Lesney Matchbox 27b Bedford low loader

Moko Lesney Matchbox 27b Bedford low loader

In 1958 Lesney introduced the 27b Bedford S type with low loader trailer into the Matchbox 1-75 series.
Although it was a new model it was actually a scaled up version of the previous 27a Bedford & low loader which measured 78mm long,
This enlarged version was 95mm long and was an almost exact replica of the earlier issue having "British trailer company limited" on the trailer above the trailer hitch and "made in England" by the trailer wheels and "Lesney No 27" inside the cab roof,
The only difference between this and the earlier model was that the petrol tank found on the earlier tractor unit was omitted from the enlarged version.
The first issue had a light green cab and a tan trailer,
It was fitted with 9 x 18 grey metal wheels on dome head axles with crimped ends and silver trim to the grille headlights and front bumper.
Later the metal wheels were updated to grey plastic wheels and shortly after the trim was omitted from the front bumper.
The cab was recoloured to dark green but the trailer was kept in tan.
The first of the dark green cabs can be found with or without trim to the front bumper.
The final issue of the dark green cabbed Bedfords was fitted with dome head axles but now the ends were rounded.
There are no known casting modifications to the 27b
The Bedford was packaged in 'B' type boxes only. It was replaced by the 27c Cadillac sixty special after just two years in production.
The Bedford is a very hard to find model regardless of which colour scheme it is painted,
The metal wheeled version is hard to find, The grey wheeled version is harder and the dark green is the rarest.

above: the 78mm long 27a Bedford in front of the 95mm long 27b Bedford

code number general wheel type axle type trim

code 1 light green cab, tan trailer 9 x 18 metal wheels dome head crimped grille, headlights, front bumper

code 2 light green cab, tan trailer 9 x 20 grey plastic dome head crimped grille, headlights, front bumper

code 3 light green cab, tan trailer 9 x 20 grey plastic dome head crimped grille, headlights

code 4 dark green cab, tan trailer 9 x 20 grey plastic dome head crimped grille, headlights, front bumper

code 5 dark green cab, tan trailer 9 x 20 grey plastic dome head crimped grille, headlights

code 6 dark green cab, tan trailer 9 x 20 grey plastic dome head rounded grille, headlights

box types	notes
B2	small model number shown
B2	large model number shown
B4	small picture
B4	large picture

values

light green cab, metal wheels £100

light green cab, grey plastic wheels £120

dark green cab, grey plastic wheels £150

values are for mint models in mint boxes

price guide gallery

box gallery

code number	general	wheel type	axle type	trim
code 1	light green cab, tan trailer	9 x 18 metal wheels	dome head crimped	grille, headlights, front bumper
code 2	light green cab, tan trailer	9 x 20 grey plastic	dome head crimped	grille, headlights, front bumper
code 3	light green cab, tan trailer	9 x 20 grey plastic	dome head crimped	grille, headlights
code 4	dark green cab, tan trailer	9 x 20 grey plastic	dome head crimped	grille, headlights, front bumper
code 5	dark green cab, tan trailer	9 x 20 grey plastic	dome head crimped	grille, headlights
code 6	dark green cab, tan trailer	9 x 20 grey plastic	dome head rounded	grille, headlights