Roman Numeral Series
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2016 9:29 am
What appears to be interesting background information on the America-only Roman Numeral series here.
"Matchbox Limited Edition Roman Numeral Set of Ten
A little Matchbox/Lesney History.
In the mid-late70s as product manager behind the MB strategy "Americanization of Matchbox" the U.K had started creating models for the U.S.A. as it did mostly for Germany and some other countries at the time.
The U.S.A. was given a choice to create ten models and these were the ten selected.
12,000 pieces of each title were ordered and blister packed in Moonachie
Adding Roman Numerals to the base plates put the limit in limited edition!
A Matchbox collectors First!
I. Silver Streak.This was the First silver plated MB model and was Roman Numeral I
II. Sleet N Snow. Collectors wanted a USA postal,what a great name!
III. White Lighting .Top selling model in another design
IV. Flying Beetle. An Orange Model was a weak seller in its old form. The Flying Beetle name made sense for this model
V. Hot Smoker.The former pink Dodge Dragster was the Best selling model in the USA 1971-1981.It deserved the V.
VI. Lady Bug. The First black MB vehicle,flamed out!
VII. Brown Sugar. The First Brown Vehicle and a tribute to the Rolling Stones and R.Crump
VIII. Black Widow.A Dangerous name and graphics was wanted here.
IX. Flamin Manta. Wanted to look like U.S. Hot Rod
The Program was a success and sold out...Toys r Us,Child World and K-Mart were the major retailer at the time
Very Good-Excellent Condition
" from my personal collection...and 10 years working at Lesney USA( when it was great and American Collectors were taken seriously) "
"Matchbox Limited Edition Roman Numeral Set of Ten
A little Matchbox/Lesney History.
In the mid-late70s as product manager behind the MB strategy "Americanization of Matchbox" the U.K had started creating models for the U.S.A. as it did mostly for Germany and some other countries at the time.
The U.S.A. was given a choice to create ten models and these were the ten selected.
12,000 pieces of each title were ordered and blister packed in Moonachie
Adding Roman Numerals to the base plates put the limit in limited edition!
A Matchbox collectors First!
I. Silver Streak.This was the First silver plated MB model and was Roman Numeral I
II. Sleet N Snow. Collectors wanted a USA postal,what a great name!
III. White Lighting .Top selling model in another design
IV. Flying Beetle. An Orange Model was a weak seller in its old form. The Flying Beetle name made sense for this model
V. Hot Smoker.The former pink Dodge Dragster was the Best selling model in the USA 1971-1981.It deserved the V.
VI. Lady Bug. The First black MB vehicle,flamed out!
VII. Brown Sugar. The First Brown Vehicle and a tribute to the Rolling Stones and R.Crump
VIII. Black Widow.A Dangerous name and graphics was wanted here.
IX. Flamin Manta. Wanted to look like U.S. Hot Rod
The Program was a success and sold out...Toys r Us,Child World and K-Mart were the major retailer at the time
Very Good-Excellent Condition
" from my personal collection...and 10 years working at Lesney USA( when it was great and American Collectors were taken seriously) "
