Editing Matchbox (brand) (section)

===Popularity===
The popularity of the model affects its value both directly and indirectly.  For example, if two models were produced in similar quantities in the '50s, one an interesting sports car, the other a rather dull military vehicle, then the former probably disappeared from store shelves much faster.  Its value, then in non-monetary terms, was higher.

Though the former model may therefore be found relatively ubiquitously in British or American households, often it was either played with (i.e. the condition is poor) or it has a particular "treasure"-like sentimental value (often the case with, for example, horse-drawn models), so that the model will be kept "forever", even by those who do not collect.  Thus it becomes harder to find in good condition on the collectors market, while the less popular model can still be found mint-boxed in large quantities.  And as it is likely that the sports car's initial popularity remains
unbroken, its value is now also driven upward by this fact as well.