Lesney Matchbox 23b Berkley Cavalier Caravan

Moko Lesney Matchbox 23b Berkley Cavalier Caravan

The second Lesney version of the Caravan was to join the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1958.
Although it was very similar to the previous model it was actually a completely new casting,
It was painted in the same pale blue as the previous issue but the shades can vary, It also had the same "On tow MBS 23" decal applied to the rear end.
The baseplate now had the number cast into it and the base fixing stud did not protrude through the door like it did on the first caravan.

Later it had a colour change to lime green and this version can be found with either grey metal wheels or grey plastic wheels.
The grey metal wheeled version being quite hard to find.
Three axle types were used, Flat head with crimped ends, Dome head with crimped ends or domed head with rounded ends.
Finally there was a metallic lime green version with grey plastic wheels that was made just before the model was deleted in 1960. This variation would probably be in the top 20 of the rarest Lesneys.

There were a few casting variations on this one,
The tow hitch was altered twice, It started out with a flat upper surface to the hitch, It then had a raised strengthening ring cast around the towing eye which was later lengthened so it went further towards the caravan body,

The baseplate was also modified twice, Looking inside the caravan it originally had a just strengthening brace that ran along the middle of the floor going from front to rear, Soon into production an ejector ring was added towards the rear and some time later a second ejector ring was added at the front.
Like the first issue this one was only available in box type 'B',
It was deleted in 1960 to make way for the third caravan, The 23c bluebird dauphine.

Above: shades of blue and the gloss lime green version

Above: the rare metallic lime green caravan

Above: towing hitch type one with
a flat upper surface

Above: towing hitch type two with a raised
ring around the hole

Above: towing hitch type three with the raised
ring extended backwards to the caravan

code number	body colour	wheel type	axle type	tow hitch type	baseplate ejector ring
code 1	pale blue	metal wheels 8.5 x 18	flat head crimped	smooth top	no ejector rings
code 2	pale blue	metal wheels 8.5 x 18	flat head crimped	smooth top	one ejector ring
code 3	pale blue	metal wheels 8.5 x 18	flat head crimped	raised ring	one ejector ring
code 4	pale blue	metal wheels 8.5 x 18	domed head crimped	raised ring	one ejector ring
code 5	pale blue	metal wheels 8.5 x 18	domed head crimped	raised ring	two ejector rings
code 6	lime green	metal wheels 8.5 x 18	domed head crimped	raised ring	two ejector rings
code 7	lime green	metal wheels 8.5 x 18	domed head crimped	extended raised ring	two ejector rings
code 8	lime green	grey plastic wheels 9 x 20	domed head crimped	extended raised ring	two ejector rings
code 9	lime green	grey plastic wheels 9 x 20	domed head rounded	extended raised ring	two ejector rings
code 10	metallic lime green	grey plastic wheels 9 x 20	domed head rounded	extended raised ring	two ejector rings

box types	notes
B2	large picture
B2	small picture
B3	large picture
B3	small picture
B4	lower case letters
B4	upper case letters
B5	lower case letters

values

blue with metal wheels £35

lime green with metal wheels £60

lime green with plastic wheels £50

metallic lime green with plastic wheels £ 1000+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

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