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The Lonely 1-75 Regular Wheel

Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 3:54 pm
by matchbox_n_molars
I had a cancelled patient here at the dental office so I'll take a minute to share a story.
A portion of my toy collection is at my house and a portion is here at the dental office. My beloved regular wheel collection is on display at our house... that is with the exception of one lonely little 9c Merryweather Fire Truck.
One of my patients, Joshua, has been seeing me and my team for his dental health needs since he was a toddler. From the start he has been fascinated with toy cars and trucks. I even traveled to Joshua's house once to check out his rather impressive assembly of diecast treasures. Each time he would come to get his teeth cleaned and examined I would let him select from the treasure box I had filled with current day Matchbox Toys. Each time Joshua would go home with a car or truck and a big clean smile.
After a few years, there came one particular visit where after I had completed his examination, Joshua, a child of few words, turned to his mother and stuck out his hand. She reached in her purse and pulled out a tiny box wrapped in paper. She gave the small box to Joshua. He turned and handed the box to me.
It was amazing how the rolls changed and I took on the part of the tiny boy opening a package with "Christmas morning" type curiosity. Inside the package was this handsome 9c fire truck complete with the original box. I learned from Joshua's mom that the toy came from his father (a friend of mine) who had this toy from his own childhood collection.

I have a place in the office cabinets where gifts that have come my way are on display so that children and adults both can touch base and reconnect with the toys they've given me. And so, even yet today, when I now look uphill at an adolescent Joshua on his visits, he can still find his father's fire truck within the office display.

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Re: The Lonely 1-75 Regular Wheel

Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 5:03 pm
by motorman
A lovely story. Thanks for sharing it. I would have regularly gone to the dentist if i knew i was going to get matchbox car. All i ever got was a metal filling!!!!! :(

Re: The Lonely 1-75 Regular Wheel

Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 5:56 pm
by johnboy
motorman wrote:A lovely story. Thanks for sharing it. I would have regularly gone to the dentist if i knew i was going to get matchbox car. All i ever got was a metal filling!!!!! :(
A very heart warming story and nice to hear. Like mm, all I seemed to get were fillings too. I've got more Mercury variations in my mouth than on my display shelves. My dentist was an ex-naval surgeon and he only had one thumb, which was a bit scary as a young boy. But I do remember he had a few models in his surgery like ships and lighthouses and they were fascinating to me.

Re: The Lonely 1-75 Regular Wheel

Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 8:41 pm
by Tinman
Great story/memory!

Having sold off everything except the beaters that are fodder for restorations & customs, I did keep some special models which I display in my office. I kept all of the different models which individual collectors produce with their own names on them. They vary from vintage to modern models and all are a wonderful reminder of the collectors I know and have met over the years.

If you had a custom model produced to celebrate your collecting or to advertise that you are a collector ... I am avidly seeking your model, so please get in touch.

Re: The Lonely 1-75 Regular Wheel

Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 10:04 pm
by numi
A very warm & welcoming story Dr Greg. These are types of gift/appreciation tokens thats worth more than gold & glitter.Quite touchy i might add and thanks for sharing. 8-)
numi

Re: The Lonely 1-75 Regular Wheel

Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 3:46 am
by jimgallegos
Love the story and the importance and differences in someone's life this small gesture made.

Any openings for a cleaning? LOL

Re: The Lonely 1-75 Regular Wheel

Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 6:43 pm
by Brad Pittiful
very cool Greg...does this mode have the hose connectors...i found one last year with fine tread BPW and havent seen another since

Re: The Lonely 1-75 Regular Wheel

Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 11:07 pm
by matchbox_n_molars
Hi Dan,
It is a Stannard Code 12 without the hose connectors. Are you suggesting this is a harder to find variation?

Re: The Lonely 1-75 Regular Wheel

Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 12:29 am
by Brad Pittiful
Greg
as i dont have every code memorized :lol: i had to check stannards guide...you have more a common model...the one i found has fine tread BPW (10x45) with hoses cast...its an unlisted model (stannard and nicks guides) as its the only one found....so far

Re: The Lonely 1-75 Regular Wheel

Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 4:35 am
by Shane
A great story and more for our arguments that our hobby can touch the heart and share with others!!!!!!