#160 MATCHBOX LESNEY – MILK DELIVERY TRUCK, LYONS MAID ICE-CREAM MOBILE SHOP and TV SERVICE VAN (Nrs. 21c, 47b and 62b) (1961 and 1963)

These three vans or small trucks are three of my best Matchboxs, I bought them last Christmas boxed, and are in a relative good condition, they have a couple of chips, but since they are very old models and hard to find, I guess they’re ok like that. These vans were released in the early 60s: the Milk Delivery Truck was released in 1961, while the other two were released in 1963. They were discontinued in 1968.

Milk Delivery Truck or Commer Bottle Float:

The first model, the Milk Delivery Truck (number 21, or sometimes referred as well as 21c) was available with the old grey metal wheels, and with black plastic wheels. Mine is the later version. There are many different variations of this model, including different colours for the bottles’ load, windshield and the decals (at least two types of decals). The colour of this van has slight variations in a pale shade of green, and the decals on the doors show a cow (like mine) or a bottle of milk.

On the base it is labelled as “Commer Bottle Float”, which is another common name for this vehicle.

Lyons Maid Ice-Cream Mobile Shop or Commer Ice Cream Canteen

The second model, the Lyons Maid Ice-Cream Mobile Shop, or as labelled in the base: “Commer Ice Cream Canteen” is another great model from 1963. It has again a few colour variations: at least two shades of blue and light brown, and again, several different decals (at least this one –Lyons Maid- and Lord Neilson). This one seems to be the most common. It is a very nice van for children, since kids love ice-creams and the seller inside of the cabin is a very nice detail. I guess it was massively sold. Curiously, some other brands like Majorette have also produced die-cast ice-cream vans…

TV Service Van:

The last model presented in this entry is the TV Service Van, available in light brown only but with two different decals: “Rentaset” or “Radio Rentals”. My model is the first of these two, and is complete, something very rare in this model. It came with a few accessories attached to a plastic “tree”. I also have the tree with three televisions, butthe ladder and the antenna have been removed from it. If the model is complete, it is quite expensive to buy it. It was also available with grey wheels.

As you can see in the pictures, the antenna and the ladder are placed at the top of the van, while the televisions can be kept inside of the van. It has a practicable door that opens up andcloses down.

I have to mention, that matchbox models made in these years have a problem with the paint and the lacquer, and if they have been played, or uncorrectly stored, they present great paint loss, as well as rust. It is also important to mention that they can also suffer from sun damage. Some variations in the plastic part or in the body colour can be produced by a long sun exposure in the past, so be careful before you acquire some “ultra-rare variation”. Decals are also rarely complete, always partly missing.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: MILK DELIVERY TRUCK, LYONS MAID ICE-CREAM MOBILE SHOP and TV SERVICE VAN (Nrs. 21c, 47b and 62b)
• Alternate Names: COMMER BOTTLE FLOAT, COMMER ICE CREAM CANTEEN.
• Scale: 1:64 (approx.)
• Year: 1961, 1963 and 1963 (all discontinued in 1968)
• Company: Matchbox Lesney (G. Britain)
• Size: approx. 6 cm

#157 TEKNO – JAGUAR „E“ TYPE (Ref. 926) (1961)

Tekno is a toy maker from Denmark. Its founder was Andreas Siegumfeldt, a plumber from Copenhagen, who started producing construction games in 1928 and model cars in 1945, being one of the most renowned die-cast makers in Europe and a direct competitor of Dinky, Schucco or Gama.

Andreas Siegumfeldt

In 1953, the company celebrated its 25^th anniversary. By this time, the company was already producing many different cars, but also trucks and other vehicles. In their catalogue there was also miniature kitchenware and wooden toys, produced in associating with the Swedish company Brio. With occasion of this anniversary, a small brochure was printed with much information about the company, including pictures of Teknos factories, design studios, toy fairs and so on. It is very interesting. Take a look at it here (specially if you understand Danish). 

