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The Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys 1-75 Series 1953 - 1969 (expanded)
Number 48b Sports Boat and Trailer
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Late 1961 saw a new boat and trailer in the Matchbox range replacing the all metal Meteor Sports Boat and trailer. This new addition had a plastic boat that could float, adding to it's play value. The new model proved to be more popular than it's predecessor but apparently still did not sell in the volume that Matchbox require. It was in the range for only 5 years. There were a few variations of both the boat and trailer, as well as the boxes they came in. Due to the ease of swapping boats, with trailer and box combinations, it is near impossible to be absolutely sure what combination of boat and trailer came with what box. However, I have tried to do my best! |
| Trailer Towing Brackets | ||
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Type A towing bracket Trailers with this towing bracket came in dark and lighter blue with grey or black plastic wheels. |
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Type B towing bracket Trailers with this towing bracket came in dark and lighter blue with grey or black plastic wheels. You will notice the difference from type A is the longer "foot" under the tow bracket and a less angled "heel" at the back of the bracket. |
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Type C towing bracket Trailers with this towing bracket came in dark and lighter blue with grey or black plastic wheels. This is similar to type B but now had a strengthening ring on the top of the "tongue". |
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Type D towing bracket Trailers with this towing bracket came in dark and lighter blue with black plastic wheels. Similar to type C with added strengthening bracket behind the towing eye on the "tongue". |
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| Models | ||
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The first issues of this model came with cream and red boats. They came in combinations of red deck and cream hull or cream deck and red hull. |
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It appears that all cream and red boats had gold motors. The trailer colours varied in shade from light to dark blue. |
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From around 1963 the boats were red and white. Again, the combination can be red hull with white deck or red deck with white hull. |
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Motors came in two colours on the later red and white boats, either gold or silver. Over time the motors may have tarnished making it hard to determine if they are gold or silver. Again, trailers can in different shades of blue. |
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Sometimes the hulls and decks were colour coded. Many "experts" say these were not made in the Matchbox factory but modified later. Whether that is correct or not I don't know, but they are fun to look out for! |
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| Boxes | ||
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C type - 1961 - drawing of boat is all red. End flap has a white circle with "48" inside. Writing in white says "Sports Boat and Trailer " and "New Model". Boats that came in this box were cream and red (either combination). |
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C type - 1961 - drawing of boat is red and yellow. End flap has a white circle with "48" inside. Writing in white says "Sports Boat and Trailer " and "New Model". Boats that came in this box were cream and red (either combination). |
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D type - 1962 - picture of a red and white boat. End flap has "trailer with removable sports boat" in a white serif font. The number 48 on the end is white in a san serif font. The number 48 on the face of the box uses a san serif font. Boats that came in this box were cream and red (either combination). |
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D type - 1962 onwards - picture of a red and white boat. End flap has "trailer with removable sports boat" and number "48" in a white san serif font. The number 48 on the face of the box uses a serif font. The "striker" sides on this box are blue and black. Boats that came in this box were white and red (either combination). |
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D type - 1964 - picture of a red and white boat. End flap has "trailer with removable sports boat" and number "48" in a white san serif font. The number 48 on the face of the box uses a serif font. The "striker" sides on this box are both dark blue. Boats that came in this box were white and red (either combination). |
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D type - 1965 - picture of a red and white boat. End flap has "trailer with removable sports boat" and number "48" in a white san serif font. The number 48 on the face of the box uses a serif font. The "striker" sides on this box are both light blue. Boats that came in this box were white and red (either combination). |
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| Wheels | ||
| There are 2 different wheel variations, grey plastic and black plastic. | ||
| Axles | ||
All models came with domed and rivet axles. |
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| Trailer | ||
| Trailer colours came in dark and light blue with a few shades in between. | ||
| Values | ||
Grey plastic wheel versions are a little harder to find than black plastic versions. C type boxes are also harder to find. However, none command an excessive price. |
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| Further Reference Material | ||
I have a total of 11 different variations for number 48b Sports Boat and Trailer listed in my guide. For further reference on these variations including wheel, casting and axle combinations, 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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