Matchbox cars scale

f2shooter Feb 9, 2021

  1. f2shooter

    f2shooter TrainBoard Member

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    Evening everyone,
    Does anyone here recall a series of Matchbox cars modeled on early 20th century autos? I just found a boxful of maybe 10 of them I collected in the 70’s. Cars like the Stutz Bearcat, Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, a Bentley and some other. I’m trying to figure out what scale they are or are close to. They seem big for HO but I’m wondering if they are set in a scene a bit off to the back if they would not look too out of place. Or is that just crazy? I’ll apologize in advance if I’ve already asked this question.

    Rick H.
     
  2. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    Normal Matchbox are 1/64. I had a couple of the series you are referring to. I believe they are closer to 1/48.
     
  3. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    The Models of Yesteryear series seems to be a larger scale than other matchbox cars. The Wikipedia page says the Matchbox Collectibles series are made to a larger scale than the 1/64 standard cars, up to even 1/43 (about a third of the way down the page in the 'scale of models' section).
     
  4. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    I collected Matchbox cars in the 1960's and used them on the HO layout I had at the time. They did not seem to be in any particular scale at all. Whatever there were was made to fit inside the Matchbox. I was just a kid then and it did not bother me much.
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  5. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I have 5 of them and there is no set scale. Some were between HO and O. Even the new ones vary a lot. Also there used to be what I recall as T scale used by Architects.
     
  6. mtaylor

    mtaylor Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    They are (were) larger than 1/87 but did not know the scale. As a kid, I had tons of Matchbox cars, I preferred them over Hot Wheels and other brands of similar size. I used them on my HO layout as kids for years and did not phase me a bit until I was an adult :)

    You could try forced perspective by placing them further from the viewer as you suggested. Bottom line, if you try it and like then that is all that matters :)
     
    Joe Lovett likes this.
  7. power boat jim

    power boat jim TrainBoard Member

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    Some of the dump trucks and earth moving vehicles are closer to HO than the cars.
     
    Shortround likes this.
  8. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, the bigger the vehicle they scaled down to fit the standard "matchbox" or, later, blister pack, the closer to HO. Large cars are close to S, 1:64.
     
    Shortround likes this.
  9. f2shooter

    f2shooter TrainBoard Member

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    I like the idea of forced perspective. Too big for an HO layout really and they won’t fit into any particular time period I might be modeling but who cares. Some of my buildings are a bit off scale as well. It’s all for fun.

    Rick H.
     
    mtaylor likes this.
  10. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    The unfortunate part is they must be close to the viewer/camera, and none of them have convincing wheels.
     
  11. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    Yeah, I think that is the biggest weakness of using Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars on a layout. The chrome and plastic wheels ruin the scale appearance. I think you see some people try to get away with certain construction vehicles just because HO diecast can be expensive, but when your dump trucks and semi trailers have chromed spoke wheels from a racecar, there may be a minor problem.
     
  12. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    The early Matchbox are slightly better, but the axles are thick. The bulbous ends that hold the wheels on almost look like dog dish hub caps. Almost. But that, too, is inappropriate for heavy trucks.
     
  13. RailMix

    RailMix TrainBoard Member

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    As a kid, I had and still have a Matchbox '56 Ford station wagon that actually appears to be fairly close to HO, although some of the dimensions appear to vary somewhat and the paint, which needs some help now, is a garish bright yellow. I may nonetheless find a place on the layout for it (a cameo appearance if you will- sort of like John Allen's dinosaur) just for old times sake.
     
    BNSF FAN and mtaylor like this.
  14. RGW1

    RGW1 TrainBoard Member

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    I have used their steam tractor and a steam roller as scrap machines cover in brush in the back of my scrap yard. They are a little bigger than HO but the brush helps. Also got a matchbox 1920s truck that looks to be close to HO.
     
  15. Tom B Hall

    Tom B Hall New Member

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    Here's the list of "close to HO" I refer to: http://www.87thscale.info/matchbox_ii.htm

    Some of the Lesney cars apparently didn't "look" quite right to the Marchbox designers (I think mostly American cars like the Fairlane), so they actually are wider than they should be.

    The Models of Yesteryear are generally 1:43 scale. I had few a of them from when I was a kid but acquired almost the whole range now--thanks to the 'bay and my ever-shrinking wallet...
     
    Mike VE2TRV likes this.

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