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10 of the most valuable Matchbox cars you might own, including one worth £3,380

10 of the most valuable Matchbox cars you might own, including one worth £3,380

Scotsman04-05-2025

But did you know your Matchbox car or one owned by your child or grandchild could be worth hundreds or thousands of pounds?
The die-cast models were first launched by Lesney Products back in 1953, taking their name from the boxes in which they were sold, and they have been turning carpets into racetracks ever since.
The Matchbox brand has been owned by the toy giant Mattel since 1997 and is still going strong, but vintage models in good condition and in their original boxes are hugely collectable and can sell for huge amounts.
The most valuable models ever sold include the one-off Major Quarry Truck, which fetched $15,000 in 2010, and the 1961 Light Brown Magirus Deutz Crane, which went for $10,000 at auction in the noughties.
But some slightly less rare Matchbox vehicles, which could be lurking in your toybox or hidden in the attic, have fetched similarly eye-watering prices in recent months.
Below are the nine most valuable Matchbox cars sold on eBay so far this year, all worth at least £500, and one which went for more than £2,000 at auction in November 2024.
We've only included Matchbox vehicles sold as individual items on eBay in our list and we've excluded sales of the packaging alone, which can also be hugely valuable, and Hot Wheels and Dinky Toys cars.
Do you have retro pictures or nostalgic memories to share with us? Send them online via YourWorld at www.yourworld.net/submit. It's free to use and, once checked, your story or picture will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
1 . Bronze Lamborghini Miura
This bronze Matchbox Superfast No 33 Lamborghini Miura with a red interior sold for £500 on eBay in March 2025 | vintage-toys-a-trip-down-memory-lane/eBay Photo: vintage-toys-a-trip-down-memory-lane/eBay Photo Sales
2 . Low Loader - £510
This Matchbox Moko Lesney Boxed No 27a Low Loader sold for £510 on eBay in February 2025 | stewart_scotland/eBay Photo: stewart_scotland/eBay Photo Sales
3 . Mobile Home - £560
This forest green Matchbox Superfast 54 Mobile Home pre-production model, in mint condition, sold for £560 on eBay in March 2025 | amazingmatchbox/eBay Photo: amazingmatchbox/eBay Photo Sales
4 . Lamborghini Miura - £581
This metallic green Matchbox Lamborghini Miura with a golden base sold for £581 on eBay in March 2025 | rockertron-toys/eBay Photo: rockertron-toys/eBay Photo Sales
Related topics: MemoriesNostalgiaEbayBoostMoney

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Lando Norris lifts lid on luxury car collection with ultra-rare £2MILLION Lamborghini and iconic £1million Ferrari
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Scottish Sun

time24-05-2025

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Lando Norris lifts lid on luxury car collection with ultra-rare £2MILLION Lamborghini and iconic £1million Ferrari

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'Car boot queen' says you can flip these 9 items for hundreds of pounds
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Daily Record

time23-05-2025

  • Daily Record

'Car boot queen' says you can flip these 9 items for hundreds of pounds

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You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "If you're new to flipping items, start small by buying things you can test easily and know a bit about. As you gain experience, you'll start spotting those lucrative gems more quickly. 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Even common titles can fetch £20–£30, while rare ones can be worth hundreds. vintage consoles can resell for £40–£200+, with rare games up to £300+. Even just the packaging can sell for £100+ on resale sites. For the full resale value, make sure consoles aren't missing power leads or controllers and check game cartridges for corrosion or heavy scratches. 3. Branded Vintage Clothing 90s and Y2K fashion is having a moment. Look out for denim jackets, branded hoodies, and old-school trainers from labels like Levi's, Adidas, Burberry, or Ralph Lauren. Such brands can resell for £20–£150 depending on the brand and piece and often car boot sellers don't know what gems they're holding onto. Keep an eye out for fakes which can be common at car boots and markets, especially with designer labels. Examine stitching, tags, and quality carefully and avoid anything with stains or obvious damage, unless it can be cleaned easily. 4. Mid-Century Furniture & Decor Small furniture items like teak side tables, magazine racks, or atomic-era mirrors can be snapped up cheap and sold on for a tidy profit, especially to buyers into interior design or vintage styling. The roof is the limit with vintage furniture, but can sell to the right buyer from £40–£300+. Watch out for damage to veneers, signs of woodworm, or newer mass-produced items that just look retro which will heavily effect the resale price. 5. LEGO Sets LEGO holds its value incredibly well, especially themed or discontinued sets like Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Architecture collections. Even bulk bags of random bricks can go for good money. Sets and boxes of well-kept LEGO can be sold for £20–£200+ depending on completeness and theme. However, things like missing mini-figures, incomplete instructions, or knock-off bricks (real LEGO has the brand name stamped on every stud) can make them essentially worthless. 6. 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'Car boot queen' lists nine 'flip' items to sell online for hundreds
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Daily Mirror

time23-05-2025

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'Car boot queen' lists nine 'flip' items to sell online for hundreds

