2E 5E Names on models: 1F 7E 7F 27E 30F 32F 36F 62F For a full index of models covered, go to the Matchbox Home page. Click on the picture for a larger version. On this page, we shall take a look at casting variations found on models introduced into the line as Superfast, so from
1969 onwards. Models which first appeared with 'Regular' wheels but were converted to Superfast running are covered on the page Into Superfast.
There was a Willys Jeep in the  Matchbox line from 1966 until long after production of Matchbox Toys
moved away from England. Our first stop is with the first Superfast model, the 2E Jeep Hot Rod.  There were obviously a few problems with the baseplate, in particular. The rear of the
base had to be strengthened twice and, associated with the second alteration, the tailboard was changed in size. All these variations are to be found on hot pink models, though we illustrate the final change on a
dark red model.  The first Superfast wheels were quite narrow. When it was decided to increase their width to what became standard over a number of years, the size of the arches above
the wheels had to be increased to let the wheels turn freely. Often this only affected the rear wheels of a model but, in the case of the 5E Lotus Europa, both front and rear  arches had to be altered. A small change was also made to the
baseplate itself. A rectangular hole at the front was filled in to leave a recess as seen in the second picture. Both changes took place during the currency of the metallic pink model.
To name or not to name Should the name of the vehicle be shown on the model or not? The decision will often have been made
on the instruction of the owner of the vehicle name, rather than by Lesneys. Here are seven models from the Superfast era with changes in detail, mostly made early in the lifetime of the model. 1F 7E 7F 27E 30F
32F 36F 62F First of all, two models in which the way the name was shown on the rear of the model was changed.
The car makers may have requested a more prominent or more characteristic display of their logo.   The name on the rear of the 1F Mod Rod is made larger and clearer.
The 'Countach' name on the 27E Lamborghini Countach is re-set in its own recessed panel rather than being in raised letters on the plain area between the rear lights. Now, three models in which the name was missing from some of the first releases. One's guess is that
trial (or 'pre-pro') models without names were included in normal stock as the difference was not significant in terms of quality or play value. 
30F Leyland Articulated Truck. The first issue did not show the Leyland name.   36F Colectomatic Refuse Truck. The first
releases did not carry the words 'Colectomatic' and 'Caution'. In case you wondered, Colectomatic is a 'trade' name, so this must be the correct spelling! The vehicle is
built on a Ford Transcontinental chassis.
 62F Chevrolet Corvette. The first models had no name on the rear
and no licence number on front or back.
Two other variations of this sort are worth mentioning. The  32F Atlas Excavator lost the Atlas
name, both on the rear of the model and the base, immediately after the first release in 1981. This was done so the casting could be used to
represent other companies' excavators, notably Caterpillar, in whose livery the model emerged in the following year. One can only guess at what went
on behind the scenes before the issue of five models (29, 32, 49, 58 and 64) all in yellow and emblazoned with the Caterpillar C motif! The other one, the
7E Volkswagen  Golf, in its final form, has different licence plates at front and rear! When new in 1976, the body had holes cast in the roof to take the frame for
two surfboards or, in the case of the German issue Adac model, a roof light and aerial. In 1982, a new 4x4 version for the United States, the 7F Romping Rabbit
, appeared alongside a basic silver version of the Golf available elsewhere. The Romping Rabbit needed a completely new base but the existing body mould was re-tooled without the holes in the roof. It
must have been felt that the original 'British' licence plate would be out of place on the 4x4 (the 'R' at the end is the 'year letter' for 1976) so that was changed, too. The revised body and new base were
given matching licence plates but when the new body was fitted to the old base it all went wrong. The larger plate on the rear was quite out of scale and if the back and front didn't match, did that matter
when the company was falling apart? Oh dear! For hundreds of top quality pictures of variations of 'Superfast' models, with new material continually appearing, follow this link to Christian Falkensteiner's web pages. This page updated on 13 November 2004 2E 5E 1F 7E
7F 27E 30F 32F 36F 62F
Complete Index More to come - another day! |
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