Toys from the Past: #268 MATCHBOX - HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR and SCAMMEL CONTRACTOR (K1 and K10) (1969 and 1968)

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

#268 MATCHBOX - HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR and SCAMMEL CONTRACTOR (K1 and K10) (1969 and 1968)

This will be a short entry showing two more King Size / Super Kings models.

The interesting fact about them is that they were released in 1968 and 1969, as the series was still called “King Size”, and discontinued years later after being part of the “Super Kings” series for a few years. The rename of the big scale Matchbox series took place in 1971, probably to unify names after the deployment of the first “Superfast” cars (1:64 scale) in 1970. So if the 1:64 cars were “Superfast”, “King Size” should be renamed “Super Kings”.

The most important change was naturally the wheels. Older models typically have the two-part wheels with black plastic tyres and red rims, while “Super Kings” have the classic Superfast wheels, just in bigger scale. The older wheel type fits and looks better in most models, so “King Size” are usually most “wanted” than their newer versions.

Naturally, the packages of the toys were changed accordingly.

Scammel Contractor (K-19) from 1968: the K-19 was first released in 1968, but re-released in 1972 with superfast wheels. New models seem to be painted in a slightly darker red, but I cannot compare the colours, since this one is my only model.

Hydraulic Excavator (also O & K Excavator) (K-1) from 1969: Similarly to K-19, with the Hydraulic Excavator K-1, which was released in 1969 and changed to superfast wheels in 1971.

And now, I include pictures of several old Matchbox catalogues depicting these two models. There are great dioramas and more information in the pictures.