lesney matchbox 41a Jaguar D type

Moko Lesney Matchbox 41a Jaguar D type

The first Lesney model of the Jaguar D type was introduced into the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1957, It measured 55mm long and was painted British racing green, It has a black baseplate and a brown metal driver. The brown driver can vary in shade some but I don't think it needs to be included in the variation table as there are several shades to be taken into account.
Curiously the baseplate is not symmetrical and the body casting has a cut out beneath the drivers seat and it looks in all probability that the model was originally designed to have an exhaust system molded into the driver casting that was to project through the cut out beneath the drivers seat.
However the model was never issued with such an exhaust unless one should turn up some day.

Originally the Jaguar was fitted with 10 x 18 grey metal wheels on flat head axles with crimped ends but soon the axles were changed to dome head with crimped ends, the last issue was fitted with 9.5 x 20 grey plastic wheels.
The decals are usually #41 but one scarce issue was fitted with #52 decals that are normally found on the 52a Maserati 4CLT.

There are two known casting variations, The first was done very early and that was to add the decal aligning rings to the front & rear of the body, I require further info on this model should you have one as it may have been issued without decals, Next was where there were no strengthening braces to the rivet posts but later two small triangular braces were cast in to the sides at the top of each post.
The grey metal wheeled version with #41 decals and the grey plastic wheeled version with #41 decals are both fairly easy to find but the grey metal wheels and #52 decal combination is very rare and a variation I have never come across.
In 1960 after just three years in production the Jaguar was replaced by a larger scale version. The larger model was almost identical to the early issue but it measured 62mm long.
The smaller Jaguar was packaged in just one type of box, the 'B' type.

above: the rare issue with 52 decals.

code number	general	wheel type	axle type	rivet posts	decal
code 1	green body, black base, brown driver	10 x 18 grey metal	flat head crimped	no braces	no decals, no decal guides
code2	green body, black base, brown driver	10 x 18 grey metal	flat head crimped	no braces	#41, no decal guides
code 3	green body, black base, brown driver	10 x 18 grey metal	flat head crimped	no braces	#41
code 4	green body, black base, brown driver	10 x 18 grey metal	flat head crimped	with braces	#41
code 5	green body, black base, brown driver	10 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	no braces	#41
code 6	green body, black base, brown driver	10 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	with braces	#41
code 7	green body, black base, brown driver	10 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	with braces	#52
code 8	green body, black base, brown driver	9.5 x 20 grey plastic	dome head crimped	with braces	#41

box types	notes
B2	medium model number
B2	large model number
B3	none
B3	larger box

values

grey metal wheels #41 decal £40

grey plastic wheels #41 decal £50

grey metal wheels #52 decal £400+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

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