Rare Matchbox Mercury Cougar Sets Record at $29,500 at Auction

For any collector reading, consider this Exhibit A in any future debate with family or friends over your obsession with old toys.

In the UK, a 1968 Matchbox Mercury Cougar sold at auction for a new record of £22,050, about $29,500. The sale was via Vectis Auctions in Stockton-on-Tees, England, concluding on January 20, 2026.

Antique Trader reported the car was the top lot in Vectis’ “Matchbox Magic” sale, and it landed at a number no Matchbox vehicle has hit before at auction.

For clarity, the hammer price was £18,000, with the buyer’s premium bringing it to £22,050 ($29,500).

As a collector myself, I’ll be using this record-breaking price to explain why my vintage toy collection continues to need attic space.

Unique paint job

Collectors wanted this ’68 Matchbox Mercury Cougar for a number of reasons. Including its unfamiliar color. Most Matchbox collectors have seen the metallic lime green version, so this pale yellow, or cream variation was rare and unlikely spent much time in production.

BBC UK reported the auction team didn’t have an exact production count, but they estimated the yellow cars were made in the low hundreds.

Another big reason this toy car was in so much demand is because of the condition report. The Antiques Trade Gazette highlighted it was reported as in excellent condition, with only a few tiny chips, mostly near the front wings. Clearly, it wasn’t played with heavily during ownerships. It even came with the correct “New Model” Type E4 box.

Another factor in its price is that Vectis, the auction house, was confident in its age. It had clear windows, no windscreen wipers, and no rear-view mirror. These are details that help date the model versus later reproductions.

According to Vectis, the auction was frantic, with online and telephone bidding from across the world. It’s the kind of bidding reminiscent of a first-edition or one of a kind (OOAK) that only happens when the item up for sale is genuinely scarce and in great condition.

Hagerty found that Matchbox has been through big swings over the decades, from its peak years to ownership changes, and now even talk of a live-action Matchbox movie.

On the toy side, this Cougar sits right in that late-1960s turning point, with regular wheels, then the push toward faster wheel designs as the market heated up.

Antique Trader reported the company moved to “Superfast” wheels in 1969, right after this model year. No doubt another factor in its collectibility.

What to look for in your Matchbox collection

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a one-off big-ticket item, as interest in Matchbox cars remains very strong, according to Accio. This is especially true with vintage models and specific “must-have” themes.

If you have a collection, focus on the basics first:

• Odd colors or “wrong” variations
• Original boxes that match the model art
• Early casting details that collectors can verify
• Clean condition, even with minor chips

Use tools like Google image search and site’s including eBay to quickly check values. Always remember to look for the lowest sale prices, and don’t rely on Buy It Now prices, which can be inflated.