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Matchbox – Stake Truck

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Scale model of a stake truck, the Stake Truck , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 4, included in the "Matchbox 1–75" series. It is made in England, between 1968 and 1969. Metal body painted in yellow; green plastic cargo box, crossbars with a wood texture. Metal base, unpainted. Cab windows represented in transparent green tinted plastic. No interior details in the cab. Black plastic wheels. With suspension. The nominal scale is 1:86 and the overall length is approximately 2.9 in. About 1.3 oz. This model represents a stake truck. The cab-chassis assembly is based on that of the Dodge 500 truck, introduced in 1964. Dodge 500 trucks could be equipped with Cummins "V6" or "V8" diesel engines, producing 130–170 hp (97–127 kW), or Perkins "L6" diesel engines, producing 120 hp (89 kW). The 3-axle version had payload capacities of 12 to 16 tons. Common in the United States, I don't recall seeing "stake trucks" in Portugal. I...

Best Box – T-Ford 1919

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Scale model of an automobile, the T-Ford 1919 , made by  Best Box   ¹ . This example is reference 2506, included in the "Best Box Series" series. It is made in Holland, in the 1960s  ² . Metal body painted gray. The lower part of the body forms the seats, hood, fenders, and running boards, and also serves as the base of the model. The top side is painted red; the bottom side is unpainted. Windshield and windows without glazing. The only interior detail is the front seats, made of metal painted red. Plastic tires reproducing the shoulder blocks, unpainted metal spoked wheels. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:62 and the overall length (including wheel projections) is approximately 2.2 in. About 1.4 oz. This model represents an automobile, the 1919  Ford Model T  sedan, equipped with the 176.7 cu in (2896 cm³), 20 hp (15 kW) Ford "L4" engine. Top speed around 40–45 mph.   I n Best Box's 1919 T-Ford models, the adoption of a modular concept is evident fro...

Matchbox – Refuse Truck

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Scale model of a garbage truck, the Refuse Truck , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 7, included in the "Matchbox" series. It is made in England, between 1967 and 1969. Metal body painted orange. Garbage collection module in gray plastic; rear "lid"  ¹  painted in metallic gray. Metal base, unpainted. Cab windows represented in transparent green tinted plastic. No interior details in the cab. Black plastic wheels. No suspension. The garbage collection module has moving elements that allow for garbage disposal; by pulling up the front part of the module, the "lid" ¹ at the rear rises, allowing the garbage to be discharged by gravity. The nominal scale is 1:95 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.7 oz. This model represents a garbage truck . In this case, the chassis-cab assembly is based on that of the  Ford D  truck, introduced in 1965. As a kid, I don't remember seeing Ford D garbage trucks —my memory leads me to Mercedes...

Best Box – T-Ford 1919

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Scale model of an automobile, the T-Ford 1919 , made by Best Box   ¹ . This example is reference 2505, included in the "Best Box Series". It is made in Holland, in the 1960s  ² . Metal body painted gray. The lower part of the body forms the seats, hood, fenders, and running boards, and also serves as the base of the model. The top side is painted dark blue; the bottom side is unpainted. