KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

I still have the very first car I ever owned. How that is possible is somewhat of a miracle. Considering my childhood, my moves, my parent's moves and then also going through our own seven children.

The first car I ever purchased was a "Matchbox" car for 49¢ sometime in the mid fifties. Hard to believe, but it took me a long time to save up 49¢ back in the day, we never got an allowance. And I still have it! I'm pretty sure it's not still in the original color.

Since all the antique car shows in our area have been cancelled for this year, I'll have to settle for one of my own & I thought I'd share it with you.

Matchbox cars started in England by Lesney in 1953 with a scale of 1:64. At first they were all metal, including the wheels, and I have a few of those. I'm sure some of you still have some of those cars & trucks that you've collected over the years. The company was finally bought by Mattel (Hot Wheels) in 1997.

So, today some Matchbox cars. Trucks later. Hope you enjoy the memories.

Ford Zodiac Convertible, No 39 (my very first car, 49¢)

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1959 Ford Station Wagon, No 31 & Meteor Sportsman Mk II, No 48

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Jaguar Mk 10, No 28

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Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, No 44

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Cadillac, No 76

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Not sure what this one is, it's really well worn & used. Maybe some of you Brits can help me out.

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56HotRod Loc: Littleton CO

Very nice collection. I don't have any from my youth, but I do remember buying them back in the mid 60s. I've started putting together a small collection ov Hot Wheels myself. Thanks for sharing.

frankie c Loc: Lake Havasu CIty, AZ

totally excellent.. Thank you for sharing. A wonderful trip back to the olden days :) Have a great day.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I had match box cars and trucks when I was growing up but they are long gone now. I have a ten year old grandson who loves Hot Wheels. He has well over a hundred. I gave him a fifty anniversary blue and gold set of five or six cars. His dad won't let him play with them at all and they are still in the box. Just name it in Hot Wheels and he probably has it

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Interesting story and pix
Thanks much

BB4A

👍

My Uncle worked for Lesney, so I was lucky enough to receive many of the 1960’s products... and stupid enough not to have collected them.

Good to see you have the typical London Gangsters Jag... it’s riding a bit low at the back because of the two bodies in the boot... “Just on my way to my pig farm, Officer”. 😎

Not sure about the other one; looks a little “Morris Oxford / Austin Cambridge”? I will do a little digging...

BB4A

Found it. And, I was wrong (I often am). It’s a 22A Vauxhall Cresta, Issued 1956. Here’s a link to an example, perhaps in slightly better condition? 😉

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233191731543?

KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

Thanks for the info. I figured someone would know.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Brought back memories of my youth. Gave all the ones I had away to relatives kids

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

Matchbook cars and baseball cards...sigh. I could have a nice '63 XKE had I saved that stuff !

RSPB Loc: New York

Wow, those are VERY well used. We have probably 50 or more of them on the train layout - most in much better shape. The really beat up ones are parked in the hobo village. If it's a Matchbox the car is ID'd on the bottom- year, make and model.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

I had an almost complete set of military Dinky Toys. Still kick myself for giving them away.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Wonderful memories! Last one looks like a Morris Mini.

BB4A

Definitely the Vauxhall Cresta. Here’s a slightly larger one (so you can see the detail better, not my pic) 😉: