Matchbox

I saw the post over at 2 Warps to Neptune about the Matchbox series known as Adventure 2000. I have three of the ones he pictured, as well as a carry case featuring one of them. But mine all predate the 1977 date he gave – I get the feeling Matchbox grabbed a few earlier vehicles which had the right look and repackaged/rebranded them later on to fit in with the new line.

First, my 1976 case, which features the Planet Scout vehicle in the artwork (upper right):

Yes, if you’re wondering, that is indeed a Jaws 2 sticker. Because why not?:

And now the vehicles. They made them in more than green:

The Hovercraft, 1972. Plastic bottom, not die-cast:

The Planet Scout, 1975:

The Cosmobile, 1975:

In keeping with my effort to update more often, I’ll start today with this – the Matchbox Construction Site playset. I remember my grandmother buying this for me at a garage sale in the late 70s; I got a matching city playset at the same place. I believe she paid a dollar each for them.

According to the only markings, it was licensed from Matchbox/Lesney by Sears, and made in 1973.

It came in handy suitcase form, and is made mostly of that wonderful mainstay of 1970s playsets, vinyl-encased cardboard.

It folds out like a boss, although some of the cardboard has become a little warped over 40 years. There are also vacu-formed plastic pieces riveted on in places to add contour.

Basically, this is where the Duke boys drove around and jumped over things to evade Roscoe and Enos in my world. As far as I can tell, the only removable part is the one section of elevated roadway, so my set is intact, if not a little on the Dali-esque side…