Report Pulled from Lamley's
Ambassador’s Report July 22nd, 2015
By: Larry Scaduto
INTRODUCTION
Good day to everyone! This report is the one you have been waiting for!
We all get to see the new product for the rest of this year and into the
following year. 2015 has been a year of change! There’s a new Matchbox
Team in place, although the faces may have changed, the desire to
improve the brand has never been more of a priority than it is today.
Dave Weise, Michael Heralda and the rest of the gang set the wheels in
motion to put Matchbox back on track. Gerry Cody and his team will keep
going what these fine gentlemen started. 2016 models are already
selected and 2017 is now the focus with collectors in mind. The proof of
this is in the desire of Matchbox to listen to our ideas. The results
of the Collector’s Poll are in this report. These are the models voters
decided they would like to see made and the candidates will be posted in
the War Room for consideration. Well I’ve talked enough for now. Onto the Gathering Report. Thank you for reading…..Larry (Ambassador #10)
2015 Matchbox Gathering Report
(Matchbox Dinner Presentation)
2015 & 2016 are looking great by what I’ve seen and heard. Not only
did the dinner presentation provide us with a lot of information, but
the seminar before that hosted by the Matchbox Team was an informal
meeting of the minds that revealed even more information! Let’s jump
right in shall we???? Matchbox is now under a new umbrella (or group)
that is called The Toy Box! What that means to us is that we are
no longer associated with the blue brand and that will give us freedom
to pursue just about any model we wish without approval from them. Now
it’s up to Mattel to let MBX accomplish this without restrictions. Are
you listening Mattel??? To start out in mid-August there will be an
exclusive Jeep Collection available at Wal-Mart. These models will have realistic decos and a picture blister card. The Power Grabs
will be changing for next year. They will no longer be the blind bag
assortment of 24 models. Now they will be a complete collection of all
125 models from the 2016 Basic Lineup. The big difference is that the
models will be in collector’s inspired picture boxes with a counter
display that will make this series easy to place in areas other than the
toy isle. I’m impressed!!! 2016 will feature 25 new tools. Also in
spring of 2016 there is a new premium series called Best of the World that
will feature 10 models such as the Cadillac One, Austin Mini Van, Dodge
A100, Routemaster Bus, and the Fox Body Mustang. This series will
feature 2-part wheels, premium decos, and a collector’s box. And another
series is coming in 2016 for the 75th Anniversary of the Jeep
brand that will feature collector’s boxes if my memory serves me
correctly. For 2016…..(8) 5-Packs, (9) 9/10-Packs, (6) Sky Buster
Mission Force Sets, and 5 new toolings for the Sky Busters Range: A new Bat Plane, Honda Jet, Speed Seaplane, Heavy Metal Bomber, and a Multi Rotor Devise.
Gathering Models
2015 Gathering Dinner Models
’75 Mack CF Pumper
1
st 75 models (without roof tampo) 2
nd 125 models (with roof tampo)
If you were one of the first 75 to register and pay for your dinner you
would get the Mack CF Pumper without roof tampo upon entry to the
dinner/charity auction. The remaining 125 with roof tampo were sold to
anyone else that paid for their dinner after the first 75 registrants.
As you can see this model is exceptionally well done.
Next up is the 2015 Gathering Dealer Model…. It is the Ford Bronco 4x4 in purple with the Gathering logo on each side of the model. The hood reads 13th International Collector Gathering. This
model was sold to the dealers who purchased tables at the toy show on
Sunday. A big Thank you goes out to Jim Gallegos for getting these
models made for the event.
2015 Gathering Dealer Model
Ford Bronco 4x4
2015 Models
2014 Jeep Cherokee
2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe
(MB965) Attack Track
Cadillac One Limo
2015 Ford F-150 Contractor’s Truck
Airport Fire Truck Hardnoze
All Terrain Moto Tractor
(MB926) Sea Spy
2016 Models
Wow…where do I start??? It looks like there is going to be at least 25
new castings for 2016 with at least 11 being licensed. I’ve pictured all
the models that were at the Gathering and at the end I’m featuring a
poster that was handed out by the team. There are pictures of other
vehicles that are being made as well. The models pictured below are
early mockups and are subject to change when released. Here is the list
of models to be released in 2016 that are not pictured here in this
report:
1971 Nissan Skyline 2000 GTX
2015 Dodge Ram Police Truck
2015 Volvo V60 Wagon w/carrier
4 Seater ATV
All images and articles are presented here with the consent and permission of Mattel and the Matchbox Team.
Amphibious Vehicle
3 Axle Explorer
1968 Mustang (Mud Stang)
1990 VW Crew Cab Transporter
2015 Chevy Corvette Police Car
Airport Bus
Big Rig Wrecker
2015 Chrysler 300
Coast Guard Helicopter
Freightliner Fire Engine
Double Wheeled Tractor
2015 Mazda Miata
Heavy Freighter Locomotive Train (more train cars to follow)
Range Rover Evoque (might still be issued late in 2015, but 2016 release could be a possibility)
2014 Ford Transit News Van
X-Ray Truck
Horizontal Excavator
Yacht (with separate clear wave stand)
Ice Vehicle
Side Tipping Dump Truck
Off Road Camper
Zamboni Ice Machine
Models We Would Love To See Made
(One Last Time)
Patriot Fire Truck (sent by a fellow collector – Awesome!!!)
