Lesney Matchbox 25b Volkswagen 1200

Moko Lesney Matchbox 25b Volkswagen 1200

In 1960 the Lesney model of the VW beetle took over the number 25 spot in the Matchbox 1-75 series from the Bedford 'Dunlop' van,
It was painted metallic blue with a black gloss painted baseplate which was held on by a tongue and slot at the rear and by a round rivet up at the front,
Early models had a clear plastic window unit and later issues had green a tinted plastic window unit.

Silver trim was mask sprayed to the headlights and bumpers and some catalogue it with red trim to the taillights but I have not seen that variation yet,
It was usually fitted with grey plastic wheels but silver and black were used for a short time, These were always mounted on dome head axles with rounded ends,
To add to play value a hinged opening engine cover was fitted at the rear end which opened to reveal a fairly detailed engine which was cast in as part of the baseplate.
Unusually the baseplate did not have the a tow hook cast in like most other car models in the range

There were two small casting variations,
The first was to correct the typo on the baseplate from 'Volkswagon' with an o to 'Volkswagen' with an e and it is surprising how many adult collectors still spell Volkswagen with an o as found on the early issues of the Beetle because when they were children this was where they first read the wrongly spelt word and naturally assumed it was correct.

Later the baseplate was altered again to add a brace to each side of the rear tongue to add a little strength to the area and stop the baseplate coming adrift.
The grey wheeled version of the beetle is quite common, the silver wheeled version is fairly scarce but the real gem is the black wheeled version which is seldom seen.
The model was packaged in 'B', 'C' and 'D' type boxes and the 'D' type box is quite rare, The Volkswagen was replaced by the Bedford BP petrol tanker in 1964.

Updated: 11-05-11 Greg Davis has found an early 'Volkswagon' scripted VW with larger 10x24 gpw. It has been added to the variation table at the new number 2.

Updated: 15-05-11 Recently two VWs have come to light with black painted engines, This variation will be added when I have the full details.

The very rare VW Beetle with 10x36 black plastic wheels.
photo courtesy Andreas Leue

An early VW with red painted tail lights
photo courtesy Greg Davis

Above: Showing the two different baseplate inscripions,
"Volkswagon" and "Volkswagen".
photo courtesy George Marshall

What might have been, The VW with it's #80 box.

code number	general	wheel type	windows	base spelling	baseplate braces
code 1	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	9.5 x 20 grey plastic	clear	Volkswagon	without
code 2 NEW	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	10 x 24 grey plastic	clear	Volkswagon	without
code 3	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	9.5 x 20 grey plastic	clear	Volkswagen	without
code 4	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	10 x 24 grey plastic	clear	Volkswagen	without
code 5	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	9.5 x 20 grey plastic	green	Volkswagen	without
code 6	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	9 x 20 grey plastic	green	Volkswagen	without
code 7	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	9 x 24 grey plastic	green	Volkswagen	without
code 8	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	9.5 x 20 silver plastic	green	Volkswagen	without
code 9	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	9.5 x 20 silver plastic	green	Volkswagen	with
code 10	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	9 x 24 silver plastic	green	Volkswagen	without
code 11	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	9 x 24 silver plastic	green	Volkswagen	with
code 12	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	10 x 36 grey plastic	green	Volkswagen	without
code 13	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	10 x 36 grey plastic	green	Volkswagen	with
code 14	metallic steel blue, black base, silver trim	10 x 36 black plastic	green	Volkswagen	with

box types	notes
B5	"new model" model # 80 (pre production)
B5	"new model" model # 25
C	"new model"
C	without "new model"
D1	one black side one blue
D2	one black side one blue

values

grey wheels £35

silver wheels £80+

black wheels £1500+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

price guide gallery

box gallery

picture gallery