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Lesney Matchbox 27a Bedford low loader

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Moko Lesney Matchbox 27a Bedford low loader



The Lesney model of the 27a Bedford S type tractor unit and low loader trailer joined the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1956.
It was quite a small model measuring just 78mm long and the tractor unit and trailer were attached by a lug on the bottom of the trailer locating into a hole in the tractor unit. The trailer had "British trailer company limited" cast into the bed of the trailer right above where the cab fixing lug is located.
It had 7.5 x 18 grey metal wheels on flat head axles with crimped ends but the final issue was fitted with dome head axles with crimped ends.
It was released in three colour schemes, The first very short run had a blue cab and a dark blue trailer, This was soon changed to a slightly paler blue cab with a tan trailer which was also quite a short run. The final issue was released with a green cab and a tan trailer and this variation is much more common although the 27a was only in production for two years so it is quite a hard to find piece in any colour scheme.
The model was enhanced with hand applied silver trim to the headlights, grille and front bumper.

There are four different versions of the trailer, I have never seen the first type but it is listed in the Stannard. Type one has no braces at the rear end. Type two has a small brace on the left and no brace on the right. Type three has a small brace onthe left and a large brace on the right. Type four has two large braces.
The alterations to the trailer seem to be more likely to have come about because of wear to the dies rather than a deliberate modification.
In 1958 the bedford was replaced by an identical but larger Bedford & low loader trailer that measured 95mm long.
The Bedford was packaged in 'B' type boxes only, The blue & dark blue version and the blue & tan version are both very rare, The green & tan version is the most common.

above: the three colour schemes on the Bedford

above: the blue & tan cab is slightly paler than the cab on the two tone blue

above: trailer 1 has no braces at all. trailer 2 (left) has a small brace to the left and no brace on the right.
trailer 3 (right) has a small brace to the left and a large brace to the right. trailer 4 (center) has two large braces.

above: the 27a (78mm) in front of the larger 27b (95mm)

trailer code left brace right brace
code 1 none none
code 2 small none
code 3 small large
code 4 large large

code number general wheel type axle type trailer type
code 1 blue cab, dark blue trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped trailer 1
code 2 blue cab, dark blue trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped trailer 2
code 3 blue cab, tan trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped trailer 1
code 4 blue cab, tan trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped trailer 2
code 5 blue cab, tan trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped trailer 3
code 6 blue cab, tan trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped trailer 4
code 7 green cab, tan trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped trailer 1
code 8 green cab, tan trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped trailer 2
code 9 green cab, tan trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped trailer 3
code 10 green cab, tan trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped trailer 4
code 11 green cab, tan trailer, silver trim 7.5 x 18 grey metal dome head crimped trailer 4

box types notes
B1 blurred picture
B1 sharp picture
B1 larger box, blurred picture
B1 larger box, sharp picture
B2 small model number shown
B2 meduim model number shown
B2 large model number shown

values

green cab tan trailer £60

blue cab tan trailer £150

blue cab dark blue trailer £500+

values are for mint models in mint boxes
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