"MATCHBOX" copies etc.

[Fred7A]

Here's a large plastic Ford Pickup from Lucky Toys.


The picture on the base encourages purchasers to seek out the other colours.

[matchboxkiwi]

I've a few large scale Lucky Toys that are copies of Matchbox toys. In fact Lucky Toys did an exact copy of the Matchbox model you show, in the same colour.
I've never seen a boxed model, so thanks for showing that.

Cheers,Steve
Matchboxkiwi

[GHOSTHUNTER]

The cheap plastic vehicles from CH-CROCKER have been seen and mentioned a few times within this thread. I have managed to get some of my Rolls-Royce examples together and piece together a more streamlined assessment of the brands.

DSC06400.JPG (97.4 KiB) Viewed 1193 times

In this picture we see the original Matchbox Silver Cloud, the 'CROCKER TOYS' version 1, 'CROCKER TOYS' version 2 (both in Red), an un-branded model in Bright Green and the 'CH' version in medium Blue.

Having now studied these model in more detail, it is only the first Red model that can be seen to have been copied from the Matchbox. The second Red model is a different moulding, then the Green and Blue models are different from the second Red model...!!

DSC06402.JPG (112.69 KiB) Viewed 1193 times

In this picture we see the Two Red models, with MADE IN HONG KONG and NO.103.
The Green model has MADE IN HONG KONG, but a smaller NO.103.
The Blue model has had a blanking plate moulded over the original MADE IN HONG KONG, but then a smaller MADE IN HONG KONG has been moulded on this blanking plate...! it has the same size NO.103, but then has the 'CH' logo in a flat Hexagon shape.

It has not shown up in the picture, but the Second Red, Green and Blue models have a different treatment of the underside of the rear bumper.

DSC06404.JPG (78.36 KiB) Viewed 1193 times

Also not showing up in the picture is the treatment of the gap between the rear bumper and the bottom of the boot, the Green and Blue models are significantly different to the Red models.

DSC06409.JPG (132.41 KiB) Viewed 1193 times

This picture shows the Two Red models with different positions for the rear bumper over-riders.

DSC06410.JPG (127.69 KiB) Viewed 1193 times

Then this picture shows the difference between the Second Red model and the Green model.

DSC06406.JPG (74.64 KiB) Viewed 1193 times

Now looking at the fronts of the cars we see the Red models have 11 grille slats and headlamps close to the original Matchbox model. The Green and Blue models only have 8 grille slats with higher and slightly larger headlamps. The air-vents under the headlamps on the Two Red models are different to each other.

DSC06408.JPG (108.12 KiB) Viewed 1193 times

This picture shows the difference in headlamp size and position.

DSC06407.JPG (65.88 KiB) Viewed 1193 times

The First Red model faces up to the Green model to show it is actually lower because it is a completely different moulding, seen in the shape of the windscreen, the wing-lines and how steeply raked the boot lid is compaired to the Red models.

One of the Red models was marketed by 'ALDEN INTERNATIONAL' as set No.711, with 11 other vehicles in the early 1970's.

ALDEN INTERNATIONAL SET #771.jpg (100.66 KiB) Viewed 1193 times

One version I have not mentioned is similar in detail to the Green or Blue models featured above, it came in a fully closed colourful box marked with 'TLC' , but this version does not have any of the Silver painted trim seen on the earlier models, there is a picture of this on 'Gary's Cars' website.

DSC06412.JPG (90.54 KiB) Viewed 1193 times

That's the basic outline of my findings of these Matchbox 'Copy' and 'Inspired By' models.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[ritchie]

I have 3 examples of this silver cloud copy, in red, dark red and green, with the boxes that came with. The green one is same as your 3rd example green. The red and dark red looks like same casting. But I'm not quite sure if they're version 1 or version 2. From the number "3" on the baseplate they look like version 2. But looking at the rear bumper they look like version 1. Ghosty please?

thanks,
ritchie

20150726_072517s.jpg (61.24 KiB) Viewed 1166 times

20150726_072310s.jpg (36.53 KiB) Viewed 1166 times

20150726_073014s.jpg (39.8 KiB) Viewed 1166 times

20150726_072404s.jpg (105.39 KiB) Viewed 1166 times

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Hello Ritchie, thank's for your pictures.

Looking at them and taking measurements from my screen, The Red and dark Red (Maroon!) models, I would class as Version 1 and it's interesting to see the dark Red and your bright Green models with the same boxes. This implies whoever were responsible for putting all these models in those boxes, had the different mouldings more or less at the same time, or within a period of a few Years.

Did you check all your grille slats and the headlamp sizes against my notes, to help with which version the bright Green model is.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[fixer]

just got my second Mini-Mira Stretcha Fetcha this one has a silver painted base and a white interior with dash and a steering wheel on the left
the other has an unpainted base foiled interior without dash and steering wheel but the addition of sunvisors

[GHOSTHUNTER]

How interesting to see such variations on a model clearly inspired by the Lesney version. Wonder what the reasons were for those changes regards steering wheels and Plated interiors.

You are now going to have to find the Military Ambulance version with a Green painted base, the all White Ambulance and the Charlies Angels version in Pink!

Happy hunting Reg...

GHOSTHUNTER.

[fixer]

i could understand a plated finish and different coloured interiors but why have 2 different styles and not a steering wheel ?

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Reg, is it possible the steering wheel has been broken off on your example, because the Stretcha Fetcha is one of the last few Mira models to be held together with a screw.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[matchboxkiwi]

I will try and post some of my many copies of Matchbox models over the coming weeks.
MB4 Gruesome Twosome

IMG_1850.JPG (78.93 KiB) Viewed 811 times

MB7 Hairy Hustler

IMG_1851.JPG (88.75 KiB) Viewed 811 times

MB19 Road Dragster

IMG_1852.JPG (97.43 KiB) Viewed 811 times

Cheers, Steve
Matchboxkiwi