1-75+Variations+50-59

For photographs of this series click here [|Matchbox/Lesney 51-60]

**50A COMMER PICKUP, 2 1/2" (64mm) 1958 Box types B, C & D** ** With & without trim to silver grille, headlights & bumpers - **  ** __trim:__ **  ** A - first issue model hand applied to silver grille, headlights & bumpers **  ** B - then masked sprayed **  ** C - finally omitting rear bumper **  ** __black baseplate__ **  ** A - with central base brace with front rivet hole with 2 ejector rings **  ** B - final issue had large ejector ring on central brace (B), **  ** __dashboard__ **  ** A - without brace **  ** B - straight edged brace under dash **  ** C - or curved brace **  ** __roof__ **  ** A - without ejector ring **  ** B - with ejector ring **  ** __rear__ **  ** A - tailboard - rear bumper gap 2mm **  ** B - tailboard - rear bumper gap 2.5mm **  **1. dark tan body, base A, dash A, roof A, trim A, rear A, kt mw, ca**  **2. same as 1, base A, dash A, roof A, trim A, rear B,** **3. same as 1, base A, dash A, roof A, trim A, rear A, kt gpw, ca** **4. same as 3, base A, dash A, roof A, trim B, rear B,** **5. same as 3, base A, dash A, roof B, trim B, rear B, kt gpw, ra** **6. light tan body, base A, dash A, roof B, trim C, rear B, kt gpw, ra** **7. same as 6, base A, dash A, roof B, trim C, rear B, kt spw, ra** **8. red body with off white cab and bed, base A, dash A, roof B, trim C, rear B, kt spw, ra** **9. same as 8, base A, dash B, roof B, trim C, rear B, kt spw, ra** **10. red body with grey cab and bed, base A, dash B, roof B, trim C, rear B, kt spw, ra** **11. same as 10, base A, dash A, roof B, trim C, rear B, kt gpw, ra** **12. same as 10, base A, dash B, roof B, trim C, rear B, kt gpw, ra** **13. same as 10, base A, dash C, roof B, trim C, rear B, kt gpw, ra** **14. same as 10, base A, dash B, roof B, trim C, rear B, finer tread gpw, ra** **15. same as 10, base A, dash C, roof B, trim C, rear B, finer tread gpw, ra** **16. same as 10, base A, dash B, roof B, trim C, rear B, finer tread bpw, ra** **17. same as 10, base A, dash C, roof B, trim C, rear B, finer tread bpw, ra** **18. same as 10, base B, dash C, roof B, trim C, rear B, finer tread bpw, ra**

**5OB JOHN DEERE TRACTOR, 2 1/8" (50mm) 1964 Box type E** ** Green body & tow hook, silver radiator, yellow plastic wheels & steering wheel **  **1. gpt**  **2. bpt**

**50C FORD KENNEL TRUCK, 2 3/4" (71mm) 1969 Box type F** ** Metallic green body in various shades, clear or blue tinted canopy, smooth or textured bed, white plastic or silver grille, black base, 4 black plastic wheels (with "autosteer") on 2 rounded axles, 4 white plastic dogs **  **1. white grille, clear canopy, smooth bed**  **2. same as 1, tinted canopy**  **3. same as 1, tinted canopy, textured bed**  **4. silver grille, tinted canopy, textured bed**

**51A ALBION CHIEFTAN, 2 1/2" (63mm) 1958 Box types B, C & D** ** Yellow body in various shades, tan (various shades) & light tan bags, silver grille & headlights - applied by hand A, masked applied B, "BLUE CIRCLE PORTLAND CEMENT' decals applied to sides, black base, 4 knobby tread wheels on 2 axles ** **1. "Portland Cement" decals, tan load, trim A, mw, ca** **2. "Blue Circle Portland Cement" decals, tan load, trim A, mw, ca** **3. same as 2, gpw, ca** **4. same as 3, slightly larger gpw, ca** **5. same as 2, trim B, gpw, ra** **6. same as 5, slightly larger gpw, ra** **7. same as 6, small spw, ra** **8. same as 7, larger spw, ra** **9. "Blue Circle Portland Cement" decals, light tan load, trim B, gpw, ra** **10. same as 9, bpw, ra**

