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 1/64 '70 VOLKSWAGEN T2 CLASSIC BUS

This 1970 Volkswagen Kombi van makes a nice addition to any movie die-case vehicle collector as an unofficial release of the Libyan Kombi van that terrorists shot Doc and chased the Delorean being driven by Marty in the shopping centre car park near the start of Back to the Future. Not sure if it is the exact same year Kombi but it is the same colours. The roof even looks like it should open up for terrorists to pop out with machine guns and gun down Doc. Doesn't have the extra headlights above the bumper, not sure if this necessarily means its the wrong year or that Matchbox just didn't include to that detail, or maybe the lights were added to make the Kombi chase scene more menacing by producer Steven Spielberg or director Robert Zemeckis.

It's a nicely made vehicle by Matchbox which also comes with a nice bonus box to put the Kombi van in if you open it from the blister pack. It does display nicely in the blister though with a nice image of the Kombi on the blister card as well. This displays very nicely next to the Johnny Lightning diorama Back to The Future Great Scott...Its a Time Machine with Doc's van, the Delorean time machine, and the Marty, Doc and Einstein figures.

These were released in 2010 and sold in shops for about double the price of a normal mass produced Matchbox vehicle. --James N Simpson   Shop here

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

MODELS OF YESTERYEAR - Y12C FORD MODEL T

Based on the undying and sturdy Model T chassis, this robust and efficient van served many a tradesman thoughout the 1910�s and 1920�s

The basic shape not changing for almost 20 years. Scale 1:35

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

1923 SCANIA-VABIS POST BUS

The Post-Bus was developed jointly by Scania and the Swedish G.PO. to provide postal and passenger services in scattered rural areas. This 2.64 ton (2680 kg) Bus could carry 12 passengers and the mail, and was powered by a 4 cyl. 3.5 litre engine developing 36 b.h.p. The model represents the vehicle equipped for winter operation.

This is a Special Edition, produced as part of a worldwide issue � total production quantity � 60,000 units. Scale 1/49 Buy it now

1940 FORD PICKUP

The Ford name is as venerable as any in the history of automobiles. And, almost from the start, Henry Ford�s Model A and Model T vehicles were adapted for a wide variety of commercial used. As the century moved on and technology and engineering advanced. Ford continued to develop fine, rugged trucks along with its impressive array of automobiles. He Ford trucks of the �40s are considered by many to be most beautiful Fords ever. The company had retained the same size it offered in 1939�the half-ton, three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks, but Ford greatly changed the styling.

In 1940, the design was based on Ford�s automobiles and resulted in a handsome line of trucks. The hood was restyled, the grille echoed that of the �39 Ford Deluxe automobile and the cab was given a major makeover. A one-piece, stamped-steel front panel combined the cowl, firewall, windshield frame and top. Aside from its visual appeal, this design simplified the assembly process. Other changes included a cowl-mounted windshield wiper (in previous years the wiper was mounted above the windshield), a redesigned instrument cluster, a two-spoke steering wheel and more comfortable seats. Under the hood, Food continued with its V8-60 and V8-85 engines. In addition, a 239-cubic-inch V8 engine that could produce 95 horsepower was also used in some pickups. A classic from the time it rolled off the assembly line and even more so today, the 1940 Ford Pickup Truck is now recreated in an authentic detail, your 1940 Ford Pickup is produced by�and available only from Matchbox Collectibles.

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 COLLECIBLES: MERCEDES BENZ 540K

This is the Mercedes-Benz 540K: this is finished in black with silver trim. Particularly notice the dashboard detail with the instruments included.

MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLES: FODEN STEAM WAGON 'F. PARKER

This is the Foden steam wagon in the livery of F. Parker and Co, Timber Importers. The basic model is well known, and has been pleasantly finished in deep red-brown with gold lettering. Perhaps more significant is load, produced as a hand-painted cold cast sculpture. Not only do the planks of wood look realistic, but there are pleasing touches, such as the pieces of red rag attached to the ends of the planks, the tarpaulin covering the load affixed with rope, with excess rope curled on top of the planks. The result is an attractive model. Buy it now

MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLES: AEC 'S' TYPE BUS 'DUBLIN CORPORATION'

The AEC 'S' type bus (YET05) is featured operated by Dublin Corporation. This well decorated model is prototypically covered in advertisements which naturally add a flavour of the location and period. As examples of the detail now being included by Matchbox, note the fleet numbers on the front (behind the driver) and rear (on the platform), the 'Watch Your Step' warning on the platform, and the fact that the seats are separately painted in light brown (in contrast to the dark brown floor).

1926 MORRIS COWLEY "BLUENOSE"; MOY Y-8 (FIRST SERIES)

1926 Morris Cowley �Bluenose�; MOY Y-8 (First Series), 1958. This was modeled on a popular British runabout of the late 1920s: the real auto remains a favorite with British automobile enthusiasts and many are still carefully preserved in running order. Scale 1:50. Length: 2.5in (63.5mm).

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

MATCHBOX ACCESSORY PACK NO.2 THE BEDFORD CAR TRANSPORTER

Accessory Pack No.2, released in 1957, was an articulated Bedford Car Transporter. This model was able to carry four Matchbox cars, two on the lower deck and two on the upper. In these early days of Matchbox toys there were no hinged deck or ramps, so there was no obvious way of loading and unloading cars on the upper deck. The Bedford Car Transporter is the most interesting of the Matchbox Accessory Packs as far as variations are concerned, not least because it exists in a rare colour version and was also the Accessory pack model which had the longest production run (and therefore more opportunity for variations).

The first version had metal wheels fifted in common with other Matchbox vehicles of the time, although the wheels were larger than those fiftted to any other model, excepting the Yesteryear series. The sides of the transporter trailer were decorated with the words �Matchbox� Car Transporter� applied with a printing process unlike other Matchbox models (which had decals at this time). Earlier issues had the lettering much wider spaced than later versions, the overall length being 50mm rather than 37mm.

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