3/1/20 65/100 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee is a very popular SUV for Jeep and for Matchbox to make the second-generation is a nice touch, especially when you can have three different versions of the same casting.  The first of them was a premiere edition version with opening doors and rubber tires, while the second was the regular line casting shown here without the raft on the roof; both will be looked at later on.  The regular line got this silver Jeep with only Jeep on the hood, Grand Cherokee on the doors, a side pinstripe, and red taillights at the rear and is joined by a red raft on the roof.  This is smaller than the one that requires a trailer introduced last year and has seats, rope, life vests, and a rear propeller motor that tends to block access to the rear hatch.  The casting looks nicely done as it captures the rounded look of the second-generation perfectly along with detailed front grille, exterior mirrors, and front and rear bumpers that are part of the plastic base and gives it the Laredo look.  The interior has seating for five with 4-spoke steering wheel, shifter on the console, though the dashboard lacks any further details and for the early versions the Matchbox 2000 logo appears on the rear window just behind the raft propeller.  The base is detailed to show the drivetrain and it offers a working suspension that may offer great wheel articulation, yet in turn creates more body roll.  The casting has many uses over the years with the raft mostly on the roof (and shared with the F-350 raft truck in 2001) and later versions without the raft.  The return in the 2016 Jeep series in orange was a nice touch and the working suspension has been eliminated to allow more room for larger wheels.  It’s still a great casting!

Specifications:

· Engine: 4.7L SOHC V8 250 hp.

· Transmission: 4-speed automatic

· 0-60 mph: 9.0 sec. est.

· Real vehicle price: #30,000 est. 1999

Rating:  5 out of 5 stars