Matchbox 2000 Time Capsule of the Day

Just like the Jeep Grand Cherokee spawned two different versions, one for the mainline and the other for the collectibles series, this F-350 dually did the same thing and it helps that this version shares the same details as the larger 1:24 scale version (in a 1:18 scale box just to give an idea the size of the casting), so essentially this is the scaled down version of the 1:24 scale F-350.  On top of that there was also another F-350 casting in the Collectibles series that was a chassis cab featuring a KME fire pumper apparatus in the back.  With the exception of no opening doors, separate chassis components, and steerable front wheels this 1:64 is just as good as its larger counterpart.  The front has a detailed grille with detailed headlight graphics, the sides feature running boards, badging, and even the large twin post tow mirrors, and the rear has detailed taillights and an opening tailgate to access the large cargo box.  The interior is trimmed in blu...

For years now Matchbox has presented a lineup of models geared toward collectors with the Ultra series leading into the Premiere series and since then has convinced Hot Wheels, Johnny Lighting, and Racing Champions to cash in on the collector craze.  For year 2000 the Premiere series becomes exclusive to mostly Coke products as Matchbox creates a brand new set, the Matchbox Collectibles by Motor Trend magazine that features brand new tooling with opening doors/hood/trunk, metal base, and rubber tires.  The series got off to a good start, but after a while retailers started to stop replenishing the series so the later releases were difficult to find and eventually the series was discontinued by years end and most of these castings never got a second chance on life.  Still it was a pretty amazing setup that still looks good even today.  Starting this brief look into the series is this 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV, a totally different casting from the 1-100 relea...

The final vehicle in my time capsule of the Matchbox Collectibles series was the 2000 Chevy Suburban and just like the first two this is vastly different from the 1-100 mainline counterpart.  For starters the interior, with opening front doors, has only two rows of seats as the third row is removed to allow for the fire equipment to be visible and detailed here.  Also the dashboard with black trim accents adds radio and light controls to the center console just below the V-shaped light bar on the roof with added detailing.  The base is metal and features the same drivetrain layout and V8 power found in the mainline Suburban, though without the trailer hitch, and the rubber tires ride on the same steel wheels found on the Impala (all in gray this time).  The front grille is a separate chrome piece with detailed headlights and signal lights, a body-colored split bar grille, and push bumpers with emergency flashers.  The sides have City of Miami fire decals ...

Another different from the 1-100 mainline casting is this 2000 Chevy Impala police car wearing the famed NYPD deco on the sides of this police car.  This casting, along with the metal base and black steel wheels with chrome center cap and rubber tires, adds exterior mirrors with integrated spot lights and an opening rear trunk that shows off some detailed police gear.  The front looks more detailed with detailed headlight reflectors, black grille, and front push bumpers with emergency flashers between them, while the sides have detailed window trim and a V-shaped light bar with a few more detail touches.  The rear also looks more complete than the mainline with the detailed taillight bar and the base has no painted detail even though it shares the same powertrain layout as the mainline casting.  The interior features the same layout as the mainline but with detailed dark gray dashboard, light gray seats, black speed radar equipment on the dashboard and the lap...

I always had an interest for the Expedition when it came out in 1999 that I also looked into other versions such as the Premiere edition First Shots set in blue and raw metal and of course the Avon 2-pack, but this version was a questionable release for me as to why I got this one back then.  It shares the same yellow as the 1999 1-100 release Coca-Cola badges and polar bears that look appropriate to the brand does not have the classy appeal as in other models, and then there’s use of chrome wheels that looks rather odd for this casting even though it does have rubber tires.  Still, you do get a more detailed front grille and the rear ribbed taillights also get a touch of red, though the interior does not offer any additional details and that huge pumpkin for the front differential on the base still impacts the way the suspension works on this SUV.  The Expedition SUV has some nice detail potential, but was ruined by a questionable and overly done deco. 1998 Fo...

There are a few things to consider for this next vehicle: one, the classic Coca-Cola deco looks great here with a two-tone white and mint that perfectly matches the VW Bus bodylines and a classic Coca-Cola advertisement across the sides.  Two, don’t leave your blisterpacks out in direct sunlight or yellowing like this would occur (and I don’t recall having this truck out near sunlight), and three these cars are best out of package thanks to the stupid clear rubber bands that damage the paint if left on the body and in the case of these Matchbox packages back then the bands would break loose and set the vehicle free in the package.  It was nice to see the first adaptation of the Premiere details on the 1967 VW Transporter bus after its initial 1-100 release in 1999 and adds detailed headlights, taillights, chrome trim, and red to the retracted sunroof fabric.  Even the chrome spoke wheels with rubber tires seem to fit here (Matchbox would tool up a new VW hubcap for...