1-75+Variations+01-09

**1 - 75 Series Variations** Early axles were obtained from external sources and had an almost flat head of different types. From 1957 Lesney produced their own axles with a more pronounced dome head. These axle variations are not noted below but mentioned as of interest to collectors.

**Key to variation abbreviations:**
 * ca…….... crimped axles
 * ra…….… rounded axles models in their box
 * mw…….. metal wheels
 * gpw….… grey plastic wheels
 * spw……. silver plastic wheels
 * bpw….… black plastic wheels
 * kt………. knobby tread
 * ft……….. fine tread
 * gpt…….. grey plastic tyres
 * bpt…….. black plastic tyres
 * mr/pr….. metal/plastic rollers
 * TP…….. twin pack

For photographs of this series click here [|Matchbox/Lesney 01-10]

**1A DIESEL ROAD ROLLER, 1 7/8" (50mm) 1953 Box types A & B** ** Green body with gold trim, flat canopy with curved (A) or straight lower ends (B), thick or thin braces over canopy posts, tow hook, no number cast, tan driver **  **1. dark green body, canopy A, red mr**  **2. same as 1, canopy B**  **3. light green body, canopy B, red mr**

**1B ROAD ROLLER, 2 1/4" (56mm) 1955 Box type B** ** Pale green body with & without gold trim, high peaked canopy, tow hook, no number cast **  **1. light green body, red mr, dark tan driver**  **2. light green body, red mr, light tan driver**

**1C ROAD ROLLER, 2 3/8" (64mm) 1958 Box types B & C** ** Green body, high peaked canopy, tow hook, number cast inside body, green driver, 7mm or 6mm rear rollers with thick or thin hubs with or without extended inside hubs **  **1. light green body, red mr,ca**  **2. dark green body, red mr,ca**  **3. dark green body, red mr, ra**  **4. dark green body, red mr 1/4" wide, ra**

**1D AVELING BARFORD ROAD ROLLER, 2 5/8" (69mm) 1962 Box type D** ** Green body, red plastic roller, high peaked canopy, towhook, green driver, with or without hole in baseplate, baseplate secured by rear axle (A) or 2 rivets (B) **  **1. "Made in England" cast on baseplate, baseplate A**  **2. "Made in England" cast on baseplate, baseplate A with hole**  **3. "Made in England" cast under canopy roof, baseplate B**

**1E MERCEDES BENZ LORRY, 3" (75mm) 1968 Box types E & F** ** Mint green body with removable orange canopy, silver plastic grille & front base with & without tow slot, tow hook, thin (A) or thick cab step with top step in line (B) or above bottom of bumper (C) **  **1. plain base & front bumper, thin step A**  **2. same as 1, thick step B**  **3. same as 2, thick step C**  **4. same as 1, licence plate under front bumper**  **5. same as 4, thick step B**  **6. same as 5, thick step C**  **7. licence plate & tow slot under front bumper, thin step A**  **8. same as 7, thick step B**  **9. same as 8, thick step C**

**2A DUMPER, 1 5/8" (40mm) 1953 Box types A & B** ** Green body, red dump, gold trim, no number cast, thin tan driver **  **1. nail holds dump, green mw**  **2. same as 1, rounded headed crimped pin holds dump**  **3. nail holds dump, unpainted mw**  **4. same as 3, rounded headed crimped pin holds dump**

**2B DUMPER, 1 7/8" (47mm) 1957 Box types B & C** ** Green body, red dump secured by studs on pivot posts (A) - flat headed pin with spread end (B) or dome headed pin with riveted end (C), no trim, number cast under bumper, thicker driver with varying degrees of infill between legs & arms, hands straight across steering wheel (A) - as A with infill on right side (B) or pointed on wheel (C) **  **1. driver A, dump A, unpainted mw, ca**  **2. same as 1, larger dark gpw, ca**  **3. same as 2, dump B**  **4. same as 3, ra**  **5. same as 4, driver B, dump B**  **6. same as 5, dump C**  **7. same as 4, driver C, dump C**  **8. no hat on driver**