Here is something never tried before. The Matchbox Team can be contacted
directly through Instagram. Download the app and type in: @matchboxworld and then click on follow. This will be a new look into the Matchbox Team and the design process, “a day in the life”
so to speak. This is a great chance for the collector community to get a
behind the scenes look at our brand, see new products & ideas, and
it will be a place to ask questions. Thank you for the opportunity to
get us involved!!!
(2016 poster handed out by the Matchbox Team)
DINNER PRESENTATION PICS
10TH AMBASSADOR’S BUS
PREPRODUCTIONS WON AT THE GATHERING
(MB846) Dodge Charger Pursuit (won by my wife, Gina)
(MB679) 2005 Ambulance
(MB882) All Terrain Crane
(MB914) Ground Grabber
(MB918) Drill Digger
Another PrePro added to the Collection….
TV News Truck (with brown antenna & news camera)
PREPRODUCTION CASE
Over the past year I’ve been showing you a selection of preproductions
that are big part of my collection. You may be asking yourself…..where
do I keep them all? Here is the Matchbox Collectables Case that houses a
portion of my collection of PrePro’s. They say being in the right place
at the right time sometimes pays off. I was at a cheese shop in the
Wisconsin Dells last year and I remembered this place used to carry the Matchbox Collectables Line
some years back. So I went up to the owner of the shop and inquired
about the case that I last saw several years back. She said that the
case was in the basement not being used any longer. So I asked if it was
for sale and if so how much! After she placed a call to who I believe
was her son, she came back and said I can have it for $250. I thought
about it and came back the next morning to pick it up. So here it is
below….
WHAT’S NEW – BATCH G
MB57 Ford Superlift F-350 MB66 Blaze Blitzer
MB3 2013 Ford Cargo MB56 Spark Arrester
MB16 1966 Dodge A100 MB68 International MXT-MVA
MB111 Travel Tracker MB91 Terrainiac
MB36 Ground Breaker MB34 Trail Tipper
MB53 BMW M5 Police MB86 Volkswagen Saveiro
2017 COLLECTOR’S CHOICE POLL
(Click on the link and then minimize it to view the poll. Just for fun)
Well….here is the results of the 2017 Collector’s Choice Poll!!!
The response to this poll was very good with just under 100 voters.
Thank you all who participated. As you will see, the final selections
reflect a wide variety of vehicles new and old. The theme to keep in
mind when selecting was to be Exploration & Explore your World. Let
me just say that idea went right out the window when the final tally
was realized!!!! Themes can be very restrictive and I truly believe that
in the end, it’s the models that matter the most. You will see as I
count down the top 20, there are some awesome selections for Matchbox to
honestly consider for 2017 and beyond. Thank you Gerry Cody for asking
us for our input.
20. 2012 Volvo S60 Polest
19. 1953 Studebaker Starliner
18. 1973 Lamborghini Jarma
17. 1960 Chevy El Camino
16. 2015 Chevy Tahoe
15. 1954 Hudson Hornet
14. Airstream Trailer
13. 1948 Tucker Torpedo
12. BMW i8
11. 2015 Ford Mustang
10. 2014 Jaguar F-Type
(Wish Granted) (2015 Release)
9. Mazda Miata MX-5
(Wish Granted) (2016 Release)
8. 1962 Divco Delivery Van
7. Ford Capri II Turbo
6. 2016 Ford Transit
(Wish Granted) (2016 Release)
5. 2016 Ford GT
4. 1958 Ford Edsel Corsair
3. 1954 Wills Jeep Wagon
2. 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL
1. 1967 MGB GT
Models Most Requested that were not on my List
2016 Alfa Romero Giulia QV Alvis Stalwart
Leyland Site Hut Truck International Ambulance
2017 Collector’s Choice Poll (by the numbers)
- 1967 MGB GT
- 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL
- 1954 Willys Jeep Sedan Delivery
- 1958 Ford Edsel Corsair
- 2016 Ford GT
- 2016 Ford Transit
- Ford Capri II Turbo
- 1962 Divco Delivery Van
- Mazda Miata MX-5
- 2013 Jaguar F-Type
- 2015 Ford Mustang
- BMW i8
- 1948 Tucker Torpedo
- Airstream Trailer
- 1954 Hudson Hornet
- 2015 Chevy Tahoe
- 1960 Chevy El Camino
- 1973 Lamborghini Jarma
- 1953 Studebaker Starliner
- 2012 Volvo S60 Polest
Miscellaneous
Everett Marshall Charities 10th Annual Tournament
1975 Mack CF Pumper
Remaining 2015 Batch Release Schedule
Batch H
Urban Tow Truck – Mound Mover – Ground Grinder – Toyota Tacoma Life
Guard – Deep Diver – 2012 Ford Explorer Police – 2010 Ford F-150 Raptor
SVT
Batch J
69’ Cadillac Sedan DeVille, - Ground Grabber – Dodge Charger Pursuit –
Desert Thunder V16 – BMW R1200 GS – Jeep Hurricane Concept
Batch K
Gator Raider – Garbage Gulper – 2015 Ford F-150 Contractor Truck – Trail
Tracker Beach Rescue – Dodge Charger Pursuit – Ford F-350 Ambulance –
All Terrain Moto Tractor – MBX Prospector – 4x4 Scrambulance – Sea Spy
Batch L
Cadillac One – Aston Martin Volante – Scholar Hauler – Pit King – Road
Roller – Baja Bullet – Airport Fire Truck Hardnoze – Vantom – Torque
Titan
Batch M
International Armored Car – Seed Shaker – Acre Maker – Attack Track –
Blaze Blaster – Lamborghini Gallardo Police – Road Raider – Jeep Willys
4x4 Pickup – ATV 6x6 – VW Beetle 4x4 – MBX 4x4
For Collectors worldwide….check out this website!!!!!
