Henry Rifle Forums

This will start my vintage Matchbox cars which I happily saved in the move and much happier, just found. lol


My all time favorite Matchbox, the Unimog by Mercedes.











This is one of two I had as a child. My all time favorite.

Great that you still have them! My only cast toy from when I was a kid is the John Deere model B tractor with a manure spreader. Made sometime in the early 1950's, does not have a manufacturers name that I can read on either piece. I had posted a picture a long time ago I think.

Anyway, from 1953: (the scoop that fit on the front is long gone)

Wow that's cool, and looks like it has some miles on it. Mostly in sand I'd bet.

I'll have to look around, I'm sure I have a few still kicking around somewhere.

Isn't it amazing how grown adult men hang on to these toys? Some things you just cannot let go of. In a few more years I will probably be entering my second childhood wearing my depends sitting in a sandbox playing with my old green army men.

Not to mention the GI Joe footlocker stocked fully with all Army gear...field pack, shovel, pick, bolt action rifle, canteen....oh ya, good times.

I have some of those.

rhill wrote:Isn't it amazing how grown adult men hang on to these toys? Some things you just cannot let go of.

rhill, growing old is mandatory .... but growing up is optional.

The BP tanker.

I have no pictures but always liked the 66/67?? Cougar the best.

There's a brief history of Lesney toys here:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesney_Products

And everything that you ever wanted to know about Matchbox :-
http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk/

I have the Unimog and about 30 more Matchbox vehicles. They're in good shape, always played indoors with them. Who knew to save the boxes? Mine are from mid-60's. I guardedly let my boys play with them. I know they collector value, but I'll probably get just pass them on to my boys, like my Henry's and other guns.

RoadBlocker wrote:I have the Unimog and about 30 more Matchbox vehicles. They're in good shape, always played indoors with them. Who knew to save the boxes? Mine are from mid-60's. I guardedly let my boys play with them. I know they collector value, but I'll probably get just pass them on to my boys, like my Henry's and other guns.

Mine were dug out of the sand pit more often than once. They were outdoor and indoor toys. I had a couple I liked that never went outside. Don't know where they ended up.

When I was a kid, I worked hard to earn my own spending money. I mowed lawns, with a cheap kmart mower I bought myself. Edged sidewalks, trimmed hedges, and painted outbuildings. I bought school clothes, maintained my bike and bought hotwheels and GI Joes. The real Joes, the 12" ones that dated my sisters Barbies after midnight.

When I went into the Corps, I boxed up my few possessions and put them in the attic. A large box with more than a hundred hit wheels, including limited editions still in the blister packs. Another large box with the Joes and all their vehicles. After bootcamp and A schools for Avionics, then the on the job training, I finally got my squadron assignment. Three years in one place. Rather than a new mustang, I bought a house.

Went home on leave, crawled in the corner of the attic and there was only a box of my books. My mom said, "Oh, one of my friends was over with her kids a few months ago, and I remembered seeing those boxes of your old toys, so I gave them to her for her boys. I knew you wouldn't mind..."

I often showed her the prices of original Joes selling at auction....

"Ouch"