MGTD - (Matchbox) copy
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MGA - Matchbox (re-issue)
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MGA - Matchbox Coke
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MGB - Johnny Lightning
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MG 1100 - Matchbox
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MG 1100 - Matchbox Superfast
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A recent review of the MG story done in an
early issue of TofTC, reminded me how good the copy from Brian Willoughby
was and how crude some of the images were. Since that story, http://www.breithaupts.com/totc207.htm,
digital images have improved and additional MG models have joined my collection.
It seems like a good idea to take another look at one of Britain's favorite
sports cars.
The history of the MG as provided by Brian in that original article needs
no update. Instead, I will focus on the models that represent the finest
from this marque.
The first model is a classic MGTD and you could be forgiven for guessing
it is a restored, vintage Matchbox. In fact, it is an exact copy of the
Matchbox model, made by . This example was built and painted by TofTC contributing
writer Stephen Bresnehan. Stephen even detailed the driver. The MGTF followed
the TD and the only TF example in small-scale comes from Tootsietoy. With
full-wheel spats and aero-screens, this is a very sleek looking example
of the TF.
In the early 1990's, Matchbox re-issued some of their earliest models of
the 1950's. One of the selections was the MGA. I do not have the original
but the green example shown here is the re-issued model. It appears that
the driver used in the TD simple traded in the old model for the new MGA.
More recently, Matchbox produced a new MGA casting. It was introduced in
a three-car boxed set of cars owned by Elvis Presley. It later appeared
in the collector Coca-Cola series with premium wheels and white-wall tires.
The casting is quite good and it is a mystery to me as why this tool has
seen so little use from Matchbox. The usual reason is licensing problems.
With MG's on again, off again production in recent years, perhaps the license
was tied up in changes of legal ownership for the MG name.
Johnny Lightning went British with a series of cars in the 1990's. Unfortunately,
some of these castings were not up to scratch. A quick comparison of the
lines of the JL and Matchbox MGA models, makes this point clear. The JL
version did offer an opening bonnet. JL also did the MGB and this casting
is closer to the mark. Once again, the bonnet opens. This model was also
used in the James Bond series.
For the classic MGB shape, we need look no farther than the brilliant 1:72
scale model from Hongwell. With correct wheels and great detail, this is
a beautiful casting. I especially like the fender-mount mirrors, luggage
rack and half-raised side windows. One other MGB has been done in small-scale.
The Mini-Dinky line offered this model. I do not have an example but the
image from one of my reference books provides a look at this car. The wire
wheels and opening bonnet and boot are nice. Metal fatigue, a chronic Mini-Dinky
problem, makes finding a complete one a challenge.
The last three images take us back to Matchbox. The MG1100 was a badge-engineered
model from the British Leland auto empire. Morris, Austin and others offered
this same body style. Matchbox first offered this casting with regular wheels
and later it became part of the Superfast line. Once again, Matchbox put
a driver in their MG. This time they also added a canine passenger in the
rear.
The MGB lasted more than two decades. In the 1990's, the MG name was sold
to Asian interests and a new MGF mid-engine car was produced. Matchbox made
the MGF in small-scale. Perhaps for the reasons the new MGA casting has
seen so little use, the MGF is not currently in the 1-75 line. Several color
variations were offered, including the all-white model shown here.
The future of the MG name is far from clear. If licensing issues can be
resolved, it would be great to see more examples in small-scale. A new MGTD
casting would be very popular or perhaps an earlier MGTC. Any pre-war MG,
especially some of the special racing cars, would be a wonderful surprise. |
MGTF - Tootsietoy
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MGA - Matchbox Elvis
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MGA - Johnny Lightning
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MGB - Hongwell
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MGB - Mini-Dinky
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MGF - Matchbox
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