Matchbox made promotional models for many other companies and attractions. But this particular MB38 was made to promote Matchbox itself. The first regular issue MB38 rolled down a Matchbox assembly line in 1982. This vehicle, for the 1-75 line, was the Champion Spark Plugs van. It came with royal blue cab, black base, white roof and shining chrome bumpers, headlights and grille, along with the company’s familiar red and black logo incorporating a sketch of a sparkplug.
Matchbox itself has used the vehicle for sale and advertising messages such as the last model was suspended production in 1992 later on it was produced in Macau, China and Thailand. It is a Model A Ford Van, a yellow colour that advertised itself.