Bedford car transport

Frank, I'm no expert on these, but David Green is.   I can tell you, though, that absolutely "MINT w/box"  examples can fetch over $175.  "Very excellent used condition"  copies can be had for less than $50.    The condition of your box will greatly influence value.    Good luck! 

@chris I have a few of these (different color shades, decal colors and script) in my collection.  I pretty much agree with Chris M's value estimations.

Hi Frank,

I am puzzled about your box saying A1. A1-A (1957) and A1-B (1963)were petrol pump sets for ESSO and BP. A1-C (1970) was a service lift for vehicle repairs. 

I am only aware of this original Bedford Car Transporter from 1957 as being boxed as A2, catalogued as A2-A. A1,A2 and A3(a garage) came out in 1957,1958 as Accessory Packs, the originals by Lesney.

Values mentioned above seem about right. I have one of these somewhere in storage.

@david-green I am supposed to to get the pictures tomorrow so that number may not be right.  This and a K-6 Allis Chalmers Earth Mover were part of a donation to a newly formed/forming non profit model train museum here in Hampton Roads VA.   ✌️🚂

Those transporters look excellent and will be great to have in one's collection. A great way to display cars, too !

For many years, my younger brothers had this Matchbox automobile transporter and it still exists. It is pretty cool and nice way to display some cars, too.

@david-green you are correct box reads A2.   here a pics. 

@frank 

Hi Frank,

Two wonderful models here. I don’t think that you could get better original box Lesney models from this early period. Look at that price tag! As you likely know, the K6-A Allison-Chalmers Earth Scraper dates from 1961. I assume it is mint. The first version had silver metal wheels (first year only), the second red plastic ones, both with black plastic tires. If you could add a picture here, I’m sure that members would love to see it.

Is there an accepted scale on this transporter, seems a little small to carry 1/64 size cars? 🤔

@frank 

At 6.5 inches long, it should be about 1/71 scale. As you know, Lesney was more interested in  fitting models in boxes than on a steady scale. Quite a few early Lesney cars should fit in this transporter, but few later ones would.

Posted by: @frank

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@david-green you are correct box reads A2.   here a pics. 

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@frank Hi Frank

This box is the earliest type for Lesney King Size models due to the depiction of the crown symbol and attracts a premium.

BTW the name King Size is derived from King Size cigarettes. Keeping with the theme of tobacco related products with Matchbox being the smaller size models.

Chris

@chris-sweetman 

Thanks Chris, I had forgotten about the crown.

All,

Thanks for the pictures and information on these models. I never owned any, but do remember them.

Those are older than the King Size I have but will you sell them to make some $$$ for the new train museum?   I can also add them to hobbyDB for you!

Those old boxes are great!