Collecting by numbers

Rick Wilson charts the evolution of the Matchbox Superfast range during the Lesney years, from 1969 to 1982.

Matchbox Superfast #14.

Number 14 is another three-casting collection, although there are a few interesting variations within this group. Starting with a Regular Wheels carryover, Iso Grifo is a very nice replication of a real supercar.This provides a stark contrast with its catalogue replacement, Mini HaHa – a fantasy interpretation of that most iconic of British cars.Things were brought a little closer to reality with the final model during the Lesney years, in the shape of Petrol Tanker.

ISO GRIFO

Catalogue: 1969 (2nd)-75

Box Styles: F, G, H

One of the six regular wheels releases that were an early Superfast conversion, denoted as such in the second edition of the 1969 catalogue and in the shops before the end of the year, Iso Grifo is still popular with collectors today. Initially released with the new wheels in its Regular Wheels metallic dark blue, it is a very accurate replica of the real car, something that always adds to the appeal, of course.

Lasting in the catalogue until 1975, there were inevitably some changes along the way.The interior in the early releases is light blue, complementing the darker blue body very nicely indeed, with a clear plastic window unit. For the 1973 catalogue, however, the body's colour had changed to a vibrant mid-blue and the interior was now white, although the window unit was still clear.

The new colour, initially available as a transitional with narrow wheels, soon heralded the introduction of the wider wheel type and this was the specification

that continued until it was withdrawn and replaced for the 1976 catalogue. No modifications were needed to the bodyshell to accommodate this change.

MINI HA-HA

Catalogue: 1976-81

Box Styles: J

This model's name is clearly a play on words with the name of a well-known American Indian character, but there the similarities end as it basically refers to a rather comedic cartoon-like take on the much-loved Issigonis-designed British motoring icon.

An obvious foe for the 1973 No 11 Flying Bug, as it is styled along similar lines, it used the No 29 Racing Mini as a starting point, but that's pretty much where the similarities end because, as with the Flying Bug, the rest of the car is just wacky. Starting with the huge radial engine sticking out of the bonnet (where that little BMC A-series unit should be) and continuing back, past the helmeted fighter pilot figure sticking through a large hole in the roof and windscreen, to the jacked up back end and its huge (for a Mini) rear wheels.

Variations to look out for are differing shades of red body and alternative colours for the windows - usually a sky blue or thereabouts, but dark blue as well as grey versions can be found from time to time. Those with a really keen eye for detail might also spot colour variations to the plastic body of the figure.

PETROL TANKER

Catalogue: 1982

Box Styles: L

Petrol tankers have always been a popular subject in the 1-75 series, so the appearance of a new version was no real surprise in the 1982 catalogue.

Using the same Leyland cab that is found on the Articulated Truck, released the previous year, the cab is painted red and has a matching red-tinted window unit. Quite a lot shorter than a real petrol tanker and more like one of those stubby heating oil delivery trucks so frequently seen these days, clearly made to maximise the model to the available box space, it still looks good and has good play value being an articulated vehicle.The trailer is painted the same colour as the cab unit and the actual tank body is white, with smart red and blue Elf graphics on either side.A version in Shell livery was also released in Japan.

This would clearly have offered much potential for alternative liveries over the following years, but having taken over this new casting after Lesney’s demise, surprisingly Matchbox International did not use this opportunity, releasing just a “Gas” version in black, as part of the fantasy Commando Dagger Force range, in 1989. DC

▲ From left to right: Iso Grifo, Mini Ha-Ha and Petrol Tanker - with their relevant boxes to the rear.

▲ Back row, left to right – second (type G) and third (H) generation Iso Grifo box styles. Middle row – Regular Wheels Iso Grifo in dark metallic blue, the colour kept for the first Superfast issue, initial mid-blue with narrow wheels and later mid-blue with wide wheels. Front row – two versions of Mini Ha-Ha that initially look identical, but the figures have different colour plastic faces and bodies.

▲ Once it had taken over the casting from Lesney, in 1982, the only new Matchbox International release of Petrol Tanker came in the late 1980s, as part of the Commando Dagger Force range.

▲ The three Superfast versions of Iso Grifo, viewed from underneath to demonstrate the different wheel types.