2/6/20 41/100 Matchbox Classic Car Transporter

For both Matchbox and Hot Wheels in 2000 they have finally discovered flatbed tow trucks, a new emerging trend that allows partially or permanently disable vehicles to be towed away, or vehicles to be transported without the added mileage to the odometer.  While Hot Wheels went for a futuristic-looking flatbed truck, Matchbox went for a more contemporary truck likely based on the Isuzu Elf line of trucks at the time which is a line of small cabover trucks sold worldwide under different brands.  The cab, though generic, looks a lot like the Elf and is nicely done with silver bumper, quad headlights, smooth cab with large windshield, and even an interior.  The transporter adds roof lights in blue, Viper RT/10 on the doors, and a metal base that allows this chassis cab to add another version called the Delivery Box Truck (more on that later on).  Now for the downside: the flatbed, which is plastic and uses a sliding tray to allow the flatbed to adjust and even create a loading ramp to load and unload the vehicles.  Problem is that design resulted in a dumbfound folded V-section at the front that does not lay flat when stretched.  Not a good idea.  Matchbox did fix this issue with a new flatbed design in 2006 that uses a sliding black tray that joins the floor below it to create a flatbed and the whole unit tilts up to load a vehicle.  Better yet, the new flatbed truck in the Matchbox line for 2018 just uses a blue sliding ramp that tilts at the end and uses the base below the ramp to create a longer flatbed.  Again simplicity should’ve been thought of when this flatbed was created back in 2000, but otherwise it’s a very nice model.

Specifications:

· Engine: 4.8L turbodiesel I-4 100 hp. Est.

· Transmission: 8-speed manual est.

· 0-60 mph: 18.0 sec. est.

· Real vehicle price: #50,000 est. 1999

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars