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misterpop wrote:I have that metal one in blue..By the wheels I think it may be an early Zylmex....Plastic dont know"Bluebox"?

There is a plastic copy of the "Matchbox" breakdown truck, by 'BLUE BOX' and a similar plastic copy was marketed as part of a range called 'COLLECT TOY', in a "Matchbox" inspired box. Both these copies around the same period as the original "Matchbox" model.

AHI copying 'CHARBENS' Old Crocks is correct and they were marketed as single models or as sets of models (just like Charbens), and it is perfectly natural to copy other models from the range. The little breakdown truck is nice, but I have not seen this one before and with the Japan name on the base, I will tend to lean towards it being from the 'AHI' marketing department, even though I don't think it was made directly by them (not the usual design of AHI wheels), but by one of their toy suppliers, happy to be corrected on this, but that's my view.

GHOSTHUNTER.

This #34 copy arrived in a small collection this weekend. I think its East European. And, its online already if anyone's interested.



Auction link here. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... RK:MESE:IT

Picked this up at Brentwood today a Spanish copy of the stretcha fetcha branded as a mini mira It has some casting differences most obvious around the side windows being the addition of a bar along the top and wider panel front and rear, also there is a raised lip on the front edge of the bonnet (hood) recess, rear door is metal instead of plastic, interior is also different firstly it's foil plated the patient is omitted as is rather strangely the steering wheel but sun visors have been added

Thank's Fixer for showing your 'MIRA'.

They could be classed as the Spanish answer to Matchbox, but were not as old, only appearing on the toy car scene in the early 1970's until closing down in 2002 and many sets of tooling passing onto 'SOLIDO'. The 'Stretcha Fetcha' clearly shows they had models in their range inspired by Matchbox subjects, I don't have a listing of what they made, but remember a Mk I Ford Fiesta and from my Vauxhall collecting days, I seem to remember a small Vauxhall, perhaps a Nova.

Ghosty.

I have seen these fetching crazy, stupid, mental prices on E bay.

Here are two "Matchbox" inspired models from Hong Kong. These have been seen in this thread before from some of our forum members, but I thought an 'Official' picture would be fine.

These models have been marketed by many wholesalers and distributors and I have a running listing of the 'Brands' that I know of and I will be posting the list on here some day soon, but for now, enjoy these two examples.

Both of these have the 'LN' moulded onto the surface of the underside with a catalogue number and of course, Made in Hong Kong and if you had not noticed, one is the Stutz Bearcat and the other is an Opel.

GHOSTHUNTER.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:...one is the Stutz Bearcat...

Isn't it the Y7-2 Mercer?

Idris wrote:

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:...one is the Stutz Bearcat...

Isn't it the Y7-2 Mercer?

Thank's "Idris" I knew it was wrong, I could not remember the correct name, I haven't got any of my catalogues here with me, I just could think and Stutz was on my mind from sorting out some 'Highway Pioneers' model kits! To save many more members correcting it, I acknowledge it here and now as...Mercer 'Raceabout'...not a Stutz.

Glad one of us is concentrating

Ghosty.

I always thought it was kinda a jerk move to copy somebody elses design, but to use the "Stretcha Fetcha" name on the base, that's like dropping your pants and telling the boys at Matchbox to kiss your you know what.

I recently purchased a similar Mercer. I have several of these but this one came in it's original packaging showing what I think original Models of Yesteryear models !









marcel