| Below are representative photos of my collection of Matchbox models from the 1960's. These are not photos of my collection.They are in numerical order and are from the Matchbox by Lesney "Regular Wheels" Series numbered 1 through 75, plus two "Major Pack" models and an "Accessory Pack." The models are often referred to as "Matchbox Cars" even though most are not cars, but trucks and other motor vehicles.Many are models of English vehicles, especially the earlier production models, since they were "Made in England by Lesney."Even so, they were very popular in the United States and later models also featured American vehicles. The listing below shows the number in the Series (1-75), the version (A, B, C, etc.), the description, and the year first issued (1953-1969).Every year a half-dozen or so new models were introduced and they replaced ones already in the series and were given that number.The letter designation (A, B, C, etc.) identifies the version. "A" would be the first, "B" the second, etc. These letters were assigned by collectors to correctly identify the model. They were not assigned by Lesney.Although they were nunbered only to 75, over the years 238 different models were produced with a total of over 700 variations (mold, color, wheels, etc.).The orignal "Series 1-75" were produced 1953-1969. "Superfast" wheels were introduced on some 1969 models and were then included on all 1970 and later. This was apparently to keep pace with competitor "Hot Wheels." Like most toys, their time came and went and Lesney went out of business in 1982. "Matchbox" survived through a series of owners before finally being acquired by Mattel, a popular U.S. toymaker. The Matchbox brand survives to this day although the modelsproduced are very different from the original Series 1-75. |
No. 2 D - Mercedes Trailer (68)
No. 4 D - Dodge Stake Truck (67)
No. 6 C - Euclid Dump Truck (64)
No. 9 C - Merryweather Marquis Fire Engine (59)
No. 10 D - Pipe Truck (66)
No. 11 C - Jumbo Crane (65)
No. 13 D - Dodge Wreck Truck (65)
No. 15 C - Refuse Truck (63)
No. 17 D - Hoveringham Tipper (64)
No. 22 C - Pontiac Grand Prix Sports Coupe (64)
No. 23 D - Trailer Caravan (65)
No. 24 B - Weatherhill Hydraulic Excavator (59)
No. 25 C - Petrol Tanker (65)
No. 27 C - Cadillac Sixty Special (62)
No. 29 C - Fire Pumper Truck (66)
No. 30 C - 8-Wheel Crane (65)
No. 32 B - "E" Type Jaguar (62)
No. 32 C - Leyland Petrol Tanker (68)
No. 33 B - Ford Zephyr 6 (63)
No. 36 C - Opel Diplomat (66)
No. 37 C - Dodge Cattle Truck (66)
No. 38 C - Honda Motorcycle and Trailer (67)
No. 39 C - Ford Tractor (68)
No. 42 A - Bedford Evening News Van (57)
No. 42 B - Studebaker Lark Wagonaire (65)
No. 43 B - Aveling Barford Tractor Shovel (62)
No. 44 B - Rolls Royce Phantom V (64)
No. 44 C - GMC Refrigerator Truck (67)
No. 48 C - Dodge Dumper Truck (66)
No. 49 B - Mercedes Unimog (67)
No. 53 C - Ford Zodiac MK IV (68)
No. 54 B - S & S Cadillac Ambulance (65)
No. 55 B - Ford Fairlane Police Car (63)
No. 55 C - Ford Galaxy Police Car (66)
No. 57 C - Land Rover Fire Truck (66)
No. 58 C - DAF Girder Truck (68)
No. 59 B - Ford Fairlane Fire Chief Car (63)
No. 61 B - Alvis Stalwart (66)
No. 63 B - Foamite Crash Tender (65)
No. 66 C - Greyhound Bus (67)
No. 69 A - Commer 30 CWT Van "Nestle's" (59)
No. 71 B - Jeep Gladiator (64)
No. 72 B - Standard Jeep (66)
Major Pack No 2-B - Bedford Tractor & York Freightmaster Trailer (61)
Major Pack No. 8-A - Thornycroft Tractor and 2400 Gallon Trailer Tanker (60)
Accessory Pack A-1-B - BP Garage Pumps and Forecourt Sign (63)
 The Bryant & May's matchbox that was the inspiration for the "Matchbox" name and packaging |
 A typical "Matchbox" box |
 Lesney "Matchbox" Toys abandoned factory in Hackney section of London |
 Base of No. 55 Ford Galaxie Police Car shows typical markings. Not typical is the "No. 55/59" marking. This base was used on No. 55 Police and No. 59 Fire Chief Ford Galaxie models. |
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