Greetings 

 The Compliments of the Season to all as I am not planning another Newsletter this month. (unless something really good appears.)

They have been busy producing Code 2 and 3 models
A MatchBox 2000 Concept 1:63 Convertible sneaked through on eBay which set me hunting. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1790483580

I now find they have also produced 3 models based on the Matchbox 1:43 1955 Platinum model (yellow)

1. For the 2002 Maple Leaf meeting
2. For the same Ford dealer who issued the 2000 model - Pacifico Ford 75th Anniversary - no mention on their website, and they don't have any special offers on T-Birds for my zip code.
3. For the Northwest Matchbox Club 2002 - Their website is a little out of date

Info atwww.tbirduk.com/HTML/mb-dy_code2.asp

Dot Lang's Newsletter reported that the 2002 1957 T-Bird is in 2 colors, I am still trying to Identify which one I already have.
Does anyone know of a way of identifying which color is "Bright" Metallic blue?
Is there a difference in the Packaging?
Hopefully I already have the "dark blue" but won't be able to tell untilhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1790595780 arrives.

I see my suspicion about the source of the "Dot Dash" and "5 Arch" mixed wheel types on the MB42 1957 is confirmed by a current ebay auction.

Rumours persist that the 2000 Concept mould has been modified and will appear as a 2003 model year.
Personally I doubt this as a Pre Production resin was sold at a Vectis Auction earlier this year. Seeing the resins sold before production occurs usually means that the model has been dropped.

Collectibles

I described the MICA UK 2002 set with the 1:43 Green 1955 and the Ford Model A van a few newsletters ago, it transpires another 1955 was created as well as a couple of Colour Trials

Info atwww.tbirduk.com/HTML/mb-dy_code2.asp

Now I REALLY regret not going ...

It was a close run race for the "silly price of the year award" but

A very nice Bloomingdale sethttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=224&item=1790843259&rd=1
$515.51
was just pipped at the post by an exquisite 1959 Corgi 214Mhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16481&item=1789233765&rd=1
$565
The buyer was obviously determined to upgrade so he put his own one up for sale and it sold at $420,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1920490793
Proof indeed that prices are driven by -
Condition, Box, Condition and Box Condition

However this auctionhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1788565009 raises another question, what is Mint? Those tyres are obviously original, but would you consider them Mint ?

Thunderbirds ? I don't think so -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=1921639903
1998 T-Bird ? It's a Tau*us really

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1921944390
1956 T-Bird? It's more like a '58 Che*y according to Revell

A few minor updates and corrections but nothing really to report - I have made some progress with the database conversion and hope to have it online by the Spring.

Good Hunting