1917 YORKSHIRE STEAM WAGON -Great WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY

It was and still is a familiar sight. A sleepy village in Yorkshire, no more than a hamlet with a string of homes, a post office, general store, a church and a pub called “The Lady and the Swan.” For as long as anyone can remember, a horse-drawn cart would come periodically into town, drive up to the beautifully carved sign advertising the pub, and deliver its casks of wine and kegs of porter. Yet this day is different, for suddenly there are no horses pulling the car-although a gaggle of excited children and dogs is following the chugging and hissing wagon. And, instead of transporting wines, it’s filled with supplies for making repairs to the railroad. It is, of course, a steam-powered wagon, which thrived during an era when, steam-powered engines were everywhere, infusing the world with a sense of excitement and optimism for the future. Now, a 1917 steam-powered wagon, built by the Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Co. and marked with the emblem of the Great Western Railroad, is precisely re-created in a replica crafted by Matchbox Collectibles exclusively for the Age of Steam II Collection. Shop here

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.

MOTORMINT 1/18 FIAT MULTIPLA

Imagine a Fiat 600 with the bonnet cut off and an extra passenger section mounted amidships and you have, in essence, the Fiat Multipla. Introduced in 1955 it was produced until 1964. With a total length of 139ins (354cm) it had three rows of seats to accommodate six people. Powerd by the Fiat 600 saloon engine of 633cc, the little bus would happily do 50 mph and give 45 mpg. The rear-mounted engine meant luggage space was limited but the seats did fold down. Used as taxis in their native Italy, the fully independently sprung minibus was the original people carrier back in the mid 1950s, an idea that has been taken up by the Japanese car manufactures of today.

Our 1:18 scale Fiat 600 Multipla Taxi is chocked full of great features. The driver's side front door opens showing taxi meter and luggage area. The rear passenger door also opens revealing soft-to-touch upholstery on the folding and bench seats. The engine is wired and plumb. There's even a luggage rack on top and a toolbox with tools. Model Feature Opening Trunk Soft-to-Touch Upholstery Opening Front Drivers Door Complete Toolbox is Included Opening Rear Passenger Door 4-Cylinder 32hp. Engine is Wired and Plumb Half the Front Seat was the Inside Luggage Compartment Precision Die-Cast Replica 7.5 Inches Long 1:18 scale. See more.

MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLES: 'GRAND MARQUES' MERCEDES BENZ 540K

This is the Mercedes Benz 540K, which looks particularly smart in white, with red trim and red interior and seats. In addition to the fact that this model is part of 'The Grand Marques' theme, it comes in a 'Models of Yeasteryear' box, and so is needed for those maintaining their MOY collections formed prior to the days of Matchbox Collectibles. See more.

CORGI: AEC REGAL HALF CAB 'MANCHESTER CITY TEAM' COACH

The football connection is continued with the AEC Regal half-cab coach in the livery (orange and brown) of Finglands, carrying a victorious Manchester City team. The livery on the coach is pleasing in its own right, but the figures that Corgi has included to appear through the sun-roof are very appealing, and have been carefully painted.

MATCHBOX: FORD CORSAIR

The Ford Corsair (45b), complete with green plastic roof rack and boat, was release in February 1965 to replace the rather outdated Vauxhall Victor saloon. The real Corsair had been released by Ford at the end of 1963 as a mid-range car slotting between the Cortina and Zephyr in the British Ford range. The model was advertised as being 1/71st scale and highlighted the fact that the plastic boat actually floated! The Corsair was simultaneously released with the no.23d Caravan, which was supposed to have been of a similar scale, although the caravan seems to dwarf the Corsair.

MATCHBOX: VAUXHALL VICTOR ESTATE CAR

To accompany the Zephyr, a Vauxhall Victor Estate Car was released at the same time to replace the Refuse Truck. Though shown on the box, in the catalogue and in advance USA publicity material in blue, this Estate Car was only available in yellow, with initially a red and latterly a green interior. Silver trim was applied but it diminished with time. Both interior variations were fitted with the three wheel variations which had progressively more treads. The opening rear door was another new play feature.