**2C MUIR HILL DUMPER, 2 1/6" (54mm) 1961 Box types C & D** ** Red cab/chassis & green dump, bpw, ra, "Laing" decals on right door, thin (A) or thick (B) axle supports, front bumper not connected (A) or connected (B) to left hand mudguard **  **1. green cab/chassis & red dump, axle support A, bumper A, no hole in base***  **2. same as 1, bumper B***  **3. red cab/chassis & green dump, axle A, bumper B, no hole in base under front axle**  **4. same as 3, bumper B, hole in base under front axle**  **5. same as 4, axle B, bumper B has brace between chassis & mudguard on left side**  **6. same as 5, bumper B, hole in base under front axle**  **7. same as 6, smaller front wheels**  **8. "Muir Hill" decals**  ***Possible pre-production model or trial run model**

**2D MERCEDES TRAILER, 3 1/2" (90mm) 1968 Box types E & F** ** Mint green body with removable orange canopy, tow hook & rotating tow bar, bpw **  **1. thin brace in rear inside corner**  **2. thick brace in inside rear corner**

**3A CEMENT MIXER, 1 5/8" (40mm) 1953 Box types A & B** ** Blue body with rotating barrel with or without 4 ribs inside, orange metal wheels on crimped axles, no number cast on body, square or rounded blocks at end of barrel arms, barrel tipping wheels separate casting riveted in place or incorporated into casting **  **1. small handle on rear of case, 4 paddles inside barrel, grooved nail for axles, orange mw**  **2. same as 1 with plain axle wire**  **3. same as 2, no handle**  **4. same as 3, no paddles**  **5. same as 4, 4 ribs inside motor housing**  **6. same as 5, dark grey plastic wheels**  **7. same as 6, round axles**  **8. same as 7, light grey plastic wheels**

**3B BEDFORD TIPPER, 2 1/2" (65mm) 196l Box types C, D & E** ** Grey cab & chassis, small or large No. "3" cast, round axles, with/without silver trim, with or without ridge on tipper bed below tailboard, with or without block on tipper bed over rear axle **  **1. maroon dump without support over rear wheels, kt gpw**  **2. same as 1, kt bpw**  **3. same as 2, ft bpw**  **4. same as 3, support on dump, ft bpw**  **5. same as 4, small no. 3 cast**  **6. red dump, ft gpw**  **7. red dump, ft bpw**  **8. same as 7 with reinforced rear floor on dump rear**

**3C MERCEDES BENZ "BINZ" AMBULANCE, 2 7/8" (74mm) 1968 Box type E** ** White interior & stretcher, blue tinted windows & dome light, metal grille & baseplate with tow slot, bpw **  ** 2 dies used to cast baseplate - lettering will read front to back or back to front **  **1. off white body, red cross decals**  **2. off white body, red cross labels**  **3. cream body, red cross decals**  **4. cream body, red cross labels**

**4A MASSEY HARRIS TRACTOR, 1 5/8" (40mm) 1954 Box types A & B** ** Red body with rear mudguards, tan driver, gold/red engine-colour varies, open or closed above engine, 4-spoke metal front wheels, solid metal rear wheels with gold hubs, no number cast, "Lesney-England" cast on inside of mudguards near driver **  **1. left mudguard - "Lesney", right mudguard - "England", open above engine**  **2. same as 1, engine closed**  **3. left mudguard - "England", right mudguard - "Lesney", engine open**  **4. same as 3, engine closed**  **5. left mudguard - "Lesney", right mudguard - "Lesney", engine open**  **6. same as 5, engine closed**  **7. left mudguard - "England", right mudguard - "England", engine open**  **8. same as 7, engine closed**

**4B MASSEY HARRIS TRACTOR, 1 5/8" (40mm) 1957 Box type B** ** Red body, no mudguards, tan driver-various shades connected to rear axle, open (A) or closed (B) gap between driver's arms & legs, solid metal front wheels, hollow inside rear wheels with gold hubs-various shades, open engine, "Lesney/England" & No 4 cast inside body **  **1. driver A, mw, ca**  **2. driver B, mw, ca**  **3. driver A, smaller wheels, gpw, ca**  **4. same as 3, driver B**  **5. driver A, smaller wheels, gpw, ra**  **6. same as 5, driver B**

