Matchbox vs. Greenlight: 1939 Chevrolet Panel Truck

While there is a clear difference between cheap, low-end toys and higher-end collectible toys, sometimes the distinction becomes less clear as low-end toys can move up market while high-end toys can faulter.  This brings up an interesting point that despite the higher food chain in quality doesn’t mean the result is what we’d expect.  Here’s two examples of the 1939 Chevy Panel Truck by Matchbox, who has used this casting since the 1990’s and has revived it for 2017 after a long hiatus, and the new Greenlight version.  Let’s see whose better?

The 1939 Chevrolet trucks, which also includes the Suburban line, was redesigned with a more sleek and integrated look as vehicles by then started to get away from the horse buggy look of the early 20^th century coutnerparts.  Panel trucks are a nice addition for those who want a dry, lockable storage area for delivery with easy access gained by two panel doors at the rear.  The design is similar to the Suburban but without the two rear seats and with the rear windows covered up in metal filler panels, making even the truck-based versions look like they’re part of the car line.  Power is provided by the 3.4L I-6 that produces and estimated 80 horsepower through a 3-speed manual transmission and except for the robust frame all trucks shared components with the Master car line.

Matchbox was first as the 1939 Chevy Panel has appeared in various promos from White Rose to baseball and later would eventually end up in a few special sets like the Coke collection.  This latest version comes from the Emergency 5-pack from 2017 and comes in a nice yellow color with the modern Matchbox hub cap wheels that look great here.  The labeling on the sides is nice, but it is odd considering a classic truck like this is involved in modern hazmat decals.  The front has detailed round headlights and the curve of the grille, though it looks bad in gray and should really be in chrome; meanwhile the fenders are all-plastic and this was part of the original casting not an update.  The back area seems a bit plain with the exception of the side panel door while the base shows off some engine and rear drivetrain details.  The bad part is inside where there is two seats but no dashboard and not even a steering wheel, and add to the bright yellow shining through and this casting just looks cheap.  I was hoping this would be a nice casting to get, but when I got to see it in person it was truly a disappointment.

So that leaves Greenlight to make up for the mess from Matchbox with their new 1939 Chevy Panel truck.  It looks so much better and has all of the correct details to go along.  With several guises already offered I selected the Chevrolet parts delivery van in cameo cream with blue fenders (metal by the way) and yellow steel wheels with silver center cap and rubber tires.  The front has a separate silver grille with round headlights that have less of a flair back like the Matchbox version, signal lights on the front fenders, and a detailed lower bumper with bowtie plates front and rear.  The sides show the black running boards, CHEVROLET on the side panels, and a front split windshield with detailed wiper blades.  The only downside here is the side windows where the mounting holes to the metal body is visible especially in lighter colors.  At the rear you get more details starting with split panel doors, a single brake light and plate holder, and more Chevrolet badges, while the metal base shows off full details of the frame, drivetrain, suspension, and even the spare tire at the rear.  Inside you get the full works of a proper interior that is more than two seats and includes detailed door panels, dashboard, 3-spoke steering wheel, and a cargo area that is visible through the small, round rear panel doors.

In the end this was an obvious, hands-down win to Greenlight as it has all of the right details and proper stance of a 1939 Chevy Panel Truck that Matchbox fails to deliver.