Die Cast

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2006

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Trying to keep up with the die cast business has been tough. I would guess that I have about 5-10 issues missing from my collection (that I know about). The NFL changes "approved" manufacturers of certain products every few of years....Ertl made the 1:24 cars (banks) from 1993 to 2000. In 2000, White Rose Collectibles stepped in and made a panel van and in 2001 through 2005, Fleer was back in the picture. Fleer made a LOT of stuff in a few short years and ended up going bankrupt in May of 2005....Guess who bought their Die Cast business? Well, it's Upper Deck, so who knows what's in store for 2006



Here are some pictures of what I own...I also have more that I don't yet have photos of. I took a bunch of pictures over the weekend and I will scan them in as soon as I get the film developed.

Where do I begin? How about the smaller stuff. here's a collection within a collection of Fleer 1:64 (approx)when they made small vehicles and provided an "Ultra" trading card to go with it. It started in 1999 with Curtis Enis and continued in 2001 (Yukon), 2002 (PT Cruiser), 2003 (Mustang Convertible) and 2004 (Cadillac escalade) with Brian Urlacher cards.



Mantua Train box car 1992 (first series): 

Ertl bi-plane coin bank (late 90s): 

2003 P-51 Airplane by Fleer: 

2003 B52 Stealth Bomber by Fleer: 

2004 P-47 by Fleer: 

2002 Monster Truck - Fleer: 

Here's a 2003 Sideline car..most come with a blue chassis. I own a rare "orange" chassis version with a limited production of only 232: 

In 2003 Fleer Collectibles started a 1st in a series of Muscle Cars (I am still missing that car, but I'll get it, don't worry..Series 2 and 3 were a stingray corvette and a cobra (those I have): 

Like I mentioned earlier. White Rose Collectibles made the 2000 NFL issue. It's now pictured on the bottom right of my "pyramid" of cars below. It's a panel delivery truck. Fleer took over again in 2001 and 2002 and made a Thunderbird and a Cadillac Escapade 1:24: 


They also produced a 1955 Chevy Pickup and a 1940 Ford in 2003 and 2004. there is a 2005 model, but I don't have that yet, either:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2006

Matchbox/White Rose Collectibles

I also own an up to date collection on a series of mini trucks initially manufactured by Matchbox. The series began in 1990. Here are the early 1990, '91 and '92 trucks:





In 1993 Matchbox switched it's NFL series to Tractor Trailers and soon after hired a company called "White Rose Collectibles" to produce them. That is why you will see the name of Matchbox and White Rose Collectibles on a few years in the mid to late 1990's. I believe that White Rose Collectibles became the exclusive producer of these trucks in 1998 or 1999.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2006

Ertl - Goal Line Classics

The thing about collecting is that every piece that you acquire comes with a story. That's what makes it amazing, that plus I actually remember where most of my things come from. Well, maybe I used to, but my collection is growing so fast I had to start this blog to document it. I hadn't really started collecting Bears items seriously, just a few key chains here and there, and maybe a few odds and ends. Anyway, I volunteer to take my Mother-In-Law to The Quad Cities Airport which is about an hour from here. We arrive and are awaiting her departure when I wander into the Gift Shop. There on 1/2 off closeout was this metal Chicago Bears Truck made by a company called Ertl. Well, of course I bought it because it was pretty cool looking. Next thing you know I am home researching Ertl and discover that this truck was known as a 1:24 scale die cast Goal Line Classic coin bank (I failed to realize that it was a bank). The date on the truck was 1993, and it was 1st in a series.

To make a long story short, now I had become addicted and determined to get these Goal Line Classics every year. It was difficult at first, for my area never really had good distributors for NFL stuff, and Ebay was not yet born.

Ertl manufactured these banks in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. 1995 and 1996 were hard to come by. 1996 was a nice blue 1957 Chevy, which I acquired from a middle man online. He found the darn thing for me and shipped it to me at no profit. I tipped him $10.00 anyway...



I didn't even know there was a 1995 model. Ertl also made a Helmet Bank that year, so I bought that and assumed it was part of the series. Later on, however, I found the next truck at a Flea Market and the lady woud NOT budge on her price (I even let her sleep on it...LOL) It's a cool panel delivery van: 

 

1996 Motor Coach by White Rose that also makes sound when you push down on it..."TOUCHDOWN, TOUCHDOWN BEARS!!!"

I don't know what to do here....why don't I just post all of the pictures of the stuff I own

Joe DiNovo Matchbox

This piece was given to guests and friends to celebrate "Matchbox" Collector Joe Di Novo and his wife Marion's 52 year wedding anniversary. It also celebrates Joe's love of the Chicago Bears


