Okay, I admit it. I REALLY like to play with my son when he plays with his toys. It's part of the reason I wanted a son in the first place, I think. He has a small box full of Matchbox, Hot Wheels, and a few other brands that I picked up in good condition at yard sales and flea markets He has his favorites (mostly trucks with larger wheels and his Lightning McQueen stuff), but seems to enjoy the quantity.
Here are my ten favorites in his box, in no particular order.
1. Matchbox Superfast Dump Truck #58 FAUN. 1976.
He's got two of these. Nice large bed, solid construction, just an overall good design for a dump truck. The bed practically stands vertical when dumping.
2. Matchbox Superfast Green Planet Scout #59
Another fun design from Matchbox. Good solid car, and I have always enjoyed space and sci-fi themes.
3. Maisto GI Joe Jeep.
I've never been big on Maisto cars - their larger stuff is better, but the Hot Wheels-sized vehicles tend to look good but have poor quality. Their GI Joe collection is a little bit better made. The wheels have a little "give" to them, and though it does not roll all that well, it's a fun, authentic design.
4. Hot Wheels Baja Breaker van - 1978.
I had a green one as a kid, and found this to be my favorite diecast van design. High wheels, a hood that opens, and an overall fun design. I just picked up a later orange one at a flea market.
5. Ertl Ford F-350 Service Truck.
Just a fun truck with solid construction by ERTL. There are not too many like this one out there, particularly in details.
6. Matchbox Ruff Trek - 1983
A modified Subaru pickup. A tan truck which was actually one of my favorites as a kid as well. Lots of nifty details.
7. Hot Wheels Torino Stocker - 1982 "The Hot Ones."
Another one I found in mint condition at a flea market. Good, clean lines and fun paint.
8. Majorette Explorateur
It's missing a cover, but Majorette made some quality, well-built cars in the past. This is a neat safari off-roader with some guys in the back and some nice detail.
9. Matchbox Rolomatics Badger - 1976.
A hefty little truck with a rotating satellite dish. Matchbox tended to make broader vehicles than Hot Wheels, and this one came out nice.
10. Majorette Jeep Grand Cherokee
Another solid nice off-roader from Majorette. The tailgate also opens up with some sort of critter in the back.
BONUS 11: Matchbox Convoy NASA Peterbilt Tracking Vehicle
I'd get in trouble if I started hanging on to some of the NASA diecast stuff I come across, but I hung onto this one. A fun tracking trailer and truck. Matchbox made several nifty vehicles with NASA themes in the 1980s, when Space Shuttles were still cool.
Anyway, there it is - my son loves cars, and it has created a little more of an enjoyment that I had as well.
Here are my ten favorites in his box, in no particular order.
1. Matchbox Superfast Dump Truck #58 FAUN. 1976.
2. Matchbox Superfast Green Planet Scout #59
3. Maisto GI Joe Jeep.
4. Hot Wheels Baja Breaker van - 1978.
5. Ertl Ford F-350 Service Truck.
6. Matchbox Ruff Trek - 1983
7. Hot Wheels Torino Stocker - 1982 "The Hot Ones."
8. Majorette Explorateur
9. Matchbox Rolomatics Badger - 1976.
10. Majorette Jeep Grand Cherokee
BONUS 11: Matchbox Convoy NASA Peterbilt Tracking Vehicle
I'd get in trouble if I started hanging on to some of the NASA diecast stuff I come across, but I hung onto this one. A fun tracking trailer and truck. Matchbox made several nifty vehicles with NASA themes in the 1980s, when Space Shuttles were still cool.
Anyway, there it is - my son loves cars, and it has created a little more of an enjoyment that I had as well.
