29c Fire pumper truck

Moko Lesney Matchbox 29c Fire pumper truck

In 1966 Lesney introduced the 29c fire pumper to the Matchbox range and it was unusual because like the Field car it did not have the real vehicle manufacturers name on the base and although it is has been listed as being based on a vehicle built by the American La France company in some catalogues it actually has a closer resemblance to a Maxim fire truck. It is most likely that it was not based on any particular vehicle but after all these years I doubt that we will ever know for sure.
It was only available in red although a colour trial exists in white.
The base was made from unpainted metal which had a silver plating that can tarnish with age.
It was always fitted with 11 x 45 black plastic wheels on dome head rounded axles and silver trim was not needed as the silver detail was cast in as part of the base and was visible on the front & rear bumper, headlights, siren, bell and control panels on either side,
A run of white or off white plastic hoses were fitted to one side with two hose reels and two additional hosepipes and a small ladder was also attached to the other side.
The doors could have decals with the word "DENVER" in yellow or no decals at all.
One unusual piece was reported to have been fitted with shield decals from the 59c fire chief's car.

It was fitted with a blue tinted window unit to which the roof dome light molded into.
There are two known casting variations,
The first was a modification to the baseplate to include a towing bracket, This was done by adding two bars to the recess behind the front bumper.
The second modification was to the doors to the area where the decals were applied,
This was to change it from a recessed panel to a raised panel though what the modification was in aid of is anyones guess because by this time decals were no longer fitted to the model.
It is very common and it was made between 1966 and 1970.
It was converted to superfast wheels but only stayed in the superfast range for a year.
It was sold in 'E' and 'F' type boxes, or type 'G' for the superfast issue.

above: left, raised door panel. right recessed door panel

above, rear, no towing bracket, front with a towing bracket

above: left, an unusual piece with recessed doors and no towing bracket that has been fitted with door decals from a 59c fire chief and kent fire brigade decals from a #4 yesteryear shand mason horsedrawn fire engine, this one came from an ex Lesney employee who told me that he took decals home for his son to play with, I also got a 59c fire chief car that had been poorly repainted by his son and extra decals applied, I thought this one had the same treatment but upon close inspection it has not been repainted but is a lighter and more of an orangey red than my other 29c's which makes me wonder if it could possibly have been a trial piece.

code number	general	cab sides	baseplate	decals
code 1	red, silver base, black wheels, blue glass, white or off white plastics	recessed	no towing bracket	denver decal
code 2	red, silver base, black wheels, blue glass, white or off white plastics	recessed	no towing bracket	no decal
code 3	red, silver base, black wheels, blue glass, white or off white plastics	recessed	with towing bracket	denver decal
code 4	red, silver base, black wheels, blue glass, white or off white plastics	recessed	with towing bracket	no decal
code 5	red, silver base, black wheels, blue glass, white or off white plastics	raised platform	no towing bracket	no decal
code 6	red, silver base, black wheels, blue glass, white or off white plastics	raised platform	with towing bracket	no decal
code 7	red, silver base, black wheels, blue glass, white or off white plastics	raised platform	with towing bracket	shield decal from 59c

box types	notes
E1	"new model" two blue sides
E1	light blue sides
E3	light blue sides
E4	light blue sides
E4R	light blue sides
F2	A Lesney Product
F2	Lesney Products & Co Ltd London England

values

all model £30

values are for mint models in mint boxes

price guide gallery

box gallery