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 7c Ford refuse truck

The Lesney model of the Ford D series refuse truck joined the Matchbox 1-75 series in early 1967. It was an ingenious toy that had an open container that could be filled up and by pulling the loader arms backwards the container would tip and the loader would lift out of the way to allow the container to empty.
It was painted orange but the colour shade varies and can fade if left in direct sunlight.
It was fitted with light green tinted windows, A grey plastic container body and a silver metal loader, Like the body paint the grey plastic container is prone to sunfade and will turn brown if left in direct sunlight.
The wheels were 11.5 x 45 black plastic and were mounted on dome head axles with rounded ends.
The baseplate was originally painted black on the first issues which may possibly be pre production models and the regular issue that followed it had silver plated baseplates.
The model had spring suspension to all four wheels but there seems to be a problem with the front suspension as I have several that all have collapsed front ends.
The underneath of the container had two modifications in the area of the hinge, First a brace was added to the rear end and later two triangular braces were added to the sides.
The silver metal loader was also altered twice, The first version had a grooved toe to the forward end of the arms which was soon filled, Later part of the side was removed and a half round cutout was cast in to give access to the hinge pin which was probably done to make the assembly of the parts easier.
The baseplate was also modified when a towing guide was cast in and this was done quite late in the models life.
The Ford was converted to superfast wheels in 1970 and the superfast issue was kept in the regular wheel colours although it was given a brighter orange paint job to fit in with the other superfast issues.
The Ford was packaged in 'E' and 'F' type boxes,
The black baseplate variation and the grooved toe issues are both rare and don't come up for sale very often but would most likely not fetch much more than the more common issues because the models would not stand out as a different variation when in the display cabinet.

Updated: 04-02-10, George Marshall and Jason (nearlymint) from the forum have both found the same unlisted version with grooved toe, rear brace and corner brace. It has been added to the listing table at the new number 4

above: with & without tow guide

photograph courtesy George T

above left: the plastic on this model is very prone to sunfade

above: regular wheels and superfast

code number general wheel type baseplate loader hinge

code 1 red body, green windows
grey container, silver loader 11.5 x 45 black plastic black, no tow guide grooved toe, no cutout no rear brace, no corner braces

code 2 orange body, green windows
grey container, silver loader 11.5 x 45 black plastic plated, no tow guide grooved toe, no cutout no rear brace, no corner braces

code 3 orange body, green windows
grey container, silver loader 11.5 x 45 black plastic plated, no tow guide grooved toe, no cutout with rear brace, no corner braces

code 4 NEW orange body, green windows
grey container, silver loader 11.5 x 45 black plastic plated, no tow guide grooved toe, no cutout with rear brace and corner braces

code 5 orange body, green windows
grey container, silver loader 11.5 x 45 black plastic plated, no tow guide solid toe, no cutout with rear brace, no corner braces

code 6 orange body, green windows
grey container, silver loader 11.5 x 45 black plastic plated, no tow guide solid toe, no cutout with rear brace and corner braces

code 7 orange body, green windows
grey container, silver loader 11.5 x 45 black plastic plated, no tow guide solid toe, with cutout with rear brace and corner braces

code 8 orange body, green windows
grey container, silver loader 11.5 x 45 black plastic plated, with tow guide solid toe, with cutout with rear brace and corner braces

box types	notes
E4	"Refuse truck"
E4	"Ford Refuse truck"
E4R	"Ford Refuse truck"
F2	A Lesney Product
F2	"Matchbox" is the reg'd TM of Lesney Products& Co Ltd London England

values

all models £25

values are for mint models in mint boxes

price guide gallery

box gallery

code number	general	wheel type	baseplate	loader	hinge
code 1	red body, green windows grey container, silver loader	11.5 x 45 black plastic	black, no tow guide	grooved toe, no cutout	no rear brace, no corner braces
code 2	orange body, green windows grey container, silver loader	11.5 x 45 black plastic	plated, no tow guide	grooved toe, no cutout	no rear brace, no corner braces
code 3	orange body, green windows grey container, silver loader	11.5 x 45 black plastic	plated, no tow guide	grooved toe, no cutout	with rear brace, no corner braces
code 4 NEW	orange body, green windows grey container, silver loader	11.5 x 45 black plastic	plated, no tow guide	grooved toe, no cutout	with rear brace and corner braces
code 5	orange body, green windows grey container, silver loader	11.5 x 45 black plastic	plated, no tow guide	solid toe, no cutout	with rear brace, no corner braces
code 6	orange body, green windows grey container, silver loader	11.5 x 45 black plastic	plated, no tow guide	solid toe, no cutout	with rear brace and corner braces
code 7	orange body, green windows grey container, silver loader	11.5 x 45 black plastic	plated, no tow guide	solid toe, with cutout	with rear brace and corner braces
code 8	orange body, green windows grey container, silver loader	11.5 x 45 black plastic	plated, with tow guide	solid toe, with cutout	with rear brace and corner braces