Matchbox GHE-O Predator and Tuk-Tuk

Every once in a while a few generic Matchbox vehicles look like the real thing, like last year's Meter Maid, and for 2017 a few more join the ranks even if they look past the type of vehicles designed for collectors.

GHE-O Predator

A few years ago Matchbox introduced the wild GHE-O Rescue, a rescue vehicle that has the look of a Hummer but with more room and unstoppable ground clearance.  Despite being nearly a generic vehicle except for the GHE-O badge on the front bumper it was unmistakable as it is recognizable, especially those who've watch the "Top Gear" review on the Rescue.  Less familiar is the off-road, rock crawling civilian version called the Predator.  In fact, there's not much to find about the engine other than expect a turbodiesel V8 and 6-speed automatic connected to a two-speed transfer case, beefy front and rear live axles, and coil springs for great articulation.  Also the design of this Matchbox version differs slightly from any pictures of the real Predator, so who knows.  The flat black and blue underside is very eye-catching and makes this truck pop out.  Other than that you'd think this was a former Matchbox generic rock crawler casting and it indeed does look like a few previous (and still used) rock crawler castings.

The front lacks a visible front-end as the LED strips along the front and the roof serve as the lighting with most of the details below are the winch and live front axle.  The hood and fenders have lots of nice creases and vents in them with a side exhaust exiting cutout.  The cab is narrow like a rock crawler and the rear fenders tuck in at the rear to allow greater articulation of the rear wheels.  At the rear is another set of winch and live rear axle details with no taillights visible (I added them in) and four electric fans at the rear window (is the engine mounted at the front or rear???).  The interior, like the Rescue, would have seating for two and a dashboard made for function rather than style with the many switches and gauges present.  As for off-road testing the Predator is unstoppable, just like the Rescue, with only one wish of more wheel articulation that Matchbox did with the Rock Crawler casting that debut back in 2006.  It's a cool looking truck, if a bit generic in styling.

Tuk-Tuk

Now for the biggest interest for the 2017 Matchbox line is the Tuk-Tuk, basically a motorcycle with a trike setup that can house various bodies at the back for taxi or delivery duties.  This design is popular in developing countries, such as Thailand where Matchbox vehicles are made, for their manuverability and low taxes compared to four-wheeled vehicles.  The most iconic would be the taxi version and that is what Matchbox did.  Not only that the design team allowed the workers of the Thailand plant to join along with the design and in return have their names applied to the graphics along the vehicle.  Very cool.  The base is metal in silver while the green body is plastic and the black roof that is part of the windows, has a taxi sign on the roof, and is removable from the body.  The front has that motorcycle look with a single front wheel, fender, and on the can a headlight and signal lights.  On the sides the rear yellow hubcaps from the cars are used to balance the rear section with side graphics that have logo's of each member's name who participated in the project.

At the rear is taillights, nicely detailed framework for the rear window, and bars that I added silver to.  On some versions there's also a rear tampo between the taillights.  Now the front of the roof seems kind of low like a chopped roof and the front wheel does seem to sit too close to the cab compared to the real Tuk Tuk's.  Inside the driver sits in the middle, just like a motorcycle, saddled between the fuel tank, handle bars, and gauges in purple and as a metal piece connected to the base.  Pedals are placed on the floor on each side of the fuel tank.  Rear passengers get by a narrow opening on the left side to the rear seat.  Again Matchbox's size restrictions  for packaging the vehicles makes the Tuk-Tuk seem rather compressed.  The engine would be a two-cylinder two-stroke gas motor that would produce at least an estimated 40 hp. more or less depending on model.  Handling is swift and feels better when the driver is in the center, yet it can be a bit tipsy in tight turns.  The bad part about this Matchbox Tuk-Tuk is being overshadowed by Majorette who released their version of the Tuk-Tuk that is a bit larger with the proper roof and front wheel stance.