18d Bulldozer
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 1:53 pm
None of the NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition), the AIM's “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983), Stannard, Houghton, or Leake ("Concise Catalogue of 75 Series Matchbox Toys by Lesney" (4th edition, reprinted 2006)) lists any variation not already catalogued by Nick. However, Houghton does note that "body and blade colour shades vary from yellow to orange-yellow", and I'm pretty sure that 'two-tone' models have been shown on this Forum.
U.K. Matchbox examined the model in Vol. 3 no. 6 (Aug. '79) p107 and states that there are four rather than two different baseplate designs:
!Type A - With the embossed legend "MATCHBOX" SERIES across the model behind the baseplate rivet. A further legend, in two lines, is embossed on all 18d models, across the base in front of the rivet, reading MADE IN ENGLAND BY LESNEY. Other than the embossed lettering and the rivet, the baseplate is unmarked.
Type B - Identical to Type A except that a 3 mm diameter hole was punched in the baseplate section, central and cutting out some of the letters in the legend in front of the rivet.
Type C - Only the legend MADE IN ENGLAND BY LESNEY appears on the base in front of the rivet. the legend "MATCHBOX" SERIES does not exist, the area behind the rivet being completely smooth and clear. Plain base without the hole punches through.
Type D - Identical to Type C but with the 3mm diameter hole punched through the front part of this section of the base as in the case of Type B."
It seems to me that we are dealing with paired tooling here, meaning that Nick's twelve variations should actually double-up to twenty-four, a view shared by UK Matchbox (Rob Newson) at the end of the article.
U.K. Matchbox examined the model in Vol. 3 no. 6 (Aug. '79) p107 and states that there are four rather than two different baseplate designs:
!Type A - With the embossed legend "MATCHBOX" SERIES across the model behind the baseplate rivet. A further legend, in two lines, is embossed on all 18d models, across the base in front of the rivet, reading MADE IN ENGLAND BY LESNEY. Other than the embossed lettering and the rivet, the baseplate is unmarked.
Type B - Identical to Type A except that a 3 mm diameter hole was punched in the baseplate section, central and cutting out some of the letters in the legend in front of the rivet.
Type C - Only the legend MADE IN ENGLAND BY LESNEY appears on the base in front of the rivet. the legend "MATCHBOX" SERIES does not exist, the area behind the rivet being completely smooth and clear. Plain base without the hole punches through.
Type D - Identical to Type C but with the 3mm diameter hole punched through the front part of this section of the base as in the case of Type B."
It seems to me that we are dealing with paired tooling here, meaning that Nick's twelve variations should actually double-up to twenty-four, a view shared by UK Matchbox (Rob Newson) at the end of the article.