The Matchbox AVTAK gift set that wasn't
Rainier Wolfcastle
Posts: 484MI6 Agent
In 1985, Matchbox replaced Corgi as the maker of James Bond toy cars following the failure of Mettoy (the company producing Corgi Toys) and the associated loss of the James Bond licence in late 1983.
As a tie-in to AVTAK Matchbox produced two cars which are part of many Bond model collections, the Renault 11 Paris taxi and the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud.
Not so well known is the fact that Matchbox also intended to make gift set containing these two cars plus two or three other models.
I know that I have seen a photo of this set - a pre-production packaging mockup using the same Roger Moore artwork and purple design as the single issues - somewhere.
I remembered the orange helicopter when I once saw this one on Ebay, even without the name James Bond mentioned in the description. With the red star and "06" markings this was meant to represent the Soviet coastguard helicopter seen in AVTAK's PTS.
I have searched for other Matchbox AVTAK models and found a Plymouth Gran Fury with San Francisco Police markings.
http://www.vectis.co.uk/Page/ViewLot.aspx?LotId=359427&Section=4805
I have searched for a photo of this gift set (I was quite sure it was a Vectis auction or in a book) but couldn't find one. I don't remember exactly, but I am quite sure the set I saw it contained five items, arranged in a 2-1-2 pattern.
With the Renault 11 taxi, Silver Cloud, helicopter and S.F.P.D. Plymouth this means that there would be another model I have not been able to identify. I think it could be a San Francisco fire engine (one of the generic models in the Matchbox range, not an articulated LaFrance) or maybe a Zorin airship. They could have used a repainted Corgi Juniors Goodyear blimp with the intention of producing a new casting after approval.
So my question: Anyone here who owns one of these pre-pro gift sets (if there were more than one made) or can show a photo? Does anyone have a Matchbox pre-pro S.F. fire engine or a Zorin airship?
And maybe anyone have one of these Plymouth police cars and wants to sell or maybe swap with one of the orange helicopters? (I have two of them now, don't want to sell it but wouldn't mind swapping.)
And yes, I am well aware that this helicopter bears no resemblance to the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo 105 used for filming, probably the reason Matchbox decided not to go ahead with this item. It is one of the notorious "generic" (non-prototypical) castings of the 1970's and '80's - here with a Siku 1/55-scale MBB Bo 105 which hopefully sometime will wear the orange-and-white AVTAK paint scheme and markings.
Although I don't really understand why they didn't proceed with the police car as a third model. The Plymouth is not exactly screen-accurate but that didn't stop Matchbox later when they made the LTK gift set in 1989.
A similar S.F.P.D. Plymouth in the new blue-white livery was later produced as a standard model.
As a tie-in to AVTAK Matchbox produced two cars which are part of many Bond model collections, the Renault 11 Paris taxi and the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud.
Not so well known is the fact that Matchbox also intended to make gift set containing these two cars plus two or three other models.
I know that I have seen a photo of this set - a pre-production packaging mockup using the same Roger Moore artwork and purple design as the single issues - somewhere.
I remembered the orange helicopter when I once saw this one on Ebay, even without the name James Bond mentioned in the description. With the red star and "06" markings this was meant to represent the Soviet coastguard helicopter seen in AVTAK's PTS.
I have searched for other Matchbox AVTAK models and found a Plymouth Gran Fury with San Francisco Police markings.
http://www.vectis.co.uk/Page/ViewLot.aspx?LotId=359427&Section=4805
Vectis wrote:Matchbox "James Bond" Plymouth Grand Fury
Tuesday 23rd February 2010 10:30am
Lot 1348
Matchbox "James Bond" Plymouth Grand Fury "Police" Car taken from the film "A View to a Kill" - this Pre-production model which was never issued was going to be part of a gift set which was never issued - this is one of only 26 factory Pre-production produced models [...]
I have searched for a photo of this gift set (I was quite sure it was a Vectis auction or in a book) but couldn't find one. I don't remember exactly, but I am quite sure the set I saw it contained five items, arranged in a 2-1-2 pattern.
With the Renault 11 taxi, Silver Cloud, helicopter and S.F.P.D. Plymouth this means that there would be another model I have not been able to identify. I think it could be a San Francisco fire engine (one of the generic models in the Matchbox range, not an articulated LaFrance) or maybe a Zorin airship. They could have used a repainted Corgi Juniors Goodyear blimp with the intention of producing a new casting after approval.