**4C TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLE & SIDECAR, 2 1/8" (54mm) 1960 Box types B, C & D** ** Silver blue body, wire wheels with black plastic tyres, sidecar connecting blocks can be thin (A) or wide (B), sidecar/mudguard brace can be short (A) or extending all round mudguard (B) **  **1. connecting blocks A, mudguard brace A, thin raised line between cycle & sidecar on base**  **2. same as 1, finer tread bpt**  **3. same as 2, mudguard brace B**  **4. same as 3, connecting blocks B**  **5. metallic copper body (with 66B Harley Davidson wheels, tyres and rear axle)***  ***Possibly went through Harley Davidson production line & fitted out as such**

**4D DODGE STAKE TRUCK, 2 7/8" (74mm) 1967 Box types E & F** ** Yellow cab & chassis, green tinted windows, unpainted metal baseplate & grille with large lettering & no tow slot (A) or small lettering & tow slot (B), 6 black plastic wheels on 3 rounded axles **  **1. blue-green stakes, baseplate A**  **2. green stakes, baseplate A**  **3. same as 2, baseplate B**

**5A LONDON BUS, 2" (52mm) 1954 Box types A & B** ** Red body, gold grille, No 5 cast on front & rear of body, with (A) or without (B) number plate recess, upper deck rear window cast square (A) or at angle (B), "Buy MATCHBOX SERIES" label, metal wheels, crimped axles **  **1. small recessed square on lower rear of body (A), rear window (A)**  **2. same as 1, rear window (B)**  **3. without recessed square (B), window (B)**

**5B LONDON BUS, 2 1/4" (57mm) 1957 Box types B & C** ** Red body, No 5 cast on front & rear of body **  **1. "Buy MATCHBOX Series" bright yellow decals, gold grille, mw, ca**  **2. "Buy MATCHBOX Series" dull yellow decals, gold grille, mw, ca**  **3. "Buy MATCHBOX Series" dull yellow decals, gold grille, small gpw, ca**  **4. "Buy MATCHBOX Series" dull yellow decals, silver grille, small gpw, ca**  **5. "Players Please" decals, silver grille, small gpw, ca**  **6. "Players Please" decals, silver grille, large gpw, ca**  **7. "Players Please" decals, silver grille, small gpw, ra**  **8. "visco-static" decals, silver grille, small gpw, ra**

**5C LONDON BUS, 2 9/16" (66mm) 1961 Box types B, C & D** ** Red body, silver grille & headlights, No 5 cast on baseplate, smooth or criss-cross pattern on roof interior, round or rectangular axle supports, round axles **  **1. "Players Please" decals, small gpw**  **2. "visco-static" decals, small gpw**  **3. "Drink Peardrax" decals, small gpw**  **4. "Drink Peardrax" decals, small bpw**  **5. "visco-static" decals, criss cross marks inside upper roof, small gpw**  **6. "visco-static" decals, criss cross marks inside upper roof, small bpw**  **7. "The Baron of Beef' decals, gpw*** **8. "The Baron of Beef" decals, bpw*** ***promotional decal produced by Lesney for restaurant of same name between 1962 to 1965, some surplus "The Baron of Beef' decals were sold to collectors & applied**

**5D LONDON BUS, 2 3/4" (70mm) 1965 Box types E & F** ** Red body, 4 variants of bases, white or cream plastic seats, black plastic wheels **  **1. "LONGLIFE" decals, 5 lettered line base**  **2. "Visco Static" decals, 5 lettered line base**  **3. "Visco Static" decals, 4 lettered line base, shallow cutout under front axle on baseplate**  **4. "Visco static" labels, 4 lettered line base, shallow cutout under front axle on baseplate**  **5. "Visco static" labels, 4 lettered line base, full cutout under front axle**  **6. "Visco static" labels, 4 lettered line base, full cutout under front axle, wing support in front of front axle**  **7. "Visco static" decals, 4 lettered line base, full cutout under front axle, wing support in front of front axle**  **8. "Visco static" labels, cream coloured seats**  **9. "Visco static" labels, cream top seats, white bottom seats**  **10. "Visco static" labels, white top seats, cream bottom seats** **11. "Baron of Beef" decals** **12. "Pegram Shopfitters" labels*** ***"Pegram" promotional given to selected clients in mid-sixties - labels applied by firm with Lesney's permission**

