5/5/20 Matchbox Collectibles 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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 release not only because of the lack of a raft on the roof but also it has opening front doors, metal base, front and rear bumpers that are part of the metal body and thus can create the monotone look of the Limited trim level, and the correct 5-spoke wheels found on the real SUV with rubber tires though the tires are narrower here.  The front has the detailed grille, headlight reflectors, and foglights, while the sides have detailed black window trim, gold trim accents, and Grand Cherokee badges on the front doors.  The rear has detailed taillights, liftgate trim, and a 4x4 license plate, while the metal base does not have any painted details, but does have a black metal finish and the same drivetrain layout as the 1-100 casting.  The doors open to a tan interior with seating for five and black trim to the dashboard and center console close to the shift levers, and while it does not have a working suspension the Grand Cherokee handles and performs just as well as the 1-100 mainline casting.  This is undoubtfully one of my favorite castings of the Matchbox Collectibles 2000 line.

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