Expert tips on what to look out for when buying at car boot sales, including vintage Pyrex dishes, branded clothing and retro gaming consoles that can be sold for a profit online Car boot sales could be your golden ticket to a cash windfall, especially if you've got an eye for bargains. Buried beneath piles of odds and ends, from preloved playthings to mismatched crockery, lie treasure-worthy finds that savvy flippers can sell on for a tidy sum. "Car Boot Queen" Ellie Macsymons from NetVoucherCodes has revealed her top picks of car boot must-haves that might just net you a small fortune. ‌ Ellie said: "Car boot sales are the perfect place to spot a deal. Often sellers don't know what kind of treasure they have right under their nose, and often sell luxury items for a fraction of their price. If you know what you're looking for, you could resell some of these items for hundreds of pounds, giving you an extra boost coming into summer. ‌ "If you're new to flipping items, start small by buying things you can test easily and know a bit about. As you gain experience, you'll start spotting those lucrative gems more quickly. And remember: always check sold listings on eBay to get a realistic idea of an item's value, not just the asking price." Nine items to buy at car boot sales to sell online Vintage Pyrex dishes Nan's old patterned dishes are all the rage nowadays, with "Gooseberry", "Butterprint," and "Snowflake" fetching handsome sums from collectors and vintage kitchenware enthusiasts, selling for £30 to £150 based on scarcity and state. Nonetheless, be wary of diminished value due to wear like chips, cracks, murky glass (often dishwasher-related), or fading patterns. Retro gaming consoles and games The retro gaming scene is thriving with gear like Game Boys and Sega Mega Drives in high demand among buffs and yearning millennials, commanding £20–£30 for common titles and a mint for rarer finds. Vintage consoles can resell for £40–£200+, and precious game up to £300+, while even original boxes might fetch over £100 online. Ensure full resale price by checking that consoles have all cables, aren't missing controllers, and watch out for tarnished or badly scratched cartridges. ‌ Branded vintage clothing 90s and Y2K fashion is all the rage right now. Keep your eyes peeled for denim jackets, branded hoodies, and retro trainers from big names like Levi's, Adidas, Burberry, or Ralph Lauren. These brands can fetch anywhere between £20–£150 on resale, depending on the brand and item, and often, car boot sellers are unaware of the treasures they possess. Be vigilant for counterfeits, which are rife at car boots and markets, particularly with designer labels. ‌ Scrutinise stitching, tags, and quality meticulously and steer clear of anything with stains or noticeable damage, unless it can be cleaned effortlessly. Mid-Century furniture and decor ‌ Compact furniture items such as teak side tables, magazine racks, or atomic-era mirrors can be bought for a song and sold for a handsome profit, especially to buyers who are into interior design or vintage styling. The sky's the limit with vintage furniture, but it can sell to the right buyer from £40–£300+. Be wary of damage to veneers, signs of woodworm, or newer mass-produced items that merely look retro, which will significantly affect the resale price. LEGO sets ‌ LEGO sets, particularly themed or discontinued collections like Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Architecture, hold their value remarkably well. Even bags of random bricks can fetch a pretty penny. Well-preserved LEGO sets and boxes can be sold for £20–£200+, depending on the theme and completeness. However, factors such as missing mini-figures, incomplete instructions, or counterfeit bricks (genuine LEGO has the brand name stamped on every stud) can render them virtually worthless. Vintage cameras ‌ The popularity of film photography is soaring, leading to an increased demand for vintage cameras like Olympus Trip 35, Pentax Spotmatic, or old Polaroids. A quick scroll through TikTok reveals a new generation of influencers flaunting their retro film cameras or camcorders. Enthusiasts and collectors are on the hunt for usable gear, often found at car boot sales. These finds can resell from £25–£150+, but beware of rusty battery compartments, sticky shutters, or broken lenses. If it's a Polaroid, ensure the film type it uses is still available. ‌ Rare or first edition books Old books may not appear to be big money-makers, but first editions, specialist cookbooks, out-of-print art or photography volumes, and certain children's books can fetch a pretty penny. These treasures can resell for £20–£500+. ‌ Ideally, books should come with their dust jackets (even better if they're preserved in plastic, but then the seller might be aware of their value) and ensure they don't have torn pages or heavy wear. Ex-library copies are typically worth less. Designer handbags or accessories It's uncommon, but not unheard of to find authentic designer items at car boot sales, particularly older styles that people presume are worthless. Think Mulberry, Coach, even vintage Gucci or Fendi. ‌ Vintage designer handbags can resell anywhere from £50 to £400+. Remember, counterfeits are a massive issue for designer pieces. Look for serial numbers, logo placement, stitching quality, and branded hardware. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. ‌ Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, or Denby Ceramics Classic British ceramics continue to be a hit with collectors and stylists. Keep an eye out for teapots, dinner sets, or figurines, particularly limited editions or discontinued ranges. The tales are countless of people who've stumbled upon a seemingly ordinary ceramic piece at a car boot sale, only to discover it's worth a small fortune on programmes like Antiques Roadshow. These items can fetch between £30–£200, depending on their condition and pattern. Be aware that crazing (fine cracks in the glaze) will decrease the resale value, as will missing pieces, or heavily used sets.

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