What are the most expensive Matchbox cars?
Well, after 60 years in business, Matchbox has managed to produce 10 distinct cars that are considered to be extremely valuable by collectors.
So, let’s take a look at them and see how much they’re worth!
Here’s a list of the 10 most expensive Matchbox cars.
The 10 Most Expensive Matchbox Cars
The list of Matchbox cars and figures mentioned below has been compiled from various sources around the web, such as Historic Vehicle & Wikipedia.
These are the 10 most expensive Matchbox cars:
10. Superfast 8d Rover 3500 Police Car
Estimated Value: $750
This particular model of the 1970s Superfast 8d Rover 3500 Police car is extremely rare and doesn’t come around all too often.
So, it was no surprise to see one sell recently for $750 after it was discovered amongst one of the most significant Matchbox collections you’ve ever seen.
The car attracted bidders from around the world and was quickly snapped up by an anonymous bidder.
9. Ford Mustang
Estimated Value: $2,700
Everyone loves a Ford Mustang, right?
Well, one unidentified bidder was willing to part with almost $3,000 to purchase this rare white Ford Mustang Matchbox car from the 1960s.
They probably got an excellent deal in all honesty, as the auction attracted a lot of attention from bidders worldwide, so the Matchbox car will likely be worth a lot more money as time goes on.
8. Mercury Station Wagon (1969-1973)
Estimated Value: $3,700
The next most expensive Matchbox car on our list is the Mercury Station Wagon.
Produced from 1969 to 1973, this particular model is considered valuable due to its color.
The majority of Matchbox Station Wagons were painted a metallic light green color, whereas this one’s yellow.
It’s not 100% clear how many yellow 1968 Mercury Station Wagons there are, or how many were made.
However, what we do know is that they’re worth a lot of money.
So if you do manage to find one, then you might want to try and grab yourself a deal, as they’re one of the rarest Matchbox cars on the planet!
7. Mercury Cougar (1968-1970)
Estimated Value: $3,800
Just like the Mercury Station Wagon, the Mercury Cougar is also extremely rare, but only in one color variation – cream.
The car was produced between 1968 and 1970. It’s 76mm long and comes with a white interior to complement its cream body.
It’s not clear how many 1968 cream Mercury Cougars there are in circulation right now, but mint condition models are highly sought after and fetch a lot of cash at auction.
So, keep an eye out for one, and you could be quids in!
6. Ford Kennel Truck (1969-1972)
Estimated Value: $4,100
The sixth most expensive Matchbox car is the Green Ford Kennel Truck.
With an estimated value of around $4,100, this little Matchbox truck is worth more than some regular size cars.
The truck was produced between 1969 to 1972 and featured a removable lucid plastic topper along with four white plastic dogs.
A mint-condition model was recently sold at auction for $4,100 after it had been sitting in the seller’s collection for decades.
5. Mercedes Benz 230SL (1967)
Estimated Value: $6,765
Coming in at number five on the list is the apple green Mercedes Benz 230SL from 1967.
Scaled-down to a 1:68 version of the original car, this Matchbox model was sold to a private collector, at an auction in 1999, for a whopping $6,765.
Since then, the highly sought-after collectible has not appeared on any auction sites or drawn any media attention, which means that it’s likely locked up tight in the collector’s possession with no indication of an auction any time soon.
4. BP Dodge Wreck Truck (1965)
Estimated Value: $8,499
The 1965 Dodge Wreck Truck is profoundly regarded among collectors.
The reason for its high valuation is because this particular model was made with “reversed colors,” meaning the green parts should have been yellow, and the yellow parts should have been green.
When it was listed for sale on eBay in 2013, the truck drew in quite the crowd, and it kickstarted a ferocious bidding war.
Eventually, the rare Matchbox truck sold on eBay to an anonymous bidder for an eye-watering $8,499.
3. ERF Dropside Lorry
Estimated Value: $9,000
If you had a spare $9,000 a few months back, you’d of been able to win yourself the third most expensive Matchbox car on the planet.
At a recent auction, a collector sold his lime green ERF Dropside lorry to an anonymous bidder for approximately $9,000.
The lorry is one of the rarest Matchbox collectibles of all time, and collectors are willing to pay top dollar to get their hands on one.
2. Opal Diplomat (1966)
Estimated Value: $9,000
In 1966, the Matchbox Opal Diplomat, in Sea Foam Green, cost just 48 cents on the dollar.
However, fast forward several decades, and this rare collectible is considered to be worth in the region of $9,000, based on consistent, comparable valuations.
The car is believed to be a prototype, which is highly valued among Matchbox collectors and features an opening bonnet and white interior.
Will it ever be seen again at auction? It’s highly unlikely but never say never.
1. Magirus-Deutz Crane (1961)
Estimated Value: $13,000
The title of the most expensive Matchbox car goes to by the Magirus-Deutz Crane.
This little brown 1961 “No.30” crane truck was reportedly found in a garage sale and purchased for $10.
Three years later, the owner sold it for $10,000, and another collector also purchased one for a whopping $13,000!
The reason why it’s so valuable is unclear; however, it’s likely got something to do with its age, model type, and condition.
But, whatever the reason, someone was willing to pay $13,000 for it, which is all that matters in the grand scheme of things.
And, with that sale, the Magirus-Deutz Crane became the most expensive Matchbox car ever.
Summary
We hope you enjoyed our list of the 10 most expensive Matchbox cars.
Who’d of thought these tiny pieces of metal and plastic could be worth so much money.
But, Matchbox was popular in its heyday, so it makes sense that it’ll have built up some diehard fans who’re willing to pay through the roof for the rarest models.
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 most expensive Matchbox cars:
- Magirus-Deutz Crane
- Opal Diplomat
- ERF Dropside Lorry
- BP Dodge Wreck Truck
- Mercedes Benz 230SL
- Ford Kennel Truck
- Mercury Cougar
- Mercury Station Wagon
- Ford Mustang
- Superfast 8d Rover 3500 Police Car
