lesney matchbox 55d Mercury police car

Moko Lesney Matchbox 55d Mercury police car

In 1968 the Lesney model of the Mercury became the third police car to occupy the number 55 position in the Matchbox 1-75 series and like the earlier Galaxie police car it was painted white all over.
The baseplate was made from silver plated die cast metal, It was fixed to the body by two round rivets one at the front and one at the rear and it incorporated the grille & headlights and the front & rear bumper detail,
A towing guide was cast into the baseplate and it also had the housing for Lesneys patented auto steer system where the vehicle could be steered by pressing down on the side of the car that you wished to travel in.
The only casting modification can be found on the baseplate inscription where it originally read '1968 Mercury' the base was altered so it now read 'Mercury' but now it was on a raised platform.

The interior was made from ivory coloured plastic and it was enhanced by including two police officers that were molded on the front seats.
The window unit was clear plastic and molded with the two front windows open, It also secured the roof light to the inside of the roof, The roof light was usually found in translucent blue plastic but a very short run were fitted with a translucent red plastic roof light which is quite a rare variation.

The wheels were 10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres on 6mm chrome plated hubs mounted on dome head axles with rounded ends and a plastic leaf spring was concealed under the baseplate that supplied the springing for the suspension to all wheels.
The bonnet (hood) was decorated with either a decal or on later issues a label with a shield emblem and 'police' in large lettering, Labels were applied to the doors and these showed the shield emblem as displayed on the bonnet.
The Mercury was a very popular toy in its day although is not so easy to find today and this is reflected in the price it now commands, It was sold in 'E' and 'F' type boxes and was converted to superfast wheels in 1970, it was deleted in 1971.

above: rare red dome light variation

above: left bonnet with decal, right with label

code number	general	wheel type	bonnet	doors	roof light	baseplate text
code 1	white body, ivory interior, clear windows, plated baseplate	10.5 x 45 tyres on 6m hubs	decal	label	red plastic	1968 mercury
code 2	white body, ivory interior, clear windows, plated baseplate	10.5 x 45 tyres on 6m hubs	decal	label	red plastic	mercury
code 3	white body, ivory interior, clear windows, plated baseplate	10.5 x 45 tyres on 6m hubs	decal	label	blue plastic	1968 mercury
code 4	white body, ivory interior, clear windows, plated baseplate	10.5 x 45 tyres on 6m hubs	decal	label	blue plastic	mercury
code 5	white body, ivory interior, clear windows, plated baseplate	10.5 x 45 tyres on 6m hubs	label	label	blue plastic	1968 mercury
code 6	white body, ivory interior, clear windows, plated baseplate	10.5 x 45 tyres on 6m hubs	label	label	blue plastic	mercury
code 7	white body, ivory interior, clear windows, plated baseplate	10.5 x 45 tyres on 6m hubs	label	label	red plastic	1968 mercury
code 8	white body, ivory interior, clear windows, plated baseplate	10.5 x 45 tyres on 6m hubs	label	label	red plastic	mercury

box types	notes
E4R	light blue sides, "new model"
F2	none

values

with blue roof light £35

with red roof light £300+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

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