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The Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys 1-75 Series 1953 - 1969 (expanded)
Number 5a London Bus
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First introduced into the Matchbox range in 1954, models of London Double Decker Buses were part of the range for 30 years. Interestingly, a Routemaster has been reintroduced into the range over the last couple of years. The tiny 52mm 5A London Bus was a generic model. It did not represent any particular manufacturers bus. |
| Casting Variations | ||
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Early versions had a "number plate" cast into the rear of the bus. This was deleted on later models for some reason. | |
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Later castings had an "angled lip " at the top of the rear window. | |
| Models | ||
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The model came in red with a gold grill. The number 5 was cast in the "destination boards" above the front and rear windows. All the labels were paper with "Buy Matchbox Toys" printed on them. There have been some models sold with a white line on the label. This I believe is not a variation but poor "colour registration" of colours when the label was printed. |
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This green version was only available in Australia for a very short time. They are perhaps one of the rarest regular wheel models today. |
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| Boxes | ||
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A type box - 1954 - with a drawing of the model showing no advertising on the side of the bus. The word MOKO is in a script font. End flaps are plain blue. Models in this box had "number plates" as described above. |
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| B type box - 1955 - with a drawing of the model showing no advertising on the side of the bus. The words A MOKO LESNEY are all in the same font. End flaps are plain blue. Models in this box came with and without "number plates" as described above. | ||
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B type box - 1957 - with a drawing of the model showing no advertising on the side of the bus. The words A MOKO LESNEY are all in the same font. End flaps are plain blue with a black number 5 in the middle. Models that came in this box came without "number plates" as described above. |
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| Wheels | ||
| This model came with metal wheels. | ||
| Axles | ||
All axles on this model were flathead and crimped type. |
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| Values | ||
The red version are relatively common although mint and boxed versions are becoming harder to find. There are very few green buses known to exist. Known examples have been sold for upwards of $10,000 in mint condition. A used one recently sold for about $1500. |
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| Further Reference Material | ||
Please refer to "The Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys 1-75 Series 1953-1969" |
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© 2008 Moko Lesney Matchbox |
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