Some finds!!

[motorman]

Doesn't that Capri look absolutely wonderful in line green and orange! (Obviously the Sixties lived on just a little bit longer in South America.)

I agree Hugh that Capri looks superb

[leonty24]

I have been led to belive that as Hudson has said there only 5 picture box's used and the model which
went into the box the no. was then applied.

I have a Silva Spider box which has the correct No printed on the end flap,
also if you look at the box's none actually have a model name applied also
all text other than MATCHBOX is Spainish or Portugise.

I shall post some pictures of the box tomorrow

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Gould point Graham, that could be the answer.

Ghosthuter.

[vetrad]

Thank you Hudson. I can understand the problem you have with model catalogue numbers and you have shown some good examples of the complicated numbering system on the boxes.

I wonder why they could not just use the original numbers the models were allocated in England and had to place sticky labels with new numbers on to the boxes which have then been crossed out and an alternative number written in ink applied...all very interesting

Ghosthunter.

There were several styles of sticky labels applied to the boxes, which I assume were put on at the time of sale as the boxes are all generic. Whenever I see a hand-written number on a box I suspect it was written by the owner of a car who did not have a matching box, although perhaps some were written by a shopkeeper who was out of production labels. I do not think you can say for certain. I think there were specific time frames used for different labels and box styles.

[fixer]

Doesn't that Capri look absolutely wonderful in line green and orange! (Obviously the Sixties lived on just a little bit longer in South America.)

I agree Hugh that Capri looks superb

not as nice as that other green one though ..is it Al
I wonder is it the same lime green as #53 zodiac

[motorman]

Doesn't that Capri look absolutely wonderful in line green and orange! (Obviously the Sixties lived on just a little bit longer in South America.)

I agree Hugh that Capri looks superb

not as nice as that other green one though ..is it Al
I wonder is it the same lime green as #53 zodiac

Reg is referring to a truly exceptional prepro Capri that another Matchbox enthusiast showed us at the NEC in September. Unfortunately I didn't get any photographs of it.

[fixer]

i'm sure he would oblige if requested although I would refrain from posting in an open forum because of you know who

[motorman]

i'm sure he would oblige if requested although I would refrain from posting in an open forum because of you know who

Very good point Reginald.

[vetrad]

If you imagine a timeline from about 1973 on the left and 1981 on the right, the picture below shows how the packing changed over time (did not have all as #27 boxes so I had to improvise).

The earliest boxes have a Roly Toys address (Roly Toys models were also issued as blisterpacks). When the company name changed to Inbrima, the address changed, even though the early Inbrima box style was the same with the yellow labels. There are other box and label variations not pictured.

[fixer]

i'm sure he would oblige if requested although I would refrain from posting in an open forum because of you know who

Very good point Reginald.

reginald .....am i in trouble