The 14 Rarest and Most Valuable Matchbox Cars Ever Made

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See if your old diecast cars are worth big bucks today
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Matchbox cars have been around for over 70 years, and some are worth a pretty penny today. While the majority of vintage Matchbox cars from Lesney Products sell for a few dollars, rare and sought-after models have sold for thousands. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to which Matchbox cars are worth the most money, how to price your collection, and where to sell the nostalgic toys.

Top Five Most Valuable Matchbox Cars

  1. 1955 Major Scale Quarry Truck (Prototype): $15,400
  2. 1961 Magirus-Deutz Truck (Tan): $11,300
  3. 1966 Opel Diplomat (Turquoise): $9,000
  4. ‘50s ERF Dropside Lorry: $9,000
  5. 1965 BP Dodge Wrecker (Reverse Colors): $8,500
Section 1 of 3:

Most Valuable Matchbox Cars of All Time

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  1. 1
    1955 Major Scale Quarry Truck (Prototype) One of the rarest Matchbox car models was never sold in stores. The company toyed with the idea of releasing jumbo-sized quarry trucks, manufacturing between six and eight prototypes. However, the concept didn’t make it to market. Collector Takuo Yoshise bought the only surviving prototype directly from the company in the ‘80s.
    • Value: Yoshise auctioned off the car for a record-breaking $15,400 in 2010. He sold it during the 25th Matchbox Club Convention. [1]
  2. 2
    1961 Magirus-Deutz Truck (Tan) Several factors make Matchbox’s humble Magirus-Deutz Truck one of its most valuable models to date. First, it’s from an older Matchbox line. Second, a version with a tan body (instead of the usual silver one) is considered very rare: only two are known to exist. [2]
    • Value: Insurance company GoCompare reported that one sold for £8,513, or about $11,300 .
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  3. 3
    1966 Opel Diplomat (Turquoise) The 1966 Opel Diplomat Matchbox cars came in several colors, including a somewhat garish minty turquoise hue. Because of its unfortunate color, not many were produced or sold. That makes this toy car something of a rarity, sought after by Matchbox collectors today. [3]
    • Value: One estimate suggests it’s worth up to $9,000 .
  4. 4
    ‘50s ERF Dropside Lorry Although the toys had global appeal, Matchbox cars were originally produced in the UK by Lesney Products. That explains why the brand released models like the ERF Dropside Lorry, used in WWII by the Royal Army Service Corps. One lime-green model sold for almost $10 thousand. Other colorways may have collectors interested because they’re some of the first Matchbox cars ever made. [4]
    • Value: A lime-green model reportedly sold for $9,000 .
  5. 5
    1965 BP Dodge Wrecker (Reverse Colors) In the world of collectibles, the rarest finds are the ones that feature mistakes. Matchbox’s 1965 BP Dodge Wrecker is a prime example. While the toy is meant to have a yellow cab and a green bed, a few were made with the colors reversed. [5]
    • Value: One reportedly sold for $8,500 on eBay in 2018.
  6. 6
    1967 Mercedes Benz 230 SL (Apple Green) Matchbox’s Mercedes Benz 230 SL officially came in white and yellow colorways. Not much is known about the origins of the apple-green edition with a red interior, but it’s rarity makes it the most valuable of all the colorways. [6]
    • Value: Reportedly, one sold for $6,765 in 1999.
  7. 7
    ‘60s Mercury Cougar (Cream, Pre-Production Model) If you have a rare pre-production model of Matchbox’s Mercury Cougar, you could sell it to a collector for a few thousand. While many of these cars came in green, a rare pre-production model has a soft cream exterior instead. [7] It’s unknown how many were made or survive today.
    • Value: One source claims the car’s value to be around £4,000, or $5,300 .
  8. 8
    Ford Kennel Truck The late ‘60s and early ‘70s models of the Ford Kennel Truck stand out for a special reason: they came with plastic dogs you could perch in the truck bed. Fans of Matchbox cars might find this model to have charm—especially if it’s in mint condition. [8]
    • Value: A mint-condition model with the box sold for $4,100 .
  9. 9
    1969 Mercury Commuter Station Wagon (Cream, Pre-Production Model) The pre-production model of Matchbox’s Mercury Commuter Station Wagon is said to be worth thousands of dollars. [9] Unfortunately, no sources can verify how many were made and remain in circulation, so the chances of having one in your collection are slim.
    • Value: Reportedly, one of these rare models sold for $3,700 . [10]
  10. 10
    1968 Volkswagen Bug While the classic VW Bug is cute in its own right, the most coveted Matchbox version comes in orange and copper. Even common white models in good condition go for about $65 a piece. [11]
    • Value: One site values orange and copper models at $1,500 .
  11. 11
    1963 Ford Fairlane Police Car (Gray Wheels) Most of the original Matchbox Ford Fairlane Police Car models have black wheels. Those with gray wheels are rare. Additionally, Matchbox cars from the ‘60s are usually worth more than those from the ‘70s on because fewer of them are around—and in good condition—today. [12]
    • Value: Several sources claim a gray-wheeled model sold for $1,200 . [13]
  12. 12
    1981 Ferrari 308 GTB The Matchbox version of the Ferrari 308 GTB (like the Ferrari 308 GTS seen in Magnum PI ) holds nostalgic value for ‘80s kids. While many of these models featured a red exterior and a black interior, those with a white interior tend to sell for more money. [14]
    • Value: Allegedly, the model was once valued at $1,000 .
  13. 13
    1997 Lamborghini Countach LP500S (Chrome Red) The Matchbox version of the Lamborghini Countach LP500S received quite a few variations. Initially released in 1985, the flashy model came in colors ranging from red and white to black, silver, and yellow. The most coveted version today is a shiny red-chrome edition from the late ‘90s, sold as part of the “Sleek Riders” five-pack. [15]
    • Value: GoCompare claimed one sold for £193, or $266 .
  14. 14
    1952 Aveling Barford Road Roller Because it was one of the first Matchbox cars ever produced, you’d think the 1952 Aveling Barford Road Roller is worth a small fortune. Unfortunately, it’s rather common to find. If you own the model with the longer roof—and have it in the original box—you could get $100. It might be more valuable to hang on to this piece of Matchbox history. [16]
    • Value: Collector’s database HobbyDB estimates its value at $100 .
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Tell if a Matchbox Car is Valuable

