Lesney Matchbox 44b Rolls Royce Phantom V

Moko Lesney Matchbox 44b Rolls Royce Phantom V

The Lesney model of the Rolls Royce Phantom V joined the Matchbox 1-75 series in early 1964.
It was painted in two different colour schemes, metallic mauve or silver-grey,
The metallic mauve can vary in shade from dark metallic mauve to a very light silvery metallic mauve.
The Rolls had an ivory coloured plastic interior, clear plastic windows, a gloss black baseplate and on the metallic mauve versions silver trim to the radiator grille and headlights. I don't think the silver-grey had silver trim but the colours of the body and the trim are so alike it is difficult to tell for certain.
The model was fitted with grey, silver and black wheels which were always mounted on dome head axles with rounded ends and when you look at the timeline of the wheels and the colours the model was painted in it is clear that Lesney switched back and forth between colours quite often on this one.
For extra play value the boot (trunk) lid could be opened to access the boot.

There were two small casting modifications made quite late in the models life.
The first was the filling in of the recess in the bottom of the rear bumper where the baseplate tongue locates into the body.
Very soon after the bumper modification two blocks were cast in the front wheel wells just ahead of the front wheels,
The version with filled in bumper recess and no bumper blocks is a recent discovery and is not mentioned in the Stannard.
The Phantom was packaged in box types 'D' and 'E' and the later box type 'E' with the model illustrated in the correct colours is quite hard to find and usually fetches a premium, the 'D' box and early 'E' box with the blue car illustrated are very common.
The Phantom was replaced by the 44c GMC refrigetator truck in 1967 and seeing that the model was only in production for three years it must have been a popular toy in its time as it is still quite common today.

above: left rear, silver-grey with silver wheels, center &
right rear, light & dark metallic mauve with grey wheels.

above: left, dark metallic mauve. center, light metallic mauve. right, silver-grey

above: with or without recess in rear bumper

lower photograph courtesy George T

above: without or with blocks behind front bumper

lower photograph courtesy George T

code number general wheel type bumper recess bumper blocks

code 1 metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows 9 x 24 silver plastic with recess no blocks

code 2 metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows 9 x 24 grey plastic with recess no blocks

code 3 metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows 9 x 24 black plastic with recess no blocks

code 4 metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows 10 x 36 black plastic with recess no blocks

code 5 metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows 10 x 36 black plastic without recess no blocks

code 6 metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows 10 x 36 black plastic without recess with blocks

code 7 silver grey body, cream interior, black base, clear windows 9 x 24 silver plastic with recess no blocks

code 8 silver grey body, cream interior, black base, clear windows 10 x 36 black plastic with recess no blocks

box types	notes
D2	"new model"
E1	one black side one blue, blue Rolls shown
E1	two blue sides, blue Rolls shown
E1	light blue sides, blue Rolls shown
E3	light blue sides, mauve Rolls shown

values

metallic mauve, silver wheels £400

metallic mauve, grey wheels £200

metallic mauve, black wheels £30

silver grey body, black wheels £30

silver grey body, silver wheels £400+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

price guide gallery

box gallery

picture gallery

photo JamesYoungPhantomV_zpsb45ef364.jpg

The Matchbox model was of the James Young Touring Saloon
photo courtesy Ghosthunter from the forum

This H.J.Mulliner Standard Saloon was owned by John Lennon

code number	general	wheel type	bumper recess	bumper blocks
code 1	metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows	9 x 24 silver plastic	with recess	no blocks
code 2	metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows	9 x 24 grey plastic	with recess	no blocks
code 3	metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows	9 x 24 black plastic	with recess	no blocks
code 4	metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows	10 x 36 black plastic	with recess	no blocks
code 5	metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows	10 x 36 black plastic	without recess	no blocks
code 6	metallic mauve body, silver trim, cream interior, black base, clear windows	10 x 36 black plastic	without recess	with blocks
code 7	silver grey body, cream interior, black base, clear windows	9 x 24 silver plastic	with recess	no blocks
code 8	silver grey body, cream interior, black base, clear windows	10 x 36 black plastic	with recess	no blocks