the following items:
- Featured home page carousel that showcases our key drivers for Fall 2014, Marine Rescue Shark Ship and Wrecky The Wrecking Buddy
- Videos section which invites visitors to review our latest TV
Commercials, Designer Demos (i.e. Wrecky Demo featuring the very
entertaining duo Matt Emert and Dave Sheltman), as well as additional
branded content like our 60th Anniversary Heritage video
- Vehicles section which highlights our core die cast segments:
- Games section which features Dinosaur Rescue™, a game that allows
boys to take on the challenge of capturing a dinosaur on Volcano
Island. Can you catch the dino?
- Toys section which features our key drivers and links directly to
our Mattel Shop home page, where consumers can purchase our toys
directly.
This is a great update, but look forward to additional video content
and games, as well as the full activation of our vehicles section to
include an illustrated catalog of our core die cast collection with
downloadable poster. We are also in the process of refreshing our
Mattel Shop home page to create an even more consistent consumer
experience.
This is a small step for the Matchbox brand as we
accelerate our efforts to refine our online/digital experiences and put
Matchbox in a position to grow.
…Now GO check the site out already!!!
REMEMBER – you may need to clear your internet browser cache to view the new website.
As the message states, the site is evolving and a downloadable poster is in the works so stay tuned.
INTRODUCTION
Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!!! We have a lot to cover in
this report. We have a nice selection of new product to show and I’ll be
showcasing PrePro’s from the TV Series Viper. The history section will
feature Viper Series PrePro’s from
Chuck Wiersma’s Collection.
But first let’s get to the new models. All images are courtesy of Mattel
& the Matchbox Team and are used with their permission and consent.
Enjoy my latest report….
New Releases for 2014…
We have retooled the Delivery Service truck mid cycle for this year.
While the graphics will remain the same the main parts have been changed
to include the following:
- Window has been added to the roof.
- Rear door which was part of the body is now part of the interior which will be black.
- Front grill is now molded to the front bumper instead of being part of the body.
This will be a new variation for this model. The new MB number is now
MB993. This also means there will be 2 to collect this year…in case you
were wondering.
…and 2015
Up First is the Runway Wrangler, fully dressed for production this time. It will be part of the 2015 singles.
Next is the new deco for HUMVEE that will be used in the 2015 Mission
Force “Strike Force” Military pack. This is a retooled model that no
longer includes the gun or the opening hatch, but the body is still die
cast. The new MB number for this is MB983.
This version of our SWAT truck will be part of the 2015 mainline singles.
Lastly we have the refreshed Sky Buster Fang Fighter with moving jaw.
Matchbox Questions
- Since the Delivery Service Truck has been retooled, which version will be harder to find? The original version may be harder to find.
- What Does UVHA mean on the tampo printing design of some models? This stands for: Unstoppable Vehicles for Heroic Adventures.
- If the Mystery Models or Supreme Heroes sell well, is there a possibility of a series 2 in 2016 or is this just these issues and done? We cannot discuss what is in the cards for 2016 at the moment.
- Will the Supreme Heroes Collection be available worldwide? Thus far it will be U.S. and Canada but may grow to other regions. This line is scheduled for a December 2014 Launch.
- Why don’t more fire engines have red lights on the roof? Seems to be clear or smoke in most cases. Many
of our current models will no longer have separate light bars due to
cost, so the light bar is combined to the window. That being said, if
the light bar is red or blue it means the entire window must be that
color. Many collectors have had issues with us doing this which is why
the window color is neutral. We will on occasion use tints if this works
with the deco.
- Have you been looking into introducing the new Mustang for the lineup? Possibly.
- Are Mission Force Sets
going to be all exclusive or a mix of mainline models? It was noted
that the Construction Set had 2013 models and the same SkyBusters from
the previous set containing the Real Working Rig. Mission
Force sets for 2014 & 2015 have exclusive decos and contain 3
Matchbox basic vehicles and 2 Sky Busters. They no longer include Real
Working Rigs.
- Are Real Working Rigs gone for good or just for now?
Real Working Rigs have not gone away, but currently they have been
carry forward items (no new deco) in revised packaging. While they may
be hard to find, they are not gone.
- Does Mattel still have
field reps that go to stores? Do they offer feedback on what is selling
and how the product is displayed? This information is confidential.
- Does Matchbox have a
say-so on how your product is arranged in the stores? Presently Target
has the singles at the very top which makes them out of reach of the
kids and some adults. This information is confidential.