**51B JOHN DEERE TRAILER, 2 5/8" (66mm) 1964 Box type E** ** Green tipping trailer with tow bar, 2 small yellow wheels with plastic tyres, 3 yellow plastic barrels **  **1. gpt**  **2. bpt**

**51C 8-WHEEL TIPPER, 3" (76mm) 1969 Box type F** ** Orange or silver body, silver tipper with tailgate and labels on sides, blue tinted windows, white or silver plastic grille and plastic partial base (to 2nd axle) - without (A) & with (B) tow guide, tipper base block has wider on left side (A) or wider on right (B), 8 black plastic wheels on 4 rounded axles **  **1. orange body, white grille, "DOUGLAS" labels, base A, tipper block A**  **2. same as 1, base A, tipper block B**  **3. same as 1, base B, tipper block A**  **4. same as 1, base B, tipper block B**  **5. orange body, silver grille, "DOUGLS" labels, base A, tipper block A**  **6. same as 5, base A, tipper block B**  **7. same as 5, base B, tipper block A**  **8. same as 5, base B, tipper block B**  **9. yellow body, silver grille, "DOUGLAS" labels, base A, tipper block A**  **10. same as 9, base A, tipper block B**  **11. same as 9, base B, tipper block A** **12. same as 9, base B, tipper block B** **13. yellow body, silver grille, "POINTER" labels, base A, tipper block A** **14. same as 13, base A, tipper block B** **15. same as 13, base B, tipper block A** **16. same as 13, base B, tipper block B**

**52A MASERATI 4CLT RACER, 2 3/8" (61mm) 1958 Box types B, C & D** ** Red or yellow body without (A) or with (B) stud between top air vents on bonnet, with & without silver trim (early models - hand applied to grille, petrol cap & exhaust pipes, later models - mask spray to grille only), cream or white driver without (A) or with (B) ring on left shoulder, without or with decal or label "52", "5" or "3", black baseplate, 4 wheels - solid or later wired with black plastic tyres **  **1. red body, no decal, bonnet A, cream driver A, bp wheels, ca**  **2. same as 1, "52" decal**  **3. same as 2, ra**  **4. same as 3, bpt with wire wheels, ra**  **5. yellow body, "52"decal, bonnet A, cream driver A, bpt with wired wheels, ra**  **6. same as 5, bonnet B, cream driver B**  **7. same as 5, bonnet A, white driver B**  **8. same as 5, bonnet B, white driver A**  **9. same as 5, bonnet B, white driver B** **10. yellow body, "5" decal, bonnet B, cream driver A** **11. same as 10, bonnet B, white driver B** **12. same as 11, "3" decal**

**52B BRM RACING CAR, 2 5/8" (67mm) 1965 Box types E & F** ** Blue or red body*, white plastic driver, decal or label ** "3" or "5" on sides & bonnet - with & without number guides, yellow wheels - large rear/small front with black plastic tyres, unpainted metal baseplate & rear engine in 4 variations -  __base & engine__  A - lettering all same size - engine has 12 small ribs  B - as A with angled braces above exhausts  C - as B with N in No & "MATCHBOX" in large lettering  D - as B - engine has 11 small ribs 1. blue body, "5" decal with guides, base/engine A 2. same as 1, base/engine B 3. same as 1, base/engine C 4. blue body, "3" decal, base/engine B 5. same as 4, base/engine C 6. same as 4, "5" label 7. same as 6, base/engine C 8. same as 6, "5" label without guides, base/engine C 9. same as 8, base/engine D 10. red body, "5" decal with guides, base/engine B* 11. same as 10, base/engine C 12. same as 10, "5" label 13. same as 12, base/engine C 14. same as 13, without label guides 15. same as 14, base/engine D >
 * Red models were released with Gift Set G4 Racetrack in 1966 & Gift set G4 Race'n Rally Set in 1968
 * Models exist with mixture decals & labels

53A ASTON MARTIN, 2 1/2" (65mm) 1958 Box types B, C & D Metallic light green, with & without silver grille, with & without red painted tail lights (early models had trim applied by hand to headlights, frnt & rear bumpers - then by masked spray - later models had tail light trim omitted), black base 1. metallic light green, mw, ca 2. same as 1, kt gpw, ca 3. same as 2, ra 4. metallic red, kt gpw, ra 5. same as 4, kt bpw, ra 6. red body, kt bpw, ra