**6A QUARRY TRUCK, 2 1/8" (55mm) 1954 Box types A & B** ** Orange cab & chassis, thin 1/32" (A) or wide 1/8" (B) space between front axle & body, gold trim, grey dump with 6 vertical ribs with tipper base having half round cross brace (A) or almost square cross brace (B) with raised ejector ring in centre, no number cast, 2 front, 4 rear metal wheels, crimped axles **  **1. axle/body space A, tipper base A**  **2. axle/body space A, tipper base B**  **3. axle/body space B, tipper base B**  **4. same as 3, gpw**

**6B QUARRY TRUCK, 2 1/2" (63mm) 1957 Box types B, C & D** ** Yellow body with slight angle to top of windscreen (A) and block to fuel tank (B) or sharp angle to windscreen & fuel tank block (C), 4 vertical ribs on dump, without (A) & with (B) centre cross brace on underside of dump base, tipper pin flat (A) or round (B) small round decals on front doors, 2 front, 4 rear plastic wheels **  **1. body A, dump base A, pin A, bpw, ca**  **2. same as 1, ra**  **3. same as 2, body A, dump base B, pin A**  **4. same as 2, body A, dump base B, pin B**  **5. same as 2, body B, dump base B, pin A**  **6. same as 2, body B, dump base B, pin B**  **7. same as 2, body C, dump base B, pin B**  **8. same as 4, body A, dump base B, pin B, gpw, ra**

**6C EUCLID QUARRY TRUCK, 2 5/8" (67mm) 1964 Box types D & E** ** Yellow body, with & without silver grille, 3 round axles, 2 front black plastic wheels, 2 solid double rear wheels each side, with & without recessed hubs, letter "A" or "B" cast on dump base (6 different variations) **  ** __wheels__: **  ** A - smooth tread, flat hub **  ** B - ridged tread, raised hub **  ** C - double wheel, ridged tread, recessed hub **  ** D - regular wheels (slightly larger) **  ** __body__: **  ** A - 5.5mm wide step on left side, no right step, thin bumper, 2.5mm tipper rests & filled in base of tank **  ** B - as type A with thin right step **  ** C - 5mm wide left step, thicker right step, thicker bumper with blocks, 2mm wide rests & base of tank part filled **  ** __dump baseplate__: **  ** A - letter A with gap between bar & centre block **  ** B - letter A, as type A with E & part of N in ENGLAND missing ** ** C - letter B with gap between bar & centre block ** ** D - letter A, as type B with bar below letter joing centre block ** ** E - letter A, as type D with wider bar below complete cast ENGLAND ** ** F - letter B, as type D with ENGLAND on raised platform **

**1. wheels:-front A, rear C, body A, baseplate A, with trim** **2. wheels:-same as 1, body A, baseplate B, with trim** **3. wheels:-same as 1, body A, baseplate C, with trim** **4. wheels:-front B, rear C, body A, baseplate A, with trim** **5. wheels:-same as 4, body A, baseplate B, with trim** **6. wheels:-same as 4, body A, baseplate C, with trim** **7. wheels:-front D, rear C, body A, baseplate A, with trim** **8. wheels:-same as 7, body A, baseplate B, with trim** **9. wheels:-same as 7, body A, baseplate C, with trim** **10. wheels:-front D, rear D, body A, baseplate A, with trim** **11. wheels:-same as 10, body A, baseplate B, with trim** **12. wheels:-same as 10, body A, baseplate B, no trim** **13. wheels:-same as 10, body A, baseplate C, no trim** **14. wheels:-same as 10, body B, baseplate D, no trim** **15. wheels:-same as 10, body B, baseplate E, no trim** **16. wheels:-same as 10, body B, baseplate F, no trim** **17. wheels:-same as 10, body C, baseplate E, no trim** **18. wheels:-same as 10, body C, baseplate F, no trim**

**6D FORD PICKUP TRUCK, 2 3/4" (71mm) 1968 Box type F** ** Red body, white plastic canopy & grille, with or without letter "A" on baseplate clear windows, 4 black plastic wheels, front wheels pivot, cream interior **  **1. white grille, without letter "A" on baseplate**  **2. white grille, with letter "A" on baseplate**  **3. silver grille, without letter "A" on baseplate**  **4. silver grille, with letter 'A" on baseplate**

