The Lesney Matchbox ‘Models of Yesteryear’ Series was started in 1956.  These cars were produced as copies of vintage and antique cars.  They were built just slightly larger than Matchbox’s regular 1-75 series which were produced starting 1953…the regular series continues in production to today.

Although the Yesteryear cars were supposedly discontinued after a 36 year production run (1992), this was ‘not true’ totally since Matchbox continued to produce the Yesteryear cars but packaging them in other Matchbox assortments.  Therefore, in spite of the announcement of the discontinuance of Yesteryears, we still find Yesteryears appearing in different series introduced to the market by Matchbox today.

The posted picture of the Matchbox Thomas Flyabout ‘Models of Yesteryear’ Series produced in 1967 has the following features:

Bright blue in color

Tan colored plastic roof “smooth surface”

Gold colored spoke wheels

Dark red plastic seats

Dark red grill

Black plastic steering wheel

‘Made in England by Lesney’ embossed on chassis

‘1909 Thomas Flyabout’ embossed on chassis

‘By courtesy of Harrah Collection Reno, USA’ embossed on chassis

‘Matchbox No.Y12’ embossed on chassis

‘Models of Yesteryear’ embossed on chassis

Black rubber wheels

If you are looking to start a Matchbox collection of Yesteryears, the pricing should always include the car and its original box -  and both should be in perfect shape if you are looking to have your collection for investment purposes, not just for fun.

The No.MB24-A1 version of the Silver Shadow was produced in England by Lindsay in 1970. The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was designed with the traditional European right side driving. This particular variation of a Matchbox is not often seen in the US market. This diecast model Matchbox car was produced with the “Superfast” wheels. Matchbox cars with this series of wheels are popularly known as the category ‘Miniatures 1-75′. Having this particular wheel has no noticeable effect on the value, but is rather a personal preference as to which type of Matchbox cars to collect. The pictured Silver shadow had the following features:

• Four-door
• Trunk opens
• Right-side steering
• White interior and steering wheel
• Metal base
• Black wheels
• Clear windshield
• Grill in front bumper (or unpainted metal)
• Four headlights

Embossed on the bottom:

• Matchbox Series No. 24
• Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
• Made in England by Lesney
• Pat No. 1092412
• Superfast
• Pat App

The Matchbox Silver Shadow was a classic ‘real’ model that Matchbox could produce and was considered very collectible not only in the English but also in the US market.

To find more information on other Matchbox Cars in the ‘Miniature 1-75′ series as well as all the other cars produced by Matchbox, refer to the Encyclopedia of Matchbox Toys by Charlie Mack. For all the years I’ve been collecting, it is my opinion, that this book has good descriptions and excellent pictures of each series, and all the cars Matchbox produced up to their publishing date.

We just talked about how Hot Wheels manufactured toy vehicles other than their well known Hot Wheels cars,, i.e, fire engines, trucks, ambulances, airplanes, etc. to appeal to another market. The people at Matchbox were no different. They too manufactured toy vehicles with the same thoughts in mind – appealing to as broad a market as possible.

To this end, in 1958 Matchbox issued the British European Airways Coach #58A manufactured to appear to be a double-decker. (Here in the states we would call it a bus). It should be noted that some of the coaches came with variations of the decal affixed on both sides. Some had the BEA logo, some had the logo with the complete name spelled out.

The coach pictured here has the following features:

• Blue metal body
• “British European Airways” decals (full name)
• Gray plastic wheels
• Embossed bottom with:

BEA Coach

Made in England

by Lesney

No. 58

This type of Matchbox toy was painted, and as such, unless you can find one MIB or one that has been sitting on a shelf for many years, you’ll find the paint will have chips. Also, the BEA coach that has the decal with British European Airways spelled out is one of the most difficult to find out in the collection market – and will typically have the most value.