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  1. The value of a Matchbox car is determined by its age and condition. The Matchbox cars that fetch the most money at auction are older models from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Identify your car’s age using an online database like the Matchbox Wiki . Unless a model is exceedingly rare, expect to only make top dollar off it if it’s in mint condition—the collector’s term for being like new. Here are other factors to consider when deciding your cars’ value: [17]
    • Having the original box: If your Matchbox cars are inside their original boxes, or you have the original boxes, they’re more desirable to collectors. It’s easier to prove their authenticity.
    • A factory error or pre-production model: The rarest Matchbox cars are the ones that weren’t meant to be sold. If your car has the wrong colorway or is a pre-production model, it’s probably pretty valuable.
      • Beware of models that were restored or repainted to a new colorway.
    • Pop-culture appeal: Some Matchbox cars, like the 1981 Ferrari 308 GTB, gain value in collectors’ eyes because of their association with pop culture. If your Matchbox model appeared in a show or movie, it could be worth more than the typical toy car.
    • Early production year: Early production year refers to a model being part of the first issue of its kind. Most Matchbox cars are manufactured in multiple runs over several years. The first editions are usually the priciest.
Section 3 of 3:

How to Sell Vintage Matchbox Cars

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  1. 1
    Identify the model and research what it’s sold for online. Use an online database like hobbyDB to identify the model and release year of your Matchbox cars. Most Matchbox cars have the name of the model embossed on the bottom of the car. Once you know the model, check online marketplaces like eBay to see how much it’s sold for recently so you can get a fair estimate of its value.
  2. 2
    Create a detailed listing with clear photos of the car. Include as much detail about the car as possible in your listing. Mention the model, release year, condition, color, and any damage. Take well-lit photos of the car from multiple angles to include in your listing.
    • Popular online marketplaces for selling Matchbox cars include eBay , Poshmark , and Depop .
    • The exception is if your car is still in a sealed box or package. In that case, take pictures of the package, not the car itself. Removing it from its original case could lower its value.
  3. 3
    Consider selling collections in bulk for a higher price. Even if your Matchbox cars aren’t rare or particularly valuable, collectors who are just starting out may be eager to buy a large set. Consider listing a bundle of multiple Matchbox cars online to entice buyers. You could potentially earn more money than if you sold and shipped each toy individually.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/news/a612/record-auction-price-10293/
      2. ↑ https://www.thedrive.com/news/18847/your-old-matchbox-and-hot-wheels-cars-may-be-worth-a-lot
      3. ↑ https://www.hotcars.com/hot-wheels-matchbox-cars-from-our-childhood-worth-a-fortune-today/
      4. ↑ https://nerdable.com/rarities/most-valuable-matchbox-cars/
      5. ↑ https://www.hotcars.com/hot-wheels-matchbox-cars-from-our-childhood-worth-a-fortune-today/
      6. ↑ https://blog.hobbydb.com/2017/11/05/the-7-most-valuable-matchbox-cars/
      7. ↑ https://www.potteriesauctions.com/news/which-matchbox-cars-are-collectable
      8. ↑ https://nerdable.com/rarities/most-valuable-matchbox-cars/
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/aeH0cXKe4Jo?t=318
      1. ↑ https://rarest.org/entertainment/matchbox-cars
      2. ↑ https://collectinsure.com/2023/04/04/exploring-the-lucrative-world-of-collectible-cars-matchbox-cars-worth-money/
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/aeH0cXKe4Jo?t=267
      4. ↑ https://collectinsure.com/2023/04/04/exploring-the-lucrative-world-of-collectible-cars-matchbox-cars-worth-money/
      5. ↑ https://www.hotcars.com/hot-wheels-matchbox-cars-from-our-childhood-worth-a-fortune-today/
      6. ↑ https://www.thedrive.com/news/18847/your-old-matchbox-and-hot-wheels-cars-may-be-worth-a-lot
      7. ↑ https://blog.hobbydb.com/2017/11/05/the-7-most-valuable-matchbox-cars/
      8. ↑ https://collectinsure.com/2023/04/04/exploring-the-lucrative-world-of-collectible-cars-matchbox-cars-worth-money/

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