Yesteryear Y-14 1935 ERA R1B

Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y-14 1935 ERA R1B

The Y14-4 1935 ERA R1B joined the range in 1986 when it was released as one of four vintage racing cars that were intended to promote Lesneys proposed sponsoring of formula one racing events but this was cancelled before any of the races had taken place. The model was released in two colour schemes, the first was in black and this was made in England and it had a black plastic chassis,
The model was recoloured to blue with a yellow painted metal chassis which was produced in Macau, Later production was moved to China where a basically unaltered blue and yellow version was reissued but it now had the inscription modified to read "made in China", This version was intended to be sold in Poland but due to the economic climate were eventually sold through UK retail outlets, The ERA was not replaced and no further issues of the Y14 ERA were released.

Above: The first release was all black with the racing number 7 which was the colours of Dick Seaman who won both the Swiss and the Italian grand prix in 1935, The model had a black plastic chassis and light brown seat and dashboard. The exhaust system, steering wheel, radiator grille, brake drums, engine and gearbox were light grey plastic and it had 24 spoke wire wheels which could have either a bright chrome plated finish or an aluminium finish.

Above: The first issue was made in England and it had a black plastic chassis.

Above: The second release was in the colours of Prince Bira of Siam who raced and won the 1936 Prince Rainier cup in Monaco and the 1936 JCC Trophy at Brooklands.
The body was painted blue and it had a yellow metal chassis and yellow 24 spoke wire wheels. It sported a racing number 4 on the body sides and grille and it had black plastic seats. The grille, steering wheel, exhaust, brake drums, engine and gearbox were grey plastic. This issue was made in Macau.
Later when production was moved to China an almost identical model was released but the base was modified to reflect the new country of manufacture

Above: The bonnet side had a small Union Jack and the rear of the body had a "Trairanga" or tricolour of Siam (later Thailand). There are no rare variations of the ERA.