MATCHBOX: THE 5A BUS

It was not until the London bus, 5a, was added to the range in mid-1954, the sales of the newly-launched Matchbox Toys expanded rapidly. The 5a bus initially advertised ‘Matchbox series’ but later models featured ‘Player Please’ for a comparatively short time and for a long time ‘BP Viscostatic’. The BP company was one of a number which paid for the privilege of having its name advertised on Matchbox vehicles. The bus had paper labels advertising the ‘Matchbox series’. It was by far the smallest Lesney bus, as it measured only 52mm. The bus had paper labels advertising the ‘Matchbox series’. It comes with or without a number plate recess at the rear. The undetailed grille was decorated with gold trim.