**7A HORSE DRAWN MILK FLOAT, 2 1/4" (57mm) 1954 Box types A & B** ** Orange body, white driver & bottle load, brown horse with white mane & hooves, gold collar & harness, spoked metal wheels,, crimped axles, no number cast. The horses hooves can be white or brown, the harness is gold trimmed or painted brown same as horse **  ** __float__ **  ** A - 5mm long footrest, thin ridge on seat, crates are 1.5mm apart on right and 3mm apart on left, large axle brace supports **  ** B - 6mm long footrest, thick ridge on seat, crates are 1mm apart on right and 2.5mm apart on left, smaller axle brace supports, thinner milkman **  ** __shafts__ **  ** A - 6mm wide shaft base **  ** B - 5mm wide shaft base **  ** C - as type B with brace on left side **  ** D - as type B with brace on both sides **  ** __horse__ **  ** A - curved casting between legs **  ** B - small web braces between legs **

**1. brown horse, orange float, white milkman & crates, white advert, float A, shafts A, horse A, mw, ca** **2. same as 1, chocolate brown horse** **3. same as 2, float B, shafts B, horse B** **4. same as 3, float B, shafts C, horse B** **5. same as 4, gpw, ca** **6. pale orange float, white milkman & crates, white advert, float B, shafts C, horse B, mw, ca** **7. all orange float, orange milkman with white hat & white crates, orange advert, float B, shafts C, horse B, gpw, ca** **8. same as 7, float B, shafts D, horse B, ra**

**7B FORD ANGLIA, 2 5/8" (67mm) 1961 Box types C & D** ** Blue body, green tinted windows, silver radiator & front bumper, with or without silver rear bumper, with or without red tail lights, No. 7 cast on flat or raised platform **  **1. No. 7 raised, kt gpw**  **2. No. 7 flat, kt gpw**  **3. No. 7 raised, ft gpw**  **4. No. 7 flat, ft gpw**  **5. No. 7 raised, kt spw**  **6. No. 7 flat, kt spw**  **7. No. 7 raised, ft spw**  **8. No. 7 flat, ft spw**  **9. No. 7 raised, kt bpw**  **10. No. 7 flat, kt bpw**  **11. No. 7 raised, ft bpw**  **12. No. 7 flat, ft bpw**

**7C FORD REFUSE TRUCK, 3" (75mm) 1966 Box types E & F** ** Orange body & chassis, green tinted windows, grey plastic dump with silver metal loader, unpainted metal baseplate & grille, 4 black plastic wheels on round axles **  **1. red body, black baseplate, without tow slot, no plate across container hinge, straight arm on loader above rear wheels**  **2. orange body & chassis, without tow slot, no plate across container hinge, straight arm on loader above rear wheels**  **3. same as 2, plate across container hinge**  **4. same as 3, straight arm on loader with solid toe**  **5. same as 4, plate across container hinge with angled braces**  **6. same as 5, cutout side arm on loader with solid toe**  **7. same as 6, with tow slot**

**8A CATERPILLAR TRACTOR, 1 1/2" (41mm) 1955 Box type B** ** No number cast, driver's hat painted black or same colour as body (hand painted may have worn off), metal rollers, crimped axles, green rubber treads (possible grey treads), engine may have open/closed castings above & behind engine. This model was used a basis for No 18 Caterpillar Bulldozer as were subsequent No 8 Tractors **  ** __engine__ **  ** A - open above & behind engine **  ** B - open above & closed behind engine **  ** C - open above rear part of engine only **  ** D - closed above & behind engine **

**1. yellow body & grille, red driver, yellow axles & rollers, engine A** **2. same as 1, engine B** **3. same as 2, plain axles & rollers** **4. pale yellow body & grille, red driver, engine B** **5. orange body & driver, gold grille, engine B** **6. same as 5, engine C** **7. orange body & driver, gold grille, engine B** **8. same as 7, engine C** **9. yellow body & driver, silver grille, engine C** **10. same as 9, engine D** **11. yellow body, driver & grille, engine D** **12. same as 11, grey tracks*** ***May have been used in final release of model when 49A was released with grey tracks**

