EARLY MATCHBOX (Moko/Lesney/Matchbox)

@david-green I sense there was also the mindset of preserving items one bought - even toys - so buying a Lesney model was adding to the 'fabric' of the family for some years to come.

@charles-rockett Good point, I agree.  The miniature 1953 Coronation Coach is just a fantastic toy/collectable; those mind-boggling sales numbers make perfect sense.

At 34 pages this must be the longest post ever.

David, you could probably compile all your material here and write a book. Thanks for all your work.

@ed-davis 

Thanks Ed, when I started this back in November, 2021, I knew that the coverage of early Matchbox would be extensive, but I never imagined it would last this long. It became a fun routine for me researching, getting the images and searching through my collection.

I’m just about finished but I am still finding things to add. As for writing a book, unlikely, but in this modern age, more people seem to do their reading on the internet rather on the traditional printed page.

My collecting has not followed the norm for members of the Diecast Zone. I’m more international with a European leaning, though I do have an extensive Americana collection, mainly 1/43.  With these Matchbox postings, I hopefully have reminded members of their early collecting days and expanded a few horizons. I’ve enjoyed myself in the process.

Accessory Packs.

In the 1960s, Lesney produced Accessory Packs to complement the regular wheel 75 Series vehicles that they made.

Here is the A3-A Metal-Lock-up Garage issue from 1957. This is metal with two green opening doors and three side windows and one at the rear. Roof is red and walls are yellow It is only 3 inches wide.

I have this garage.  Unfortunately I didn't have it as a kid so I simply removed the flaps from one end of each MB toy box and used that for its garage.  Groan!!

Never had this model, but do remember it. From the photos the brick detail looks good. It has been a long time since I saw a real garage with doors hinged on the side. I remember renting space in a garage like this in 1970’s.

16-C,  Scammel Mountaineer Dump Truck with Snow Plough,  1/109 scale. Introduced 1963, discontinued 1968.

Grey cab with orange base, orange plough with orange and white decal. Metal base painted grey. Blach standard plastic tires.

20-C  1964 Chevrolet Impala Taxi, 1/72 scale. Introduced 1965, discontinued 1968.

Just opened a drawer and found this boxed 1964 Impala Taxi. I think that I covered this on about two years ago here but now I have fresh images to show.

I have the Scammell and Impala Taxi in my collection also.

I do not remember seeing this one. Maybe I missed it. Looking at your pictures, the overall shape and lines of the model look very good. Thanks for photos.

Another not mentioned earlier but currently on my shelf.

MB65C Claas Combine Harvester.

Introduced in 1969 and deleted in 1972, this one is 1/105 scale.

Awesome! Many of us kids had this one.... even if we weren't really sure what it was used for. 😀   I always thought it was great looking. 

Yet another not mentioned earlier but currently on my shelf.

MB51B JohnDeer Trailer with removable barrels.

Introduced in 1964 and deleted in 1968, this one is 1/61 scale.

I'm lucky to have this one boxed and compete as this is almost impossible to find now.

This is often paired with the MB50B Lanz 700 Tractor.

@david-green I have these two in my collection as well !