Mattel Matchbox Indiana Jones Tangiers Tuk Tuk Mattel, 2024
Day #2,802: January 1, 2025
Indiana Jones Tangiers Tuk Tuk #51 / 100 / Black, red, and blue
Matchbox 2024 Basic Cars
Item No.: Asst. 30782 No. HVL03 Manufacturer:Mattel Includes:n/a Action Feature:Removable black top Retail:$1.25 Availability: ca. 2024 Other: From Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
The most surprising thing to me about the Indiana Jones Tangiers Tuk Tuk is that it wasn't Matchbox' first attempt at such a vehicle. While it is an all-new mold, another one was out in 2017 (and 2018) in different colors - and I don't remember seeing it. Well! At least I found this one at Dollar Tree, and there were about six there. How odd - but I'm happy to pick it up.
It's a neat vehicle, and my sample has a removable black top. I do not know if this is an intentional feature or if mine lacked glue - I wasn't able to find pictures of the top off and various sites made no mention of the feature. Maybe it's an error, maybe I got lucky, but it's nice!
The plastic top pops off to reveal a red plastic interior with seats for any very small figures you may have. The handlebars are metal and attached to the base, which is mostly painted blue. The wheels are black, and roll perfectly well. It's worth noting that unlike the Ducati, this one is very stable and is clearly the superior toy.
Due to its design, there's probably no way you can fit a figure behind those handlebars without heavy modification. The back seat, though, could probably fit some very small pilot figures from properly scaled Takara and/or Tomy toy lines. Or some model figures. You've probably got something handy.
I would call the paint job among Mattel's best at the $1.25 price point - it impresses with three colors of plastic, painted metal, and a lot of small details. The sides have brown weathering, what I assume is Arabic script, and the number 2390 on the sides. THere are also black painted elements which look like they connect to the roof, complete with sculpted tattered bit. Mattel did a real nice job here.
If you just need to buy a cheap toy for a diversion for yourself or a kid, this is great. If you're a fan of the Indiana Jones toy world, there's not much to get - so it's nice that they made something that's excellent. With no known plans for more Hasbro or LEGO toys, and I assume not much of anything else, Matchbox will be the line to watch for any new toy entries. They seem to be selling well, which tells me that other companies need to get on board with what Mattel has been doing. People will balk at $20 and $50 collectibles, but nobody's going to turn down a toy from their favorite movie series - even if it's from their least favorite one of those movies - if the price is right. I certainly didn't.
16bit.com is best not viewed in Apple's Safari browser, we don't know why. All material on this site copyright their respective copyright holders. All materials appear hear for informative and entertainment purposes. 16bit.com is not to be held responsible for anything, ever. Photos taken by the 16bit.com staff. Site design, graphics, writing, and whatnot credited on the credits page. Be cool-- don't steal. We know where you live and we'll break your friggin' legs.
RSS 
