We thought we would ring in the new year with some more bread-and-butter Matchbox models. Two weeks ago we unveiled the newest police car the Lamborghini Gallardo Police, and today we stay in the public service sector and pull the cover off of two new emergency castings.
No need to blabber on anymore, let's just get to the models...
(Photos shown by permission from Mattel...)
First up is the brand new MB881 Blaze Blitzer, or European Fire Truck. This is a non-licensed vehicle, but created to reflect European fire trucks. Hence the Euro-looking livery. You will see this one soon in the 1-120 range:
But the basic range is not the only place you will see the Blaze Blitzer. Look for it soon in the 60th Anniversary Line in white:
Next up is another new European emergency tool, the MB885 Renault Master Ambulance. You will see shortly in the basic range in red:
And because I know the question will come up, the body is plastic, and the base diecast metal. I asked the team why this was the case, and was told it is because of the size of the model they had to produce the body in plastic to keep it within cost parameters. Yes, I would much prefer the Renault to have a metal body, but on the bright side at least it doesn't have a front metal bonnet and fenders and a plastic torso, a la the Ice Cream Truck. I know the focus will be on the fact it is plastic, but I will say the model does look great.
And it is looks even better in its 60th Anniversary outfit in yellow:
Variation Alert! You may notice that there is no 60th Anniversary logo on the three visible sides of the Renault. Well, it is nowhere to be found on the model. The logo was slated to be on the rear door, but the first versions came off the line without it. The team noticed the error and corrected it mid-run. But a handful of "non-60th logo" models did make it, and will be mixed in with early batches. So you vari nuts be on the lookout...
Lastly, in keeping with the emergency theme of this update, one more sneak peak of a 60th Anniversary model, this time the BMW Motorcycle looking sharp in blue and white:
There are your three emergency sneak peaks, including the two new models. We will be back next Monday to show off a few more 60th Anniversary models...
Happy New Year!
-jtl
