Matchbox/Lesney 66d; Mazda RX500

Among a raft of weird and wonderful made up cars available from Matchbox in the early seventies was this one; which looks like it could be another fantasy job. However in the 1970s, Mazda actually developed the RX500, a dream supercar that amazed a multitude of car fans around the world. After sitting dormant in a warehouse for the last 30 years, the legendary RX500 has now been fully restored. In July 2008, it was put on display at the Hiroshima City Transportation Museum, 38 years after it was first exhibited at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show.

Matchbox released this model in 1971 and it remained in the range until 1976. The rear cover opens to show the Wankel rotary engine beneath. The original colour was orange over white and this one can have purple or amber windows, it is known with the base unpainted. For 1975/6 it was recoloured red over white and became part of the 'Streakers' sub-range, having racing number 77 and white and green tampos. This is known with a number of variations, amber or purple windows, white or unpainted base, silver or light brown interior/engine unit.

No version attracts a particularly high premium but the harder to find models seem to be the Streakers version with purple windows and the orange version with an unpainted base.

Matchbox/Lesney 66d; Mazda RX500; Orange, White Base, Purple Windows, Silver Engine	Matchbox/Lesney 66d; Mazda RX500; Red, White Base, Orange Windows, Silver Engine, White & Lime Tampos, RN77, Streaker Version

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Last Edit: 12/06/2024		Page Added 26/03/2021