Lesney Matchbox time is here once more. Today we examine Lesney Matchbox 53b, the Mercedes-Benz 220SE. This casting entered the range in 1963, remaining until 1968, and is a good representation of the brand at the time:
The early 60s was a time of quick evolution and progress for the various lines of Lesney products. Fine line casting detail became prevalent and the models became much more precise, while at the the same time gaining modern features. This model of a W111 220SE coupe shows all of this - although small in scale there's no mistaking it for anything else, and it has features that did not exist at this scale just a few years before. There is glazing and an interior, and the big deal is opening doors - this is the first Matchbox model to have such a luxury, and some boxes note on the inside of an end flap that the feature was used under license from Solido. Scale is maybe marginally smaller than the standard of small scale, the casting has a dainty feel in hand, and these were not small cars in real life, I estimate around 1:70. From all angles, one can this elegant hardtop coupe cruising down the highway at speed or out for a night on the town:
Doors open to reveal an interior and steering wheel:
Front and rear views show ample detail, with the tiny model badge on the trunklid being a nice touch:
The base contains maker and model data, and this view shows the grey plastic wheels, marking this as an uncommon variety (more often seen with silver or especially with black wheels):
This model is lucky enough to live its original Type D2 box, likely indicating production in 1963-64:
The box wears its original price tag, pretty good sale here:
I'm quite pleased to have this model in my collection, I have a few variants of this casting as it's an old MB and is directly related to my fintail by being the coupe variant. Pictured with an old dime for scale:
Images of a similar 1:1 from cars.bonhams.com:
Gorgeous!