Since we just came off from the topic of Matchbox cars, MBX now in this millennium. Let’s have a look at the classic Mini Cooper from 1964. I’ve had this in my box for a long time because, well, it’s the classic Mini that built the legend of what it is now. The Austin Mini Cooper.
Austin Mini Cooper, MBX
What I have is a fine example in no less than British Racing Green paint job. What I appreciate about this casting by MBX is once again their attention to detail. The classic paint job with the white roof, and once again painted on headlights. Too bad the rear didn’t get the same treatment. But the wheels were nice. They weren’t necessarily steel rims like in the original car, but they were nice. And let’s not forget the textured edges of the wheels which you don’t see much anymore in other toy cars. When you admire the car more closely, you will notice that the door hinges are beautifully cast together with the handles, rear handles and number plate. It even has the kinks where the metal have been joined together between the A-pillar and the front fenders, so too are the kinks at the rear end after the C-pillar. This attention to detail earns this casting top marks. You can almost forgive that the car does not have side mirrors, granted not all Austin Mini Coopers at the time had wing mirrors. The grill though, which is molded together with the front bumper is finished in chrome and lends a nice elegant touch to what can be called a “people’s car”.
Austin Mini Van
And then we have this Austin Mini Van that is based off the Mini Cooper. The van came out in 1965 and was basically the Mini Cooper with the rear end chopped off, extended and slapped on with van doors in the rear. The MBX reproduction of the vehicle is very nicely detailed as well just like the Austin Mini Cooper. The example that I have kept may have had some chrome loss on the wheels over the years, but the rest of the car kept its condition normal. Thanks in part to the grill on the van not being co-molded with the bumper like the Cooper version, it did not suffer any deterioration that is a common fault of plastic parts. And that’s the other thing, MBX didn’t just re-purpose the casting of the original Austin Mini Cooper to make the Austin Mini Van, they made it for this casting on its own. The details are there too, including the door hinges, the gas cap, and even the roof air inlet. The kink wasn’t as pronounced as in the car, but you can still make it out. The front windows are based on the sliding windows (the same on the car) which is cool since you will only see half the windows on a vertical orientation. Once again, attention to detail earns this (and the Mini Cooper) top marks. Even the tampo design on this car is reminiscent of the era that the car was based on. If I had the chance and opportunity, I would get more of these so long as the price is just right.
Toy Box Garage 