MATCHBOX REGULAR WHEEL NO.40A BEDFORD 'S' TYPE 17-TON TIPPER

The �S� type cab was again used with the 7 ton Tipper, no.40a. The cab was painted red but the tipper changed from pale to light brown as time went on. Metal wheels gave way to plastic and both the size of wheel and tread pattern can vary, but there were no major casting modifications made to this truck.

MATCHBOX REGULAR WHEEL NO.36C - OPEL DIPLOMAT

The Opel Diplomat, saloon (36c) , was originally shown in turquoise on early boxes when they were made available during May 1966.


In fact, it was issued in gold with a white interior. It featured an opening bonnet revealing a chrome plated, or, more rarely, a grey plastic engine. When iewed through the front wheel recesses in the base, it may be seen that the bonnet hinge pin blocks were strengthened from lmm wide to 2mm wide on later models.

Earlier models had no number plate or tow slot. A number plate was quickly added and subsequently, in common with other models, a tow slot was cast behind the number plate, which was itself enlarged.

It is another of the more common models still common, paratively easy to obtain today and rouses little interest. It is therefore pertinent to record that a colour trail model, which had originally been found boxed and painted in turquoise, exchanged hands in the US for $9000 in November 1999. These models may be small in size but never stature, and in some case value. --Model Collector

MATCHBOX - MERCEDES UNIMOG

The most recognizable model of the Mercedes Unimog is the small-scale model produced by Lesney Matchbox in 1967 as catalogue number 49. The Matchbox Unimog was a popular toy and thus continued production into the 1970s as a Superfast model. The Matchbox Unimog was released in two main variations, one model had a blue cab and bed and red chassis and the other had a tan body and turquoise chassis. Both models are relatively easy to find but I believe the tan models is slightly scarcer.--Model Collector

THE HATRA TRACTOR SHOVEL

The Hatra Tractor Shovel (69b) was originally painted orange with grey tyres on orange hubs. The tyres were soon changed to black and, for a time, the hubs were red until the whole until the whole model was changed to yellow. Some crossovers have been noted in colours between the body and shovel as well as red wheels on yellow bodies and vice-versa, but these are not easy to find and may have been produced by accident. The base on early models had a square cover over the rear axle differential, whilst later models had a round cover with a hole over the rear differential. Later versions of the orange Hatras, and all yellow versions, were fitted with shovel arm braces.�Model Collector

ITALIAN WITH BAGGAGE

In the same month of July, the Fiat 1500 (56b) with a roof-rack joined the range. It is probably one of the most common regular wheel models to be found at swapmeets and of course the real vehicle can still be seen today as a Lada with only minor alterations.

The plastic interior was modified to include extensions ahead of the �M� in Matchbox on the base. The roof luggage was originally brown but this was subsequently changed to tan. The main variation came in the 1968 GI Gift Set, when the Fiat was painted in all-over red with tan luggage. This is considerably harder to find than the normal green version.�Model Collector

THE TAYLOR JUMBO CRANE

The Taylor Jumbo Crane (11c) replaced the ERF Petrol Tanker in June. It was usually found in all-over yellow with a red double chain hook. When the weight box was painted red, a few hooks appeared with single chains in either red or yellow plastic.
The jib was subject to a number of casting changes. These centered upon the top and bottom lattice work which originally was cast open but this gap was later closed. The final jib version included a small cross brace between the top plates.

A King size version, also in plain yellow, was released at the same time. The miniature model was available for five years before it was replaced in April 1969 by the Scaffolding Truck.

MATCHBOX REGULAR WHEELS - ATLANTIC TRAILER

The no.16a was rather plain in light brown, but it provided good play value with its moveable ramp. Earliest examples of the loading ramp were to be found with two flat ejector rings and a thin, oblong plate inside the ramp. Later issues had a thicker oblong plate whilst final examples had extended ejector rings. At the same time as the modifications to the loading ramp, there were slight alternations made to the front ramp brace.

MATCHBOX REGULAR WHEELS - FORD GRIT SPREADER

The final release for 1965 was a red and yellow Grit-Spreader on the new Ford D series chassis. It featured a realistic gritting rear tab pull and included a plated grille and tinted windows. It was the second model to fill the No.70 slot.

