Lesney Matchbox time has returned. Today we examine Lesney Matchbox 27b, the Bedford Low Loader. This model entered the range in 1958, remaining in a short run 1960, and is very much a product of its time:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_12fbf7a7ed9c49bf96673db0a042765f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_71,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_12fbf7a7ed9c49bf96673db0a042765f~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_1a7d175ab77548058731332480e9e067~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_72,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_1a7d175ab77548058731332480e9e067~mv2.jpg)
Back to another commercial vehicle, as these were in the range for many of the lower numbers of the 1-75 series. This model is like several others of the period, being a scaled up version of a similar casting - 27a was effectively the same low loader setup, but even smaller. Being a 1950s model, the casting quality is gentle and mellow, and this is a hollow model. I suspect scale is in the 1:80s, this one would probably work fine on HO railroad layouts. From all angles, one can imagine this heavy hauler out on the road carrying a piece of industrial machinery:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_2e7b331509d54da6aab5381f5d9465c4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_72,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_2e7b331509d54da6aab5381f5d9465c4~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_a0feb6505f2e4b7d8fa7ee2980103cd9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_a0feb6505f2e4b7d8fa7ee2980103cd9~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_b229e840bf3342419f93ba666d31e1a6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_99,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_b229e840bf3342419f93ba666d31e1a6~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_e67afcdcd4e242368a252b039b4fb7f7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_e67afcdcd4e242368a252b039b4fb7f7~mv2.jpg)
Front and rear have plenty of detail with the mask painted grille area being a nice touch, and one may notice just a little paint wear - this is a somewhat "sharp" casting, especially on the trailer, and storage can produce some patina:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_620ec5bfa1a0413f8d4d10622382bcfa~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_156,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_620ec5bfa1a0413f8d4d10622382bcfa~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_da60dcdf50e1499fb751be7bc7ae8f4f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_197,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_da60dcdf50e1499fb751be7bc7ae8f4f~mv2.jpg)
The cab and trailer both carry identification, and this view shows off the grey plastic wheels:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_61121bb596824ddbbf131e1e62721dce~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_74,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_61121bb596824ddbbf131e1e62721dce~mv2.jpg)
The cab can be detached and articulated in many positions - this is how it nests in its box:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_e9bb817684f945da8301e36e36b04c74~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_78,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_e9bb817684f945da8301e36e36b04c74~mv2.jpg)
This model is lucky enough to live its original Type B2 "New Model" box, which probably dates it to earlier in the production run, around 1958:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_eaac07de21734569a8bb268cd5f2d6cf~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_eaac07de21734569a8bb268cd5f2d6cf~mv2.jpg)
I'm more than pleased to have this model in my collection, these can be uncommon, and I am lucky to have a few varieties. Pictured with an old dime for scale:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_0801fe138cf54aaf96f06d5e2b836dd6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_83,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_0801fe138cf54aaf96f06d5e2b836dd6~mv2.jpg)
Similars 1:1 from historics.co.uk and flickr, Lesney made several models with this style of Bedford truck/cab:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_f0f64ef189ce4788be9354d0e8a0bef1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_111,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_f0f64ef189ce4788be9354d0e8a0bef1~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbd499_f8c001bf698e4a2083ea109ff8922127~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cbd499_f8c001bf698e4a2083ea109ff8922127~mv2.jpg)