- Will the Ford Interceptor have a running change to correct the misspelling? And if so…which variation will be harder to find? Yes,
the spelling change for the Ford Interceptor is currently in progress.
We are unsure which version will be the hardest to find.
- What is the release date of the 2014 Chevy Silverado? This should be released in October of this year.
Preproductions from my collection
In this issue’s PrePro’s section, I am featuring models that were never released from the TV Series
Viper. Below is a page from the 1994 Tyco Matchbox Dealer’s Catalog. This would have been a nice set…….
Here is a YouTube link to the original commercial for the TV Series Viper!
Pictured below are the preproductions of the Morphed Viper and Dodge
Stealth. These are from my collection. I just obtained the yellow Viper
after a long 17 year search. As you can see, it was well worth the
wait!! For the next part of this article I asked our 6th Ambassador, Chuck Wiersma
to show us his Viper Series Collection. Please read his wonderful story
about the history of these models. His collection is second to none!!!
Thank you Chuck!!!
Above is a lemon yellow Morphed Viper. It has a dark blue interior and a
pink riveted base without text. Below is the earlier version of the
Dodge Stealth in black and a grey interior with the wider body that
Dodge didn’t approve of.
History
Here is Chucks story…………………
In the 1990’s, Tyco Matchbox worked with the Chrysler Corporation to
develop several die cast models. These models were affiliated with a US
television show called Viper. Two models made it to a short run
preproduction phase before being cancelled. The third model also made
it to a short turn preproduction phase only to be cancelled, salvaged as
another model, and then recreated from scratch only to be cancelled for
the Viper series but eventually issued in the regular MB 1-75 line.
The Viper television show was about a top secret task force of the US
Federal government using a super tech vehicle in the form of a Dodge
Viper. The car in its “street form” was a Dodge Viper RT/10. The
vehicle could morph into the “Defender” which featured armaments and
gadgets that were used to defeat the bad guys. A black 1991 Dodge
Stealth was also used intermittently in several episodes of the show.
The show first premiered on the NBC network in the USA in 1994 but was
cancelled in its first season. The show was later syndicated from 1996
to 1999.
The star of the show was the Viper Defender or Morphed Viper. The model is the MB 265 or Viper Morphed as
it is called on its base. Like most Matchbox designed models of the
day, the sample was first made in resin and then cast in metal. Some
slight alterations were made to the model between the earlier resin
stage and later metal stage including less pronounced details on the
hood, a smaller circle cast on the roof, a larger grille, larger
exhausts and taillights on the rear, as well as a reinforced wing on the
rear. Overall, the models appear very similar.
Side by side, unpainted MB 265 Morphed Viper on left and painted resin MB 265 Morphed Viper on right.
The metal preproduction samples were made in two liveries, one in
regular silver and the other with “battle damaged” deco. Both samples
appear as factory finished models with fully engraved bases, interiors,
windows, and full tampa deco liveries. The models are fully assembled
and riveted. Both models have grey plastic interiors, tinted windows,
black plastic bases, red taillight trim, black trim on the rear section,
and white tampa headlights. The models were manufactured with a metal
strip in the base, a production standard at the time for many Matchbox
models, to give the vehicle a suspension feel. The wing was cast to the
body and the wheels were a chrome six spoke spiral. The bases were
engraved with Made in Thailand, Matchbox Int’l Ltd, 1994 copyright, and
1:60 as scale.
 |
| Morphed Viper battle damage on left, Morphed Viper no battle damage on right. |
 |
| Note tampa detailing around exhaust, on taillights, and on headlights. |
One surprise - the model has a right hand steering wheel! Was an
interior from another model used on these development models? The
gearshift is also on the right side of the center console. As the model
was never released to the public, when samples can be found they
usually demand a premium price.
The second model designed in connection with the television show was the
MB 264 Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo. This model has a bit more history
behind it. The Dodge Stealth, like the Morphed Viper, made it through
the resin design stage all the way to metal stage and eventually to a
limited preproduction run before being cancelled. It has two known
design liveries. The first in all black with tampa trim on the fog
lights, turn signals, and taillights. The second with a black and green
leopard stripe and no other tampa trim. Models sport black interiors,
tinted windows, six spoke spiral wheels with chrome hubs, and black
plastic bases. Like the Morphed Viper, sample preproduction models had
fully engraved bases, riveted bodies, and complete tampa deco. The bases
were engraved with Made in Thailand, Matchbox Int’l Ltd, 1994
copyright, and 1:60 as scale.
