Massive hoard of matchbox toy cars that took half a century to collect goes on sale for huge price tag

A huge collection of matchbox cars which took almost 50 years to build has gone on sale for an astounding price. 

Artist Terry Kneeshaw first began his collection of Regular Wheels – which now boasts 450 matchbox cars – all the way back in 1970. 

His life’s work pays particular focus to the artwork of each box from type A to F as well as by model series from one through to 75.

Now one of Britain’s biggest collections of Matchbox toys, including various colours and rare issues, is up for grabs for the hefty price tag of £21,000. 

With the help of Vectis Auction House, the artist is selling his 50-year-old collection so he can move on to new projects.

Artist Terry Kneeshaw first began his collection of Regular Wheels – which now boasts 450 matchbox cars – all the way back in 1970

But after five decades of collecting the Matchbox toys he has decided to part ways with his collection for £21,000 – so he can start anew

The 450-strong collection is being auctioned for between £16,000 to £21,000. 

Terry, who hails from Darlington began collecting the matchbox cars because he was drawn to the artwork on their boxes.

‘I loved the paintings that came together on the boxes,’ he said: ‘And I have some very, very rare ones.’

‘I started collecting variants and it became an obsession.

He added: ‘For a lot of people the cars are the most important part of the collection but for me as an artist what was more important was the pictures.

‘So when I collected, I collected all the box types.

‘It may be that you see you have three of the same car but I would collect every A box, every B box, every C box and so on.

‘I collected them as sets, as a series of boxes, rather than as cars.

One of the models from Mr Kneeshaw’s 450 toy strong Matchbox collection

‘I’m a pensioner now but I’ve got a new mantra in life – don’t retire, refire,’  Mr Kneeshaw said as he looks to start a new project (Pictured: Matchbox toys)

‘It was an unusual way to collect. But that’s me – I enjoyed it.’

Although he has loved ‘every minute’ of growing his unique collection over the last 50 years, he believes now it the perfect time to call it a day.   

‘I’m a pensioner now but I’ve got a new mantra in life – don’t retire, refire,’ he quipped.

‘I’m asking for another thirty years to do a completely new project.’