Lesney Matchbox 25c Bedford BP petrol tanker

Moko Lesney Matchbox 25c Bedford BP petrol tanker

In 1964 the Lesney model of the Bedford (TK) 'BP' petrol tanker replaced the VW 1200 at the number 25 slot in the Matchbox 1-75 series.
Initially it was released with a lemon painted cab, A green painted chassis and a white painted fuel tanker which was enhanced with decals for the 'BP' (British petroleum) company on the sides and rear of the tank but was later recoloured to blue cab and chassis with a white tank and it displayed 'ARAL' decals which is a German fuel company and this version was issued specifically for the European market,

It is usually found with 11.5 x 45 black plastic wheels but there was a very short run released with grey plastic wheels, The wheels were always mounted on dome head axles with rounded ends.
It was fitted with a white plastic interior and to add to play value the cab and interior could be tilted forwards to allow access to the engine, this was done by hinging the cab and interior on a regular dome head axle pin that located through holes just behind the front bumper,
The tilting cab was just artistic licence on Lesneys part as the real Bedford trucks did not have this feature,

Silver trim was applied to the early issues but was soon discontinued and the ARAL version did not have any silver trim applied to it at all.
Very occasionally these Bedfords will turn up with a mixture of parts from both the BP and ARAL versions giving some very unusual and sought after colour variations.
The Bedford was a very popular toy and it is very common. The ARAL version is not really common outside of mainland Europe although examples of the Aral tanker can easily be found on the German ebay site (www.ebay.de).
The grey wheeled variation is quite a rare piece that usually fetches fairly high prices,
it was packaged in 'E' type boxes and the ARAL version had a box with an illustration the ARAL version of the tanker,
It was deleted in 1968 to make way for the 25d Ford cortina Mk II

above: the 45 tread grey plastic wheeled vesion is the raest

above: the ARAL issue was made for the European market.
photograph courtesy Jan Naessens

code number	general	wheel type	silver trim
code 1	lemon cab, green chassis, white tank, cream plastic interior, BP decals	11.5 x 45 grey plastic	with trim to bumper & grille
code 2	lemon cab, green chassis, white tank, cream plastic interior, BP decals	11.5 x 45 grey plastic	no trim
code 3	lemon cab, green chassis, white tank, cream plastic interior, BP decals	11.5 x 45 black plastic	with trim to bumper & grille
code 4	lemon cab, green chassis, white tank, cream plastic interior, BP decals	11.5 x 45 black plastic	no trim
code 5	blue cab & chassis, white tank, cream plastic interior, ARAL decals	11.5 x 45 black plastic	no trim

box types	notes
E1	"new model" one black side one blue "BP"
E1	two blue sides "BP"
E1	light blue sides "BP"
E2	two blue sides "ARAL"
E2	light blue sides "ARAL"
E3	light blue sides "BP"
E3	light blue sides "ARAL"
E4	light blue sides "BP"

values

BP decals, black wheels £30

BP decals, grey wheels £800+

ARAL decals £150

values are for mint models in mint boxes

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