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.

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Moko Lesney Matchbox 70b Ford grit spreader



The Lesney model of the Ford grit spreading truck joined the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1966,
It was always painted red with a pale lemon or deep yellow hopper and it was fitted with green tinted windows,
It was fitted with 12.5 x 40 black plastic wheels on dome head axles with rounded ends and the baseplate was a silver plated metal which could have the model details written low down on the baseplate or in a slightly higher up position on others.
The baseplate was attached by a tongue and slot at the front and by the forward one of the two hopper securing rivets,
Above the rear axle are two triangular brackets that support the axle, early models had small brackets and larger brackets were cast on the later issues,

A slide was fitted under the hopper to open & close the discharge chute, the slide could be black or grey plastic and was opened by pulling back on the flap which protruded out of the back of the truck.
The early issues did not have an ejector ring cast into the discharge chute on the bottom of the hopper but later issues had the ejector ring cast.
Finally the colours used can vary because at the time of conversion to superfast wheels body and hopper castings painted in brighter colours meant for the superfast range were used in error so models with deep yellow hoppers or bright red bodies can be found.

There is one unlisted casting variation that has not been included in the listing until I can find out more details as to which variations had it but the opening in the bottom of the hopper can have an angled or a squared edge, it will be added to the listing when more comes to light on this variation,
The grit spreader was packed in 'E' or 'F' type boxes and there are no rare variations although the issue with the bright red cab can be difficult,
It was converted to superfast wheels in 1971 and deleted in 1972.

above: front - regular issue.
rear - scarce transitional with darker yellow hopper.


two very unusual and rare examples of pre production grit spreaders with
green painted cabs have been found by forum members Dave Rogers and
Tim Leathers
photo courtesy Dave Rogers

>
code number general wheel type hopper slide axle braces baseplate text hopper ejector ring
code 1 red body, pale lemon hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thin braces low text with ring
code 2 red body, pale lemon hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thin braces low text without ring
code 3 red body, pale lemon hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thin braces high text with ring
code 4 red body, pale lemon hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thin braces high text without ring
code 5 red body, pale lemon hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thick braces low text with ring
code 6 red body, pale lemon hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thick braces low text without ring
code 7 red body, pale lemon hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thick braces high text with ring
code 8 red body, pale lemon hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thick braces high text without ring
code 9 red body, pale lemon hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic grey plastic thick braces low text with ring
code 10 red body, pale lemon hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic grey plastic thick braces high text with ring
code 11 red body, yellow hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic grey plastic thick braces high text with ring
code 12 red body, yellow hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thin braces high text with ring
code 13 red body, yellow hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thick braces low text with ring
code 14 bright red body, yellow hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic black plastic thick braces high text with ring
code 15 bright red body, yellow hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic grey plastic thick braces low text with ring
code 16 bright red body, yellow hopper, green windows, plated base 12.5 x 40 black plastic grey plastic thick braces high text with ring

box types notes
E2 two blue sides, "new model"
E2 light blue sides, "new model"
E3 light blue sides,
E4 light blue sides,
F2 A Lesney Product
F2 A Lesney Product, trademark to end flap closers

values
red body, pale yellow hopper £25
red body, darker yellow hopper £80+
values are for mint models in mint boxes
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