My Rare "Matchbox" Regular Wheels
Nigel Clarke
Hello there!
- I have decided not to display all my models and boxes, but only those which are considered scarce or rare and usually have an interesting tale to tell.
- There are 11 linked pages displaying 210 individual photos of rare boxed pieces. Page 4 is devoted to 22b Vauxhall Cresta variations.
- Clicking on any photo will reveal a bigger photo. By letting your mouse linger on a photo it will display a paragraph pertinent to that model. The models are listed in 1 to 75 Lesney number order.
- Some of these models are rarely seen so hopefully I can add some visual knowledge to our great hobby!
- There are still plenty of rare models for me to acquire so please keep checking back as I add to my collection.
- Thanks for looking and please leave any comments, criticisms or suggestions in my guest book.
                    Cheers, Nigel

I have decided to sell my entire collection of Matchbox, Budgie, Morestone & Kemlow models. Vectis Auctions (in conjunction with ebay auctions) will handle the one day sale, due to take place on the 13th Dec 2006. Please keep checking their link for further details: http://vectis.co.uk
This is my favourite display case from early 1962. The rear picture board is wood, the bleacher display stand is wood framed with card steps. Usually I display early 1962 models but in this case I have flexed it to include a few more of my favourites such as the 41b red hub Jaguar.
I have allocated to each vehicle photograph a rarity number ranged from 1 to 5. This is based on my experience of how rare (and difficult to find) a mint vehicle or box is.
This does not necessarily represent market values. Unless the box is specifically mentioned, please assume the rarity number applies to the vehicle only.
Rarity 5 = Extra Rare
Rarity 4 = Very Rare
Rarity 3 = Rare
Rarity 2 = Quite Rare
Rarity 1 = Scarce
Between 1953 and 1982, Lesney manufactured Matchbox toys (so called because the models were designed to fit into a box the size of a matchbox). They were produced at their various factories in London until heavy losses in a downturned economic climate forced the company to sell out to Universal Toys. Matchbox models can be divided into two distinct eras, 1953 to 1969 regular wheels and 1969 to 1982 superfast wheels. Up to 1969 the emphasise was on realistic, robust models that would take a childs heavy punishment. The axles were thick and durable and the wheels were slow and did not freewheel. These are classed as regular wheels and they came predominantly in metal or grey, silver and black plastic (there are also some separate hub and tyre combinations). Mattel Hotwheels came along and changed the market. They produced fast moving, thin axled, custom painted racers which turned the market on its head (Lesney export sales dropped by 80% in a few months). To challenge this threat, Lesney quickly brought out superfast wheeled models with thin axles and fast running wheels as a response to Hotwheels in order to try and regain their market share. The first attempts were converted regular wheeled models usually with a change of body colour. Later the models became more garish and less realistic. All Matchbox models over Lesneys 30 year history of making them are built to the highest standard. Indeed, their castings are the finest produced for a mass market toy, unequalled today. This, in my view, is the main reason for their collectibility and popularity.
One of my latest finds in superb, mint condition. It is very hard to find in any condition with its first run grey plastic wheels..
One of the earliest known display cards from early 1956 and my earliest card. At this stage only 24 models were available. I have filled it with model varieties that might have appeared on the card when it was first displayed in a corner shop.
My favourite links
Matchbox Collectors Community
My Ebay sale lists
My email address
Go to page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
One of the five rarest models, only a handful in existence, the first colour, tan 46a Morris Minor
Press the Budgie logo to go to my new  Budgie and Morestone Website
This mid sixties card display unit is one of my favourite acquisitions. It came from a shop clearance, unused, still wrapped in tissue paper. Interestingly Lesney themselves inked out the spot where the price should be - perhaps a price rise after the display was printed? All these early display units are hard to find in nice condition because of their fragility and the fact they were never intended to be sold to the public. Almost all still around today are the result of shop clearances. I have populated it with the earliest versions I own of each of the first 1 - 75  A type models. Some are rarer than others. Amongst those still on my target list are the  tan 46a Minor and red 45a Victor.......
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