53B MERCEDES BENZ 220SE, 2 3/4" (69mm) 1963 Box types D & E Maroon or dark red body, silver grille with & without silver grille, headlights & bumpers (silver trim omitted from rear bumpers on later models), clear windows, ivory interior, black baseplate without (A) & with (B) patent number 1. maroon body, base A, kt spw 2. same as 1, finer tread spw 3. same as 2, gpw 4. same as 2, bpw 5. red body, ft gpw 6. same as 5, bpw 7. same as 6, base B

53C FORD ZODIAC MK IV, 2 3/4" (71mm) 1968 Box types E & F Metallic silver blue body in various shades, metal grille, headlights & baseplate with tow slot, clear windows, ivory interior, silver motor with spare wheel under bonnet, black plastic wheels __engine/dashboard blocks__  A - two 3.5mm wide blocks under dashboard to hold engine in place  B - as type A, the blocks are 2.5mm wide  C - as type B, without tab between blocks  __tow guide__  A - 5.5mm wide  B - 6mm wide 1. light metallic silver blue body, blocks A, tow guide A 2. same as 1, blocks A, tow guide 3. same as 1, blocks B, tow guide A 4. same as 1, blocks B, tow guide B 5. same as 1, blocks C, tow guide A 6. same as 1, blocks C, tow guide B 7. light metallic green body, blocks C, tow guide A 8. same as 7, blocks C, tow guide B

54A SARACEN PERSONNEL CARRIER, 2 1/4" (57mm) 1958 Box types B, C & D Olive green body & base with open rear end of base (A) or closed rear end (B), small steps cast on body, small rotating gun turret, 3 axles, 6 black plastic wheels 1. base A, kt bpw, ca 2. base B, kt bpw, ca 3. as 2, ra 4. same as 3, fine tread bpw, ra 5. same as 4, no step cast on upper right body

54B S & S CADILLAC AMBULANCE, 2 7/8" (72mm) 1965 Box types E & F White body with red dome and top lights, silver trim, blue tinted windows, red cross small decals or small or large labels white interior, black baseplate with flat base or raised panel over rear axle, black plastic wheels 1. small decal, flat base 2. same as 1, raised panel base 3. small label, raised panel base 4. large label, raised panel base

55A D.U.K.W., 2 3/4" (71mm) 1958 Box types B, C & D Olive green body, black baseplate 1. mw, ca 2. gpw, ca 3. gpw, ra 4. bpw, ra

55B FORD FAIRLANE POLICE CAR, 2 5/8" (66mm) 1963 Box type D Dark or metallic blue body, silver trim (applied in various degrees), red dome light, clear windows, large clear "POLICE" bonnet decal, door badge with (A) or without (B) white background, body interior without (A) or with (B) ridges over 3 wheels 1. dark blue body, door badge A, body interior A, kt bpw 2. metallic light blue body, door badge A, body interior A, slightly larger kt bpw 3. same as 2, smaller wheels 4. same as 3, finer tread spw 5. same as 4, bpw 6. same as 5, body interior B 7. same as 6, gpw 8. same as 7, ft bpw 9. same as 8, door badge B

55C FORD GALAXIE POLICE CAR, 2 7/8" (75mm) 1966 Box type E White body, cream interior, driver & towhook, clear windows, red or blue dome light, unpainted metal grille & baseplate with tow slot, clear decal or labels on doors, black plastic wheels 1. blue dome light, bonnet decal, door decals 2. red dome light, bonnet decal, door decals 3. same as 2, bonnet decal, door labels 4. same as 2, bonnet label, door labels

55D MERCURY POLICE CAR, 3" (77mm) 1968 Box types E & F White body, cream interior with 2 figures, clear windows, red or blue dome light, unpainted metal grille & baseplate with "1968 MERCURY" on flat base (A) or "MERCURY" on raised platform (B), "POLICE" decal or label on bonnet - shield label or decal on doors, silver wheels with black plastic tyres 1. red dome light, bonnet decal, door labels, base A 2. same as 1, base B 3. blue dome light, bonnet decal, door labels, base A 4. same as 3, base B 5. red dome light, bonnet label, door labels, base A 6. same as 5, base B 7. blue dome light, bonnet label, door labels, base A 8. same as 7, base B

