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.

CORGI TOYS: CHARLIE'S ANGLES CHEVROLET VAN

The Chevrolet van was the basis of quite a few TV related models. The first and by far the best was the bright pink ‘Charlie’s Angels silhouette logo emblazoned on each body side. Opening rear doors and transparent roof panels served to display the cardboard custom interior of this 1/40th scale van which could be found with either solid or four-spoke whizzwheels. A very tastefully produced model that lasted until 1981. See more.

VANGUARDS: VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET

The first of the new range of Vanguards has been seen, and it is clear that Lledo is setting a new standard with these models. This initial release is the Volkswagen Cabriolet, which comes in maroon with cream interior and black hood. The first impressions are good: Lledo has captured the look of the vehicle extremely well, and such aspects as the silver trim, door handles and windscreen wipers are well portrayed. Dashboard detail is provided. Particularly good are the wheels and the glazed windscreen.

This model are being offered at an advantageous price, but perhaps Lledo might consider for the future making the headlights plastic, rather than chrome, and painting some of the interior detail.

Nevertheless, there can be no doubt that the Vanguards are going to prove to be extremely popular models.

Lledo has changed the packaging with these models, making for a much more attractive presentation.--Model Collectors See More for VW Mania

CORGI: SCAMMELL HIGHWAYMAN 'CARTER' IN THE SHOWMAN's RANGE

The first of the Showman's Range of models has arrived in town, namely the Scammell Highwayman hauling a closed pole trailer and caravan.

On opening the box one finds a part of a card kit which will build into a Super Dodgems. With this series will come a number of such kits building into various fair ground attractions. Also included is a numbered cerfiticate, showing the total production of 14,300, plus a ticket to enjoy a free ride at Carters.

The Scammell Highwayman is well known and the decoration has been very well applied, although it is a pity the rear number plate is a sticker.

The pole truck is perhaps a little disappointing, since the decoration is in the form of labels. Probably it would have been difficult to have printed the large expanse of orange. Understandably the posters at the rear of the stuck on the vehicle.

The caravan is delight, particularly in relation to the gold trim.

This is certainly a colourful start to the range which will look good either in a display cabinet or arranged as a diorama with the kits assembled. See more.

MATCHBOX: LOTUS EUROPA

The Lotus Europa was a low, mid-engined, fiberglass-bodied sports coupe produced between 1969 an 1974. It was originally intended to be a Lotus/Ford GT racing project, although Ford pulled out late in the day, and the car was released as a Lotus. Early models were powered by Renault engines, but later examples had Ford Cosworth motors. The Europa was quite expensive and, as a result, only around 9000 were sold. However, it was extremely popular in toy form, with models produced by Matchbox, Dinky, corgi, Diapet and many others.

The Matchbox version was first painted a dark metallic blue, with an off-white interior, clear windscreen and an unpainted metal base. It featured opening doors and a towing hook, features extremely popular with children. Early models featured narrow Super wheels and squared wheel arches, while later models had the base altered to accommodate the wider wheels, and the body casting was modified so as to have larger, rounder wheels arches. In 1971, the colour scheme was changed to what many collectors call ‘metallic pink’, which is more of a lustrous fuchsia shade.

It was revived in 1977 in a new colour scheme for the Japanese series. It was painted black with tampo-printed gold coach lining, representing a limited edition JPS sponsored car.

In the late 1980s, the Europa casting was revived again for inclusion in the el-cheapo ‘Super GT’ range, although this time without the opening doors or interior.

THE RENAULT ESTAFETTE FROM NOREV

It is always good to find a vehicle being modeled which has not previously been seen. This is the model with the Renault Estafette from Norev, which is being made in two versions: van in both cases with either low roof or high roof. The model captures the shape and look of the actual vehicle.

The van version with low roof comes in blue. Norev has release a 1/18 replica of Renault Estafette van from 1959. See more.

The high roof van version comes in yellow with an ivory roof. Made of diecast, opening doors, opening trunk, wheels roll and steerable wheels. See more.

An interesting choice of vehicle which offers the modeler something different for the cabinet.

MATCHBOX: FORD ZODIAC MARK IV

The first release for 1968 was the Ford Zodiac Mark IV (53C). this model featured an opening bonnet which included a spare wheel next to the engine. The body was in a light metallic blue with a cream interior. A tiny rear view mirror had been moulded into the plastic windscreen for the first time. A rare version of this Zodiac with regular wheels may be found in mettalic light green, a cross-over with the Superfast colour change which occurred in 1970. The standard regular wheel release is shown together with the three Superfast versions, the rarest of which is the mettalic blue model fitted with Superfast wheels.

There were two casting alterations associated with this car. The engine blocks are located under the dashboard such that they hold the engine in place. The wide blocks are 3.5 mm wide and the narrow ones are 2.5 mm wide. When present, a small tab is to be found between these blocks. Two base castings were used for this model with slightly different tow slot sizes at 5.5 mm and 6 mm respectively.