PLEASE NOTE: I will no longer be altering the variation codes. All new discoveries will be inserted in to their correct place in the timeline and given a suffix.
So a new variation that would be nearest to variation 4 would become the new 4a, etc.

Moko Lesney Matchbox 46a Morris Minor

The BMC (British Motor Corporation) Morris Minor 1000 was a wonderful piece of engineering which can still be seen on Britains roads today.
It was the first proper post war Morris to be built of unibody construction and it was intended to have a flat four engine like the VW beetle mounted at the front but the development money ran out so an existing straight 4 cylinder was fitted instead.
The car was in production for 22 years and still has a following of enthusiasts which keep the old "Moggy" alive.
Lesney introduced their 46a Morris Minor to the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1958 and the first release was in pale brown but this is a very rare variation and its possible that it is a pre production issue although the casting was the same as the more common dark green issue that was the next colour to be released.
It was released with grey metal wheels on dome head axles with crimped ends and it had silver trim applied to the headlights, grille and front bumper and red trim was applied to the taillights although some of the final issues can be found without the red trim,
Later grey plastic wheels were used and the final issue had dome head axles with rounded ends.
The dark green issue was relaced by a dark blue-green which is very similar in colour to the dark green issue.
The baseplate was painted flat black on the early issues and gloss black on the later ones.
The final colour change was to blue which is quite hard to find but nowhere near as rare as the pale brown issue.
There was just one casting modification to the roof, The first type roof had an uneven row of seven pips inside the roof behind the windscreen, Later as round ejector ring was cast in behind the row of pips.
The Minor was packaged in 'B' type boxes only and it was replaced by the 46b Guy Pickfords removal van in 1960 after just two years in production so it was probably not a great seller in its day and it is known that Lesneys had a break in at the factory and a large consignment of Morris Minors were stolen and this is reflected in the limited availability of the model and the price you would have to pay for one today.
Updated: 27-02-10,
Greg from the forum has a very unusual blue Minor which is fitted with metal wheels, This variation is missing from the listing table and I would like to know if any more exist or if this is a one off before adding it to the listings.
Updated: 13-09-11,
Antonin Shenk recently discovered a minor but important variation concerning the very earliest Morris Minors, Antonin has recently shown us a tan Minor with a smooth underside to the front bumper, As far as we know all green, blue-green and blue minors have the underside to the front bumper thickened in the center, I would appreciate any information regarding tan or green Minors with smooth underside to the front bumper.
Updated: 02-04-13,
Finally after 18 months a single green Minor without the thickened front bumper has been found by forum member Jasca (Dr Jazz). Being as it took so long for this variation to come to light it must be assumed to be at least as rare as the tan version. It has been inserted into the variation table as the new code 2. .
Updated: 18-07-13,
Hand applied and mask sprayed details added with the assistance of Antonin Schenk, also the gold trimmed variation

above: a line up of minors with a view of the now demolished Lesney factory

above: the rare code 1 brown minor

above: code 2 in dark green with metal wheels

above: code 3 in dark green with metal wheels & ejector rings

above: code 4 in dark blue-green with metal wheels, a factory
error fitted with an oversize wheel from a 45a vauxhall victor

above: code 5 in dark blue-green with grey plastic wheels

above: code 7 in blue with grey plastic wheels

above: showing the 4 main colours that the Minor came in, L to R,
Tan, dark Green, two shades of dark Blue-Green and Blue
photo courtesy Antonin Schenk from the forum.

The raised or reinforced center to the underside of the front bumper has not
been found on any of the tan minors, This variation was discovered some 18
months ago yet only one green minor without the raised center has only just
been found by forum member Jasca (Dr Jazz).
Photo courtesy Antonin Shenk.

Showing the green Minor with and without the raised center to the front bumper.
Photo courtesy Jasca (Dr Jazz) from the forum.

Note: One minor in dark green with grey plastic wheels is known to exist, We are looking for additional examples in order to add this variation to the listing
Note: One minor in blue with metal wheels is known to exist, We are looking for additional examples in order to add this variation to the listing

code number general wheel type axle type baseplate colour roof interior front bumper

code 1 pale brown body, hand applied silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey metal dome head crimped flat black with seven pips smooth underside

code 2 dark green body, hand applied silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey metal dome head crimped flat black with seven pips smooth underside

code 3 dark green body, hand applied silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey metal flat head crimped flat black with seven pips raised center

code 4 dark green body, hand applied silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey metal dome head crimped flat black with seven pips raised center

code 5 dark green body, hand applied silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey metal dome head crimped flat black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 6 dark blue-green body, hand applied silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey metal dome head crimped flat black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 7 dark blue-green body, hand applied gold & red trim 8 x 18 grey metal dome head crimped flat black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 8 dark blue-green body, mask sprayed silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey metal dome head crimped flat black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 9 dark blue-green body, mask sprayed silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey metal dome head crimped gloss black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 10 dark blue-green body, hand applied silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey plastic dome head crimped flat black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 11 dark blue-green body, mask sprayed silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey plastic dome head crimped flat black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 12 dark blue-green body, hand applied silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey plastic dome head crimped gloss black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 13 dark blue-green body, mask sprayed silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey plastic dome head crimped gloss black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 14 blue body, silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey plastic dome head crimped gloss black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 15 blue body, silver trim 8 x 18 grey plastic dome head crimped gloss black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 16 blue body, silver & red trim 8 x 18 grey plastic dome head rounded gloss black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

code 17 blue body, silver trim 8 x 18 grey plastic dome head rounded gloss black with seven pips & ejector ring raised center

box types	notes
B2	none
B3	none
B4	none

values

brown body, metal wheels £2000

green body, metal wheels £50

blue green body, metal wheels £50

blue-green body, grey plastic wheels £80

blue body, grey plastic wheels £150

values are for mint models in mint boxes

price guide gallery

box gallery

code number	general	wheel type	axle type	baseplate colour	roof interior	front bumper
code 1	pale brown body, hand applied silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	flat black	with seven pips	smooth underside
code 2	dark green body, hand applied silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	flat black	with seven pips	smooth underside
code 3	dark green body, hand applied silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey metal	flat head crimped	flat black	with seven pips	raised center
code 4	dark green body, hand applied silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	flat black	with seven pips	raised center
code 5	dark green body, hand applied silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	flat black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 6	dark blue-green body, hand applied silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	flat black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 7	dark blue-green body, hand applied gold & red trim	8 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	flat black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 8	dark blue-green body, mask sprayed silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	flat black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 9	dark blue-green body, mask sprayed silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey metal	dome head crimped	gloss black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 10	dark blue-green body, hand applied silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey plastic	dome head crimped	flat black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 11	dark blue-green body, mask sprayed silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey plastic	dome head crimped	flat black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 12	dark blue-green body, hand applied silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey plastic	dome head crimped	gloss black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 13	dark blue-green body, mask sprayed silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey plastic	dome head crimped	gloss black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 14	blue body, silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey plastic	dome head crimped	gloss black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 15	blue body, silver trim	8 x 18 grey plastic	dome head crimped	gloss black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 16	blue body, silver & red trim	8 x 18 grey plastic	dome head rounded	gloss black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center
code 17	blue body, silver trim	8 x 18 grey plastic	dome head rounded	gloss black	with seven pips & ejector ring	raised center