Most releases had a pale yellow container but a few later models were painted in bright yellow. Axle supports were originally thin but these were later strengthened. At least two moulds were used, since the text may be found positioned high and low.--Model Collector

THE ERF LORRY OR STAKE TRUCK

The ERF Lorry (20a) was a simple open back truck, known in the USA as a stake truck. It ranged in colour from deep maroon to dark red, and in its final very short run in 1959 it was fifted with grey plastic wheels instead of metal wheels, making this variant one of the rarest. The first issue was reputedly trimmed in gold (though I have never actually seen one), but all subsequent releases had silver trim. A colour trial model has been found in light green without a brace cast between the cab and the body.

For many years collectors sought another rare version with a spare wheel painted in the body colour lodged behind the cab. This appears to be a genuine variation, although it is difficult to decide whether this was a short-lived intentional version or whether loose wheels somehow got lodged in the gap during the feltling stage and no-one bothered to remove the rogue wheel before painting tool place.

The final variation linked to this model concerns the silvertrim. This was applied by mask spray, but interestingly the replacement model (20b) had the silver trim applied by hand to the earliest release.--Model Collector

MATCHBOX REGULAR WHEELS - COMMER TV SERVICE VAN

In July 1963 another Commer Q25 van was added to the line as a derivative of the 47b Ice Cream Van. The TV Series Van (62b) was replacement for the general service truck and it came complete with three with three plastic television sets, a ladder, an aerial and a working rear roller shutter door.

During most of its five year life it advertised �Rentaset� in red script lettering but just before it was replaced, green �RADIO RENTALS� advertisements were substituted. The windows were always of green plastic but whereas earlier models had the black painted baseplate connected to the body by means of base clips, front and rear, later releases included a river at the front.

There are also minor casting changes concerning the ladder rests. Though most vans had black wheels, both variations were available with grey wheels in very small numbers. This is sometimes a difficult model to find complete because the small parts were originally part of one plastic red moulding on a sprue. As soon as they were separated, it was easy for the small television in particular to be lost as they were carried loose in the black of the van whereas the ladder and aerial could be clipped to the roof of the van.--Model Collector

MATCHBOX REGULAR WHEELS - ALVIS CRASH TENDER

In April 1963 the Military Ambulance was replaced by an Alvis Salamander �Foamite� Airport Crash Tender (63b), although it was not until November that it was released in the USA. It was an attempted reproduction of a typical airport crash tender which would have been used to spray an aircraft fire with foam. Whereas 9a and 9b fire engines had been faithful replicas of real vehicles, this model was rather spoiled for fire vehicle collectors because it was a compromise between two actual vehicles.

Unfortunately for the connoisseur, Lesney wished to maximize play value and this led to the main body being derived from a Pyrene vehicle and the roof detail originating from the Foamite tender. Of course, this did not affect the huge demand for this new variation of fire appliance. It came with a white plastic accessory kit which included a ladder, horse and two plastic nameplates which could be removed from the sprue and fitted with silver hoses.

The front and rear pair of the six wheels were sprung by green or white plastic springs although this idea of suspension was abandoned on later versions. Base braces were strengthened during the life or the model and a hole was apparent on some later versions.�Model Collector

MATCHBOX NO.12 LAND ROVER

Prior to 1956 the range consisted of comercial and construction models. The Land Rover was the closest Lesney came to producing "car" before 1956. The original Land Rover was produced in dark green with silver trim and a tan driver. See more

MATCHBOX: JEEP GLADIATOR

In January the first release for the year appeared in the form of a Jeep Gladiator Pick-up (71b) with suspension. This was the first of many Jeeps to be included in the miniature range and was obviously to boost sales in the US, although it was not the most appealing of models. It was paintd red all over and had opening doors with either a plastic or metal door spring.
It had black wheels and a black base which came with and without a patent number. A green interior was fairly common in Europe but soon all models had white interiors. The early European versions with green interiors are quite sought after in the US.

MATCHBOX: FORD CUSTOMLINE STATION WAGON

The model release testified to the magnitude of the USA market as it was an American Ford Customline Station Wagon which became 31a. A colour trial model has been found in red but the release colour was yellow. Red tail-lights featured on early examples and the usual change involving axles common to other vehicles also occurred with this model. Grey plastic wheels replaced metal wheels during 1958.

