Matchbox Toys 23c Bluebird Caravan, Matchbox Regular Caravan, matchbox, matchbox cars, matchbox toys, toy cars, matchbox toys, lesney, lesney toys, moko-lesney, moko lesney

Home	Articles	Promotional Models	Fakes & Frauds	Restorations/Recreations
Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys 1-75 Series '53-'69 - Expanded

The Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys 1-75 Series 1953 - 1969 (expanded)

Number 23c Bluebird Dauphine Caravan

1960 saw the release of the Bluebird Dauphine Caravan. This was a replacement for the number 23b Berkeley Caravan.

Although a relatively simple casting, it was one of the first Matchbox Toys to feature an opening side door. Throughout it's 4 years of manufacture there were many changes in strengthening of the tow hook and the door hinge.


Tow Hook
		Type A Tow Hook The top part of the tow hook with the towing eye has tapered sides. Between the foot and the top there is no brace. A ridge runs across the base of the model at the front.

		Type B Tow Hook The top part of the tow hook with the towing eye has less angled sides. Between the foot and the top is a small half round brace 1.5mm wide. A ridge runs across the base of the model at the front.

		Type C Tow Hook The top part of the tow hook with the towing eye has less angled sides. Between the foot and the top is a larger half round brace 3mm wide. There is no ridge across the base of the model at the front.

		Type D Tow Hook The top part of the tow hook with the towing eye has straight sides. Between the foot and the top is a larger half round brace 3mm wide. There is no ridge across the base of the model at the front.

		Type E Tow Hook The top part of the tow hook with the towing eye has straight sides. Between the foot and the top is a larger half round brace 3mm wide. The foot has a reinforcement step. There is no ridge across the base of the model at the front.

		Type F Tow Hook The top part of the tow hook with the towing eye has straight sides and a reinforcement ring on the top. Between the foot and the top is a larger half round brace 3mm wide. The foot has a larger reinforcement step. There is no ridge across the base of the model at the front.

Inside Door Hinges
		Type A Door Hinge The hinge at the top holding the door has a round head and tapered sides.
		Type B Door Hinge The hinge at the top holding the door is 2mm wide and has a flat top and tapered sides.
		Type C Door Hinge The hinge at the top holding the door is 3mm wide and has a flat top and tapered sides.

Side Window Pillars
		Type A Window Frames The side windows pillars are 1mm wide.
		Type B Window Frames The side windows pillars are 1.5mm wide.

Models
		This shows a possible pre production version with a dark red base and black side door. This version was featured in the 1960 pocket catalogue.

		The first release was in Pale metallic green. It was only available for a very short time.

		Another variation considered to be a pre production version, this time with windows. Notice the "Lattice" effect. All models were cast with 2 rivets on the inside roof to hold the windows, but windows never eventuated on production models.

		Shows the back of the model with the "On Tow" decal.

		This was the normal production model. It came with a variety of wheels.

Boxes

B type box - 1960 - showing the old version 23b model. End flap has white circle and "Caravan". Models that came in this box were Pale Metallic Green.

B type box - 1960 - with a line drawing of the Bluebird Caravan in red. End flap has white circle and "Caravan". Models that came in this box were Metallic Mauve with knobbly grey plastic wheels.

C type box - 1961 - with line drawing of old version 23b. End flap as above. Models that came in this box were Metallic Mauve with knobbly grey plastic wheels.

C type box - 1961 - with line drawing of Bluebird Caravan. End flap as above. Models that came in this box were Metallic Mauve with knobbly grey plastic wheels.

D type box - 1962 - with picture of caravan. End flap has 23 and the wording "Caravan Trailer" widely spaced. The number on the face of the box is a san serif font. Models that came in this box were Metallic Mauve with knobbly grey plastic wheels.

D type box - 1962/3 - with picture of caravan. End flap has 23 and the wording "Caravan Trailer" condensed. The number on the box face is in a serif font. were Metallic Mauve with knobbly or fine grey plastic wheels, knobbly or fine silver plastic wheels or fine black plastic wheels.

Wheels
There are 7 different wheel variations including grey plastic, silver grey plastic and black plastic.

Values
The rarest versions are of course the pre production model with the dark red base and black door and the model with the window inserts. It is believed that only 2 models exist with the windows, however the other pre production version, although extremely rare does come up for sale very occasionally. The pale metallic green version is one of the harder ones to find and so is the metallic lilac version with black plastic wheels.

Further Reference Material
I have a total of 23 different variations for number 23c Bluebird Dauphine Caravan listed in my guide. For further reference on these variations including wheel and casting combinations, refer to "The Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys 1-75 Series 1953-1969"

Home		Back to The Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys - Expanded index

© 2008 Moko Lesney Matchbox