56A LONDON TROLLEY BUS, 2 5/8" (67mm) 1958 Box types B, C & D Red body with 2 red or black trolley poles, black baseplate, long side "Drink Peardrax", small front back & top side route decals, 6 small wheels on 3 axles 1. black trolley poles, mw, ca 2. same as 1, kt gpw, ca 3. red trolley poles, mw, ca 4. same as 3, kt gpw, ca 5. same as 4, ra 6. same as 5, kt spw, ra 7. same as 6, kt bpw, ra

56B FIAT 1500, 2 1/2" (65mm) 1965 Box types E & F Turquoise green or red body, silver grille with & without silver bumpers, red interior & tow hook, brown or tan luggage (can be interchanged) on roof, clear windows, black baseplate without (A) or with (B) red plastic interior extensions visible by front axle - with front licence plate casting, black plastic wheels 1. turquoise body, brown luggage, interior A 2. same as 1, interior B 3. same as 2, tan luggage 4. red body, tan luggage, interior B* 5. same as 4, without licence plate casting
 * Red model released in Gift Set G-1 Service Station in 1968

57A WOLSELEY 1500, 2 1/8" (55mm) 1958 Box type B With & without grille, bumpers & rear tail lights painted, black baseplate, roof interior without (A) or with (B) ejector ring 1. pale yellow-green body, gold grille, roof A, kt gpw, ca 2. same as 1, silver grille 3. same as 2, roof B 4. pale green body, silver grille, roof B, kt gpw, ca 5. same as 4, ra 6. pale grey, silver grille, kt gpw

57B CHEVROLET IMPALA, 2 3/4" (69mm) 1961 Box types C & D Metallic blue body, pale blue roof, green tinted windows, with & withour silver grille & bumpers, with & without red painted tail lights (silver & red trim applied by masked spray to front & rear, silver trim later omitted from rear followed later by omission of red tail lights), black or blue (in various shades) baseplate & tow hook __grille interior__  A - flat grille interior as seen from underneath  B - ridge added around front of baseplate  __rear rivet post__  A - short triangular braces added on either side of post  B - as A, braces extend full width of body  __2nd front side window post__  A - thin 0.75mm post  B - thick 1.75mm post 1. met. blue with pale blue roof, clear windows, black base, grille A, brace A, window A, kt spw 2. same as 1, dark blue base 3. same as 2, green windows, kt gpw 4. same as 3, finer tread spw 5. same as 4, kt spw 6. same as 5, pale blue base 7. same as 6, finer tread spw 8. same as 7, mid blue base 9. same as 8, grille A, brace B, window B 10. same as 9, finer tread gpw 11. same as 10, grille B, brace B, window B 12. same as 11, fine tread bpw

57C LAND ROVER FIRE TRUCK, 2 1/2" (64mm) 1966 Box types E & F Red body with (A) or without (B) side badge guides, "KENT FIRE BRIGADE" & Invicta Horse shield comes in labels or decals, blue tinted windows & dome light, white plastic ladder on roof, grey plastic baseplate without (A) or with (B) braces either side of axle spring hole & rear hose reel with 10 turns (A), 11 turns (B) or 13 turns (C) of hose on drum, plastic axle springs come tinted in green, blue, amber, red, white & clear 1. decals, guides A, braces A, hose A, ft bpw 2. same as 1, guides A, braces A, hose B 3. same as 1, guides A, braces A, hose C 4. same as 3, gpw 5. same as 1, guides A, braces B, hose A 6. same as 1, guides A, braces B, hose B* 7. same as 1, guides A, braces B, hose C 8. same as 1, guides B, braces B, hose A 9. same as 1, guides B, braces B, hose B 10. same as 1, guides B, braces B, hose C 11. labels, guides A, braces B, hose C, ft bpw 12. same as 11, guides B, braces B, hose A 13. same as 11, guides B, braces B, hose B 14. same as 11, guides B, braces B, hose C
 * exists with mixed decals & labels