 

The Jaguar model I am presenting is an amazing cast, and it was available in white, cream, light blue, red and met. dark grey decorations, and there was also a hardtop version of the car. Tekno is known for the great number of variations in colours and decorations. It was also one of the first companies to produce promotional die-cast models by decorating its models with stickers including the most different types of products, for example, Amstel beer or the Politiken Newspaper.

As it often happens with local toy manufacturers, Tekno offered some unique, never done before models, and this included some Saab and Volvo cars. It seems that Tekno inspired some of its models in already existing Corgi or Dinky toys. It is also known that Joal and Auto Pilen reproduced Tekno models. Dalia-Solido bought in the 60s some Tekno original tooling, so some models were also reproduced by this Spanish brand.

Tekno still exists nowadays. In 1972, the company was sold to a dutch firm named Vanmin, BV. And Tekno Toy continued as a firm in the Netherlands. Later the “Toy” was removed from the name, since the models Tekno builds now are expensive and high quality reproductions of trucks, not intended for children.

 

Going back to the car, note that doors, bonnet and trunk of the car are practicable, and the front wheels can be oriented in one or the other direction. It also comes with windows and windshield, spare tyre, detailed motor… all great details. It is also very important to make attention at the windows and bonnet, which are extremely fragile, and is mostly missing or broken. I own this same model made by Joal, but unfortunately in a very bad shape. The model, however can be seen in a catalogue in this entry.

I bought this model boxed a few months ago, but the box belongs to another model, a Mercedes with almost the same reference number. I leave the images here, and I’ll wait until I find the model that fits the box to make another review.

 

 

  

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: JAGUAR „E“ TYPE (Ref. 926)
• Scale: 1:43
• Year: 1961 (discontinued 1972)
• Company: Tekno (Denmark)
• Size: 10 cms

#111 MATCHBOX vs. JOAL – TAYLOR JUMBO CRANE/ CANGURO (1961/ Around 1968)

Pretending to continue with the last article, I want to present this time the second model of the “200” series by Joal, named: “Camión Grúa Taylor / Canguro” (Nr. 201), which is a copy of the Matchbox King Size nr.14 “Taylor Jumbo Crane” from 1961. The difference with the previous model, is that, this time, I can compare them, because I own both.


If you pay attention you won’t be able to find any big differences between the cast of both models, the biggest one is the central park of the vehicle (between the wheels) is different. You might argue that the part with the axis of the crane-arm is red instead of yellow, but this is only one of the two available versions by Matchbox. (the other one is completely yellow, and seems to be the first release, being the one in the pictures the second). The hook is the only part whose cast hasn’t been copied, they’re clearly different.


Note that this toy is more complex than the Dumper Truck: it already has windshields, and the crane has several points of articulation.

Another interesting point to compare is the chassis. They’re different colours, but the share the same casts. Joal only wrote its name, while Matchbox also included the name and number of the model, plus the typical “made in England”.

Catalogue image with Matchbox's Jumbo Crane (1967)

Another catalogue image with Matchbox's Jumbo Crane (1969)

Now that I have presented the first two public works machines made by Joal, I'd like to remember that Joal is a company that is still working. Nowadays they do not produce toys anymore, but collectable scale trucks, buses, machinery and more. It is interesting, that they specialized in this particular scale miniatures, leaving cars aside. The concurrence in that field was (and is) huge, but in this other field, they're probably among the best in the world. A visit to its webpage is worth: joal.es

UPDATE1 (DEC/2019) This is the same Joal crane, just a later re-release from the early 80s. The later models were produced not in yellow, but in a darker yellow or orange an sold in boxes with windows, unlike the older models that were sold in boxes without windows decorated with a drawn model of the contents. This box I have bought comes with an strange accesory, which I am not sure if it was originally included or if it was added by its previous owner. If it was the second, the owner took very much care in not damaging the vehicle. It is brand new, I could see any scratches or paint losses.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: TAYLOR JUMBO CRANE (K-14)
• Name: CAMIÓN GRUA TAYLOR / CANGURO (Nr. 201) + LATER RE-RELEASE
• Scale: 1:64 (approx.)
• Year: 1961/ 1971
• Company: Matchbox (Great Britain) / Joal (Spain)
• Size: 13 cm