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Draggin' Wheels: Matchbox Collectors '72 Volkswagen Beetle Dragster

By Allen Voivod

The Volkswagen Beetle was designed to be mass-produced: cheap to fabricate, easy to build, and reliably functional for the masses. But the "People's Car" (that's English for "Volkswagen") would also lend itself to customization – and in some cases, radical transformations that its makers might never have anticipated!

The '72 Volkswagen Beetle Dragster is a classic example of what happened when hot rodders got their hands on the classic "Bugs" and turned them into quarter-mile drag racing superstars. Our Matchbox Collectors tribute to a full throttle legend arrives in the online shop on January 13, 2022.

In the original world of Matchbox cars – prior to when they joined the Mattel family in 1997 – there were only 75 models released each year. When a new model debuted, an older model was retired! The first "Dragon Wheels" arrived in 1972, replacing the "Pony Trailer" and taking over model number MB43. That run lasted for six years, after which it was replaced by the "0-4-0 Steam Loco." But it made a number of return engagements over the years, proving that a popular casting is never really gone … it'll always come back to the track!

For our Matchbox Collectors edition, we've made a couple of tweaks to the original design. "Dragon Wheels" is now "Draggin' Wheels," a slightly more literal statement about its drag-racing nature. The green-tinted paint is very similar, but we changed the parachute box in the back to a sand color to help it stand out. And with all of its success over the years, you wouldn't be surprised to see this Beetle pick up a few sponsors! Their authentic logos adorn the roof and "bonnet" – that's British for the engine hood, in case you weren't familiar with the term.

Add the drag slicks in the rear, the blown exhaust up front, and the roll bar inside, and you've got a winner ready to burnout before the green lights turn it loose! Don't get left behind when the '72 Volkswagen Beetle Dragster arrives on 12/16 at Mattel Creations.

MBX_Blog_ImageSet_GRJ38_VWBeetle.thumb.jpg.69099a94a6f801a626fa88e7987e6515.jpg

Packaging: 

  • Packaged in an oversized acrylic case with a black flat-top base and environment-themed panorama background in a window box with a sturdy outer box

Availability: 

  • Anyone (until sold out😞 Thursday, 1/13/22 at 9:00 a.m. PT

Pricing and Purchase Limits: 

  • Priced at $25.00 plus shipping and processing each; extra charges may apply for express shipping or special handling (customers shipping to Canada may be required to pay additional shipping charges or taxes)
  • We do offer international shipping to other countries – please see shipping costs and details here (international shipping availability subject to change)
  • Refunds only, no exchanges 

Items and dates subject to change. Production items may vary from the photos shown. Mattel reserves the right to modify the color, decorations, scale, body, and wheel type. Product subject to availability. 

  • Like 3
  • Haha 1

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Tasmanian Devil

Posted

Awesome!!! I remember this one from a long time ago

AGBCHIEF

Posted

I want a name change for online exclusives. Instead of "Matchbox," "Shoebox," since the display is about the size of 1.

Rockies76

Posted

I had the Original way back.  I think the Sledge Hammer came down on it.

Rockies76

Posted

17 minutes ago, 5Patrick said:

Will these be numbered?

Not numbered.

Davidstingray

Posted

I scored one of the Beetles earlier!

I'm 5 for 5 on the Matchbox offerings now and they are all unique in their own way.

2022 is starting off to be a good year.  Keep them coming!

Thanks Mattel and Matchbox

BLU240

Posted

While I appreciate the tie-in to the 1970s original:

1970s Vintage Matchbox Superfast 43 VW Beetle Dragster ...

 

As I child of the 2000s, I hope the next one is called "Draggin' Tails"

Dragon Tales - TheTVDB.com

  • Haha 1
  • Confused 1
Rockies76

Posted

28 minutes ago, BLU240 said:

While I appreciate the tie-in to the 1970s original:

1970s Vintage Matchbox Superfast 43 VW Beetle Dragster ...

 

As I child of the 2000s, I hope the next one is called "Draggin' Tails"

Dragon Tales - TheTVDB.com

Yep, that's the Old S'cool Bug. Yeah, I remembered the Sledge Hammer coming down on it. The reason why. It was Too Sloooow on the track. Exit Stage Left real Quick. It got Hammered Up & that was that. 

Yosefalcahe128

Posted

Oh noooo I missed it. Someone wants to trade one of this bugs for a pickup truck or the Mercedes 

  • Like 1
FiveseveN

Posted

Super ugly.  Maybe that's what draws people to it.  The only good looking recent Matchbox on this site is the C10. Everything else is a complete joke at $25. At least rlc gets metal chassis and Spectraflame.  I understand they need to separate the 2 with differences,  but they should be $10-15, not $25.

Downhilltech

Posted

I'm confused on why even now this isn't the top article on either the home page or the news page. I'm pretty irritated because even though keeping an eye on things I was only seeing the C10 at the top so it appeared nothing new was being released when I followed the link from Mattel Creations less than 10 days ago.

Cyrusthevirus89

Posted

8 hours ago, McLarensRule said:

I guess I missed this one.

A lot of us did. 

Tony Tracy

Posted

On 1/20/2022 at 2:10 PM, Downhilltech said:

I'm confused on why even now this isn't the top article on either the home page or the news page. I'm pretty irritated because even though keeping an eye on things I was only seeing the C10 at the top so it appeared nothing new was being released when I followed the link from Mattel Creations less than 10 days ago.

I clicked on Brands and then clicked on Matchbox Collectors and that is how I saw it and you can still do that and see it. It was not on the news page until after the sale. When the link went live it was on the Shop All page, and not on Shop Mattel Creations page which was weird.

Cas66

Posted

My recommendations:

1. All future releases should be numbered. 

2. Minimize plastic.  All metal model including the base.

3. Limit the number of models than one can purchase to 2.

4. Keep the Matchbox website updated especially with pending new releases.

 

 

  • Like 1
PAUL VELLA

Posted

How can i buy the dragster v.w bettle

MASTERMAXX713

Posted

12 hours ago, PAUL VELLA said:

How can i buy the dragster v.w bettle

at the moment you can not it is sold out, it was available for about 6 or 7 hours on release day. 

Skot55

Posted

When will the VW Dragster ship? 

DPJWheels

Posted

Has anyone actually received there’s yet ? 

Tasmanian Devil

Posted

9 hours ago, DPJWheels said:

Has anyone actually received there’s yet ? 

image.png.4897a322e0f62c3088b294de689e0107.png

JamesG

Posted

Showed up today. Looks great. 
 

 

C67A0631-1EE8-4A62-AC7E-413C2D49CE39.jpeg

  • Like 1
Nate78us

Posted

1 minute ago, Nate78us said:

20220402_153728.thumb.jpg.396abcc9a83e9df2b1047c4d03cb7299.jpg

Not sure why my picture came in sideways 🤔 

AndyA

Posted

I just got mine.

This is definitely a good looking car.

Matchbox, we need more like this!

I had to take the rubber bands off and lift that body up!  
Looks great!

 




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