MATCHBOX YESTERYEAR No.YRS-02 – 1953 FORD F100 FLYING “A” TIRE SERVICE

A blowout is one of the most frightening occurrences that can happen on the open road because it usually comes without warning and makes the car difficult to handle. With hands firmly on the steering wheel, the driver must pull the wobbly automobile to the shoulder of the road, getting out to examine the damage to take care of this upsetting driving hazard was the Flying A Tire Service vehicle which was prepared for any type of tire repair. Fitted with a full rack of spare tires, an air tank with a pressure gauge, a  hydraulic jack and airhose, this service vehicle was capable of fixing or replacing tires, safely and quickly. At one time, the Flying A symbol a stylized winged A—was one of the most recognizable gas company logos. It was a symbol of quality and service and, for the traveler stranded on the side of a road, it was a sure sign that the car would soon be up and ready and cruising down the highway. And now the Flying ‘A’ Tire Service 1953 Ford F100 is part of The Fabulous Fifties Road Service Collection. It has been crafted in die-cast metal by Matchbox Collectibles—“the Greast Name in Die-Cast.”

MATCHBOX MODELS OF YESTERYEAR Y-12 1912 FORD MODEL T VAN

The Y12-1912 Ford Model T Van was released in 1979 and used no less than 18 different liveries and colours all of whiich had a plastic steering wheel. The Colman's Mustard van had a yellow body and black chassis and roof. It had black seats, gold plated radiator and windscreen frame. The wheels can be red 12 spoke, chrome 12 or 24 spoke or gold 12 spoke. The rear doors can be type 1 or 2 and the baseplate can be found with Y12 inscribed or with no Y number inscription. Shop here

MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLES: FORD TT VAN 'RONALD McDONALD HOUSE' AND FORD A VAN 'CAMP QUALITY'

From Automodels Pty Ltd of Australia comes a futher 'Commissioned' Code 1 release in the Models of Yesteryear range. In fact, this is a two models in the set are the Ford TT van and the Ford A van. Both are highly courful models, and their sale will help two very worthy causes. The TT van supports Ronald McDonald House, a charity to help sick and disabled children. The A van supports Camp Quality, a charity for children with cancer. There will be just 6,000 of sets produced. Shop here

MATCHBOX MODELS OF YESTERYEAR Y5-TALBOTS VAN 'ROSE'S LIME JUICE CORDIAL'

Rose's Lime Juice Cordial was the livery for 1985, and indeed carried through to 1988. The initial releases had a cream body with mid green chassis (and black or tan seats). The following year the body colour had become off white and the chassis dark green. While the wheels were generally green, examples of the pale cream body version are known with red wheels.

Although the majority of these models were made by Lesney in England, a final production run of the Rose's version was undertaken in 1988 in Macau. Shop here

MATCHBOX MODELS OF YESTERYEAR Y-13 1918 CROSSLEY RAF TENDER

 

 

The Y13C - 1918 Crossley RAF Tender joined the range in 1975 when it was painted air force blue and had RAF labels attached to the sides. This model  came the light brown canopies that had been in use up until now. These had 12 or 24 spoke wheels and white seats.

MATCHBOX MODELS OF YESTERYEAR Y12-STEPHENSONS ROCKET LOCOMOTIVE

The Y12-4 1829 Stephensons Rocket locomotive joined the range in 1987. The Rocket was painted yellow with a white chimney, black baseplates and although it was quite a detailed model only the brightwork on the engine and the cylinders was made from plastic so the rocket might have been a small model it was a weighty model too.

The name and the body lining to the wheels and tender was applied by black tampo printing and the pipework, dome and safety valve was gold plated plastic. It was released as a limited edition with a production of only 60,000 pieces. The Rocket was a charming model and well made too and it makes you wonder at exactly what other Locos were planned and what we missed out on. Shop here

MATCHBOX MODELS OF YESTERYEAR Y2-1911 TERAULT TWO SEATER

The Y2 - 1911 Renault two seater joined the range in 1963, It was painted metallic green and the shades can vary from light to dark with the light green versions being less common, It had red plastic seats and the windscreen frame bulkhead, handbrake, gearlever and the headlights were brass plated but can sometimes be found in bare metal. The spare tyre attaches to the carrier by 4 prongs or later by 3 prongs and the wheels were brass 12 spoke with very fine tread black plastic tyres.

