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 8e Ford Mustang

The Lesney model of the 8e Ford Mustang joined the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1966,
It was painted white and had a red interior, silver trim, black baseplate and 10.5 x 45 black plastic wheels with chromed hubcaps,
It featured steerable front wheels that were turned by moving a lever below the drivers door but it can't have been very successful as the steering idea was not carried over to any other model possibly because lesneys 'auto steer' system was already in the pipeline.
There was a guide for the steering system on the base, it was originally level with the baseplate but it was soon modified so it sat in a recess.

Next the wheel type was changed to 10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres on chrome plated metal wheels,
The air vent on the side of the roof was shortened so the point at the end was removed,
This was done about the same time as silver trim was discontinued.
A tow guide was added to the baseplate and shortly after the 'patent pending' was removed from the base to be replaced by the patent number on a raised platform. at this time one issue was given a flat black baseplate and another made a brief appearance fitted with ivory interior from the superfast range and another fitted with orange bodies that were also meant for the impending superfast issue, these transitional issues are quite rare and very sought after.
The mustang was packaged in 'E' and 'F' type boxes and it was converted to superfast wheels in 1970.

Updated: 22-01-10, Jason (Lesneyfan) has posted a message on the forum telling us of a recent discovery of a Mustang in white with silver wheel hubs and a gloss black 'patent pending' baseplate with tow guides and recessed steering guide which has pointed air vents and no trim, It has been added to the table as the new code 4.

tow hook size and the steering lever length are not included in the variation guide,
the longer steering lever is found on the later issues

code number	general	wheel type	patent number	baseplate type	silver trim	air vents	steering guide
code 1	white body, red interior clear windows.	10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres silver hubcaps	patent pending	black, no towguide	with trim	pointed	flat on base
code 2	white body, red interior clear windows.	10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres silver hubcaps	patent pending	black, no towguide	with trim	pointed	in recess
code 3	white body, red interior clear windows.	10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres 6mm silver wheels	patent pending	black, no towguide	with trim	pointed	in recess
code 4 NEW	white body, red interior clear windows.	10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres 6mm silver wheels	patent pending	black, no towguide	without trim	pointed	in recess
code 5	white body, red interior clear windows.	10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres 6mm silver wheels	patent pending	black, no towguide	without trim	shortened	in recess
code 6	white body, red interior clear windows.	10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres 6mm silver wheels	patent pending	black, with towguide	without trim	shortened	in recess
code 7	white body, red interior clear windows.	10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres 6mm silver wheels	patent # cast	flat black, with towguide	without trim	shortened	in recess
code 8	white body, red interior clear windows.	10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres 6mm silver wheels	patent # cast	black, with towguide	without trim	shortened	in recess
code 9	white body, ivory interior clear windows.	10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres 6mm silver wheels	patent # cast	black, with towguide	without trim	shortened	in recess
code 10	orange/red body, red interior clear windows.	10.5 x 45 black plastic tyres 6mm silver wheels	patent # cast	black, with towguide	without trim	shortened	in recess

box types	notes
E4	light blue sides
E4R	light blue sides
F2	A Lesney Product
F2	"Matchbox" reg'd TM of Lesney Products& Co Ltd London England
F2	Lesney Products & Co Ltd London England

values

white body £30

orange/red body £350+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

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