1 st vitrine - Matchbox models
 
 
 
     6 st shelf  -  2000 Opel Speedster
    
     The Speedster was a small targa model presented in 2000 . Sharing the chassis with the Lotus Elise , the Opel had a 2.2 L  , 147 Hp motor . Later , 2003 , the new Speedster Turbo was a small "supercar" , with the 2 L turbo , 200 Hp for less than 1 ton . It was made in a limited and numbered edition in the Lotus factory , between 2000 and 2005 .

     The Matchbox Speedster was very well done with nice body lines , simple but well done interior , nice base colors and wheels . The first model was part of the " Hero City " series , silver and black interior , at first glance it seems nice ... but the Hero City markings spoils the model . Later a few excellent models , red , metallic green , blue , etc , turned this cheap toy in an almost good model , with detailed head and rear lights and nice fast wheels . I have more than 10 versions , with decor and or box variants , the last I found was a " grasshoper " Speedster ! It wasn't available as Vauxhall .


pic 1
     Pic 1 , satrting from the right the # 54 Superfast , a limited run of 8000 ex. . You can see it better in pic 2 , orange body , black interior, painted grilles , head and rear lights , badges gave this model an excellent looking wich is completed with those excellent wheels . Sold with a box inside a big blister . Made in China .
  
pic 2
     On the top of the orange 54 box is another # 54 Superfast , maybe also a limited run , but I'm not sure , you can see it better in pic 3 . Different livery , blue body with black front and rear hoods , with a grey interior and those excellent 5 spoke wheels . This is a nice model , made in Thailand . I bought it only with the box but it could also had a blister .
pic 3
     Still in pic 1 , next car is a green with black sides Speedster and was the last I bought . With a grasshoper on both sides , this is the worst model , at least for me . Very " toyish " with nice "y" type wheels ,  was made in China . I think this model is part of a pack , as it came without box or blister and has a special decor . Behind , another green model , but this time a neat light metallic green , black interior , detailed front and rear lights and very nice 10 double spoke wheels . It is part of a 10 car set " Ready for Action " and was made in Thailand , beeing one of the best looking models . Near we have a dark blue , black interior Speedster with nice new six spoke wheels and added detail to lights , etc . Made in Thailand , it is probably part of a set . Next is this beautiful red with black interior , nice 10 double spoke wheels and fully detailed front and rear lights model . It is part at least of 2 different " Ready for Action " sets , pic 4 and 5 , and was made in Thailand . The sets I will show them in the end .
    
   pic 4
     In this side of the shelf , pic 4 , 2 very nice yellow models . The first , on the right , is the " Stars of Germany Collection " a selection of german models . Nice dark yellow body , black interior and "y" type wheels . No detailing for the lights but the grilles are black painted . This model was made in China and only with that box . The light yellow # 54 Superfast is a limited run of 15500 ex. . The model is beautifull with a black interior and nice five spoke wheels . Detail added to the the front grille and lights , made it one of the best . Made in China .

pic 5
     Pic 5 , the first Speedster was from the " Hero City Collection " . # 6 it was silver with red interior , black painted grilles and "y" type wheels . I have 3 variants , # 6 and Matchbox logo in the left door and Matchbox logo in the rear , or # 6 logo in the left door and Matchbox logo in the rear and could have box or blister . All made in China .

pic 6
     Pic 6 , the last three Speedster types . " Stars of Cars " , pic 7 , is the first , deep blue body and black interior , new "drop" wheels . Made in Chine it is part of a 12 different cars serie . Dinky Toys marked on the back of the blister .   
pic 7
     The # 46 " Bonus Collection " , pic 10 , is a nice model and the third released . Metallic brown with matt black front and rear motor hood and interior , no detail for front and rear lights and "y" type wheels . Small blister for this one that was made in China . The last Speedster in my collection is th # 16 " Ready for Action " model . Bright yellow and black interior , it has "y" type wheels , painted front and rear Opel badges and detailed front and rear lights . It was made in Thailand and I only know this blister type .
pic 8 pic 9
     I have 3 sets with the Speedster . " Ready for Action " , 10 cars set , has the light metallic green Speedster . In the other 2 sets , also " Ready for Action " we find the nice red model . 
pic 10
pic 11 pic 12
     These are my Matchbox Speedsters . If you know more variants , please contact .