MB171 : Volvo 760

Matchbox MB171 : Volvo 760 (1986 Basic Range)

A blast from the past today, from a time when Matchbox was truely the ”Greatest Name in Diecast” and the vehicle in question was actually made from diecast metal from the body to the base.  The MB171 Volvo 760 was first released back in 1986 but only ever saw just a few outings before being retired.  Its initial release saw it in a silver/grey colour with a Macau base; this would be the only time it would have that base as production was moved to China the very next year with its second release.

The second and third releases where both for the 1987 basic range with the difference between the two being the base paint and for the third variation the addition of the 760GLE name being cast on the rear, a change from the initial two releases that did not have that.

Matchbox MB171 : Volvo 760 (1987 Basic Range)

Matchbox MB171 : Volvo 760 (1987 Basic Range)

1998 saw a change in body colour but again with two variations; the body was now a red colour and the base with either a matte black or a gloss black colour.

Matchbox MB171 : Volvo 760 (1988 Basic Range)

Matchbox MB171 : Volvo 760 (1988 Basic Range)

In 1989 there was again a body colour change, now in a dark plum colour but again the base came in either matte or gloss black.

Matchbox MB171 : Volvo 760 (1989 Basic Range)

Matchbox MB171 : Volvo 760 (1989 Basic Range)

After an absence of 3 years in 1992 the casting re-emerged in an all white version as part of the Graffic Traffic set before its last hurrah as a premium and superbly detailed model as part of the Ultra Class ‘‘The Greatest Auto Makers Collection’‘ that was released exclusively via Matchbox Collectibles.

Matchbox MB171 : Volvo 760 (Graffic Traffic)

Matchbox MB171 : Volvo 760 (Ultra Class)

This really was a great casting, full of metal and definitely what Matchbox is all about.