Toy car
Lesney Products and Co. Ltd
Category
Toys
Date
1975 - 1979
Materials
Metal, plastic and cardboard
Measurements
Box –79 mm (length); 39 mm (width); 27 mm (height), Cougar Villager –77 mm (length), Lincoln Continental –75 mm (length), Vantastic -72 mm (length)
Place of origin
London
Collection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 664511
Summary
Four ‘Matchbox’ car boxes and two ‘Matchbox’ cars. 1. 'The first box is the Matchbox No. 74 Cougar Villager.' The rectangular box has an illustration of a green car on the top and the bottom. The logo 'MATCHBOX' is printed in red inside a yellow rectangle with a red and orange edge, this logo is repeated on each edge. The words 'NEW 74 COUGAR VILLAGER' is printed in black and white ink alongside the illustration. On each side of the box is written 'MATCHBOX 75' and various pieces of information about the product. 2. The car inside of the ‘Cougar Villager’ box is not the original. It is painted green and has five doors that do not open. The inside of the car is yellow plastic. On the back door is impressed: 'MERCURY.' The underside of the car is plain metal, with information about the car. 3. The second box is the ‘Matchbox No. 28 Lincoln Continental Mk V.' It is a rectangular box with an illustration of a red car with a white roof on the top and the bottom of the box. The logo 'MATCHBOX' is printed in red inside a yellow rectangle with a red and orange edge, this logo is repeated on each edge. The words 'NEW 28 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL' is printed in black and white alongside the illustration. On each side of the box is written 'MATCHBOX 75' and various pieces of information about the product. 4. The car itself is the ‘Lincoln Continental’ described on the box. It is painted red and has a white plastic roof. The car has two doors that do not open, with a large flat boot at the back. The inside of the car is light brown plastic. The underside of the car is plain metal with information about the car. 5. The third box is for a 'Matchbox No. 34 Vantastic.' It is a rectangular box with an illustration of an orange van. The logo 'MATCHBOX' is printed in red inside a yellow rectangle with a red and orange edge, this logo is repeated on each edge. The words '34 VANTASTIC' is printed in white alongside the illustration. On each side of the box is written 'MATCHBOX 75' and various pieces of information about the product. 6. The van itself is as described on its box. It is painted bright orange with a black and red coloured sticker on the bonnet reading '34' inside a V design. The number plate reads: 969-302. On the sides of the van behind the driver's seat are two white, red and black stripes. The window is blue tinted plastic and the inside of the van is white plastic. The underside of the van is white painted metal with information about the van. Total number of items is 6.
Marks and inscriptions
Bottom of 'Cougar Villager': MATCHBOX Superfast / No.74 / COUGAR VILLAGER / MADE IN ENGLAND / 1978 LESNEY PRODUCTS AND CO. LTD. Bottom of 'Lincoln Continental': MATCHBOX Superfast / No.28 / LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MK V / MADE IN ENGLAND / 1979 LESNEY PRODUCTS AND CO. LTD. Bottom of 'Vantastic': MATCHBOX / Superfast / No.34 VANTASTIC / 1975 LESNEY PRODUCTS AND CO. LTD.
Makers and roles
Lesney Products and Co. Ltd, maker