In keeping with the spirit of my blog as described in my first-ever post that clarified that, as a die-cast collector as well as a slot car racer, this blog will cover both aspects of my scale model car hobby, I’m uploading another one for my fellow “MATCHBOX” fans. This is a personal flashback in two ways; first because it is a video from April of 2016, showing a younger (and heavier) me (and sans beard, no less), unboxing a piece of childhood nostalgia: an ePay find of that year, when I finally obtained the only complete and unbroken version of the Matchbox “Super Garage” I had found up to that point. This is a toy that is very difficult to find in an in-tact state.
I distinctly remember getting one of these for X-mas of 1978, and although I thought it was cool, I also remember it was poorly designed and not all that well-made; it was difficult to assemble and, in the end, the reality was less impressive than the promise. Most toys are like that, unfortunately. Even so, I managed to put it together again like I did 38 years before (although then I had my dad’s help, of course).
I had it assembled as you see it in these pictures on the floor of my basement where Drag City is today (the walls of that room have been repainted from the deep blue you see here and the massive area rug is long gone). It was there for a month or so, but it eventually had to get re-boxed, and it probably won’t surprise you to learn I haven’t put it together again since, and it is still sitting in my basement store room. I will probably erect it again someday, although I don’t think I’ll be using as a diorama piece, but, you never know.
I believe the cars displayed in these pictures were set up to mimic the images on the box at least somewhat closely, but whether or not that’s right, it was a good chance to show off my Matchbox collection, both then and now.
Forgive the old digital camera date stamps on the photos, although I did leave that on intentionally at the time and I don’t regret it since it will remind me of when these pics were taken; that kind of thing is more appreciated the older I get!
This is a great post and it brings back great memories! I didn’t have one this big but sure wish I had. These items are so much more meaningful now to me as well. I have plans for the other house my property for ultimately, things just like this! Thanks for sharing this!