Matchbox Variations 1953 - 1969

MAJOR PACK
M1-A CATERPILLAR EARTH SCRAPER, 1957, 4 ½” (114mm) Box types B & C
Pale yellow to bright yellow body, silver metal wheels with black plastic tyres. Crimped axles replaced with
rounded ends by 1958. New tyres had “LESNEY” moulded into each side. Due to tooling wear in manufacturing
process the steering wheel column often broke and was sprayed over. The arm on top of the scraper is open
but later castings have this flashed over.
__1. pale yellow body, with steering wheel column, open scraper arm, crimped axles ($120 V)
__2. pale yellow body, with steering wheel column, open scraper arm, rounded axles ($120 V) ($110 e)
__3. brighter yellow body, without steering wheel column, open scraper arm, rounded axles ($120 V)
__4. bright yellow body, without steering wheel column, closed scraper arm, rounded axles ($120 V)
M1-B BP AUTOTANKER, 1961, 4” (102mm) Box types C & D
Bright yellow to lemon yellow and green body, silver trim on headlights (early models had silver trim on rear
bumper). white “BP” transfers on sides, front & rear. Green tinted plastic windows. Baseplate fixed with front
tongue & rear rivet (later models had small casting hole under the front transfer). Black plastic wheels on
rounded axles.
__1. bright yellow & green body, silver trim on rear bumper, no casting hole, kt wheels ($60 V)
__2. bright yellow & green body, silver trim on rear bumper, no casting hole, ft wheels ($70 e)
__3. lemon yellow & green body, no silver trim on rear bumper, casting hole, ft wheels ($65 e)
M2-A BEDFORD ICE CREAM TRUCK, 1957, 4 1/3” (110mm) Box types B
Light blue cab with silver trim to headlights & radiators (early models had silver trim to bumpers). Early models
had a thin casting step underneath the rear cab axle (later filled in). Cream trailer (later off-white) with simulated
rear doors and side compartments with “Walls” Ice cream decals.
__1. light blue cab, cream trailer, metal wheels, ca ($160 V) ($170 e)
__2. light blue cab, cream trailer, grey plastic wheels, ca ($160 V)
__3. light blue cab, white trailer, grey plastic wheels, ra ($160 V) ($100 e)