3inchDiecastBliss: March 2015

2015...will bring much change (and savings) for my Matchbox collecting habits beginning this year. It has been coming for a few years now but I have decided to no longer be a Matchbox Completist. I have collected Matchbox models with my dad since the age of 8 years old and have collected pretty much all 1-75 (1 - 120) singles, 5-packs, 10 packs (9 packs:( ), playsets etc whether I liked the models or not. It was just what my dad and I did for fun and helped forge a special relationship between us. When he passed unexpectedly in 2002, I decided to keep collecting because it continued to help me feel close to him. I would talk out loud and to myself as I came across new models or releases as if he was there with me.

It was tough to continue collecting in the 'Hero City' days as most Matchbox product was a letdown. But I continued to add planes, boats, motorcycles, generic castings to my collection even though I really did not like them. Then came a resurrection of the brand at least in my opinion from the years of 2004 - 2011 or so. Great times to collect and I continued to pick up everything. Then, new management, new direction to further move away from Hot Wheels, Matchbox once again went in a direction I did not like and continues to do so into 2015 and I just decided enough is enough.

This was harder than I thought. Leaving my first 2015 1-75 models on the shelf was very strange and I agrued with myself that it was only three models @ $1.09 each and what would it hurt? But, I was able to resist the urge and believe I have broken the spell of being a Completist. Besides, I still buy many Matchbox which still allows me to discuss with my dad but the best part is the savings I will reap...No more buying 10 packs for one 'exclusive' car LOL. No more buying 5 packs not knowing which ones will be released as singles later in the year because Mattel can not get it together enough to provide complete listings for the upcoming year. But what it does allow is for me to start using that savings to build my collection of Majorette (http://www.majorette.com/fr/marques-produits/majorette/voitures/) and Welly (http://wellydiecast.com/product.php?&cid=1&sid=7&page=1) 3inchdiecastbliss!

So...let me start by saying that I will buy each 'new' Matchbox casting release (first edition) or any modified castings such as the Cadillac Ambulance to keep 'ONE' example of each model (MAN#) for the collection. But no recolors etc will be purchased unless it is a model that I enjoy such as the 2014 Chevy Silverado for example. So let's now take a look at some new Matchbox releases for 2015 (some are from the last batch of 2014):

Found a shade variation on the Silverado

Great Theme!

Finally found this modified casting

Wonderful 'INC' theme continues and is one of the more excellent executions from the Matchbox team

Hard to find but nice. Would have preferred no logos

When Matchbox does it right, it is right. I assume this will get modified in the future to make the light bar part of the windows...let's hope not but I have little faith here.

Just plain coolness...love this casting.

One of the better decos on this casting

Nice color and deco

I almost left it on the shelf due to the wheels...

Pretty Cool

Not to my liking but it is a new casting so into the collection it goes...but I will not be adding another one.

Found this wheel variation but under my new rules it does not come home:)

A great casting that I will continue to buy

Please use some realistic colors Mattel!

I quite like this casting for a generic as it reminds me a bit of a Land Cruiser.

Love this casting and goes nicely with the 1st release in blue...hoping for White next:)

Not to my liking but it is a new casting so into the collection it goes...but I will not be adding another one.

Found this wheel variation but under my new rules it does not come home:)

Now let's show you the new 5 packs I picked up....mainly due to one casting in each pack has a new MAN# due to a modification. But in all actuality, I quite like the models and decos in these two first releases for 2015.