Lesney Matchbox 3c Mercedes Benz "Binz" ambulance

Moko Lesney Matchbox 3c Mercedes Benz "Binz" ambulance

The Lesney model of the Mercedes benz 'binz' ambulance was first introduced into the Matchbox 1-75 series in late 1967 or early 1968 and it was painted in either off white or cream.
It had light blue tinted windows which incorporated the roof beacon.
The rear door could be lifted and it included an off white plastic patient on a stretcher to add play value,
It had a detailed off white plastic interior and featured spring suspension.
It was only fitted with one wheel size and that was 10 x 36 black plastic on dome head rounded axles,
The baseplate was silver plated and as the headlights and radiator grille were cast in as part of the base it did not need silver trim.
Red cross decals or labels were applied to the front doors and a towing bracket was cast on the base,

There were two casting variations,
There were two different dies used to cast the base, One had the base lettering reading from front to rear and the other one read from rear to front.
The final issue was fitted with bodies that had been adapted to be fitted to superfast bases so they had enlarged wheelwell openings.
It was in the range for just two years before being converted to superfast wheels. It is not an uncommon model but its not so easy to find mint & boxed.
It was packaged in 'E' and 'F' type boxes.

Above: This odd variation has recently been confirmed by both Christian Falkensteiner and Jason Coker, It is a regular wheel baseplate, wheels and axles fitted to a circa 1971 superfast body with enlarged wheel wells and painted in a superfast colour, Although it's a regular wheel model it would probably not have been sold before 1971 so well into the Superfast era
photo courtesy Christian Falkensteiner

code number	general	red cross	base lettering	wheelwell size
code 1	cream body, plated base, off white interior, blue windows	decal	reads front to rear	small
code 2	cream body, plated base, off white interior, blue windows	decal	reads rear to front	small
code 3	cream body, plated base, off white interior, blue windows	label	reads front to rear	small
code 4	cream body, plated base, off white interior, blue windows	label	reads rear to front	small
code 5	off white body, plated base, off white interior, blue windows	decal	reads front to rear	small
code 6	off white body, plated base, off white interior, blue windows	decal	reads rear to front	small
code 7	off white body, plated base, off white interior, blue windows	label	reads front to rear	small
code 8	off white body, plated base, off white interior, blue windows	label	reads rear to front	small
code 9	off white body, plated base, off white interior, blue windows	label	reads front to rear	enlarged
code 10	off white body, plated base, off white interior, blue windows	label	reads rear to front	enlarged

box types	notes
E4	light blue sides
E4R	light blue sides
F2	A Lesney Product
F2	A Lesney Product, trademark to end flap closers

values

cream or off white, decal or label £25

with enlarged wheelwell openings £70+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

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