Lesney Matchbox 71c Ford heavy wreck truck

Moko Lesney Matchbox 71c Ford heavy wreck truck

Continuing with the introduction of vehicles from around the world the Lesney model of the American built 71c Ford heavy wreck truck joined the Matchbox 1-75 series towards the end of 1968 replacing the earlier jeep gladiator pick up truck.
The Ford had a red cab and crane jib and a white bed, chassis and grille.
The model was enhanced with 'Esso' labels to the sides which can measure 7mm, 8mm or 9mm across and attached to the rear was a plastic hook which is usually found in red but yellow examples are known to exist and the hooks are easily interchangeable between models.
The first issue had amber tinted windows and dome light but these are quite rare and were soon changed for a dark green tinted window & dome light unit, the green dome lights were made to a slightly larger size than the earlier amber dome lights.
Pre production issues of the Wrecker have been found with clear windows, these are few and far between and have not been listed in the variation table.
All issues of the wrecker were fitted with the same size wheels which were 12.5 x 48 black plastic and they were mounted on dome head axles with rounded ends.

There are several casting modifications to the white painted part of the body and to the basplate.
The first baseplate had no text on the flat panel behind the front axle except for the letter (A) and the crane bed floor was smooth.
The second baseplate had "© 1968 Lesney Prod & Co Ltd" cast into the baseplate behind the front axle and the crane bed floor was textured,
Also the front axle was spaced away from the chassis by small prongs that were cast on either side of the front axle housing.
The third baseplate casting had two triangular braced cast in either side of the front of the baseplate that strengthened the front bumper and triangular braces were added to the rear body panel to strengthen the rear corners.
The Ford was packaged in 'F' type boxes, It was converted to superfast wheels in 1970.

above: upper left - amber light, red hook & lettered base; upper right - amber light, red hook
& plain base; lower left - green light, yellow hook & lettered base and lower right - amber
light, yellow hook & plain base.

above: ribbed and smooth beds..

code number general wheel type windows body type labels hook

code 1 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic amber type 1 9mm red

code 2 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic amber type 2 9mm red

code 3 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic amber type 1 9mm yellow

code 4 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic amber type 1 7mm yellow

code 5 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic amber type 2 9mm yellow

code 6 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic green type 1 9mm red

code 7 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic green type 2 9mm red

code 8 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic green type 2 8mm red

code 9 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic green type 3 8mm red

code 10 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic green type 1 9mm yellow

code 11 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic green type 2 9mm yellow

code 12 red body & crane, white bed base & grille 12.5 x 48 black plastic green type 3 8mm yellow

box types	notes
F1	blue "Esso" label
F1	red "Esso" label

values

all models with green windows £30

all models with amber windows £200+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

price guide gallery

box gallery

picture gallery

code number	general	wheel type	windows	body type	labels	hook
code 1	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	amber	type 1	9mm	red
code 2	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	amber	type 2	9mm	red
code 3	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	amber	type 1	9mm	yellow
code 4	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	amber	type 1	7mm	yellow
code 5	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	amber	type 2	9mm	yellow
code 6	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	green	type 1	9mm	red
code 7	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	green	type 2	9mm	red
code 8	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	green	type 2	8mm	red
code 9	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	green	type 3	8mm	red
code 10	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	green	type 1	9mm	yellow
code 11	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	green	type 2	9mm	yellow
code 12	red body & crane, white bed base & grille	12.5 x 48 black plastic	green	type 3	8mm	yellow