The Matchbox Models from the Pre-1969 era
Remember to click on a picture to see a larger, detailed version!
Return to the The Matchbox Collecting Community
A Numerical Photoguide to the Early (Pre-1969) Matchbox
Numbers 11 through 16
These cars originate from about 1953 and go into the 1970's.
(Remember to click on a picture to see a larger, detailed version!) There are several casting and color variants that are not shown here for each model.
Matchbox #11
This is an example of the #11B Road Tanker, courtesy of Richard Bowers.
Here we have the #11C2 Taylor Jumbo Crane issued in 1965.There are five known variations of the jib boom.
This is the #11D Scaffold Truck. Normally, there would be yellow scaffolding in the bed
Matchbox #12
This model is the #12A1 issued in 1955 until 1958. I always thought the little guy was in grave danger in a rollover.
In 1965, Lesney introduced the "classic" #12C Land Rover Safari. The green model in the upper left was the first version (C1). The blue bodied models in the center of the right picture are quite common, as they were popular in the late 1960's. The Land Rover Safari continued into the Superfast "transitional" period of the early 1970's. The gold model shown is an example of one of these. The gold color was applied over a silver-painted base color. There are a few rare models that are gold or silver colored and have regular wheels. Please note the shade difference in the brown and the tan luggage examples shown.
The tan model on the rear left (top), and beside the luggage, is an original model that was quite damaged. A friend of mine, Gary Yandoli (moderator of the Restoration/Customization Forum here at the community), modified the old casting. He made it a convertible, replaced the wheels, painted it realistic colors, and then reassembled it. It is probably worth noting that it is probably valueless to the traditional collector. However, I cherish it as a gift from a friend showing his creative side! Note the modern Matchbox wheels!
Matchbox #13
The #13D Dodge Wreck Truck issued in 1965. How many parents bleed real blood after stepping on this little jewel in their child's darkened room? I apologize for the colors of this particular model, the combination of the Halogen lighting I used and the camera caused these to be a little more yellow than it should. The #13D reversed color, green cab Dodge Wrecker is a real model. Photo provided by its former owner who just sold it and wants to remain anonymous.
Matchbox #14
Emergency vehicles have always been popular as Matchbox models. This is the #14 Daimler Ambulance made from 1958 to 1961. This model is missing its red cross decal on the roof...or maybe it never had one?
Here is the #14D Iso Grifo. The Iso marque was recently featured on "Autoweek" on our Cable TV. This car never made it into large-scale production and was powered by a Corvette engine. This Auto and Racing-oriented cable TV channel is quite interesting in that several of the cars featured as Matchbox models are frequently highlighted there in classic races, car shows, and classic reviews of the various marques.
Matchbox #15 and #16
I decided to show the numbers 15A and 16A, along with the 15B and 16B, because neither model really makes a statement by itself.
Paired together, the idea of the model makers a the Lesney Company makes more sense! The #15A is a Rotinoff Heavy Towing Tractor (Prime Mover for the Brits!) paired with the #16A Atlantic Load Trailer. The #15B is a Rotinoff Super Atlantic Heavy Towing Tractor (Prime Mover) paired with its #16B Atlantic Trailer. I've seen a Rotinoff Tractor pulling a house being moved here in the Atlanta area recently. There was obviously a lot of power, torque, and gearing designed into this tractor. I wish I had my camera!
This is a neat little model of a garbage truck! The #15C Dennis Refuse Truck. There are two container castings and three different chassis castings. An earlier model would have silver trim applied to the grill.
Anybody have a picture of the #15D VW I can show here?
Here is the #16C Scammell Mountaineer Snow Plough (Again, a British spelling! Snowplow, for us Yanks.) Many a young man tried to bulldoze dirt and stones with the snowplow and the result was the plow broke off. I was no exception...The plow attachment seems that it was really week and under-designed. What was left was this nice little Scammell Mountaineer Dump Truck (Tipper)....
Last up on this page is the #16D Case Bulldozer. There was a larger version paired with a Low Loader in the King Size Model range. The model has a little plastic cab that comes off the tractor. Although this was issued in 1969, it continued through into the Superfast era essentially unchanged. (No way to make it into a Mattel-beating race car!!) On the right there is a green version made in the late 1970's as part of a two-pack. This one did not, apparently come with a cab.
Stay tuned for more updates as they are posted!
© 2000 By Mark Curtis