The Lesney model of the American motors corporation Jeep (CJ5) joined the Matchbox 1-75 series in late 1966,
It was a fair copy of the original world war two GP modeI which was nicknamed Jeep by the servicemen that drove them but although this had the style of the older military vehicle it was actually a modernised vehicle with up to date design and mechanical parts.
It was always painted bright yellow with a seperate yellow windscreen frame and a black baseplate,
The wheels were 8mm yellow plastic with 14 x 72 black plastic tyres on dome head axles with rounded ends and there was also a spare tyre affixed to the tailgate which fitted onto a wheel hub that was cast in as part of the body,
The baseplate was attached by an L shaped bracket which located through a slot just behind the front bumper and by a round rivet at the rear by the tow hook,
The baseplate also included the front bumper and the side steps as part of the casting and it was usually painted gloss black but a short run exists that have a flat black baseplate.
The interior was usually red plastic but a very short run were fitted with a white interior which is very rare and seldom seen and is in all probability a pre production issue,
The interior molding also incorporated the tow hook as part of the molding as well as the steering wheel and the springs for the front and rear suspension There was just one casting modification to the underside of the bonnet (hood) where a post was cast in to hold down the front suspension spring to stiffen up the suspension on the front axle,
Midway through the models life it was recolored to a deeper and slightly darker construction yellow only to revert back to its earlier shade at a later date
Apart from the previously mentioned rare white interior version there are no other rare or sought after variations,
It was sold in 'E' and 'F' type boxes and was converted to superfast wheels in 1970.
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