"MATCHBOX" copies etc.

[johnboy]

I can't lay my hands on the background info for these just now, but they came from Hong Kong iirc, the range was numbered 101, 102, etc. They're plastic and frowned upon by some but these (and a Jaguar/Royal Tiger coach in the next post) is all I have. There were obviously businessmen who thought there was a market for them at the time and there is still a small market for them now, but how big I don't know.

[johnboy]

A Royal Tiger coach copy, there were quite a few in the range including possibly a Silver Cloud.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Hi there johnboy,

The taxi, Jaguar and coach models have been marketed by 'CH', 'CROCKER TOYS', 'TLC' and a 12 model carded set by 'ALLEN INTERNATIONAL' in the U.S. and all from Hong Kong and clearly based on or even directly copied from the "Matchbox" regular wheel range.

The Rolls-Royce is only based-on, it is not a direct copy of 44a as the details are not identical between the two models.

Shown below is the 'CH' version.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[MOKOSEX]

won this today but may take a while to arrive,couple of lesney copies in here at least
dave

[Moyboy]

I often wonder why Lesney did not chase for copyright infringements on all these copies when they so hotly persued the versions made in New Zealand. Maybe because the NZ ones were made of metal and in similar boxes.

[matchboxkiwi]

Very interesting. Thanks for the photo's. I have a funny idea Cragston also imported plastic copies of the 1-75 models too. I have some in my collection but at the moment it's in storage as we have just moved house.

Cheers Steve
Matchboxkiwi

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Hi MOKOSEX,

If the Rolls-Royce, bottom right, is still in the box and in good condition, £20 is waiting here for it and a close up of the box at top left would be nice,

Regards,
GHOSTHUNTER.

[nickjones]

Still waiting for the taxi, but I have two jags and a repainted coach.

[MOKOSEX]

Hi MOKOSEX,

If the Rolls-Royce, bottom right, is still in the box and in good condition, £20 is waiting here for it and a close up of the box at top left would be nice,

Regards,
GHOSTHUNTER.

I have just read the description and it says boxed royal car,so i am hopeful the models there(wouldn,t be the first time i have bought an empty box though!)£20 is a great offer so its got your name on it till it arrives and i will post some pics of it and the box up the corner,does say it could take three weeks to arrive but i will post some pics asap,there are some nice matchbox copy models in here,plus corgi and dinky,one may even be an ice cream van(the cream one in the middle)
dave

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Hi MOKOSEX,

I have quite a large collection and listing of all the "Highway Pioneers" kits from the mid-50's, but I don't reconise the kit at top left, so that will be interesting to see. There are a lot of Hong Kong sourced toy cars in there, at least ten, but the silver-grey van in the middle looks like a Tudor Rose, (another 'Brand' I collect and have researched for a long time), then that white Transit van at top right, is that a Dinky original in white!!! or another plastic copy, I know 'TELSALDA' did a direct copy of the Police version, Cor!!! I wish it was my box, you've got some good stuff in there.

Now the Rolls, this is a direct plastic copy of the old 'HUBLEY' plastic kit, but with the rear roof section removed, to make it look like the 'SPOT-ON' 'Royal' car. It will fill a gap in my collection if I can have this from you, great!

Regards,
GHOSTHUNTER.