Matchbox cars and trucks have remained one of the world's most popular toys since the 1950's.  My guide is intended to serve as a helpful tool for the co-workers, friends and relatives of Matchbox collectors who wish to purchase a special, thoughful gift.  This introduction to Matchbox collecting will provide:

• a brief history of the Matchbox brand
• distinctions between the various Matchbox product lines (and why this matters to collectors)
• key "things to know" that will help make your purchase be just what the gift recipient wanted!

Matchbox cars and trucks are the result of an entrepreneurial friendship between two young British men.  Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith founded Lesney Products in 1947, and the first Matchbox toys were released six years later.  Working with diemaker Jack Odell, the popularity of the diecast metal cars and trucks--and the novel packaging into small boxes--spread worldwide by the mid-1960s.  A series of ownership changes beginning in the 1980s did not effect the continuity of the brand.  Today, Matchbox toys are manufactured by Mattel.

The basic line cars and trucks made prior to 1969 are know as "Regular Wheels."    The tires had treads on them and were made of a very hard plastic or of metal. While the cars did roll, they did so slowly. The advent of an upstart American competing brand called "Hot Wheels" required Lesney Products to create a wider, friction-less wheel that made the cars go faster when raced on a plastic track.  Thus began, in 1969, the "Superfast" era of Matchbox.  

Regular Wheels and Superfast are the two core lines of Matchbox toys.  However, there are many more, including:

• Models of Yesteryear, which primarily feature cars made during the early part of the twentieth century.  "MOYs" have a smaller, but fiercely loyal, following.  Many collectors of this line limit their hobby to the Yesteryear line exclusively. 

• Superkings, a larger-scale line of diecast toys.
• Skybusters, a lineup of airplanes and helicopters.
• Convoys, featuring semi-tractors and trailers--the "big rigs!"
• Matchbox Collectibles, which appeal to the adult collector with highly-detailed castings and designs.

As is true with collecting just about anything, the individual preferences of a collector is the driving force behind the accumulation of a prized collection.  With that acknowledged, knowing a bit about the collector's preferences and about the nature of Matchbox collecting in general can be useful in finding the perfect gift. This quick-and-easy list of  "Helpful Hints" will hopefully help you place that winning bid on just that perfect Matchbox model.

1. Know what the gift recipient collects!  There are thousands of toys with the Matchbox name on them, and only a very few people are lucky enough to have them all.  Most collectors focus their efforts on one or two of the lines listed above.  Some, however, collect only a certain brand of car, like Volkswagens or Pontiacs. 
2. Look for models in the best possible condition.  A "mint condition" model or even one in "near-mint" condition are the ones most prized by collectors.  As you might expect, these models also cost more, commanding the higher-end of values found listed in price guides.
3. Loose or "in the package?"  Models in unopened, original packages also command higher prices, as they tend to be harder to find because of their demand by collectors.  However, some collectors prefer to immediately discard the packaging to handle (or even play with) their Matchbox toys.  Models that do not come with their packaging are known as "loose" models.
4. Restoring "beaters" as a hobby.  Nothing is more controversial in diecast collecting than restoring an old, dirty, and perhaps even broken model.  This is solely because many restored models often end up being fraudulently passed on as originals.  The value of a restored toy is usually a fraction of an original, and is worthless to some collectors.  But an accomplished enthusiast who enjoys this aspect of diecast cars can turn a heavily-played-with toy into a work of art.  Those who possess this skill are on the lookout for large lots of diecast cars in heavily-played-with condition, which can be found inexpensively on eBay on a daily basis.
5. So how do I tell the difference between an original and a restored toy?  The bad news is that if you are not an expert, this can be a very difficult task.  The best and safest ways are to read the item description carefully and check a seller's feedback.  Consider too whether the seller will offer a refund if you are not satisfied.  Models that are from a seller's personal collection that he or she purchased new and has owned for years are many times (but still, not always) good indications that the model is what actually you are intending to purchase . 
6. Be on the lookout for Rare Variations!  One of the key aspects of Matchbox collecting is hunting for variations of models.  A different color, label, wheel style, or even window tinting are examples of variations of diecast models.  Variations can be intentional, as when the manufacturer plans on issuing a cast in different colors or with different labels.  They can also be unplanned.  When the assembly line runs out of a certain color of paint, or a certain label, or a specifed wheel style, substituting another available part is a preferred alternative to shutting down the line.  More rarely, variations can be the result of a factory error in the manufacturing process.                                           

AND finally....What about all those numbers that go along with a model's name?  Perhaps the most enduring and recognizable characteristic of the Matchbox brand is its annual lineup of 75 vehicles.  From 1960 until today, each vehicle in Matchbox's core lineup is assigned a number between 1 and 75 to aid collectors who wish to "get them all!"  There were a few exceptions to the annual release of a 75-car basic lineup, including the years 1999 and 2000, when 100 models were released.  To distinguish between two different castings with the same number, collectors use a letter following the number.  For example, the first-ever Matchbox vehicle to carry the #75 designation would be known to collectors as 75-A.  The next different model released with the #75 number is known as 75-B.  THEN, collectors need to distinguish between the different variations of model, so it's back to using numbers following the letter.  Consider the Matchbox Nissan 300 ZX, released in 1986.  It was the sixth Superfast model to have the #24 designation (hence, it is known as 24-F).  The silver version is known as 24-F-1, while a red version is known as 24-F-5, and a later yellow version is 24-F-7.  For gift-giving, it is unlikely you will need to master the collector's numbering system, but if your hard-to-please uncle mentions he's been searching for a Regular Wheels 47-A-2, you at least can return here to see what he is talking about!

Just as a coin collector, antique doll collector, and even Grandma with her china teacup collection all appreciate a gift to add to their collection, a Matchbox collector will be thrilled with a thoughtful, well-chosen gift that reflects their collecting preferences.  Several eBay sellers have earned respect for offering quality Matchbox items worthy of gifts.