S - T - R - E - T - C - H - E - D, Little Limos
by Doug Breithaupt

For diecast producers in 1:64 scale, the challenge in producing limo models is that if they are done in correct scale, they are too long to fit in standard packaging. The solution has been to offer limos in much smaller scale. Tomica's great little Rolls Royce Phantom V is in 1:78 scale while the Matchbox Lincoln Town Car is 1:76. Some manufacturers like Majorette have done their limos in scale, with the Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac models both at 1:58 scale. The nice thing about digital images of toy cars is that they can be sized to allow the viewer to see different models of different scales, all as one scale. This allowed the following limos to be compared for length and sorted accordingly.

Matchbox - Connectibles 1988 Lincoln Town Car - scale 1:78

Matchbox offered this series about 10 years back. Many of the regular Matchbox castings were re-done in plastic as with the Lincoln Town Car here. The front section of the car is the same as the diecast version but the rear section has been extended and a stretched center section has been added. A raised video antenna has also been added.
Siku - 1965 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five #V265 - scale 1:59

This model has four opening doors and trunk. The front wheels can be turned via small plastic tabs on the fenders. White wall tires and jeweled headlights add to the look of the model. These 'V' numbered Siku models are a challenge to find today.
Road Champs - 1982 Mercedes-Benz - scale 1:58

Road Champs produced this early '80's Mercedes-Benz limo with four opening doors and a sliding sun roof. It was produced in 1990 and may still be available. It is all diecast.
Majorette - 1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five #339 - scale 1;58

The Cadillac Fleetwood limo by Majorette came in black or white. The four opening doors and a sliding sun roof add a lot of play value. The interior features a TV and the base and body are diecast.
Majorette - 1989 Mercedes-Benz #326 - scale 1:58

Like the Cadillac, Majorette's Mercedes-Benz limo has four opening doors and a sliding sun roof. Twin antennas add nice detail to this model. It is also all-diecast.
Hot Wheels - 2001 Syd Meads Sentinel 400 - scale 1:72

Offered in 2002, this fictional car is based on a model used in Syd Meads Sci-Fi thrillers. The matte-black roof is a curious feature as is the round plastic circle in front of the driver's window. Nothing opens and the base is plastic.
Hot Wheels - Limozeen - scale 1:78

This earlier fantasy limo by Hot Wheels has some Cadillac styling cues and was produced in 1990. The open sun roof shows a table with food and drinks.
Superior - 1988 Lincoln Town Car - scale 1:68

Superior produced this crude, all-plastic model of a Lincoln Town Car Limo. It is still available.
Matchbox - 1988 Lincoln Town Car - scale 1:76

Matchbox has done a variety of Lincoln models over the years. This Town Car is slightly stretched and a chrome wrap-over bar has been added. A World Class version was offered in black with rubber tires.
Tomica - 1975 Rolls Royce Phantom VI #F6 - scale 1:78

The expected Tomica quality is represented in this fine example of the Phantom VI model. Front doors open and a window divides the front and rear seats.
Yat Ming - 1975 Rolls Royce Phantom VI #1051 - scale 1:78

This copy of the Tomica Phantom VI is quite good, right down to the divider window.
Matchbox - 1963 Rolls Royce Phantom V #44-B - scale 1:82

The Phantom V was done by Matchbox and sports an opening boot. It has all the charm of the regular-wheel Matchbox models, including a number plate, 1287 PU.
Matchbox - Limo - Scale 1:76

This generic limo from Matchbox in 2002 may have been originally intended as a Hot Wheel. It is a shame that a real limo could not have been produced to continue the Matchbox tradition.