Matchbox 1969 Chevrolet Camaro coupe




If you don't know it already I have a liking for the 1969 Camaro bodystyle, yet I do not collect all of them out there as some are not so well-done compared to others.  A bit of a surprise was Matchbox releasing this 1969 coupe in 2004, seven years after the SS396 convertible appeared and during the dark times of the Hero City-era.  Since then it has made most of its appearances in the Superfast line with occasional appearances in multi-packs.  With the exception of the black with red stripes, which came from the Burger Zone 5-pack, the other two are Superfast models.







As mentioned before the 1969 Camaro was the third and final update to the first-generation Camaro that debut in 1967.  The boxy styling has given way to a smoother and more aggressive look that has several different grille and taillight designs depending on models.  RS and SS models will likely have the louvered headlight covers that can now allow light out without the covers fully retracted, SS and lower-end models have the round headlight design.  Taillight design can range from tri-squares with or without integrated reverse lamps to horizontal split bar design.  The interior has a raked-forward dashboard with 3-spoke steering wheel and well laid-out controls.  The powertrains range from the basic I-6 to several V8 combinations including the most common 396 CID V8.







The first release was in the Superfast 2004 lineup as one of the first models in release one.  I found that set at Publix supermarkes one time, but only half of them and the cars that I was looking for, the new tools that included the 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle convertible, the 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda, and this 1969 Camaro SS396, never was to be found.  I eventually found all three of them in different versions later on; for the Camaro that would be the Burger Zone 5-pack in 2005.  What this 5-pack was is an assortment of five vehicles designed for the classic burger joints of the 1950's complete with drive-in service.  Strangely for such an American phenomenom two Volkswagen's were part of the group, the 1962 VW Beetle and the 1967 VW panel van.  The other three were American that included the 1957 Ford Thunderbird, the 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda, and this Camaro.  The color comination of black with red stripes and red interior is really a stand-out for this car, even if it could use some more lighting detailing and better wheels (note that I finished off the detailing on my examples shown here).  Note that there was a variation that was hard-to-see on this Camaro give the black paint and placed at the very top in the packaging: some had round headlights (shown here), while others had the louvered covers of the RS/SS models.








The next one that I found is the light blue with black roof Superfast model a few years later.  This one has the proper front and rear lighting details along with the cool classic Superfast wheels adorning the car.  The proportions of the car is executed correctly with the correct length, width, and thickness of the beltline that other diecast manufacturers tend to miss in a few spots.  The front has an egg-crate grille with no spot in the center for the various logo's, round or slotted covered headlights (depending on model, lower bumper and foglights integrated into the body, and a lower chin spoiler.  All models have a cowl induction hood, while the sides have that nice edge of the beltline clearly showing.  At the rear is the trunklid rear spoiler, tri-taillights, and lower bumper with dual exhausts exiting out below.  Note that the design is not perfect as it seems generic, but given the numerous models that Chevrolet did for the Camaro it seems like Matchbox made this casting an all-in-one design.







The base underneath has incredible details and depth that include the engine, drivetrain, front lower A-arm suspension, live axle rear, exhaust system, and even the recesses for the floorpan.  Inside you'll find bucket seats up front and a rear bench with the proper louver pattern, door panels with armrests and handles, 3-spoke steering wheel, shifter on the center console, and the dashboard that lacks in details but at least has the proper look.  Now that I have two I now was in pursuit of the louvered headlight version that was apparently part of an earlier Superfast release sometime in late 2004-2005, the orange SS396.  I love the hugger orange color and it was a treat to find this model.  As with other Superfast models of the early releases they spawn those ugly 5-spoke wheels that were specific for the line; on this Camaro they definitely do not match!  On both Superfast models you get a detailed front grille and headlights, detailed rear taillights, yet only on the blue one does it get painted front and rear bumpers and proper wheels.  Also the blue one has Z28 badges while the orange one gets the SS hockey stick side stripes.  Once again adding details helps.







I hope Matchbox gets more use of this casting in the future, including a possible entry into the basic 1-125 line for the first time (same for the 1970 'Cuda).  While not 100% perfect this is one well-done 1969 Camaro for the price point.








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