EARLY MATCHBOX (Moko/Lesney/Matchbox)

Cool, but NEVER saw this before ever!  Now, that's astonishing to me.... 😮 😮 😯 

@jack-dodds 

I agree Jack. They have really grown on me over the last few decades. I always preferred the larger Yesteryears Matchbox series and Dinky and Corgi. I still like those but these miniatures from Lesney/Matchbox have a special charm.

66-B, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle and Sidecar,  1/41 scale. Introduced 1962, discontinued 1966.

Metallic bronze cycle and sidecar. Three wire wheels with black plastic tires.

@david-green I have this one and really like it.  It is getting hard to find in M or NM condition and pricey too.

.....remember this one too but never realized it was almost 1/43 scale. Those wire wheels are little works of art. 😀 

@david-green 

This is really nice.  Another one I never knew existed. Thanks for the pictures.

66-C, Greyhound Coach,  1/159 scale. Introduced 1966, discontinued 1971

A shortened version model GMC PD-4501 Scenicruiser coach. This model has only three pair of big panorama side windows in the back, instead of four like the real world model. The number of seats are reduced accordingly.

The regular wheels Matchbox Greyhound Coach's first two axles travel on a flexible plastic bar, recreating one of the most advertised feature of the 1950s Scenicruiser: Air-ride suspension. The trailing axle isn't load bearing and has no suspension. It is just attached through a pair of o-shaped holes to allow vertical travel together with the other two.

Silver with black metal base, orange tinted windows and white interior. Greyhound labels and black plastic wheels changing to Speedwheels in 1970. Says Coach on base.

 1966 to 1969 version.

1970 to 71 version. Note various changes to base, black, pink and plastic suspension add-ons.

Yep! Every kid had this one... fond memories. I enjoyed reading/seeing the history.

@chris 

Almost every kid, I did not have one.  However, after seeing David's photos, I wish I did.

67-A,  Saladin Armoured Car,  1/86 scale. Introduced 1959, discontinued 1967.

Army green with black plastic wheels.

I have just added this one to my collection!

I don't recall seeing one when I was a kid but years later, I spotted one at a show.... 6 wheels, rotating turret & army-green color, what kid wouldn't want one? 

Posted by: @chris

I don't recall seeing one when I was a kid but years later, I spotted one at a show.... 6 wheels, rotating turret & army-green color, what kid wouldn't want one? 

I had the Matchbox Saladin model and drove a real Saracen, the troop carrier version of this armoured car.

@chris-sweetman Awesome experience! 😀 😎 😀  (..but of course the conditions in which you drove, were probably less than ideal... 😔 😔)

Posted by: @chris

@chris-sweetman Awesome experience! 😀 😎 😀  (..but of course the conditions in which you drove, were probably less than ideal... 😔 😔)

@chris Indeed Christopher - these armoured fighting vehicles were really designed to take on rough terrain. When I was in the British Territorial Army (the part time army) in the mid 1970's the unit I was in were still using Saracens, Saladins, Ferrets and we also had a Scammell Recovery lorry. All of these were made by Matchbox. What I cannot fathom is that Matchbox never made the Bedford 3 tonner, after the Land-Rover the most numerous vehicle in the British Army. BTW the Saracen and Saladin had a system in which the five gears could operate both forward and reverse. So, one could travel 55 mph in reverse - perhaps handy if WWIII happened and you came across an USSR T54 whilst on reconnaissance!