Lesney Matchbox 21b Bedford coach 'London to Glasgow'

Moko Lesney Matchbox 21b Bedford coach 'London to Glasgow'

The second Lesney model of the Bedford coach replaced the earlier version when it joined the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1958,
Like the earlier version it kept the same colour scheme of green but it had a black baseplate, Red and orange 'London to Glasgow' decals were applied to the sides of the roof and silver trim was applied to the headlights, grille and front bumper,
It was longer than the previous issue as it now measured 68mm and the smaller earlier version was only 57mm but are easy to tell apart if a tape measure is not available as the early issue had a green baseplate and on this model the baseplate was black.
Early models had grey metal wheels on flat head crimped axles but later ones had dome head axles, Later still grey plastic wheels were fitted with dome head crimped axles which were eventually replaced by dome head axles with rounded ends, The colour scheme was later revised to dark green but the decals remained the same

Two unusual versions have recently come to light, Version one was in dark green with 'London to Glasgow decals but it was fitted with silver plastic wheels, it sold for an astonishing £6200,
The other one was also dark green but was fitted with the older type grey metal wheels which were no longer used when the dark green coach was introduced, I have included the first version in the variation guide but the second has not been included as it is very easy to fake by simply switching baseplates which are only held in by two small studs on the baseplate locating into holes in the side of the body, This version could very well be original but it was not a variation that was generally available so must be considered to be a pre production colour trial model or possibly be a "lunch box special" - one that was unofficially put together by a Lesney employee.
The Bedford was sold in 'B' type boxes and is not one of the more common issues, The light green grey plastic wheeled variation is harder to find and the dark green is scarce, the silver plastic wheeled variation is extremely rare indeed, It was replaced by the Commer milk float in 1961.

Please note, the light green coach pictured here is fitted with reproduction decals.
genuine decals should curve downwards towards the ends.

Unusual 21b in very pale green with gold and black decals,
It was suggested that it may have been immersed in cleaning
fluid but the body colour is the same underneath the decals,
It does not appear to be sunfaded but it could possibly have
been heated in some way that has affected the body colour
and the decals,
Photo courtesy Hans "The Flying Dutchman".

code number	general	wheel type	axle type
code 1	green, black baseplate, 'London to Glasgow' decals, silver trim	grey metal	flat head crimped
code 2	green, black baseplate, 'London to Glasgow' decals, silver trim	grey metal	dome head crimped
code 3	green, black baseplate, 'London to Glasgow' decals, silver trim	grey plastic	dome head crimped
code 4	dark green, black baseplate, 'London to Glasgow' decals, silver trim	grey plastic	dome head crimped
code 5	dark green, black baseplate, 'London to Glasgow' decals, silver trim	grey plastic	dome head rounded
code 6	dark green, black baseplate, 'London to Glasgow' decals, silver trim	silver plastic	dome head rounded

box types	notes
B2	small picture
B2	large picture
B3	none
B4	none
B5	none

values

green body, metal wheels £35

green body, grey plastic wheels £60

dark green, grey plastic wheels £120

dark green, silver plastic wheels £5000+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

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