Matchbox Superfast MB13-d Dodge Wrecker

The popular BP Dodge wreck truck joined the SuperFast range in 1970 but was deleted in 1971. It was packaged only in ´G´ boxes or USA or Canadian blisterpacks with copyright dates between 1969 and 1971 as well as G1 giftsets 1970-1973.
It used the same regular wheels paint shades of BP corporate pale yellow or the slightly darker and deeper yellow which is normally found on the #33 Lamborghini Miura paired up with with a standard BP green load bed and it used with the same green tinted glazing, red roof light and red tow hook (which can vary in shade from orange-red to red).

The Superfast #13 issues were fitted with the smaller sized BP paper labels with angled corners that were used on the last run of regular wheels items, and so far no examples of the full size angled corner paper labels have been documented on these Superfast issues.
After the Dodge wrecker had been deleted from the 1-75 series annual short runs were made for G1 Filling Station Giftsets intended to be sold in time for Christmases 1971, 1972 and 1973.
Significant quantities of these late issues have been found with the Esso paper stickers specified for the # 71 Esso wrecker, perhaps made as a joke by factory workers !.
The only known casting variation applies exclusively to the 1972-73 G1 issues - a shallow step is cast into the loadbed in place of the original pair of teeth designed to help the plastic axles grip more tightly.

The Dodge is commonly fitted with the same wide 11x4mm 5 slot tyres that were created for the 45 Ford Group 6 however it is not too hard to find fitted with the same short run slick tread wide 10x4mm with 5 tiny slots that were fitted to the sought after no 8 Mustangs/Wildcats or what is perhaps the very first issue, solid thin 11x2mm 5 slots.
These wheelsets are retained by standard SuperFast truck axleclips which are normally black plastic but a minority were made with the short run red clips. Wheel sets, axle clips and tow hooks can be simply exchanged with other common Lesneys so no premium should be paid for thin wheels or red axle clips or yellow hooks (swapped from no 30 Crane trucks).

Above: Fitted with 10x4mm (left) and 11x4mm (right) wheels.

Above: The first run with thin 11x2mm wheels in BP corporate pale yellow.

Above: Another 11x2mm wheeled dodge painted in non corporate deep yellow. These non corporate yellow Dodges were in production right from the earliest of the regular wheel years and right up to the end of the superfast era and probably came about as a result of Lesney running out of the correct shade of corporate yellow paint.
They are commonly and wrongly known as 'superfast yellow' but they preceded the superfast era by at least three years although they don't demand much of a premium over the standard colour.

Above: Fitted with 11x4mm wheels.

Above: Fitted with 10x4mm wheels with small slots.

Above: Fitted with 'Esso' decals from the No.71 Ford Wrecker, Note also the deep non coporate yellow this one is painted.

Above: A pre production Dodge with pale yellow cab and deep yellow bed, Note how the yellow bed matches the cab in the previous photograph.

code number	cab colour	bed colour	wheels	label	rear 'step'	hook colour	axle covers
code 17	BP yellow	green	11x2mm	small 'BP'	none	orange or red	long black
code 18	deep yellow	green	11x2mm	small 'BP'	none	orange or red	long black
code 19	BP yellow	green	11x4mm	small 'BP'	none	orange or red	long black
code 20	deep yellow	green	11x4mm	small 'BP'	none	orange or red	long black
code 21	BP yellow	green	10x4mm	small 'BP'	none	orange or red	long black
code 22	deep yellow	green	10x4mm	small 'BP'	none	orange or red	long black
code 23	BP yellow	green	10x4mm	small 'BP'	none	orange or red	short red
code 24	deep yellow	green	10x4mm	small 'BP'	none	orange or red	short red
code 25	BP yellow	green	11x4mm	small 'BP'	none	yellow	long black
code 26	deep yellow	green	11x4mm	small 'BP'	none	yellow	long black
code 27	BP yellow	green	11x4mm	small 'BP'	yes	orange or red	long black
code 28	deep yellow	green	11x4mm	small 'BP'	yes	orange or red	long black
code 29	BP yellow	green	11x4mm	esso	none	orange or red	long black
code 30	deep yellow	green	11x4mm	esso	none	orange or red	long black
code 30	BP yellow	green	11x4mm	esso	yes	orange or red	long black
code 31	deep yellow	green	11x4mm	esso	yes	orange or red	long black

Values based on Vectis actual selling prices.

with 11x2 wheels - £70-£120

with esso decals - £40-£70

with 11x4 or 10x4 wheels - £30-£50

Add 10-20% for non BP corporation yellow