A rare Matchbox toy car has been sold for a staggering world record sum of £22,000, primarily due to its unusual and highly sought-after pale yellow colour. The Regular Wheels 62c Mercury Cougar represents a 'first issue' toy produced in this distinctive shade before the colour scheme was altered to the standard metallic green familiar to collectors.
Exceptional Condition and Unexpected Auction Result
The three-inch-long model, described as being in 'excellent condition' and confirmed as never having been repainted, was initially estimated to fetch between £3,000 and £4,000 at Vectis Auctions in Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside. However, the auction sparked an intense international bidding war, culminating with the hammer falling at £18,000. With the addition of auctioneers' fees, the final price paid by an undisclosed buyer reached £22,000—more than five times the high-end pre-sale estimate.
A New World Record for Collectible Toys
Auctioneers firmly believe this sale establishes a new world record price for a Matchbox toy Mercury Cougar. A spokesperson for Vectis Auctions elaborated on the significance of the find, stating, 'We believe this to be a world record for this model. This is a rare model due to the colour. The yellow is a first issue colour and wasn't produced for very long before changing colours. The standard is a metallic lime green body.'
The spokesperson further detailed the specific features that authenticate its rarity and early production: 'It also has clear windows without windscreen wipers and without a rear view mirror which confirms it is an early casting and hasn't been repainted.' This meticulous preservation and unique colour variant are what drove its value to such extraordinary heights.
The Legacy of Matchbox and Context of the Sale
Matchbox toys were originally introduced by the British manufacturing company Lesney Products in 1953, rapidly becoming a global phenomenon. The brand was later purchased by Mattel in 1997. The sale price of £22,000 for this tiny model is particularly striking when compared to the cost of the actual vehicle it represents. A real Mercury Cougar would have cost approximately £2,200 when it was first released in the United States back in 1968, meaning the toy has sold for ten times the price of the original car.
This remarkable auction result underscores the vibrant and sometimes unpredictable nature of the collectibles market, where rarity, condition, and historical significance can converge to create astonishing valuations far beyond initial expectations.
