Catalogues

Accessory Packs

The Accessory Packs were introduced in 1957. The only vehicle was the Car Transporter. The series ran to 1961. In 1971 the Broomstick (Zing-O-Matic) was released.

A 1A Esso Petrol Pumps 1957	A 1B BP Petrol Pumps 1963
A 2A 1 Bedford Car Transporter 1957	A 2A 2 Bedford Car Transporter 1957	A 2A 2v Bedford Car Transporter 1957	A 2A 4 Bedford Car Transporter 1957
A 3A Garage 1957	A 4A Road Signs 1960	A 5A Home Store 1961	Lesney?? Petrol Pump

Matchbox Garages

MG-1-C Matchbox BP Service Station 1968

Collector's Case

The first Matchbox carry case was made by Ideal Toys for Lesney Producrs in 1966. Carry cases usually have plastic trays that hold 12 cars in each tray. Most carry cases were made to carry 24, 48 or 72 minatures.

#2 48 Car Carry Case 1966

#3 open case

#3 48 Car Carry Case 1965

Sears Carry Case

Matchbox issue "Sears Automotive Centre" vinyl Garage and Service Station Carrycase c1966 manufactured by Ideal Toy Corporation under license from Lesney, exclusively for Sears Department Stores.

Sears Service Station & Carry Case

Sears Service Station & Carry Case

Sears Service Station & Carry Case

Mattel Miniature Cars Carrying Case

No information at present - issued in 1966.

Mattel Carrying Case

Mattel Carrying Case

Roadway Series

The Roadway Series ran from 1960 to 1969. It consisted of a paper, fold out roadways. The initial Roadway was a triangular, cardboard mat released in 1960. The following year 4 more Roadways were released.

R2 A1 Heart of London 1961

R2 B2 Construction Roadway 1969

Pins and Badges

Many collector clubs or event promotors produced pins and badges with Matchbox related subjects. There were 4 released for the 1-75 Series, featuring #1 Road Roller box, #28C Blue Jaguar, #53B Red Mercedes and #41C Ford GT.

1 Road Roller Box 1959

2 28C Blue Jaguar 1964

Catalogues

Up until 1957 Lesney had not published any catalogues. The first Matchbox pocket catalogues were produced by Fred Bronner, an American distributer. Between 1957 and 1959 Lesney used both fold out sheets and booklet catalogues.

Believed to be the first ever Matchbox Toys Catalogue - This is a recreation, from an original in very sad state, of the extremely rare first ever Matchbox toys Dealer trade Catalogue from 1955.

1955 Dealer Catalogue

1955 Dealer Catalogue

1955 Dealer Catalogue

1957 Catalogue	1957 Catalogue Folded (Replica)	1957 Catalogue
1959 Catalogue 2nd Ed. (1982 reprint)	1959 Catalogue 2nd Ed. (reprinted for DTE)
1963 Catalogue	1964 Catalogue	1965 Catalogue	1966 Catalogue	1967 Catalogue
1968 Catalogue	1968 Catalogue U.S.A.	1968 Catalogue International	1969 Catalogue	1969 2nd Catalogue
1983 A.I.M. Catalogue	1970 Mike & Model Makers	1968 Fred Bronner 49 Car Ad	1966 Matchbox Newsletter

Renovations

Another developing hobby, renovating old, tired models. As far as possible I try to use the originals parts. The only "new" parts are the decals, which often have slight differences from the originals. A major difficulty has been matching the original paint colours, though many models have variations of colours anyway. An attempt to "bake" the finished paint jobs was not a success as the colours all changed!
Thanks to Jeff Whitlock (jhw2) for coming up with the great idea of using paint colour charts for helping out with colour matching. Waiting for the warmer weather before venturing downstairs to the garage to have a go at a few more of the rarer variations.
I soon found out that plastic windows do not like paint stripper - see Jaguar Mk10 with "frosted" windows. Still, lots of fun and I think that I'm getting better at it. I usually mark or leave bases intact to show that these are "restorations".
Judge for yourself how successful I have been.

4 C2 Triumph T110	5D4 Bus	8E6 Ford Mustang	9 Merryweather	13C2 Thames Trader
10B1 Mechanical Horse & Trailer	10B1 Mechanical Horse & Trailer	10B1 Mechanical Horse & Trailer	10B1 Mechanical Horse & Trailer
13C3 Thames Trader	23B4 Berkeley Cavalier (metallic green)	25A1 Dunlop Van	28C2 Jaguar MK10	30B2 Magruiz-Deutz Crane Truck
30C1 8-Wheel Crane (mint green)	32B1 Jaguar "E" Type	32B3 Jaguar "E" Type	32B Custom Jaguar "E" Type	36C3 Opel Diplomat (sea green)
42A3 Evening News Van	44A2 Rolls Royce	46B9 Pickfords Removal Van	50A6 Commer Pickup MK VIII	53A4 Aston Martin
56B3 Fiat 1500	60A2 Morris J2	68B1 Mercedes Coach	69B6 Hatra Tractor Shovel	69B Hatra Tractor Shovel
74B3 Daimler Bus	75A1 Thunderbird	75A2 Thunderbird

Renovation Process

I've had a number of enquiries over the last few months regarding the renovation of models. I have attempted to explain the steps that will enable anyone with a few basic tools and a degree of patience to have a go at their own renovations.
Items required:
Clean work area; Selection of enamel paints; Paint stripper; White spirit
Wire wool; Spray gun - compressor powered or air can; Small file; Drill
Small hammer or flat steel bar; hollow punch; Rags, old brushes

rough model	drill out rivet	separate base & body	file off axle ends	separate all parts
apply paint stripper	rough clean	wash with white spirit	wire wool	spray preparation
spray undercoat	drying	drying rack	spray gun	1st Coat
mask off 1st coat	apply 2nd colour	undercoat & base colour	clean axles & wheels
fit wheels on base	hammer-spread axle ends	hollow punch to round axle ends

Finished Model

The above steps are the result of a lot of trial and error. A few important points to note are: keep all dismantled parts together, always wear a mask when spraying, plastic reacts to stripper/spirit so keep separate, have a play with some rough models to build up your confidence and above all don't be afraid to experiment - it's a lot of fun and at the end you can get great looking models like this.

50 Commer Pickup MK VIII

Red & White Body

Rare Silver Plastic Wheels