So my question: Anyone here who owns one of these pre-pro gift sets (if there were more than one made) or can show a photo? Does anyone have a Matchbox pre-pro S.F. fire engine or a Zorin airship?
And maybe anyone have one of these Plymouth police cars and wants to sell or maybe swap with one of the orange helicopters? (I have two of them now, don't want to sell it but wouldn't mind swapping.)
And yes, I am well aware that this helicopter bears no resemblance to the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo 105 used for filming, probably the reason Matchbox decided not to go ahead with this item. It is one of the notorious "generic" (non-prototypical) castings of the 1970's and '80's - here with a Siku 1/55-scale MBB Bo 105 which hopefully sometime will wear the orange-and-white AVTAK paint scheme and markings.
Although I don't really understand why they didn't proceed with the police car as a third model. The Plymouth is not exactly screen-accurate but that didn't stop Matchbox later when they made the LTK gift set in 1989.
A similar S.F.P.D. Plymouth in the new blue-white livery was later produced as a standard model.
Comments
there are two giftsets (might be more!). One onwned by Andy Foley and mine. Both came from Matchbox executives although at different times. Andy's had the bridge artwork as on the two cars and mine has the airship artwork. Both have launchers and Police cars Andy's had a helicopter and mine a Fire Engine.
The cars in Andy's were production ready but the only production ready cars in my set are the Police Car and Fire Engine, the Rolls and the Renault are resin with full detail.
I have always assumed my set was an earlier prototype
Both sets are based on existing boxes with additions and I still own mine but the other was sold to a Japanese collector for ..................... a WOW $15,000 - I would guess a Matchbox collector not Bond
I have never posted pics of the set as it would be easily copied. I learnt my lesson with a Corgi Lotus 1978 with the red sleeve( 1 of 20). I bought from Vectis and as soon as the sale went through the previous owner ( lets call him Mr Scumbag) started selling copies on Ebay.
Nick
I have seen Andy Foley's version as the artwork was the same as the single cars, and it contained the helicopter. I would agree that yours must be the earlier prototype. Can you tell which fire engine casting was used for your set? Of course without giving away details like the text of the tampoprints...
I did not know that there were two different prototype boxes. I have seen the one with the Eifeltower art, like the single Rolls Royce and Renault modelcar packages. Very nice to know that Nick owns a different package inspired of the AVTAK Golden Gate poster artwork. Would love to see it some day.
Cheers, top tip! Great looking prototype, just as good as the LTK set.
I think the LTK set is quite nice (but would be much better without "James Bond 007" all over the plane and heli) but compared with Corgi the Matchbox Bond vehicles are mediocre at best. Corgi produced a few classics, with gadgets, even in the small scale with the Aston Martin (DB6) and the Octopussy set.
But why didn't Matchbox produce some larger "Super Kings"-size models for AVTAK? A Zorin airship, a missile-firing helicopter, even a Renault 11 with ejecting roof and tail section would have been possible. They had invented their own "Adventure 2000" science-fiction range to compete with Dinky's Gerry Anderson toys and the Corgi Bond cars, and then finally get the 007 licence and produce nothing special at all. 8-)
Matchbox was involved with AVTAK and LTK, but any idea why not TLD? The Aston Martin Vantage with missile launcher, rocket exhaust and skis could have been the ultimate toy car of that time and today a classic like Corgi's DB5 and Esprit.
I do have in my collection the Plymouth police car, and resin prototypes of the Renault and Rolls Royce (not not the helicopter, but I am working on that with some contacts in the toy trade).
I have often thought about creating my own personal display box, and after much investigating using the picture in The Essential Bond Book, found that the plastic inner tray could come from the Matchbox Action Pack Gift Set GS4/GS8.
This particular Gift set has provision for 5 cars and the launcher, looking closely at an enlarged photocopy of the picture from the Bond Essential Book I can just make out the shadow of an empty compartment (top right, first row).
I have however realised that to get just an inner tray may be difficult, I have set about creating an inner tray and outer box.
Voiteurs comment about the fire engine has made me think maybe I should create an inner tray with provision 5 items plus launcher.
