Card Shark: The Matchbox Amity Police Launch

Hi,

This is a model I have mentioned before, but this time we are taking a closer look at the Matchbox Jaws Amity Police Boat die-cast. Based on the movie Jaws (1975).

In the 1990s Matchbox had grouped together a number of different lines – including the Models of Yesteryear, larger scale models, and enhanced versions of regular models – under the name Matchbox Collectibles. Among these was the Star Car Collection, which were standard models, with more detailed painting and markings.

All were linked to a movie or television series, but did not necessarily depict a specific vehicle seen on screen. The models were released in groups of six, and the Police Boat was part of Series 2.

The Police Launch was a 1977 model (copyright date on the underside is 1976). It was of metal and plastic construction, and ran on four small wheels hidden under the hull.

The Jaws version had a white metal top, yellow edge, blue hull sides, brown lower hull, two plastic figures in dark blue, and clear or blue-tinted plastic windows. On the hull sides were written AMITY POLICE, with the number MS 5543 MC on the bow, and the name JAWS across the stern in red and white.

It was packed on one of the usual long Star Car Collection cards, with a cardboard box – and a plastic model of Jaws himself, in dark grey with a white belly. Naturally the card featured the famous film poster.

The back of the card has a 1997 copyright date, the Mattel name, and Made in China. There are also copyright notices for Universal City Studios.

Six photographs from Worthpoint

Paul Adams from New Zealand