"....  84-year old Joe DiNovo, then, who has the world’s largest Matchbox collection: 23,000 cars fill his basement, top to bottom, collected over the past 50 years. The retired mail carrier used to collect trains, but discovered the miniature four-wheeled world after he sold them alongside his trains at swap meets. He would keep the ones that didn’t sell, and keep buying cases: apparently DiNovo wasn’t a very good salesman, because the cars kept on piling up—and sooner than later, DiNovo had a collection cluttering up his basement.
“I have more in the garage that I can’t put in,” DiNovo said. “There’s no room for anything. I need a bigger house.”
As every man needs a supportive woman behind him, his wife calls the basement of their house “the dungeon,” as DiNovo is down there pretty often rearranging his collection. And he has some impressive cars: many of them are in original Matchbox cases, still in their packaging even 50 years later. One prize in his collection is a VW Microbus, custom-made by the Matchbox company and decked out in two things DiNovo holds dear to his heart: the 52nd anniversary of his marriage, and the Chicago Bears.
“I don’t drink, smoke or womanize, so that’s why I have all this stuff and I’m happy to have it,” said DiNovo. “I really, really enjoy the hobby. I think everybody should have a little hobby.” Some people collect watches, others ride motorcycles, and some crochet—but I’d be a little remiss if I didn’t say that want to grow up to be DiNovo. Now I just need a basement to start.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times"

23,000 Matchbox Cars | Hobbyist Forums (hobbytalk.com)

AUTOGRAPHED by Dale Jarrett AND Joe Gibbs

 

                           The Chicago Bears   On The Road to Victory  Bus Limited Edition.

