#780 Matchbox – Disney Serial (Nr.3 As Well As Four Or Wd-3 As Well As Wd-4) (1981)

Like many other brands, Matchbox associated before long amongst Disney as well as launched a brusk serial of cars amongst Disney characters on them.

These Matchbox models are, to my knowledge, the solely ones made inward Hong-Kong. They are especially numbered WD-XX (for Walt Disney), as well as at that topographic point were solely 12 references always made.

Launched inward Europe inward 1981, the serial started amongst solely vi references, but amongst iii to a greater extent than inward grooming that would live available “at the terminate of the year”. These were:

WD-1 Mickey Mouse burn downwardly truck
WD-2 Donald Duck’s Buggy
WD-3 Goofy’s Beetle
WD-4 Minnie Mouse’s Lincoln
WD-5 Mickey Mouse’s Jeep
WD-6 Donald Duck’s Jeep
WD-7 Pinnocchio’s Roadshow
WD-8 Jiminy Cricket’s Oldtimer
WD-9 Goofy’s Race Car

Matchbox German linguistic communication Catalogue 1981

Some models similar the Lincoln, the Jeeps or the Race Car appear to live made out of modified casts from the 1-75 series, but other are completely novel as well as were made expressely for this series.

One twelvemonth afterward (1982), the serial was expanded i time again (and for the final time) amongst iii to a greater extent than references:

WD-10 Goofy’s Train
WD-11 Donald Duck’s Ice Cream Van
WD-12 Mickey Mouse’s Corvette

Matchbox German linguistic communication Catalogue 1983, showing all references available

These appear to live rarer that the previous 9. The brusk Popeye serial too had the same Van (WD-11), solely amongst a unlike plastic load.

Both cars are marked 1979 inward the base, I wonder if they were available i or 2 years before inward Britain, but inward that case, why didn't Matchbox launch all nine at once? Are solely the receive down vi copyrighted inward 1979 as well as the others inward 1981? I create non know yet. Maybe I tin uncovering to a greater extent than of these, as well as thence I volition update as well as right this entry if necessary.

Despite existence quite resistant, reckon that the figures are made of plastic, thence they may live broken or missing simply about part. Note for illustration Goofy’s ears, which are unfortunately inward proficient condition, but expect quite fragile.

Minnie inward bluish Lincoln (WD-3)

Goofy inward yellowish VW Beetle (WD-4)

FACTS AND FIGURES:

Name: GOOFY'S BEETLE and MINNIE MOUSE'S LINCOLN (Nrs. 3 as well as iv or WD-3 as well as WD-4)
Scale: Approx. 1:64
Year: 1981 (marked 1979)
Company: Matchbox (Great Britain)
Size: approx. vii cm