Lesney Matchbox accessory pack A1b BP pumps & sign

Lesney Matchbox Accessory pack A1b BP pumps & sign

The second pump & sign set was introduced in 1963,
Although it was similar to the earlier issue it was enhanced by having two green plastic overhead lights and an attendant whos legs were part of the pump casting and top half was in green plastic,
The die cast pumps were cast in as part of a paved platform or "island" which was painted white and small BP decals were applied to each side of the pumps and gauge decals were applied to the front of the pumps, The green plastic lights would slot into sockets cast into the island and the attendant would attach by the cast in legs.
The sign was die cast metal painted white with two larger BP decals or on the later issues BP labels applied to the faces.
Although it was probably a nicer set than the early issue the lights and attendant were not fixed very securely so playworn sets are rarely found with the lights or attendant still fitted in place and mint and boxed examples are very hard to find.
The island was made to the exact size of the previous issue which meant that it could still be used on the MG1 Garage sets which had recently had a change of livery from a red & yellow "Esso" garage to a green & white "BP" (British petroleum) garage.
These later issues of the pumps were packaged in a larger matchbox style box without the blue ends like the previous issue came in. The set was discontinued in 1967.