Lesney Matchbox time has returned. Today we examine Lesney Matchbox 31b, the Ford Station Wagon. This model entered the range in 1960, remaining until 1965, and is a great example of something seen in the 1-75 range as the brand hit its stride:
That being a model of an American car. By 1960, the US market was a key to the brand's success, and models were issued targeting those customers. Like many during the era, this model of a Country Sedan or Ranch Wagon has plentiful fine casting detail and excellent proportion, to the point where it exists both as a toy and scale model. With two toning and glazing, this is also a full featured product for its era. Notice there's a small flaw in the glazing, apparently this slipped past QC. This is a slightly dainty model - the real world car is not small, but the model is not large, I suspect in the 1:70 range. From all angles, one can imagine this family hauler out on vacation on a newly opened interstate highway or hauling the kids to school or groceries from the supermarket:
Front and rear have ample detail, with the detailed grille and colored rear lights being nice touches, and the tow hook adds play value:
The underside contains model and maker identifying data, and this view shows the silver plastic wheels and colored base - the latter being a trait of some castings introduced in the late 50s and early 60s:
This model is fortunate enough to live its crisp original Type D1 box, dating it to around 1962-63:
I'm more than pleased to have this model in my collection, while not a high rarity, models from this era and of American cars are generally sought after. Pictured with an old dime for scale:
Image of a similar 1:1 from classiccars.com:
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