Come join us in Albuquerque for the 4th annual Route 66-MCCH International Gathering of Friends Convention.

Mattel and K.B Toys are our sponsors.

There will be 3 Matchbox Code 1 models made exclusively for this convention. These very short runs will be very difficult to get and are made 100% in the factory.

2006 Crown Victoria Police Car 1000 (500 for Matchbox USA and 500 for MCCH and these come in special blister cards)

1961 Jaguar Coupe in crystal case. (150 for each of the 2 conventions) Dinner model


1957 Chevy Convertible Superfast. 1000 pieces (500 for each convention with event unique box) given to dealers who rent tables. Spares to be sold.

There will also be ColorComp Matchbox and a Hot Wheel model as well as a ColorComp booth staffed by Bill Shisler.

Come meet the Mattel team. In room trading, auction, races and fun. Email Jim Gallegos matchb0x1@aol.com for details.

I will see you there Jim.

Tom

Dan B. is saving for your pre pros. Look forward to seeing you again Tom.

Me too; looking forward to it!

Not too late to plan. The Gathering Code 1 models are beautiful. I hope all can join us. Here is the bus made for the dealer model. Code 1 and only 200 exist. See you all there.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a139/jimgallegos/bus3.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a139/jimgallegos/bus2.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a139/jimgallegos/Bus1.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a139/jimgallegos/bus4.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a139/jimgallegos/DSC00096.jpg

Pardon my ignorance. What exactly is 'Code 1'?

Superb model with colors and stripes positioning faithfull to the real deal , a wonderful choice, hope a Mattel plan wider release of this white and stripes bus without the special tampos....
Seen here with Lesney 1979 logo, and below with 1985 Matchbox International logo
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/SMS369/HackneyApril1979.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/SMS369/samebusJune1990-1.jpg

Pardon my ignorance. What exactly is 'Code 1'?
Great question. A code 1 model is one made in the factory by Mattel in this case.

That is what malkes these models so unique. 200 is such a small run and Mattel made a special box exclusively for this model.

The event for 2007 is July 20-22 at the Albuquerque Marriott.

Come join us.


Calendar of Events
(Final Schedule to be distributed at registration)

Friday 20, July 2007

2pm – 5pm Registration in Lobby “Get together and begin in Room Trading. (Door Hangers and room trading participant info available upon registration.)
5pm -7pm –Meet And Greet - (light snacks and cake) Sponsored by the Matchbox® Team. Come meet the Matchbox® Team from El Segundo which includes, Grant Chapman, Christian Zentner, Felix Holst, Michael Heralda, Gerardo Lopez, Ryu Asada and David Weise.

Saturday 21, July 2007

10am - ??? In room trading – (Room numbers available by elevator.)

Workshops All take place in Salon A & B

10am – 11 Matchbox® Designer Presentation
Ryu Asada - David Weise
Subject: MBx® Car Design Process
11-12noon - Matchbox® Design Presentation
Michael Heralda-David Weise-Gerardo Lopez
Subject: MBx® Car Production process
12noon – 1pm – Matchbox® Photo Contest “Come cheer for your favorite photo submission.”
1pm – 2pm - A Rare Event Bring your rare models for ID and sharing.
3pm - 4pm - Customizing Contest (Pat Parker presenter) Details in this document.

Dinner (Pre-Paid Reservations required. See registration form)
5pm – 7pm Dinner Sandia Ball Room (Pre-Paid Reservations only. See registration form)
7pm - 9pm Auction (Pre-Paid Reservations required. See registration form)
9pm – on In Room Trading. (see participant list by main elevators)

Sunday 22, July 2007
8am – 10am Toy Show and Sale Early Bird Admission - Grand Ball Room
(9am Early Bird floor rights $10 per person) - Grand Ball Room
10am-3pm Matchbox® Play Area open - Grand Ball Room
10am – 3pm Toy Show and Sale.
Downhill Racing throughout the day.

MATCHBOX and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from Mattel, Inc. © 2007 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This convention is not affiliated with Mattel, Inc.

that bus looks amazing hope to get one

that bus looks amazing hope to get one
It certainly does , I would like one too , but I dont think my wife will let me go so far just to get one :)
But perhaps we can rely on Mattel using the plain stripey livery for other promotions too, because it is so smart and authentic, so chances will increase over the next few years

THe blue factory bus will be out this year. It has Matchbox instead of Lesney as Mattel does not own the Lesney name. It will still be a winner. The dealers will get only 1 per table. We should have about 75 of these buses available to the 1st 75 who attend the event. They will be limited 1 each. Price will be only $10.

Hope to see you all next week 20-22 July 2007. Show is on Sunday.

i will be there :)

Color photos of blue Lesney buses are HTF, but here is a 1976 typical livery view with thanks to John Lidstone.
The Matchbox logo looks a little outdated for 1976,the yellow Lesney fleetnames are small and thin. The colors were applied by brush,and this bus shows that a darker shade has been applied to the front of the roof - still it looks like a fair approximation of F Box blue with Lesney yellow.All of the blue buses (at least 100 different 1966-1976) belonged to independant contractor PVS of Essex, still in business today under the same management with a new name, Ensignbus. The red-orange/ white livery with yellow stripes was introduced in 1977 when Lesney decided to buy and maintain their own fleet of identical buses,which operated in ever reducing number upto 1985, the bus above being the very last one in service
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/SMS369/2007-06jun230.jpg

thanks jim had a amazing time evry one was realy nice. hope to see evry one agein next year
thanks for evry thing i learned alot

david

The Gathering is in the books but here is a little bit of a review

The 2007 Gathering of Friends was the best yet.

