Lesney Matchbox 25a Bedford CA Van "Dunlop"

Moko Lesney Matchbox 25a Bedford CA Van "Dunlop"

The Lesney model of the Bedford CA van in Dunlop livery was introduced into the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1956.
It was the first of three bedfords to be included in the range in the late 1950s and the other two models were to follow shortly were firstly the 29a Bedford CA milk float and later the 42a Bedfore CA evening news van.
The Bedford was only painted in the one colour scheme which was a dark blue body which was carrying orange and black decals for "Dunlop" types on the side panels.
It had hand applied silver trim to the front bumper, Grille and headlights and the baseplate was flat black.

The first issue was released with 10.5 x 25 grey metal wheels which were mounted on flat head axles with crimped ends.
The second issue had the same wheels but the axles were changed for dome head with crimped ends.
The third issue was the same as the previous one but for having 10 x 24 grey plastic wheels fitted.
The fourth issue differed from the third in that it had a gloss black baseplate and for the next issue the dome head axles were given rounded ends,
Next came a run with smaller 9 x 24 grey plastic wheels before the final issue which was released with 10 x 24 black plastic wheels which is a very rare variation.

The silver trim was mask sprayed on the later issues but this has not been included in the variation table.
To my knowledge there were no casting variations on this one so apart from the wheels and axles there are not many variations to look for.
It was only sold in type 'B' boxes and apart from the black wheeled model which is very rare and seldom seen it is quite a common model.
It could not have been a very good seller because it was deleted after only 4 years to make way for the 25b volkswagen 1200 in 1960.

code number	general	wheel type	axle type
code 1	blue body, matt black base, decals, silver trim	10.5 x 25 metal wheels	flat crimped
code 2	blue body, matt black base, decals, silver trim	10.5 x 25 metal wheels	domed crimped
code 3	blue body, matt black base, decals, silver trim	10 x 24 grey plastic wheels	domed crimped
code 4	blue body, gloss black base, decals, silver trim	10 x 24 grey plastic wheels	domed crimped
code 5	blue body, gloss black base, decals, silver trim	10 x 24 grey plastic wheels	domed rounded
code 6	blue body, gloss black base, decals, silver trim	9 x 20 grey plastic wheels	domed rounded
code 7	blue body, gloss black base, decals, silver trim	10 x 24 black plastic wheels	domed rounded

box types	notes
B1	none
B2	none
B3	none

values

black plastic wheels £1750+

all ther models £40

values are for mint models in mint boxes

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