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Rare Matchbox Cars With Doors That Flip

It is hard to imagine that a toy car that fits in the palm of your hand could garner an asking price of $1,000 or more, but that is exactly the case for rare Matchbox cars. Collectors and dealers alike will pay top dollar for the most sought-after replicas of classic cars. The cars that bring in the highest prices are typically limited edition models or those with a special feature, such as working doors or hoods.

Matchbox Basics
- Introduced in the 1950s, Matchbox cars quickly became a common toy in many households. At the time, these small car replicas sold for around 49 cents. Today, Matchbox is owned by Mattel, and the cars cost about a dollar a piece. It is the rarest models that can bring in as much as $9,000. Mattel's models number around 100 a year currently, but in the heyday of the miniature Matchbox phenomenon, more Matchbox cars were die-cast in a year than real automobiles produced internationally.
Opening Doors
- Matchbox cars are known for their uncanny resemblance to life-sized automobile models, as well as their attention to detail. Some of the classic car replicas produced in the 1960s contain hoods and doors that flip open. These models are rare and typically bring in a higher asking price than those without opening doors. Today̵7;s Matchbox cars do not contain such features.
Rare Models
- First cast in 1968, the sapphire blue Iso Grifo features doors that flip open, but the model was recast in 1988. The ̵7;68 sapphire blue model is the rarest, bringing in a higher asking price. Similarly, the Mercury Cougar commuter station wagon with opening doors, created the same year, is ultra-rare if you find the car in a cream color, and holds an asking price of over $1,000. Known for its life-like similarity to the real-life version, the Matchbox Lamborghini Miura also has working doors. You can find this car in bright yellow, but it is the metallic gold version that will go for 20 times the price of the yellow Miura.
Considerations
- The value of a Matchbox car is determined largely by condition, which can be subjective. If you find one of these rare models, it will bring in top dollar if it is in mint condition, meaning it is in the original packaging and has never been used. Near-mint condition Matchbox cars will bring in less money, but typically have a small or slight imperfection. Even rare cars that are in poor condition are not worth much. Sellers usually ask for top dollar, which may not reflect the actual value of the car, so shop and compare.

Collecting Vintage Toys