Matchbox Cars Wiki
GMC Wrecker
Debut Series 1-75
Produced 1987-2011 (Original)
2014-2023 (Retool)
Number MB188
Scale 1:72


Versions[]

This model has been issued in the following versions:

Col # Year Series Color Tampo Base Color / Type Window Color Wheel Type Toy Number(s) Country Notes / Variations Photo
MB21 (USA)
MB71 (ROW)
1987 1988 1-75 White Orange & Red stripes, Frank's, Getty, 24HR Towing, 557-1117 Unpaited / Metal Amber Macau 1987 USA only
1989 Chrome / Plastic
1990 China
1991 Thailand
1992
1993
Orange & Red stripes, Frank's, Getty, 24HR Towing
1994 Red stripes only, Frank's, Getty, 24HR Towing
N/A 1993 5-Pack: Emergency White METRO, POLICE, EMERGENCY Chrome / Plastic Amber Thailand
N/A 1993 Indy 500 Black OFFICIAL WRECKER INDY 500 Chrome / Plastic Amber Thailand USA only
#12 1994 Collector's Choice Red RON'S TOWING on white background Chrome / Plastic Amber Thailand USA only
N/A 1994 Formula 1 Gift Set White 3, RESCUE, checkers, wrench design Chrome / Plastic Amber Thailand
1997 China
N/A 1995 5-Pack: Police Black White doors, UNIT 4, POLICE EMERGENCY Chrome / Plastic Amber Thailand
MB21 (USA)
MB71 (ROW)
1995 1-75 Dark Purple Yellow stripes, PARKHILL TOWING / 24 HOUR Chrome / Plastic Amber Thailand
1996 Yellow stripes, PARKHILL TOWING / 24 HOUR, w/o hood design
China
MB21 (USA) 1997 1-100 Red Yellow and White tampo, MATCHBOX, 24 HOUR TOWING Chrome / Plastic Amber China US Only
MB71 (ROW) 1997 1-75 Orange PARKHILL TOWING,  24 HOUR TOWING Chrome / Plastic Amber China RoW only
21 1997 75 Challenge Gold None Chrome / Plastic Amber China
N/A 1997 5-Pack: City Life White MATCHBOX, 24 HOUR TOWING with Black design tampo Black / Plastic Frosted Clear China
N/A 1997 CAA Promotional White CAA Tampo Chrome / Plastic Amber China Base Code(s): 2979EA
Canadian exclusive release
MB63 1998 1-75/100: Motor Sports 3/5 Black MATCHBOX, 24 HOUR TOWING with Lemon and White tampo Chrome / Plastic Amber 33863 China
MB14 (USA) 1999 1-100: Highway Haulers 4/5 Red Ron's Chrome / Plastic Amber 36423 China
MB14 (ROW) 1999 1-75 Red Service, GMC, T-89, tow truck tampos Chrome / Plastic Amber 37170 37444 (INT) China GMC on card
N/A 2000 Pleasant Book: Crunch! Black Service, GMC, T-89, tow truck tampos Chrome / Plastic Amber China
MB88 (USA) 2000 1-100: Police Patrol 3/5 Metalflake Green RON'S with Orange and White tampo, 'Matchbox 2000' logo Chrome / Plastic Amber 96384 China USA only
RON'S with Orange and White tampo USA only
2001
N/A 2002 Playset: Service Station Yellow White and Black design, RAPID RESCUE Black / Plastic Red Tint China
SF39 2005 Superfast Pearl White Superfast 24 HR, Tow Service, Radio Dispatched, checkered rear, White headlights Chrome / Plastic Amber H7753 China USA Only
SF39 2005 Superfast Metalflake Orange Superfast 24 HR, Tow Service, Radio Dispatched, checkered rear, White headlights Chrome / Plastic Black H7753 China ROW Only
N/A 2005 Surprise Packs - Egg-Mobiles Black Jimmy Neutron (text and character) Light Blue / Plastic Amber China
MB48 2006 1-75: MBX Metal Orange 188, 24 HR Towing, Collision Specialists, ZENTNER Towing & Recovery, White side stripe Dark Gray / Plastic Frosted Clear J2378 (USA) J6337 (ROW) Thailand
SF39 2006 Superfast Metalflake Gunmetal Gray Diamond plate side tampo, White headlights, Red taillights, Orange sectional stripe Chrome / Plastic Frosted Yellow Black J6588 Thailand
N/A 2007 5-Pack: Garage Works Pearl White Wilak's Towing & Salvage Black / Plastic Frosted Orange K9619 Thailand
MB51 2008 City Action 7/12 Black Silver, Orange and Red stripes with White "Jesse & Sons Towing & Salvage" Dark Gray / Plastic Amber M5332 Thailand
N/A 2009 5-Pack: Service Center Metalflake Purple Green, Yellow, Gray and White with "Tow Service" on sides Black / Plastic Dark Tint N9643 Thailand
MB73 2010 1-75/100: City Action 1/15 Metalflake Burgundy Pacific Wreck & Salvage, Call for Pick-up 24/7, 188 Silver / Plastic Frosted Smoke R5024 (USA) R5124 (ROW) Thailand Base Code(s): C18, C24
MB73 2010 1-75/100: City Action 1/15 Orange City Towing Service, diamond plating tampo on side Gray / Plastic Frosted Smoke T1547 Thailand Base Code(s): C24, C26
MB73 2011 1-100:
City Action 14/14
Metallic Silver Emergency, Highway Service, 1, Call 24/7 Black / Plastic Frosted Orange Orange T8941 Thailand Base Code(s): D30
Modified Tooling
N/A 2014 9/10-Packs Yellow MBX TOW CITY, 24/7 Black / Plastic Frosted Smoke BFP81 Thailand Base Code(s): G19, G41
Exclusive model
N/A 2016 5-Pack: Police Rescue Black White stripes on sides, NYPD badge & 'NYPD' on sides Black / Plastic Orange Tint DJY03 Thailand Base Code(s): J09, J10, J25, J48
N/A 2019 9-Pack Flat Light Blue Lamley's Leaks, Tire Service, UNIT 02 Red / Plastic Blue Tint GJG18 Thailand Base Code(s): M09

Exclusive model

N/A 2023 5-Pack: MBX City Drivers II Silver 'Metro Police Highway Rescue', 70th Anniversary deco Black / Plastic Yellow Tint HKY24 Thailand Base Code(s): R44

Model History[]

The model was originally issued with a metal base, which was soon changed to plastic.

In 2014 the model was modified with the hook now molded as part of the boom, rather than being a separate piece.

Card description[]

  • Red alert! A car is broken down in the carpool lane and traffic is getting heavy! No problem! The GMC Wrecker has the strength to tow up to 2 tons. It can haul the car to safety and prevent the freeway from coming to a complete standstill-until rush hour, that is!
    -From the 2010 and 2011 City Action cards

Gallery[]

External links[]