'Superfast' wheel designs.

Post by **GHOSTHUNTER** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:33 pm

I have created this thread as a central area for all we know on the different designs of the 'Superfast' low-friction wheels fitted to the Matchbox '1-75 series' models from 1969 onwards, upto a general cut-off point in the mid-80's.

There have been some really nice Hard To Find models pictured by various forum members, from the early Years of 'Superfast' production and I have been requesting the owners of these models for wheel mould numbers. These mould numbers appear on the plastic components used in virtually all the models within the 'Superfast' range, and even on the in-board surface of the wheels. If problems are reported during the production of the models and the problem is traced to the wheel or wheels (maybe the 'Hot Foiling' process has failed on some wheels), then the mould number will help trace the tooling for that wheel and any rectification can be carried out.

Given that the earliest wheels have low numbers, often just a single number, it is possible to use these numbers to help put models into a 'Time-Line' which can then show a model's production progress.

The picture below shows the numbers on the inside surface of the wheels on #29, the Mini in a metallic 'Gold' colour and most of the wheels used on the models have a number, I think I have seen maybe just One or Two wheels that do not have them!

: #29b Mini wheel numbers.jpg (296.6 KiB) Viewed 4224 times

I will add to this thread myself with wheel information, but welcome forum members to just pop-in and add any wheel information they have and record the wheel numbers from their own models, especially models we think need identifying further, that maybe the wheel numbers will help us to do.

Please only post information on wheel mould numbers for models made between 1969 and 1985, thank you.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Matchboom · Post by **Matchboom** » Sat Mar 21, 2015 5:15 am

Pictures above are from my gold 29A. I don't think I have explained myself good enough concerning those wheel numbers. I only managed to read (from a series of about 15 awkward macro pics) two numbers from this Mini : A 55 inside front left wheel, and A 24 inside rear right wheel. There is no number 4 (that I can see). If necessary, I may try to capture the two missing numbers on this one. Ruined my eyes last time. Still wondering if info already provided is consistent with 1972 production... Can't wait to see what other castings / variations are going to be analysed here.

Post by **GHOSTHUNTER** » Sat Mar 21, 2015 3:31 pm

Thanks Matchboom, it does look like '4' to me, but if you do re-confirm the numbers I can change the above picture, not a problem.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Post by **motorman** » Sat Mar 21, 2015 8:51 pm

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:Thanks Matchboom, it does look like '4' to me, but if you do re-confirm the numbers I can change the above picture, not a problem.

GHOSTHUNTER.

I agree it looks like a 4.

matchboxkiwi · Post by **matchboxkiwi** » Sat Mar 21, 2015 9:58 pm

In one of the Vectis auctions many years ago,near the end of last century when I lived in the UK there was a big board with all the different types of superfast wheels on it that had obviously come from one of the factories looking at the way it was set up and all the descriptions on it. It was with another board of unmade castings.
Don't know if anyone here owns it now?

Cheers Steve
Matchboxkiwi

Post by **GHOSTHUNTER** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 12:01 am

The 'Superfast' low-friction wheel would have gone through a period of development to ensure it was suitable for fitment to the models, it had to be developed within a budget, had to be pleasing to the eye and most importantly, not infringe the system used by 'MATTEL' for the 'Hot Wheels' models.

The very earliest type we can see fitted to the models can be seen on this detail images taken from a 1969 Canadian catalogue, shown here.

: 1969.jpg (71.42 KiB) Viewed 4140 times

Three models can easily be seen with early 'Superfast' wheels, the Silver-Grey BMC Pininfarina, the Blue Lotus Europa and the Green Lamborghini and the wheels are clearly of a Black colour with a Silver-Grey central disc which was possibly 'Hot-Foiled' as would be used on full production wheels and it is very likely these wheels are what we class as 'Solid' as again full production wheels were.

: LS05a-prfa.jpg (64.05 KiB) Viewed 4136 times

I have borrowed this picture from Christian Falkensteiner's site and is a good example of the wheel I mention above.

I do not myself, have any 'Pre-Production' models from this period with these wheels fitted, but I am sure some forum members do, so can I ask those members to offer some pictures of the wheels to this thread, I don't imagine these early models are that hard to find as there must have been quite a number made because they can be found in a number of merchandising material such as adverts and catalogue images similar to the one above.

We need to see these models and in particular the inside surface of the wheels to note and record the mould numbers, if in fact they had any, I don't know, but hopefully someone will post a picture or Two or let us know the facts about this.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Matchboom · Post by **Matchboom** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 2:13 am

Hi all. I could tell you I'm getting supa excited with my brand new toy but after those recent stories about flogging I want to avoid any misunderstanding. Got myself a microscope with a USB connection, brand is Leuchtturm. Thing looks like a thick black pen with eight LED lights around the lens and comes with a CD and a stand. Got it on the Bay for 30 € in used condition, a mint one is 50 €. Very easy to use. Took and saved pictures of wheel numbers, then gathered them with Photofiltre. Here we go. First shots are from my gold 29b Racing Mini, front wheels first. I read A55 - A41 - A19 and A24. Gotta turn each wheel cos' number and letter are on opposite ends of wheel (if you see what I mean)...

Matchboom · Post by **Matchboom** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 2:29 am

Now let's try a prepro. Not much choice on my shelves as I have only one. Metallic green 20A Marzal with solid disk hubs, won on Vectis on nov 18th last year. For this baby, I will show full pictures 1024 x 768 (original size I get when saved from the microscope) of each wheel number. No letter this time, a weird typo and it is cast in negative ! Front wheels first. I read 5 - 23 - 17 and 23 again.

Matchboom · Post by **Matchboom** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 2:30 am

Rear wheels now.

Matchboom · Post by **Matchboom** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 2:44 am

Finally, just to compare with previous pics, wheel numbers of a met red Marzal. It has one hollow wheel. Not sure about what I read, even with the microscope. Big 1 small A - 3 D - M I - 38 G. Is it correct, Ghosthunter ?