This Meyers Manx features metallic gold paint and a black Manx symbol and flames on the hood. It had a smoked windshield, tan interior, unpainted metal base, and rolls on chrome-rimmed grey CM5 wheels.
This release has several paint and wheel variants.
This initial release of the Audi R8 is metallic light blue with front and rear detailing. It has smoked windows, a black interior, and a dark grey plastic base with split 10SP wheels.
It was released as part of the MBX Metal series. This year also saw a silver variant.
This initial release of the Audio R8 is metallic silver with front and rear detailing. It has smoked windows, a black interior, and a dark grey plastic base with split 10SP wheels.
This year also saw a light blue variant.
This casting of a VW Microbus is released by Tomica in Japan. It features an opening side door and an impressive level of detail. Because of its Japanese origins, the steering wheel is on the right.
This 1977 release is red with a white roof and door. I found this example buried in the bottom of a rummage sale box. The top sill of the door had broken, but I was able to repair it with super glue.
The 80’s were probably the glory days of monster trucks – they just don’t seem to have the same draw anymore. Naturally, anything that attracts a lot of attention is marketable, so Matchbox secured the rights and released the Super Chargers line of monster trucks, including this one styled after the USA-1, a Chevrolet trucks that famously joined Bigfoot for the first televised monster truck event.
The USA-1 features white paint with red stripes, orange star, and blue “USA-1” lettering on the side. The hood wears a blue starred banner with red stripes. Solid black windows and a black roll cage complete the look. It rolls on giant Goodyear tires.
This vehicle line was marketed as “Super Trucks” internationally.
This release was available from 1975-1980 so I’m not sure exactly what specific year it is. White with frosted windows and an orange interior. On the roof is an orange beacon under a clear dome. The side features an orange stripe with POLICE in black. It rides on an unpainted metal base with Maltese Cross wheels. The beacon spins as it rolls.
Released during the 1980s, this Jeep Cherokee has been fitted with a raised roof and extended back for all-terrain ambulance duty. It features rear doors that open to reveal a detailed interior including a stretcher-bound patient under a blanket.
I have a white version that I picked up as a child. It’s painted white and is accented with blue hood graphics and side strips surrounding the word “Ambulance”.
In 1983, the A-Team was a big hit on TV. The opportunity for merchandising was there, and Ertl secured the rights and produced all sorts of products that every kid wanted. Among them was this diecast replica of the show’s star vehicle, a tank disguised as a black custom van. At least, I always thought it was more tank – it certainly had a lot of tricks up its sleeves.
The black A-Team van sports a red side strips with “The A-Team” lettering. Fog lights line the front of the roof while a red spoiler adorns the rear. Brush guards protect the front bumper and tinted windows mask the interior.