hobbyDB,
www.hobbydb.com, is a new site for collectors that aims to combine everything you need to build and maintain your collection.
First off, it’s an information database for cataloguing collectibles
(one which any user can edit or add to, just like Wikipedia). It was
designed to cover all the most important data points for different
collectible types. For Matchbox, that means when you create an entry for
a car, you can record the baseplate material and color, wheel type,
window tint color etc. And everything is interlinked, so you can see
with one click which models had gray plastic wheels and which had black.
Variants are also linked to each other so they appear on each other’s’
pages, making it equally easy to see how many different versions of a
model were made.
Page on the Romping Rabbit
As well as cataloguing individual products, there are also pages on
subjects like Matchbox itself or the Superfast series or designers and
personalities like Jack Odell – with all the items related to them also
linked, so you can browse and discover what’s out there.
The page on Matchbox already shows 4,700 models and other products
On top of the catalog, however, there’s also a collection management
system. If you’re tired of losing track of what you do and don’t have
and find keeping written records or Excel spreadsheets time-consuming,
you can easily and quickly keep tabs on what you have by finding it in
our catalog and clicking the “Add to collection” button. You can quickly
fill in some useful details like price paid, condition and where you
store it, upload a picture and click save. Handy for events when you’re
not sure if the Pontiac Firebird you have is in better or worse
condition than the one you’re thinking about buying – just grab your
phone, surf to hobbyDB and look yours up! You can also add items to your
wishlist to keep track of what you need to find.
Lastly, you can also use hobbyDB to buy and sell. If your collecting
interests change, just go into your collection, find the items you want
to list for sale, click the “Sell” button and enter a price. Hit save
and it’s up for sale. As soon as anyone buys it, it automatically moves
to their collection too and hit the button. If you have stuff you just
want to sell you can also list it straight from the item page by
clicking the Sell button there without adding it to your collection
first too. Pretty soon you’ll get an email alert whenever anything on
your wishlist comes up for sale, so you don’t miss it!
The site is live, but Andrew (known from the forums as Baskingshark),
Christian, Ron and the others are still working on lots of coming
features (almost all of which have been suggested by other collectors).
They had lots of great people helping with this project including
Charlie Mack, Christian Falkensteiner and Jim Gallegos & love
feedback so please check it out and let them know your thoughts and
ideas at
team@hobbydb.com!
Farewell and Thank You
Well we have arrived at my last Ambassador’s Report. This year has gone
by fast!!! It seems like only yesterday I was introducing myself and now
I’m saying goodbye. To say a lot has changed with regards to the design
team would be an understatement!!! They say change is inevitable, but I
wish it would not have happened on my watch (as they say). But I have
forged a good friendship with David & Michael and now Gerry that
extends past this wonderful hobby and that is more important to me
personally. I set some personal goals when I first became ambassador and
I felt I have achieved them! I said I would be accessible and
approachable and I held true to my word. I know these reports could have
only been a few pages long and just about the new models, but I had the
attention of the Matchbox Team and I wanted to show them just what
makes us crazy collectors so passionate (and sometimes frustrated) with
regards to this hobby. There is a legacy to live up to and a wonderful
history behind Matchbox collecting that I wanted to show them and the
newer collectors reading these reports. So our new ambassador for
2015-2016 is Dirk Schleuer. I congratulate him on becoming the newest
person to bring you the information from Matchbox. I just met the man
this weekend and I’ve heard a lot of good things about him and wish him
luck and good fortune. It has been an honor to serve as Matchbox
Ambassador and represent the collector’s community. Thank you to all who
wrote to me and sent in stories and pictures. A big Thank You goes out
to Chuck Wiersma (Our 6th Ambassador) for his wonderful and
in debt articles about gift sets and models from the past. I end this
report with a collection of pictures from the gathering. Take care and
thank you……. It’s been a blast!!!!
Larry Scaduto
(Your 10th Ambassador)
Gathering Pics
(Friday Night Meet N Greet)
(Dinner Pics)
Gathering Pics
First Responders Display
