First American vehicle in the 'MATCHBOX' Series

[matchbox_n_molars]

Released in 1957, the 31A Ford station wagon is typically identified as the first 'American' vehicle included in the 'MATCHBOX' Series. During the regular wheel era Euclid was an American company based in Euclid (near Cleveland), Ohio (later developing some international connections). The 6B was released in 1959 and the first truck identified by Lesney as a 'Euclid'. But what about the 6A which was released in 1954. It is not identified as a 'Euclid' quarry truck but I'm wondering if that just wasn't a concern during those days. It isn't identified as any particular brand but I'm betting the designers at Lesney didn't just pull this 6A design up as a generic truck. I'm betting it is a model of some branded quarry truck.
I find myself wondering if Euclid quarry trucks were the normal workhorses of the quarries across the UK. Could it be that the 6A is the first American vehicle within the 'MATCHBOX' Series?

[Ewan]

Euclid started making dump trucks in Scotland in 1951. It's many years since I was in the area concerned (Motherwell) but it became a Terex factory and could well still be - I'm sure Motorman will know. Having said that I'm sure Aveling Barford would have sold more dump trucks in the UK but to most kids a dump truck is a dump truck.

[Ewan]

By the way, it's a similar story for the 8a Caterpillar, they opened a UK factory in the early 50s too!

[matchbox_n_molars]

You're right Ewan! The 8A would be another example of a vehicle with American ties. If both Caterpillar and Euclid were manufacturing in that UK environment then is seems clear to me that the 31A Ford wagon would indeed be the first vehicle included within the range that would have been essentially exclusive to the US.
Your input was exactly the kind of input I was hoping I might get from the VBD's varied voices. Thanks Ewan.

[Taniwha]

Hi Greg,

I guess that almost from the outset, the Matchbox Series was marketed extensively outside of the UK. Caterpillar tractors and Euclid quarry trucks would certainly have been in use in Australia and New Zealand in the 1950's and 1960's. British cars were commonplace, and even the American Fords and Chevrolets were sold here then.

That said, I suppose to a young child, a quarry truck is a quarry truck and I would certainly have identified it as a model of a big dump truck when I was a kid. The make of the truck would have been immaterial at that age I suspect.

Cheers,
Gavin

[yellowfoden]

Hello Greg,Ewan, Gavin
My father had a Diamond T ( owned by White Company from Ohio )which as far as I know were not made in the UK but of course were sent to many countries from the USA during and after the second world war. I am not sure if the one he had was previously a military vehicle.

So just ahead of the 31a Ford was the 15a Diamond T prime mover and could also be a candidate ( close second) unless a UK member can shed some light on whether Diamond T were ever manufactured in the UK.

Perhaps the 31a Ford could still hold the Lesney title for the first USA passenger vehicle.

Interestingly Greg, the 31a Ford, the 15a Diamond T and the 6a Euclid all have a soft spot in my collection. The 31a because Dad was also a Ford parts agent , the Diamond T was always a great looking truck and the 6a Euclid dump tray is the oldest incomplete piece of Lesney from our very first family toys. I am still looking for the cab chassis . Still in my possession after moving house several times over the years.

My lifelong goal is to patiently find a British made diecast of each of the 1:1 vehicles that my family, uncles and cousins owned and drove in the 1940’s,50’s and 60’s.

Footnote, not wishing to go off topic.
I was always impressed with the fact the UK Lesney took the time to copy the Hendrickson Cooper Jarrett being American for the Major M9. This is one of my all time favorite models but if ever there was a wish list of models I would have like to have seen Lesney make, it would have been an Australian double trailer cattle truck/stock train or Roadtrain as we know them.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s they used the likes of Leyland, Foden, ERF, Guy, Rotinoff, AEC mostly sourced from Britain.

[nickjones]

As far as I know the 15a Diamond T was never made in the UK but many were brought over as tank transporters during ww2, After the war many were bought by heavy haulage companies to begin a second career moving goods on british roads.

[Ewan]

Hello yellowfoden - well done, I didn't think of the 15a. I can find no record at all of a Diamond T manufacturing plant in the UK so I think it wins the title of 'First American vehicle in the Matchbox Series'. Apparently the British Army took around 1000 of them, and if they were all shipped over it makes me wonder how many more are at the bottom of the ocean. Quite a few of the US manufacturers had plants in the UK in the 20s and 30s such as Ford and Chevrolet. My grandfather was in the motor trade one way or another from the 1920s and always maintained the best car he ever had was a straight 8 Buick. He was also a Ford agent and had many trucks and cars with the sidevalve V8. Think I was born around 50 years out of time

PS - I agree - The M9 has got to be one of the best diecasts ever