1992 $34.50 White Rose Matchbox Collectibles Delivery Sedan 3" - 1:64 scale 1993 19.5 White Rose Matchbox Collectibles Semi-Tractor Trailer Truck 7" - 1:87 scale 1994 $49.50 White Rose Matchbox Collectibles Semi-Tractor Trailer Truck 7" - 1:87 scale 1996 Chicago Bears  $89.00 Cheering (talking) Team Bus Die-cast  1:64 scale   8"long 2001  Sold Out 3" - PT Cruiser packaged with a Fleer Rookie Brian Urlacher  Football Card 2001  $29.50 9" -  Chicago Bears Greatest All-Metal Trailer Truck 2001  $27.50 7" -  All-Metal Chicago Bears Team Ford ThunderBird 2002 $19.00 Sold Out Annual Team Tractor Trailer 0.097222222 (9.5") 2002 All $35.00 Sold Out Metal  Monster Truck 1:32  (7.5") 2002 $5.50 Team Howler with Brian Urlacher Fleer Card 1:55 (3") 2002 All $35.00 Metal Cadillac  Escapade SUV 1:24 (7") 2003  Sold Out Annual Team Tractor  Trailer 9.5" 1:80 scale 2003 Sold Out Team  Mini Monster Truck with pull back wheel action 3" 1:58 scale  2003 Sold Out P-51 Airplane 9.5"  wingspan 1:48 scale 2003 $5.50 Team Convertible Mustang Car w/ Brian Urlacher Fleer Card 3"  1:64 scale  2003 $29.00 BIG Team Monster Truck with oversized tires 6.5" 1:32 scale  2003 $39.00 B2 Stealth Bomber  with 14"  wingspan 1:144 Scale  2003 Sold Out Chevy 1955 Pick-up Truck 7" 1:24 scale 2003  Sold Out SideLine Car  4" long All die-cast metal 2003 Sold Out 1963  CHEVY  VETTE STINGRAY Scale - 1:24 7" long Very limited  & numbered  2003 1965  SHELBY  COBRA  427 S/C Scale - 1:24 7" long Very limited  & numbered 2003 1968  SHELBY GT  510 KR Scale - 1:24 7" long Very limited  & numbered 2004  $14.50 Annual Team  Tractor Trailer 9.5"  1:80 scale  2004 $29.95 P40 Warhawk  Aircraft  9" wings span 1:48 scale 2004  $3.25 Series One  Mini Monster Truck  w/ pull back wheel action  2.5"  1:58 scale  2004 Sold Out 1940 Ford Team  Pick-Up Truck 7" 1:24 scale  2004 $32.50 F-18 Hornet  Military Jet 9" long  with a 7" wings span 1:72 Scale  2004  $29.50 Ford Monster Team Truck 6.5" 1:32 scale  2004 $5.50 1:64 scale H2 Hummer  Team Truck  w/ B. Urlacher player card 3" 2004  Sold Out Chicago Bears Vintage Logo  SideLine Car  4"  2004  $3.25 Series Two  Mini Monster Truck  w/ pull back wheel action -  2.5"  1:58 scale  2004  $12.50 1:43 scale H2 Hummer Team Truck 5" 2004  $29.95 Legendary 1967  Corvette Team Car 7"  1:24 scale  2004 $3.25 Vintage Logo Mini-Monster Truck  w/pull back wheel action 2.5" 1:58 scale Rare  Sold Out Action Diecast Race Car 7"  1:24 scale ERTL 2005 Sold Out Polaris Snowmobile 1:18 scale  ERTL 2005 $55.00 Super Bowl Series  1985 Chevy Corvette  1:18 Scale 2005 $14.50 Annual Team  PeterBilt  Tractor Trailer 9.5" - 1:80 scale 2005  $5.50 Photo coming soon Die-cast Escalade  Team Truck  w/ B. Urlacher player card  3" - 1:64 scale  2005  $6.00 Die-cast  All Terrain Vehicle  with Driver 3" 2005  $4.00 Mini Monster Truck w/ pull back  wheel action  2.5" - 1:58 scale 2005  $13.50 Die-cast H2 Hummer  Team Truck  Photo coming soon 5" - 1:43 scale 2005 Sold Out Die-cast Ford F-100  Monster Team Truck  5.5" - 1:36 scale 2005  $29.95 Die-cast 1937 Ford  Team Pick-Up Truck  7" - 1:24 scale 2005 Die-cast Ford  $5.00 Mustang GT Team Car  3" - 1:64 scale 2005  $4.50 Die-cast NFL  Team Blimp 3"  2006 Upper Deck Sold Out Annual Team Peterbilt Tractor Trailer 9.5" - 1:80 scale  2006 Upper Deck $12.50 Home & Road logo Escalades (2) pack with Team card 3" - 1:64 scale  2006 Upper Deck $5.50 Ford Mustang GT Team Car with B. Urlacher card 3" - 1:64 scale 2006 Upper Deck $5.00 Chevy Corvette Convertible C6 Team Car 3" - 1:64 scale 2006 Upper Deck Sold Out 1956 Ford F-100  Pick-Up Truck 5" - 1:36 scale 2006 Upper Deck $29.50 Chevy Corvette Coupe  Team Car 7" - 1:24 scale 2006 ERTL Sold Out OCC Team Chopper Bike 4.5" - 1:18 scale 2006 ERTL Sold Out 1996 Dodge Viper Team Car 3" - 1:64 scale 2006 ERTL $29.00 OCC Team Chopper Bike 7.5" - 1:10 scale 2006 ERTL $29.00 Team ThrowBack Tractor Trailer Truck 11" - 1:64 scale 2006 ERTL $10.00 Team Tractor Trailer 6.5" - 1:87 scale 2006 ERTL Sold out Team Delivery Truck 4.5" - 1:64 scale 2006 ERTL $8.00 Team Snowmobile 3.5" - 1:32 scale 2006 ERTL $29.50 Toyota Supra Team Car 7" - 1:24 scale 2007 Upper Deck $15.00 Die-cast Annual Team Peterbilt Tractor Trailer 9.5" - 1:80 scale 2007 Upper Deck Sold Out Die-cast Ford F150 Truck with team sticker 2" - 1:87 scale 2007 Upper Deck Sold Out Die-cast Ford SVT Adrenaline Team T ruck with B. Urlacher card 3" - 1:64 scale 2007 Upper Deck $6.00 Die-cast Ford SVT Adrenaline Team Truck with B. Berrian card 3"- 1:64 scale 2007 Upper Deck $32.50 Die-cast Chrysler 300C Team Car 7" - 1:24 scale 2007 ERTL Sold Out Die-cast OCC Team Chopper Tool Bike 4.5" - 1:18 scale 2007 ERTL $10.00 Die-cast Team Tractor Trailer 6.5"- 1:87 scale 2008 Upper Deck Sold Out Die-cast Annual Team Peterbilt Tractor Trailer 9.5" - 1:80 scale 2008 Upper Deck Sold Out Die-cast Ford Mustang Fastback Team Car with B. Urlacher card 3" - 1:64 scale 2008 Upper Deck $6.00  Die-cast Ford Mustang Fastback Team Car with D. Hester card 3" - 1:64 scale 2008 Upper Deck $12.00 Die-cast (2) Pack Home & Away Charger & Corvette Team Cars 3" - 1:64 scale ea. 2008 ERTL $5.50 Die-cast Volkswagon Bus 3" - 1:64 scale 2008 ERTL $10.00 Die-cast Team Tractor Trailer 6.5" - 1:87 scale 2009 Die-cast $12.50 Annual Team Tractor Trailer 9.5" - 1:80 scale 2009 Die-cast $6.00 Dodge Charger Team Car with B. Urlacher card 3" - 1:64 scale Photo coming soon 2009 Die-cast $6.00 Dodge Charger Team Car with M. Forte card 3"- 1:64 scale Photo coming soon 2010 Die-cast $15.00 Annual Team Tractor Trailer 9.5" - 1:80 scale 2011 Die-cast $15.00 Annual Team Tractor Trailer 9.5" - 1:80 scale 2011 Die-cast $14.00 2 pack "Home/Away" Charger and Mustang set with Stadium Card 1:64 scale Photo coming soon