Group shot of the MB 264 Dodge Stealth (from left to right) Green and
Black leopard stripes, all black livery, and two unpainted first shot
castings with blue interiors, white plastic un-engraved bases, and clear
windows.
According to die cast legend, Dodge did not approve the Dodge Stealth
model as it appeared too “thick” or “fat”. The Tyco Matchbox team went
back to the drawing board and started to redesign the model with a
sleeker profile. However, the redesign never made it past the resin
stage of development. Interestingly enough, the redesigned model was
decorated with the same two liveries as on the original MB 264 die cast
model, all black or black and green leopard stripe. The redesigned
resin model included additional detailing on the hood, sides, and rear
of the model. Unfortunately neither model was ever released to the
public.
 |
| Dodge Stealth original MB 264 on left and redesign resin on right. |
The third model affiliated with the show has a history all its own going
back before the Viper TV show. The MB 227 Dodge Viper RT/10 model was
originally designed in the early 1990’s had a lower profile and featured
a wraparound windshield, closed front grille, and bump out lights on
the rear license plate.
The unreleased MB 227 Viper in metal on the left and resin on the right.
The only tampa trim on the model was on the headlights. The wheels were
Goodyear Eagle racing slicks and the rivetted black base had a 1990
copyright with scale of 1:58. Despite the fact that this model made it
all the way to the metal stage, it was not approved by Dodge for
release. In order to salvage the investment in the design and tooling,
the model was modified into the MB 227 Sunburner. Heavy
modifications were made to the model especially in the grille, hood, and
side areas to change it to the generic Sunburner casting.
The orginal metal MB 227 Viper RT/10
on the left, the MB 227 Sunburner in the middle, and later released MB
260 Viper RT/10 on the right
The orginal metal MB 227 Viper RT/10
on the left, the MB 227 Sunburner in the middle, and released MB 260
Viper RT/10 on the right
Now four years later, during the development of the MB 265 Morphed Viper
and the MB 264 Dodge Stealth, the development of Dodge Viper RT/10 is
undertaken once again. This project is started from scratch and the
vehicle is developed as a wholly new model. The casting number is
assigned MB 260 and it has no relation to the previous MB 227 casting.
The model has a higher profile, does not feature a wrap-around
windshield, has new body detailing, and sports six spoke spiral wheels.
All parts are new: body, windshield, interior and base.
This pic compares the unreleased 1990 MB 227 Viper RT/10 (left) and an unpainted MB 260 Viper RT/10 (right).
Notice the difference in height profile between the unreleased original MB 227 (left) and released MB 260 (right).
A HUGE THANK YOU GOES OUT TO CHUCK!!!!!
What’s New in the Stores?
I’m doing something different in this section. Since there was nothing
new in the stores to report about this time around, I decided to show
you this picture instead!!! I was at Meijer’s this past week looking for
the rest of Batch K. I did find the International Brush Fire Truck, but
I found something even better…..a complete selection of Matchbox!!!!
This is Matchbox Done Right!!!
I’m thinking that you should print this picture and take it to your
local big retailer (no names necessary) and tape this to the pegs over
their plan-o-gram so they get a clue on how to display this company’s
merchandise!!! A BIG thank you goes out to Meijer’s for keeping the
faith!!!
Models we would love to see made…
We have a nice selection of ideas that were summitted to me from several
collectors. I still have 23 pics waiting for their turn, so if you
didn’t see your picture this time, watch for it in one of my upcoming
reports. Reading from top to bottom we have first, The 1970 Chevy Nova
SS350, Ashphalt Spreader, Prius Taxi, BMW M3, The Schwimmwagen, 2015 Kia
Soul EV, 2015 Ford Mustang, and finally….a Speed Trap Trailer. I’m
still looking for more ideas…..Keep them coming!!!
Miscellaneous
The White Night’s Take over the next Report!
In my last report I asked you to talk with younger children in your
family and ask them what cars they like that are on the road. So far
only one person responded and the model of their kid’s choice was the
Audi Avant. Expensive little tastes for kids, I might add!!! Well it’s a
start….. Anyone else have some kids in the neighborhood they can ask?
Let me know what they had to say. Thank you for your participation.