1904 MERRYWEATHER FIRE ENGINE

The Merryweather name is one of the most venerable in fire fighting history. With roots that trace to Adam Nuttall’s fire-engine works around 1750, the firm was taken over in 1836 by Moses Merryweather who had worked as a mechanic for the company. In the second half of the nineteenth century, along with companies such as Shad Mason and Baddley and Roberts of London, Merryweather still sold many manual pumps to hospitals, factories and country estates. However, the company began achieving important breakthroughs in the realm of steam. In 1900, Merryweather introduced “Fire King,” its first self-propelled steamer and, within another three years, the company would introduced a vehicle that would change fire fighting forever. It was the first gasoline-powered motor driven appliance ever to be used by a public fire brigade. The following year, in 1904, the Fitchley Fire Brigade received from Merryweather the first gasoline-powered engine with a Hatfield 500 gpm pump driven directly by a shaft from a road engine, an innovation that had enormous impact on fire engine manufacturing. (This chassis, engine and pump are housed in the Science Museum in South Kensington, London.) Soon, many fire brigades wanted gas-powered engines for their companies and, for many years, Merryweather was a leader in providing and developing such vehicles. Now, the 1904 Merryweather Fire Engine has been re-created in precise and authentic detail for The International Fire Engine Collection: The Turn-of-the-Century Edition.

1956 CHEVY 3100 "MOBIL BATTERY & QUICK START SERVICE"

In the America heartland, the temperature frequently dips below zero on cold winter mornings, draining power from many cars’ batteries. For nearly a century, motorists have depended on AAA for that crucial jump start. And AAA has always relied on its local network of service trucks to get customers on the road as soon as possible. In the mid ‘50s, the “Battery Service” truck from the Harris Brothers’ Mobilgas station was a familiar sight. Many a stranded driver was glad to see the classiic Pegasus emblem on the side of the truck, for it meant they would soon be rescued. Rigged with a utility cabinet and vise, a battery charger on wheels and a full rack of batteries, the truck was equipped to charge or replace a battery—whatever the motorist needed. And now the Mobil Battery & Quick Start Service 1956 Chevy 3100 is part of The Fabulous Fifties Road Service Collection. It has been crafted in die-cast metal by Matchbox Collectibles—the Greatest Name in Die-Cast.

1957 CHEVROLET 3100 PICK UP (DIXIE GAS PARTS & SERVICE)

A broken fan belt, an empty tank of gas, an overheated radiator. These are easy problems for a mechanic to fix, but they can upset the most pleasant ride. And, when they do occur, a driver hopes for a phone booth where a simple call will send relief and get the car back on the road. For many drivers along the beautiful highways of the south in the 1950s, that relief came from Dixie Gas. With its bright blue and yellow logo on the side of a classic 1957 Chevy 3100, the Dixie Gas Parts & Service vehicle was a gratifying sight to a motorist standing on the side of the road by his broken down car. With friendly service and quality workmanship, the Dixie Gas mechanic examined the problem—and more often than not—fixed it on the spot. This vehicle was often a mobile service station, putting cars back on the road in the quickest time possible. And now the Dixie Gas Parts & Service 1957 Chevy 3100 is part of the Fabulous Fifties Road Service Collection. It has been crafted in die-cast metal by Matchbox Collectibles—“the Greatest Name in Die-cast”


Dixie Oil and Gas Company


From the 1920s onward, the blue and yellow logo of the Dixie Oil and Gas Company was a familiar and welcome sight to American motorists in the South. Crowning gas pumps, oil cans and service vehicles, the logo consisted of a blue ring with the words “Dixie Gasoline” wrapped around a white diamond in a yellow field with the word “Oils.” The sign assured reliable fuel and oil for the increasing number of American automobiles.

MODELS OF YESTERYEAR - Y12C FORD MODEL T

Based on the undying and sturdy Model T chassis, this robust and efficient van served many a tradesman thoughout the 1910’s and 1920’s

The basic shape not changing for almost 20 years. Scale 1:35

1923 SCANIA-VABIS POST BUS

The Post-Bus was developed jointly by Scania and the Swedish G.PO. to provide postal and passenger services in scattered rural areas. This 2.64 ton (2680 kg) Bus could carry 12 passengers and the mail, and was powered by a 4 cyl. 3.5 litre engine developing 36 b.h.p. The model represents the vehicle equipped for winter operation.

