Can you identify this model and promotion?

[matchboxkiwi]

I have always thought this model was MB44 1921 Model T Ford Van. It may be a 1921 Model T Ford Van but doesn't seem to be by Matchbox!
It's obviously a Johnnie Walker Whisky promotion and going by the shape of the blister pack no doubt had a miniature bottle of Whisky attached to it at some stage.
What year was the promotion? Dose someone still have the model and the Whisky attached? Who made the promotional model?

IMG_0042.JPG (80.32 KiB) Viewed 1989 times

IMG_0044.JPG (84.3 KiB) Viewed 1989 times

IMG_0045.JPG (76.6 KiB) Viewed 1989 times

IMG_0046.JPG (64.8 KiB) Viewed 1989 times

IMG_0043.JPG (95.39 KiB) Viewed 1989 times

Cheers, Steve
Matchboxkiwi

[GHOSTHUNTER]

If this is not a Matchbox #MB44, its a very good copy!

Ghosthunter.

[matchboxkiwi]

I'll have to find my MB44 to compare it. The base appears blank! May be it's a pre-pro.

Cheers, Steve
Matchboxkiwi

[ChFalkensteiner]

It is not a copy. It was definitely made at the SUTC factory in Shanghai which also made Matchbox models at the time, and it was made from the original MB 213 mould.

They also made some models featuring the SUTC logo instead of the Matchbox logo on their bases, and this one happens to have no brand name at all.

I do not know the actual background, but it seems to have been a promotion deal which SUTC made behind the back of then Matchbox owner Tyco. The model was issued in 1996 and was found attached to whiskey bottles in various countries, definitely here in Europe. It is still fairly common at toy shows over here.

The Chinese domestic market received some variations with the same livery, but different roof and baseplate colours and with the Matchbox logo on their bases - for example this one:



Comparison picture: