Lesney Matchbox has returned. Today we take a look at Lesney Matchbox 44b, the Rolls-Royce Phantom V. This casting entered the range in 1964, remaining until 1967, and is a great example of the progress undertaken by Lesney products during the 60s:
The Phantom V was the top of the line Rolls-Royce when the brand stood for dignified traditional elegance and quality rather than some of the more brash models of the 21st century. The Matchbox version of this timeless vehicle both captures its presence well, and shows how Lesney products had evolved by the mid 60s. This model is an exercise in fine line casting detail, with crisp casting lines and accurate proportion being remarkable for its small scale. This model also contains numerous features modern for its time - glazing, interior, a working suspension, and an opening part. I suspect scale is somewhere in the upper 1:60s or even around 1:70 - the real world vehicle is not small, while this model does not feel particularly large in hand. From all angles, one can imagine high class machine pulling up to the mansion or castle or five star hotel in London or Monte Carlo or Beverly Hills:
Front and rear have plenty of detail, with the finely cast radiator shell and grille matching the quality of the model, and the detailed license plate being a nice touch:
A special feature of this model is the opening trunk, which features tight shutlines for a model of this age and scale:
The base contains maker and model data and shows off the black plastic wheels - this casting also exists with grey and silver wheels, both being rare and expensive:
This model is fortunate to live in a clean original Type D2 "New Model" box, indicating production in 1964:
I'm pleased have this model in my collection, the detail/casting quality is immense for its time, and this is not a rare model with black wheels, so these are attainable at a reasonable price. Pictured with an old dime for scale:
Image of a similar car from classic-trader.com:
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