58A BEA COACH, 2 1/2" (65mm) 1958 Box types B, C & D Blue body in various shades, with & without silver grille & headlights, 3 styles of decals, black baseplate with full ridge (A) or shortened ridge (B) around rear rivet, small knobby tread wheels __decals__  A - white lettering on clear background  B - BEA in red block at front - black lettering on white decal  C - BEA in red block at end - black lettering on white decal 1. gpw, ca, decals A, base A 2. gpw, ca, decals A, base B 3. gpw, ca, decals B, base A 4. gpw, ca, decals B, base B 5. gpw, ca, decals C, base A 6. gpw, ca, decals C, base B 7. gpw, ra, decals B, base A 8. gpw, ra, decals B, base B 9. gpw, ra, decals C, base A 10. gpw, ra, decals C, base B 11. spw, ra, decals B, base B 12. spw, ra, decals C, base B 13. bpw, ra, decals B, base B 14. bpw, ra, decals C, base B

58B DROTT EXCAVATOR, 2 5/8" (65mm) 1962 Box types D & E Red or orange body with & without silver motor & baseplate, movable shovel with 3 arm variations, 2 open axles with 4 rollers & green treads __digger arm stops__  A - without stops at pivot end of arms near seat  B - with stops  __bogie wheel arch__  A - without small web braces on right side underside of base below tread  B - with small web braces  __digger arm gap__  A - open gap between digger arms near shovel  B - closed gap  __digger arms__  A - thin 1mm & 1.5mm arms connecting to shovel  B - thick 1.3mm & 2mm arms 1. red body, silver motor & baseplate, stops A, arch A, gap A, arms A, metal rollers, ca 2. same as 1, stops A, arch A, gap A, arms A, metal rollers, ra 3. same as 1, stops A, arch A, gap A, arms A, black plastic rollers, ra 4. same as 3, stops A, arch A, gap A, arms B 5. same as 3, stops A, arch B, gap A, arms B 6. same as 3, stops A, arch B, gap B, arms B 7. same as 1, stops A, arch B, gap A, arms B, silver plastic roller, ra 8. same as 7, stops A, arch B, gap B, arms B 9. orange body, silver motor & baseplate, stops B, arch B, gap B, arms B, black plastic roller, ra 10. orange body, motor & baseplate, stops B, arch B, gap B, arms B, black plastic rollers, ra

58C DAF GIRDER TRUCK, 3" (75mm) 1968 Box types E & F Light cream body in various shades, green tinted windows, red plastic grille & short baseplate without (A) or with tow guide (B), roof interior has window insert secured by spread rivet (A) or white stud (B), 12 red plastic girders, 3 axles with 6 fine tread black plastic wheels 1. base A, roof A 2. base A, roof B 3. base B, roof B

59A FORD THAMES VAN, 2 1/8" (56mm) 1958 Box type B Light or dark kelly green body without (A) or with (B) decal guides on door, inside of bonnet without (A) with large (B) or large & small (C) ejector rings, silver grille with & without silver headlights & bumper, black baseplate, red "SINGER" decals on side panels & "S" decal on doors, knobby tread plastic wheels 1. light green body, guides A, bonnet A, gpw, ca 2. same as 1, guides B, bonnet A 3. same as 1, guides B, bonnet B 4. same as 1, guides B, bonnet C 5. same as 4, ra 6. same as 5, sp 7. dark kelly green body, guides B, bonnet C, gpw, ra 8. same as 7, slightly larger wheels 9. same as 7, spw

59B FORD FAIRLANE FIRE CHIEF CAR, 2 5/8" (66mm) 1963 Box type D Red body, white plastic dome light, ivory interior, clear windows, black baseplate, without (A) or with (B) ribs visible on three wheel arches, "FIRE CHIEF" decals on sides & bonnet, silver trim applied to grille, headlights & rear bumper - later version has no bumper trim, plastic wheels on rounded axles 1. kt bpw, body A 2. kt bpw, body B 3. kt spw, body B 4. kt gpw, body B 5. ft bpw, Body B

59C FORD GALAXIE FIRE CHIEF CAR, 2 7/8" (73mm) 1966 Box types E & F Red body, blue plastic dome light, ivory interior, driver & tow hook, clear windows, metal grille & baseplate with No. 55/59 on flat base (A) or raised platform (B), "FIRE CHIEF" decal or label on bonnet with shield label or decal on doors, with tow slot, large fine tread black plastic wheels 1. bonnet decal, door decal, base A 2. bonnet decal, door label, base A 3. bonnet label, door decal, base A 4. bonnet label, door decal, base B 5. bonnet label, door label, base A 6. bonnet label, door label, base B**