**8B CATERPILLAR TRACTOR, 1 5/8" (42mm) 1959 Box type B** ** Yellow body & driver, No 8 cast in base*, large exhaust stack, metal rollers, crimped axles, green rubber treads **  **1. yellow body, metal rollers, yellow driver**  ***Casting also basis for 18B which exists with No. 8 or No. 18 cast, however unlike following 8C, the 8B only exists with 8B cast inside**

**8C CATERPILLAR TRACTOR, 1 7/8" (48mm) 1961 Box types B, C & D** ** Yellow body & driver, base with or without triangular braces, large exhaust stack, green rubber treads, crimped axles **  ** This model was also used in the construction of 18C Caterpillar - both model appear with No. 8 or No. 18 on the base. To avoid confusion Lesney removed the numbers from the dies, resulting in models with part of number or no number **  **1. metal rollers, No. 8 cast in base**  **2. same as 1, No. 18 cast in base**  **3. same as 1, part of number showing**  **4. same as 1, no number showing**  **5. silver plastic rollers, part of number showing**  **6. same as 5, no number showing**  **7. black plastic rollers, part of number showing**  **8. same as 7, no number showing**

**8D CATERPILLAR TRACTOR, 2" (51mm) 1964 Box type E** ** Yellow body, no driver, large black plastic rollers, green rubber treads, rounded axles, No 8 cast, no hole in baseplate (A) or with hole (B) with or without infill around engine **  ** __body__ **  ** A - large exhaust stack, small engine parts on right side, & square edged ridge on inside by rear hook **  ** B - as type A with lower round edge on inside at rear **  ** C - small exhaust stack, infill under manifold, large engine parts, type B rear **  ** D - as type C with infill behind radiator **

**1. baseplate A, body A** **2. baseplate A, body B** **3. baseplate A, body C** **4. baseplate B, body C** **5. baseplate B, body D**

**8E FORD MUSTANG FASTBACK, 2 7/8" (74mm) 1966 Box types E & F** ** White body, red interior, clear windows, recessed hole in base for steering, with or without silver grille, rear ends of air vents square or pointed **  **1. black plastic ft, wheels, "patent pending" on flat base, without tow slot, steering slot not recessed, pointed vents**  **2. same as 1, recessed steering slot**  **3. silver hub caps, bpt, "patent pending" on flat base, without tow slot, steering slot recessed, pointed vents**  **4. same as 3, tow slot, squared vents**  **5. same as 4, with tow slot**  **6. same as 5, "Pat No. 1097556" on raised base, shiny or matt black baseplate**  **7. orange body, silver wheels, bpt, Pat No. on raised base, steering slot recessed, tow slot, squared vents**

**9A DENNIS FIRE ESCAPE, 2 1/4" (57mm) 1955 Box type B** ** Red body, no number cast, with & without gold trim on grille, driver's hat, booster under ladder, top of ladder rails, top of dash, driver with open or closed gap between arms, legs & steering wheel, metal wheels, crimped axles, no front bumper **  **1. 3/8 inch metal wheel at rear of ladder**  **2. 1/2 inch metal wheel at rear of ladder**

**9B DENNIS FIRE ESCAPE, 2 1/4" (58mm) 1957 Box type B** ** As 9A with front bumper and model number & description cast inside body **  **1. mw**  **2. gpw**

**9C MERRYWEATHER MARQUIS FIRE ENGINE, 2 1/2" (64mm) 1959 Box types B, C & D** ** Red body, silver grille & front bumper, with & without silver rear hose connections, with & without 4 upper rear hose connections, tan, gold or silver top ladder, 17 rungs on top ladder **  **1. tan ladder, silver hose trim, kt dark gpw**  **2. same as 1, rounded axles**  **3. same as 2, rear hose trim same as body**  **4. same as 3, gold ladder**  **5. same as 4, light gpw**  **6. same as 5, bpw**  **7. same as 6, silver ladder**  **8. same as 7, no hose trim**  **9. same as 8, gold ladder**  **10. same as 9, ft bpw**  **11. same as 10, silver ladder, 18 rungs**  **12. same as 10, gold ladder, 18 rungs**

**9D BOAT AND TRAILER, 3 1/4" (76mm) 1966 Box types E & F** ** White plastic hull, blue plastic deck on boat in various shades, clear windows, blue trailer in various shades with black plastic wheels, round axles **  **1. no side support on boat for trailer**  **2. with side suports on boat for trailer**