Hot Wheels Peugeot 505 and Matchbox Dodge Dump Truck

Here are a few unique models from Hot Wheels and Matchbox that both have a short life span, with one of them being more common in Europe than the U.S. and is a sought-after model.

Hot Wheels Peugeot 505

When Hot Wheels first started out it was all customized American cars, but look again and you’ll find a few European cars in the mix.  Then there are a few brands that took years to finally reach the Hot Wheels line and one of them is Peugeot.  After the first release of the 505 the Peugeot brand continued with a few more cars (the 205 Rallye and 405 sedan) before disappearing from the Hot Wheels line again.  The 505 is the large sedan of the Peugeot line that replaced the 504 in 1979 and continued production until 1992; since then the 505 has been the work horse of the line and is very popular in African nations.  The 505 combines the familiar styling of the 504 with its flush headlights against the slightly forward grille with a more modern body style that fits the 1980’s.  The interior has a very clean and simple design that was modern for the time with a rather odd HVAC control layout in the middle that has switches in the vertical instead of horizontal layout.  The engine is 2.2L SOHC I-4 that produces 128 horsepower through a five-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels.  Just like American automakers this would be the last rear-wheel drive Peugeot as the next generation that succeeded this one went to a front-wheel drive layout.

The 505 was one of a few Hot Wheels cars built in France and specifically designed only for European countries, so most of them command a high value today; however , the one shown here is made in Hong Kong and was briefly sold in the U.S.  I managed to find this one for a reasonable $15 online for this mint gold version.  The front has clear headlights that are part of the window trim and meet up with the mesh grille with Peugeot badge and lower bumper with signal lights.  The side profile shows a low beltline with typical sedan roofline and basic wheels that seem to be bigger than the car!  At the rear there are tri-taillights (where I added my own details) and a rear plate area that is also the metal base tab mount.  The design is a bit crude in some areas, while the front grille and bumpers are part of the interior trim.  The interior has detailed seating for five, shifter on the floor, and usual dashboard layout with no detailing, while the metal base shows off the drivetrain and suspension components around the axles.  While not a perfect casting, it is a genuinely unique model that was short-lived and never had a touch of any graphics.

Matchbox Dodge Dump Truck

Greenlight recently has been using the 1960’s Dodge D-series pickups on a roll with three different bed designs and two different cab bodystyles depending on year.  On the other hand Matchbox was first to do two different versions of the Dodge D-series with the well-known BP tow truck and this red dump truck.  The Dump Truck is based on the D500 series, which is a more heavy-duty model with stronger frame and taller cab than the lower-series trucks.  The front has that familiar chrome grille with quad headlights, lower signal lights, and ribbed section to close the gap above the bumper.  The sides are nicely done with flared fenders that mate into the running boards, the curve of the roof and front windshield, and DODGE on the front fenders.  The rear has a metal dump bed that tilts back, fuel tanks after the cab, and six beefy Lesney disc wheels to complete the dump truck look.  As usual there is no interior and the setup is still similar to the lower D-series Dodge Trucks of the time, same goes for the engine though the 361 CID V8 would be the likely choice with a four-speed manual transmission.  This is a very simple truck that gets the job done and looks good doing it.