I will post pictures when I manage to complete my display box if anyone is interested.
http://www.jamesbondtoys.co.uk/collection/cars/diecast/avtak.htm
Perhaps you could PM me a pic of the Fire Engine -{
Yes, the tray is definitely the one from the Action Pack gift sets G-4 and G-8. I didn't know of the G-4 but had found the G-8 set earlier this month. These sets are quite rare, since I started looking in March I have only found this one set from Germany for €99. Didn't sell for this price before and was relisted - maybe now ...
http://www.ebay.de/itm/200915547270
Looks like the space available for the Plymouth and Renault is a bit tight, especially the Renault's front is pressed down by the taxi sign. Uh, yes, the book coincidentally lying around is The Essential Bond by Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall, and is still available on amazon.com for only $9.18, for those who don't have this book in their Bond library yet. (How's that for unobtrusive product placement?
Acacia Ave, if your contacts in the toy trade can't find the helicopter but just another SFPD Plymouth, I would be glad to swap.
Mark Hazard
Gotta find my box of cars and will pm you the Fire engine.
Looks like our resins are exactly the same, on the Rolls the front side lights are forward on the front wings and the rear door windows are shorter than the production car.
I think the giftset was designed in about 85-86 after the movie was released.
Thanks for the information regarding the G-8 set.
I was unsure whether it was G-4 or G-8 as Vectis had both for sale earlier this year, but they both looked the same:
http://www.vectis.co.uk/Page/ViewLot.aspx?LotId=475095&Section=51
http://www.vectis.co.uk/Page/ViewLot.aspx?LotId=475087&Section=51
Neither sold at estimate of £50
I will most certainly look out for a SFPD Plymouth with a view to swapping.
Glad to see the pics were of use Nick, looking forward to the Fire Engine pic.
Here is a pic of my first attempt at creating a display box.
I hope you don't mind but at second glance there is still some room for improvement left ...
1. The Matchbox logo you used is a more current one from this millennium. Correct notation for the time would be “MATCHBOX” in quotation marks, as seen on the AVTAK single issues and the G-8 set.
2. The placement of the Roger Moore artwork is very good but the position of the smaller Matchbox logo and Action Pack differs a bit. I would reduce the size a little to bring Matchbox closer to the botton corner and move a bit to the left so that more of the Eiffel Tower's arch is visible next to Action Pack. But the correct size will be easier to determine once you have the inner tray. Then it will also be easier to cut the window in the correct shape and size - the window corners to the left and above Action Pack are rounded, too. (This will be the most difficult part to get right.)
3. The white outline of the Action Pack logotype should follow the curves of C and O at the top instead of a straight line, again better visible on the G-8 box from Ebay.
Where did you get the Roger Moore artwork? Do you have an AVTAK poster to scan? Hope to see the finished box soon! B-)
Rainer, thank you for your observations regarding the two logos I will try to improve on them.
Nick, you are spot on with your comments, my intentions were to create a one off for my own use, with that in mind I am not going to pursue trying to find an inner tray, but create my own.
I will also put an addendum on the back of the box stating this is a one off personal project as per your comment about never wanting to confuse the real thing.
This may take me a while to complete as this is a project for when I am not busy working.
On Ebay at the minute is an original 'Dominos Letter' this was included in an edition (7th printing I think) of the Pan UK paperback Thunderball novel. Its pretty hard to get hold of but its just a piece of paper. One of those things thats nice if you have it but not stunningly important if you don't.
Also on Ebay are cretins selling replicas for 99p - I have only one question..............WHY ?
Its never going to make them rich, owning a replica is about as interesting to other people as owning the original, nothing to brag about
This constant attack on original stuff is very frustrating and essentially pointless. Its a strange world.
I bought a collection of james Bond stuff on Ebay some years ago and when it arrived some of the key pieces were fake. The guy said he could not remember and thought they were original, he may have been lying or himself duped. Ebay could not help (amount over £2k) I eventually had to take him to court, it did win in my favour but I never got a bean.
A very long time collector asked me to check out a boxed Lone Star frogman he was interested in buying. Turned out it was one I had had loose about 15 years ago, sold to Jim Stevenson and he had made a repro box and sold it to the States. Many years later the guy is trying to sell it and may never have known it was a fake. I say fake as Mr Stevenson used to list such items with the description of something like, it has a very nice litho box. So if you did not ask you did not know. Fake is intended to dupe where the reproduction is not as heavy on those connotations.
There is tons of this crap out there, just waiting years later to fool people. I've been caught and consider myself something of an expert.
Er............... rant over
First class post - and a very informative read - thank you -{
I am not interested in repro stuff - the only repro (or fake or code 3, whatever you want to call it) model I own is Steed's New Avengers Jaguar Coupé from Dinky Toys, simply because this was a model I looked for since I was a child after seeing it in the 1978 catalogue, not knowing it was never released. And there is a slight difference paying £1600 for a genuine pre-pro example or £60 for my fake one.
