MELBOURNE, Australia saying G'day

[radar]

I thought finding Stannard's catalogue with it's beautiful colour plates about 30 years back was heaven. A few years later I picked up "40 Years of Matchbox."
In Melbourne's outer East I discovered a collector shop that retailed 1-75 along with many other lines. Since, I have found a fabulous restorer.
Now, I have serendipitously come across this forum to feed my 1-75 interest.

What is it about these simple, post war, rough cast toys that suck me in? Simply, it takes me back to my boyhood. In my collection I have on display many I actually played with over half a century ago. Who can forget the excitement of a birthday or Christmas - the small gift wrapped package with the beautiful blue and yellow box and red script. What treasure lay hidden inside? Construction vehicle, commercial van - or my favourite - an English saloon?

Matchbox 1-75 (prior to Superfast) transport me back to a simpler time. Hours of fun with the RWs, making a highway or construction site in the back yard. Tonight I saw SAVING MR BANKS about the making of MARY POPPINS. Sixties London was full of Consuls, Vauxhalls and Moris Minors. Times seemed to be simpler. I was well satisfied with whatever came out of that small cardboard packet. The new resin models of classic cars out of China are fantastic in their detail - but don't hold a candle to the happy memories of a toy chest full of "Matchies."

I have spent the weekend reading most of this board. I only have about 70 or so in my display - because I only want those that I have a connection to. Guess I'm not a collector - I'm a displayer. Twenty or so of the models I have from the 50s and 60s have been resurrected by a friend who does restorations. My two brothers hand painted most of theses beaters in Dulux acrylic over forty years ago. Each one tells a story - whether a neighbour gave it to me in 1962 or my dad brought it home in 1958. I have also acquired other cars I desire - generally mint boxed. If I want a gap filled I'm just as happy now to display a nice restoration - maybe that's heresy here - but I'm a displayer and memory keeper - not a collector. I'm only interested investing in the recreation of the excitement I felt in looking through the shop display as a boy.

Some may disdain my acquisition of the odd restoration, however I will share this about my "collection." About 1969, well into the Superfast era, I was 14 years and should have been over model cars. My parents knew of my interest in old matchbox models. They must have come across some old stock in a newsagent or haberdashery store in Melbourne or country Victoria. That Christmas I received, almost as a stocking filler "joke" about 25 cars, mint boxed from 1955 - 1962. Guess in 1969 it was regarded as old stock. Think Harley Davidson, Blue Matchbox Kombi, Green Austin Freeway and about twenty more. Naturally I never played with these. They have been carefully stored and now displayed.

So my collection contains about a dozen or more models I played with as a kid in the outer Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Most of these are now restored. I have another twenty five from that priceless Christmas in 69. A further dozen or so mint boxed I have bought. And maybe another six or so restored models.

Anyway, had to spill it all out and share the passion. Thanks for the great reading on all your posts - and I'll get some photos up when I can. I'm sorry about the cricket (went on each day to MCG Test) and its 43 C in Melbourne today.

[nickjones]

Hi Radar, Welcome to the forum.
There are no rules on collecting, each to their own. Our membership consists of investors who only collect mint in box toys right the way through to the restorer that recovers well loved toys. Most of us do not have any of their toys from childhood but if we did they would certainly take pride of place in our collections.

[SMS88]

Welcome!good strategy just to collect what you like and not get beaten by the completist bug. perhaps you should have kept your Dulux painted beaters exactly as they were to amplify your memories and purchase other low cost examples to restore or just good original examples!
I am not sorry about the cricket, to be honest we sent a team that was poorly captained using the exact same plan that they used on their last tour so no surprise we got soundly beaten by a team that had had years to create fresh plans to defeat us.

[Superfast7]

Welcome Radar,
I only joined this forum a few weeks ago myself, It is full of good people and a wealth of knowledge.
another OZY , as for the cricket we were in the UK at the time of the AUS tour last year, every time we went into a pub
we had to watch the AUS team getting a beating, its funny what a difference a few months make.
I wish I still had all my old cars, my mother gave them all away with my Lego when I was about 15,
would of been great to see my son get the same enjoyment out of them as I did, oh well.

Scott

[radar]

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n50 ... 4000PM.png

Hope the link works. A quick iphoto snap of a drop off at the restorer. Saves writing them down.

The yellow Vauxhall, D Type Jag and Yellow Bulldozer were part of my Xmas in 1969. The bulldozer needed tracks only.
The Blue Dunlop Van is one I played with since the 50s.
The blue concrete mixer - a favourite - is to replace one I lost.

The MGA, I swapped with a girl called Michelle at a school lucky dip (Tom Bolah in UK) in 1962. She got some dolls, I got a few matchies. My younger brothers attended to the MG sometime in the 60s. Only have the yellow dozer back (another favourite).

I like the stories and meaning that go with the MGA.

[radar]

This pic is meant for my post above.

[motorman]

Hi Radar, welcome to the Forum.

The D Type Jag and the Bulldozer (minus its tracks) look to be in great condition. Great memories.

Unfortunately i don't have any of my childhood Matchbox cars as my mum gave them all away. Thanks Mum!

[Broughton]

Happy birthday motorman!

[Taniwha]

Hi Radar, welcome to the Forum.

The D Type Jag and the Bulldozer (minus its tracks) look to be in great condition. Great memories.

Unfortunately i don't have any of my childhood Matchbox cars as my mum gave them all away. Thanks Mum!

Both these are also quite scarce - 5 decal on the Jag and silver rollers on the Caterpillar - nice finds!

Cheers,
Gavin