My comments:

1st and foremost to every one of you who visits and supports this venue even though you may not have been able to attend. You are the reasons these events exist. Your donations and encouragement are appreciated.

Thank you to the 718 people who came from around the world to attend the event.

Thank you to those who participated in the venue and all the activities here in Albuquerque.

- The Mattel team, David, Felix, Gerardo, Grant, Michael, Ryu and Steve were
very accessable, visible and attended every event and presentation.
- Mattel CEO Bob Eckert for his welcome video and recognition of the
Gathering Convention
- Bill Burgess and Mickey Kosko did a supurb job with the registration.
(Others assisted in staffing this booth as well. THANK YOU!!!
-Dan Bush arrainged for the cake as well as helped with advertising and
everything else.
-BJ Grammy (behaved) and was also instrumental in every aspect of planning
- Charlie Linsenbarth for setting up an outstanding convoy and somewhat
behaving. (We did not have to bail him out this year)
-Mark Curtis for providing the MCCH Board to get us all connected.
- Pat Parker exceeded our expectations with the custom contest and has
committed to expanding and growing this part of the event.

FRIDAY
- The Meet and greet was again a casual way to get aquainted and the food
was good.
- Room trading had loads of beautiful diecast of all ranges
- Thanks To Alan and Roxy Wank for allowing the television news crew to
photograph their in room display and allow interviews with Mattel in their
room. (we were featured on the largest television market in the state)

SATURDAY
- Saturday stepped up the pace with a design presentation by Ryu Asada
and David Weise. Amazing talents and knowledge along with a very
informative presentation.
-Gerardo Lopez recently returned from Thialand and produces a video which
showed the production of a Matchbox video from start to packaging. This
was followed by an extensive Q&A involving all 7 Mattel team members.
-Mark Curtis had a very informative presentation on Fakes, frauds and
forgeries. A great slideshow accompanied this.
-Pat Parker displayed beautiful customs throughout the event and the
customs were judged by the public on Saturday. I will post winners names
when I get home tonight or tomorrow. This event had dozens of beautiful
and amazing entries.

DINNER
- Dinner had 101 guests and I hope all liked the food. I thought it was good.
Thanks to my wife for decorating the room.
-Dan Bush and Terry Ozima and Jim Nellison and others set up the Auction
item display.
- Mattel had a display that could be summed up very easily. "OMG" You have
not seen anything yet!!!
- A welcome video from Bob Eckert CEO Mattel was well received.
- Grant and Felix presented the line and like above "OMG" There are amazing
things coming out of Mattel. More details on this from many who attended
I am sure.
- Congratulations to David Tilley who is our 2007-2008 Matchbox
Ambassador. as well as a presentation of a 1 of a kind Matchbox
Routemaster bus to myself and one going to John Y. for his outstanding job
as our 1st Ambassador. Best wishes David and when you get your bus,
please keep it on the plinth. (Each bus in personalized and numbered) see
seperate post for pics.
-Grammy and George Shannon are irreplaceable in their setting up of this
event. Dan bush was the auctioneer and Jim Nellison and Jason Scull were
part of this team as well. Excellent donations from board members were well
received.
-Mattel again came through with dozens of pre pros including Kings. Mattel
reps helped with the auction in explaining these little treasures.
- Ian and Doug Woods had some late additions of several resins and other
pre pro models.

SUNDAY
- The show/Sale on Sunday was a huge success. 718 is a new record for
this event.
-Thanks to my wife Vicki and son Shaun as well ad my suister Claire and her
husband Ron for staffing the entry.
- Officer Dudding for keeping order and us in line.
-Thanks again to the Mattel team for:
a) staffing and talking to attendees about their diecast passion.
b) setting up an autograph line and fulfilling every request for signing. (I
hope they do not have writers cramps from the long lines)
c) presenting some beautiful models
d) answering the challenge on the race track. We tried to get them to
race for the pink slips as they raced pre pro models. Some of them did
quite well. Dan Bush again was tough to beat with the blue VW
Superfast Bus. My Armoured Car was fast on the start but did not top
out well. Grant had the Alfa which did best out of the Pre Pro models.
I know there were many more not mentioned and if I forgot anyone, I attribute this to my old age.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE.

Save the date for the 2008 Gathering. Plan now to join us for the 2008 6th Annual MCCH International Gathering of Friends Convention. I have been talking with staff and Mattel and this will be an even better event than 2007. 25-27 July 2008 Albuquerque New Mexico.

Thanks for the detailed summary. Sounds like everyone had a good time. I'll have to see if I can attend next year's event!

Got a question...how limited is this MCCH Austin Mini Van?

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8310/mcchmini1ej0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Thanks a lot.

There were 500 of these factory produced models. 490 went to collectors. 10 remained at Mattel.

Jim

:thumbsup: cool pic's :wave:

Nice pics