LOOKING for MATCHBOX 2017 / 2018 MINI VAN

[matchboxmarcel]

Looking for this MINI in a SHORT blister.



Also looking for the Seagrave in a short blister.

[David Tilley]

I am not sure which countries had those 2 models on short blister. All I know is that the UK was not one of them. As it stands, Asda currently have an exclusive deal to sell Matchbox in the UK, and with all they have available they decided to only stock basic range. No 5-packs, 9-packs, playsets, Skybusters, Color Changers etc. Luckily Jurassic World is being marketed as a separate entity in the UK meaning Matchbox branded Jurassic World items are appearing in other places.

But anyway, with singles being sold only at Asda, we are stuck with whatever assortments they order in. 2017 was a disaster, and they skipped a load of batches on their way to the final batch M. But I have been told they have altered their ordering plan to obtain smaller more frequent orders. Sadly, it started at batch D of 2018, and we have seen E, F and G since (H is due any time hopefully). But this means that batches A, B and C were skipped. Luckily a new batch also includes the last batch too, so the C batch models did arrive here with the D batch, but that does mean that anything that was part of batches A and B were never sold in the UK. Both the Austin Minivan and Seagrave were "officially" part of batch A, however that was missed worldwide due to an issue at the factory (instead giving us a sort of best of batch of 2017) and so only their secondary appearance with batch B was run. And as I said, that batch was not sent to the UK.

Good luck in trying to find them though. (I am so glad that packaging is unimportant to me).

[MatchboxFreak]

For those of us who don’t collect modern Matchbox, can someone show photos or describe the difference between short and long blisters?
Thank you
Kurt

Ps
David, I am hugely impressed by your knowledge about the distribution of modern Matchbox in the UK. I had no idea about this topic. I learned something new today! Thanks

[matchboxmarcel]

For those of us who don’t collect modern Matchbox, can someone show photos or describe the difference between short and long blisters?
Thank you
Kurt

Ps
David, I am hugely impressed by your knowledge about the distribution of modern Matchbox in the UK. I had no idea about this topic. I learned something new today! Thanks

The photo with my posting shows the short card, the far more common long card as sold in the USA is pro 40mm higher.
Distribution of the short card in Europe and the UK seems to be worse then ever.

marcel

[matchboxmarcel]

some now to be found in Germany

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Matchbox-201 ... Swj~9biZh0

marcel

[matchboxmarcel]

finally I have all the 3 packaging for this model.
The short blister is very difficult to find.



marcel

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Well done Maecel, pleased for you with getting them together. That is another gap in your collection filled

Ghosthunter.

[johnboy]

Yes, very nice to fill gaps. It's a smart looking model.

[David Tilley]

I'm happy enough with the pair I have. I don't do packaging, but I do enjoy getting shades, and the base on this one came with a more pinkish hue or more lemonish hue. I have both in my collection.