The Benbros truck is very similar to the Matchbox 37a. Unusually for a Benbros, it doesn't have the maker's name, so it's often sold as a Matchbox. Here are some pictures to help with identification.
The best way to spot the Benbros is from the base. The inside can be yellow, grey or white, but it's only labelled "made in England" under the cab roof (early versions don't even have this). The 37a has text under the load area. If it's all really filthy or too out of focus to see whether there is text, the Benbros is without a brace at the back of the cab.
- bases
- IMG_7033.jpg (219.82 KiB) Viewed 1974 times
If you can see the front, the grille is different from both the 37a and 37b. Most obviously, there's a dividing line down the centre and the lights are much closer to the bumper.
- 37a, Benbros, 37b
- IMG_7032.jpg (326.11 KiB) Viewed 1974 times
If the load is uneven, it's a 37a. If it has black wheels, it's either a Benbros or a 37b. The 37b has black mudguards too. If the black wheels look very small, it's a Benbros (the wheels on this one are 6.7 mm). But there's a bigger size of black wheel as well.
From the side, the most obvious other clue is in the shape of the front of the advertising board. The Benbros is much more curved. The door shape is different too, but it's hard to see, especially if the photograph is from an angle.
- side view
- IMG_7035.jpg (233.78 KiB) Viewed 1974 times
I've mentioned before that part of the fun of Benbros is that it's easy to find unrecorded variations. This one has small black wheels but long decals, which I think is a new variant.
