New matchbox car that will be worth thousands

Australians could be sitting on a small goldmine of Matchbox treasures. See how you could turn your collection into thousands of dollars.

They are a childhood rite of passage often passed down from father to son.

Australians could be sitting on a small goldmine of treasures in the form of tiny diecast model vehicles worth “hundreds, even thousands” of dollars.

Matchbox cars are a prized collectors item, with some listings on eBay asking up to $4000.

For some Aussies, onselling their collection could help offset rising cost of living pressures.

Some listings on eBay for rare Matchbox cars are asking up to $4000. Picture: Supplied

While another listing on eBay for a vintage VW Golf Matchbox car. is asking $1650. Picture: Supplied

Toy collectable expert David Ruda, of David Marshall Toys, said Matchbox was one of the strongest collecting areas, with many ranges still in demand today.

“The early ones, you can pay many hundreds or perhaps even thousands for,” Mr Ruda.

“One of the first models they brought out was the London Bus MB5. It was quite small, about 55mm long, that is now very collectable. For some reason it was made a bit bigger but the little ones would be about $200-plus.

“Those with stickers of petrol names, like the ESSO MB11 ERF tanker can go for $400-plus depending on condition.”

Here is a an example of some of the new 70th anniversary range of Matchbox Cars. Picture: Supplied/David Chickering

The potential goldmine Aussies are sitting on comes as the iconic brand celebrates its 70th anniversary with the release of a limited-edition silver collection.

There will seven different assortments featuring collector favourites as well as iconic vehicles from across its seven decades of production.

Comment below on what items you like collecting

Matchbox senior design manager Julian Payne said British classics, such as the Mini Cooper with a Union Jack, would feature among the collection as a nod the heritage of the brand.

He said the company created about 50 brand new designs a year, each taking about 18 months to design, make and ship to retailers.

Matchbox senior design manager Julian Payne, who has worked with Mattel for more than 25 years, reveals his insights about Matchbox's longstanding legacy. Picture: Supplied/Teri Weber

Mr Payne believed the key to its success was being a toy you could buy with pocket money and take anywhere, from the car to the bus or the grandparents house.

He said some of his favourite designs he worked on included the Sky Busters Robinson R44, as well as the Land Rover LR4, which had seats that could fold down.

WHAT MAKES MATCHBOX ‘VERY COLLECTABLE’?

Mr Ruda said the attraction for collecting Matchbox was driven by “people buying memories”.

“They’re buying something that gave them great pleasure as a kid. People (also) collect the cars they’ve had through their lives. And those who own the more exotic cars, they will collect them not only in their garage but on the mantelpiece,” he said.

He said the early Matchbox 1-75 models were “very collectable”, as were the release of Australian makes – Ford and Holden.

“Where you might have bought them for $2, they might be worth $20 now,” he said.

Matchbox is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Picture: Supplied

Matchbox was born in 1953 by English engineer Jack Odell, a vehicle mechanic for the British Army in World War II.

“The play value doesn’t really get old,” Mr Payne said. “Whether or not your can get on your knees and play with it or just admire it and put it on show – there’s something for everybody.”

Macquarie University Professor Melissa Norberg, who is an expert in behavioural therapy, said there were a multitude of reasons why people collected things, from toy cars, to spoons or grocery shop check-out freebies.

“Maybe they’re free, maybe there is a perceived valued in others also doing it. Potentially their collection is incomplete and they want to finish it,” Prof Norberg said.

“People are motivated to collect items because owning and displaying collections makes them feel good. An incomplete set can feel imperfect, which people may believe prevents their ability to appreciate and enjoy what they do have. Our objects are often perceived to say something about ourselves. Thus, a completed set can help us to feel good about ourselves. The set looks nice and makes us feel accomplished.”

She said there was also a monetary value attributed to the collection, in that they’ve forked out whatever they have for each piece, that they might be willing to spend extra to complete it.

Matchbox’s new 70th anniversary range will be available at Big W.

Originally published as New matchbox car that will be worth thousands