The Lesney model of the 17b Bedford removals van replaced the earlier version in the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1958,
It continued with the 17a's colour scheme of green with hand applied silver trim and plain white lettered decals for 'Matchbox removals service'.
Like the earlier model it also had a tailboard fitted to the cargo box and the wheels were 8.5 x 18 grey metal on flat head crimped axles,Soon the wheels were changed to larger 9 x 18 grey metal and it had the number 17 cast into the cab roof.
Later dome head axles with crimped ends were used and the decals were changed to ones with the word 'removals' outlined in black,
Soon afterwards 8 x 18 grey plastic wheels were fitted,
Then the trim was changed from hand applied to the grille and front bumper to being mask sprayed to the grille only,
Dome head axles with rounded ends were used shortly before the paint was changed to a much darker green although the darker green can still be found with crimped or rounded axles,
The modification of the model by having the number 17 cast in to the inside of the cab roof was the only casting variation,
Any of the grey plastic wheeled variations are hard to find with the darker green if not being the rarest is certainly the most desirable,
It was sold in 'B' type boxes and deleted in 1960 when it was replaced by the 17c Austin taxi.
