RealTruck, a business that makes aftermarket parts, and Doetsch Off-Road, a construction company, worked together in November of last year to make a custom 2023 Jeep Gladiator that is a life-size replica of a 1:64 Matchbox toy car for display. The car was first shown at the SEMA show in October of last year after it was finished. There was another party for it in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. That moment could have been the end of the truck’s journey as a one-time chance to promote Matchbox and Mattel toys. However, RealTruck chose to go one step further. The car will be auctioned off today at Barrett-Jackson’s annual event in Scottsdale. All the money raised will go to Building Houses for Heroes, a group that builds and fixes homes for injured veterans and first responders. The Matchbox/RealTruck Gladiator JT has a black finish with orange accents and comes with RealTruck off-road gear. The custom Gladiator has traction recovery boards, steel tube bumpers, a step system, a lift kit, and a roof rack with a tent on top. Off-road fans will like these features. Besides that, the winner will also get a 1:64 scale toy car. As part of the Matchbox Collectors collection, this Matchbox costs $25 right now. It’s different than your average 99-cent Matchbox from the grocery store. Lee Riser of RealTruck says, “It is actually pretty rare [to have a matching full-size and Matchbox-sized vehicle], and it takes a lot of planning.” “It took over a year for everything to come together perfectly for this one.” RealTruck has worked with Building Homes for Heroes since 2017 and has given over $1 million to help the group do its work. Also, RealTruck and Mattel have worked together before on both toys and real-life structures. Riser says it’s one of the best ideas for toys and inventions the company has ever made. The group is giving two wounded American soldiers places to live. Kirstie Ennis, a former Marine Sergeant and disabled athlete, was recently on NPR to talk about her successful descent from the top of Everest. The other is Arizona’s former Army, Sargeant Mary Herrera. Her service to veterans led the state to name a law after her that gives Purple Heart winners and National Guard soldiers scholarships that don’t require them to pay for school. Herrera was shot twice with an AK-47 during an attack. His right arm was badly hurt in ways that you don’t want to think about. Herrara told The Invoice Pricing, “It’s important to have partners like RealTruck.” Organizations know how important it is to assist those who have served. The help they give not only helps build homes for wounded soldiers but also shows our country’s gratitude and support. On the evening of January 27, at 4:30 p.m. MST, this car will be sold at auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale. You can watch the live feed on the Barrett-Jackson website.