I also wanted to buy a repro box for this, as there are professionally litho-printed and die-cut Steed Jag boxes available. But Dinky didn't use Arial typeface (which was introduced a few years later); the box simply looked wrong and as a consequence I didn't buy it.
My take on this is that I want to find the correct gift set tray with a red launcher as per the AVTAK prototype but I do not intend to reproduce the outer box. My tips for making the graphics even more accurate were not intended so that Acacia can produce perfect replicas and fool anyone. I have always assumed that Acacia would mark his box accordingly and I find this very important to do so. We don't know what happens to us in the future and where the repro stuff we knowingly buy or make today will end up in 10, 20 years. By then a colour laserprint from 2013 will look "vintage" and may indeed be confused with an original.
But why bother trying to replicate something and then deliberately make some differences to the original? What's visible on display should be as close to the real thing as possible, IMO. I don't think the repro boxes available today which are different to the originals are done that way to make them recognizable from the original, but rather that the people making them don't really care or just don't know better.
But the danger that the rising quality of repro or fake stuff will affect the value of our rarities is a real one. Who would have thought a few years back that you could afford a colour laserprinter at home? Who knows, in the next decade maybe a 3D-printer or tampo printer may be affordable for everyone? Today, we are aware that boxes, labels, decals may be repro but in a few years even tampo-printed models or vac-formed trays may be easily - and cheaply! - faked.
To get back to the AVTAK set - Nick, if you don't mind I would also love to see the photo of the S.F. fire engine per PM. My guess would be the #134 Oshkosh Ladder. This should also fit in the space occupied by the helicopter in the other set.
Here are shots of my AVTAK vehicles - I am not decided on the Fire Engine yet which is good as I can't bloomin find that box!!
It's nice to be able to compare them to mine, shame about the white bit missing off the renault.
No problems regarding the fire engine.
PS. being stung for 2K
I decided not to buy a plastic inner tray but with the aid of a computerised cutting and creasing machine created my own (which took me hours to create the correct angles and boxes)
I know the launcher is not correct but bought this one as a guide to size and position. The helicopter is not the real deal but will suffice until I get the correct one.
Well this is it...........
Could you please post pictures of the inner tray and how it is folded? I wouldn't even know where to find a computerised cutting and creasing machine - and I guess a one-off would probably cost more than buying the G-8 gift set from ebay ...
It would also be interesting to see a size comparison of the AVTAK set to Matchbox's LTK set.
ACACIA_AVENUE, can you tell me if you have the plan to make some more of them? I am interested in one for my collection.
Many thanks for your comments, -{ at the moment I have no plan to produce any more.
The only other picture I have seen of the set is black and white picture in an old Dave Worrall 007 collectors magazine I have.
Thanks for that memorable bit of information -{
Family photo with the two standard AVTAK releases – Renault 11 Paris taxi and Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II – in front and two pre-production helicopters and one pre-pro black & white Plymouth behind, plus a later blue & white S.F.P.D. Plymouth released as a standard model in 1986, after the decision had been made to no longer pursue the AVTAK set. I bought one of those as a placeholder when I thought that it wouldn't take longer to find the box than one of the prototypes.
Size comparison of the AVTAK set with the familiar LTK set. While the Plymouths fit perfectly inside the compartments, the Renault really has to be squeezed inside almost to the point of breaking the suspension or permanently bending the axles. It's not surprising that Nick's resin sample lost its taxi sign after being handled similarly.
I will have to file off the narrow top of the sign to display inside the box but I don't want to do this to a mint example and I'm on the lookout for one in slightly used condition to work on without hesitation.
If the AVTAK set had been produced, the tray would have been different to better accommodate the taxi and would only have four compartments, so it wouldn't look like something was missing after opening a brand-new box.
Even after filling the empty compartment with the second Plymouth, the tray without a box still looks unsatisfactory… so while my earlier plan was to obtain the tray but not recreate the outer box I have now decided otherwise.
But Acacia's excellent work is also a bit intimidating as I don't want to embarrass myself with a lesser attempt. ;% So this will take some time to do properly.
Good to see you finally managed to complete your set :v and get the correct tray and box.
Just goes to show given time, patience and hours of searching can be rewarding.
I've heard my work called some things but never 'intimidating'
Hopefully I can acquire a box and helicopter in the future and finally complete this project for myself.