This is a Special Edition, produced as part of a worldwide issue – total production quantity – 60,000 units. Scale 1/49 Buy it now

1940 FORD PICKUP

The Ford name is as venerable as any in the history of automobiles. And, almost from the start, Henry Ford’s Model A and Model T vehicles were adapted for a wide variety of commercial used. As the century moved on and technology and engineering advanced. Ford continued to develop fine, rugged trucks along with its impressive array of automobiles. He Ford trucks of the ‘40s are considered by many to be most beautiful Fords ever. The company had retained the same size it offered in 1939—the half-ton, three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks, but Ford greatly changed the styling.

In 1940, the design was based on Ford’s automobiles and resulted in a handsome line of trucks. The hood was restyled, the grille echoed that of the ’39 Ford Deluxe automobile and the cab was given a major makeover. A one-piece, stamped-steel front panel combined the cowl, firewall, windshield frame and top. Aside from its visual appeal, this design simplified the assembly process. Other changes included a cowl-mounted windshield wiper (in previous years the wiper was mounted above the windshield), a redesigned instrument cluster, a two-spoke steering wheel and more comfortable seats. Under the hood, Food continued with its V8-60 and V8-85 engines. In addition, a 239-cubic-inch V8 engine that could produce 95 horsepower was also used in some pickups. A classic from the time it rolled off the assembly line and even more so today, the 1940 Ford Pickup Truck is now recreated in an authentic detail, your 1940 Ford Pickup is produced by—and available only from Matchbox Collectibles.

MATCHBOX COLLECIBLES: MERCEDES BENZ 540K

This is the Mercedes-Benz 540K: this is finished in black with silver trim. Particularly notice the dashboard detail with the instruments included.

MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLES: FODEN STEAM WAGON 'F. PARKER

This is the Foden steam wagon in the livery of F. Parker and Co, Timber Importers. The basic model is well known, and has been pleasantly finished in deep red-brown with gold lettering. Perhaps more significant is load, produced as a hand-painted cold cast sculpture. Not only do the planks of wood look realistic, but there are pleasing touches, such as the pieces of red rag attached to the ends of the planks, the tarpaulin covering the load affixed with rope, with excess rope curled on top of the planks. The result is an attractive model. Buy it now

MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLES: AEC 'S' TYPE BUS 'DUBLIN CORPORATION'

The AEC 'S' type bus (YET05) is featured operated by Dublin Corporation. This well decorated model is prototypically covered in advertisements which naturally add a flavour of the location and period. As examples of the detail now being included by Matchbox, note the fleet numbers on the front (behind the driver) and rear (on the platform), the 'Watch Your Step' warning on the platform, and the fact that the seats are separately painted in light brown (in contrast to the dark brown floor).

1926 MORRIS COWLEY "BLUENOSE"; MOY Y-8 (FIRST SERIES)

1926 Morris Cowley “Bluenose”; MOY Y-8 (First Series), 1958. This was modeled on a popular British runabout of the late 1920s: the real auto remains a favorite with British automobile enthusiasts and many are still carefully preserved in running order. Scale 1:50. Length: 2.5in (63.5mm).

VINTAGE GLORY FODEN C-TYPE STEAM WAGON

This is the Foden C Type steamer, and it’s a beautiful job. The front is very handsome, with the wheel to open the smoke box and various Foden signs being neatly done.

It comes is Tate & Lyle livery, as preserved by that company to replicate the Pease & Sons Fodens used by Henry Tate in the 1920s In fact AU6695 was originally owned by the Star Brewery, Nottingham. It was then owned by Foden itself, then by a stone company before being left idle until rescued by Tate & Lyle. The lettering is reproduced as on the preserved wagon.

The finish is well done, down to the solid tyres and various spare chains etc below the body. The rear of the model is largely plastic, but the careful spraying has ensured a good colour match and it looks like one die-cast moulding for the rear wagon sides, and higher body sides.

Inside it all looks like hard work to drive with various wheels and valves being neatly reproduced. There’s even planking on the underside of the cab roof.

40th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION: 1911 MAXWELL ROADSTER

This delightful series continues with the 1911 Maxwell Roadster, beautifully decorated and finished in red with gold trim. The result is a very attractive model. Buy it now

MODELS OF YESTERYEAR - Y17 1930 MODEL A FORD WRECK TRUCK

The wreck truck is based on the Model “A” Ford. Often a small garage requiring a breakdown vehicle would use the chassis of an old large car, fitting it out with a simple angle iron hoist and hand operated winch. Many of these vehicles lasted many years in service. This wreck truck was powered by a 4 cyl. 2 lt. engine wheel base 8’8” (2.64m) See more.