Hi Jack, None of the early issue Lesney/Matcgbox vehicles had opening doors. The castings were just too simple.
Later, they did improve along with technology and assembly skill. In 2019, a 1964 Pontiac was issued with opening doors. Is this the one that you had in mind?
No. 39-B was a Pontiac Convertible issued in 1962, but no opening doors.
Yes, I recall a red 64 Pontiac HT (22C) and a dark red Mercedes coupe (53C) in particular....released in the late 60s or so I presume. I think there was a red Jeep pickup with opening doors...not positive. The VW Beetle had an opening engine bonnet and some VW vans and Vauxhall wagon had opening doors, as you know. There may have been more that I can't recall.
Yes, I had forgotten that the 22-C Pontiac Grand Prix released in 1964 had opening doors. This like the others you mentioned were designed once sales had exploded and more money was available to expand options. These were models that transitioned into the 1970 Superfast era in the main. Matchbox's best sales were in the 1960s before the HotWheels phenomenon.
I must admit that my interest in Lesney Matchbox cars is, other than the Jaguars and race cars primarily in their 1950s issues so I'm not as much up on opening features from the 1960s as I might be. I have still most of those 1960s Matchbox vehicles but have not looked at them for several years.
Below is the 71-B Jeep Gladiator Pick-up with opening doors, also from 1964.
Yes, I had forgotten that the 22-C Pontiac Grand Prix released in 1964 had opening doors. This like the others you mentioned were designed once sales had exploded and more money was available to expand options. These were models that transitioned into the 1970 Superfast era in the main. Matchbox's best sales were in the 1960s before the HotWheels phenomenon.
I must admit that my interest in Lesney Matchbox cars is, other than the Jaguars and race cars primarily in their 1950s issues so I'm not as much up on opening features from the 1960s as I might be. I have still most of those 1960s Matchbox vehicles but have not looked at them for several years.
Below is the 71-B Jeep Gladiator Pick-up with opening doors, also from 1964.
Hi David;
I am pretty much of the same mind as you regarding the era of intrest in Moko Lesney Matchbox. I had to check my computer list to see if I actually had the Pontiac, Merceds and Jeep we are discussing. Turns out I do....lol. That's the problem with having such collections packed away isn't it? These little toys give me such satisfaction that it seems daft to tuck them away. All my Matchbox items will be on display by the end of May...that's one small goal of mine.
The first Matchbox 1-75 with opening doors was the #53 Mercedes-Benz 220S issued in 1963 - this is pictured on the front cover of the catalogue of that year. The first releases had a Lesney designed opening door mechanism but this was replaced by a Solido version used under license which proved to be a better deal. Both #71 Jeep Pick-up and #22 Pontiac Grand Prix were fitted with the Solido opening door mechanism from the outset and this is clearly stated on the box. BTW both these models were fitted with suspension.
Solido also granted Tekno use of their patent for opening doors.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
I did not know about the Solido connection. I do know that the original open door mechanism did not always close fully and was easily broken. The tie to Tenno is interesting.
The more common decal was a cow. Here it is. Sorry that you had yours stolen. No problems for me at home with stealing but it is common when I go to shows to sell or trade.
This Cresta came in several colours. From 1958 to 1960 it was light pink (often almost cream).
This changed to blue and white two-tone in 1961, bronze and blue in 1962, grey and pink in 1963 and finally bronze in late 1963 through deletion in 1964.
Some of these were in my collection in about 1960 as I owned two Vauxhall Crestas about that time. I'm missing the blue and white 1961 issue from my collection.
The various 2-tone examples of this model were some of my favorites as a kid. I have several of them now but the prices for M or MB are scary! I have never seen the blue/white one.