MATCHBOX: DENNIS TIPPAX

The final issue of 1963 was a Dennis Tippax refuse truck (15c) with opening tail-gate, which replaced the Rotinoff Super Atlantic tractor at No.15 to become 15c in November. It was a considerable improvement on the first refuse truck in that it featured not only a tipping container but also an opening loading door.

The cab, base and chassis were always painted blue whilst the container and door was painted grey. Side decals advertising �Cleansing Service� were fitted, originally shaped to match the lines of the container in that they were rounded off at the front and angled to the rear. Later these were replaced by rectangular decals with squarely cut ends. The final models had labels affixed.
The base of the chassis originally terminated behind the rivet but this was soon altered such that a brace connected both fuel tanks. The container is usually found with a hole in the front but some of the earliest models did not have this hole. All models were fitted with black plastic wheels but earlier models had knobby wheels whereas later versions had fine or very fine tread wheels.

The Tippax Refuse Truck remained in the range for five years until it was replaced in November 1968 by the Volkswagen 1500 Saloon. By that time the Ford Refuse Truck had been included in the Matchbox series for almost two years.--Model Collector

MATCHBOX: FORD FAIRLANE

The Ford Fairlane first seen as a police car was also used as the base for a Fire Chief's car. It was released in June to replace the Singer Van. This model had not previously been announced and so it is presumed that it was a sudden decision to use the same vehicle as 55b in a change of colour and guise in that it was now a red Fire Chief's car (59b), instead of the police car. At the same time a large Matchbox Fire Station was manufactured and so this car complemented the release.

The red Fairlane came with door and bonnet decals in two sizes. Though the interior was ivory, the roof light was white. Black plastic wheels were normally fitted but grey plastic wheels have also been found. Silver wheels have also been reported but not authenticated.

MATCHBOX: PERSONNEL CARRIER

The six-wheel M3 Personnel Carrier (49a) was the first of ten military vehicles to be issued in the �1-75� range. It was painted in the traditional olive green and the rear pairs of wheels were rollers inside grey trucks, though some of the final issues were found with green tracks. The front wheels changed from metal to grey plastic in 1959, and finally to black plastic. There was usually a correlation between the wheels and the rollers, but examples exist of grey wheels with metal rollers and grey wheels with silver plastic rollers. The wheels and the rollers may be found in different sizes. A bonnet decal featuring a white star in a circle was included on all variants, though models with metal wheels are known to exist without decals. Originally the body was crimped to the base but later a river was used instead. Several minor variations exist around the bogie wheels. The model is comparatively easy to find today, for in the 1960s it proved to be very popular and sold for more than nine years.

MATCHBOX: SCAMMELL MOUTAINEER SNOWPLOUGH

In September 1963 a Scammel Mouantaineer Snowplough (16c) entered the range where it remained for six years. It replaced the Rotinoff Super Atlantic Trailer and though originally shown in the 1963 catalogue in yellow with a grey blade and a Scammell decal, it was released with a grey cab and an orange tipper with either orange and white or red and white stripes on the blade.

The base came with or without a hole and the steps to the cab could be open or closed. A model with grey plastic wheels is a rear variant for these were only fitted in small quantities towards the end of this model�s life. Black plastic wheels are usually associated with the Scammell Snowplough.

MATCHBOX: BEDFORD 'EVENING NEWS' VAN

The Bedford 12cwt appeared with the �Evening News� van, no.42a. The yellow body had a signboard with �First With The NEWS� on the roof and front door decals proclaiming �Football Results� and �Evening News� on both sides. Metal, grey and black plastic wheels were all applied as well as silver trim to the grille and headlights. It was a popular model as it lasted in the range for almost eight years.

MATCHBOX: WEATHERILL HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR

Construction vehicles always featured strongly in the �1-75� range and the Weatherill Hydraulic Excavator (24a), in its two forms, remained for eleven years. It appear either with an orange-yellow or a plain yellow body, with a �Weatherill Hydraulic� rear decal. The bucket could be raised or lowered. This model was the first to include model numbers cast on to the metal wheels and also the first model to have its number cast on the base. This numbering technique occurred because it was part of a �family mould�. In the manufacturing process a body, base and wheels would all be derived from one small mould. When plastic wheels were introduced in 1958-59, these could all be of a common type, and it was no longer necessary to number the wheels. Although most models were fitted with the appropriate wheels, there were inevitably some mistakes. Perhaps the most odd detail was that a model numbered as 24 was fitted with wheels which had �23� cast upon them.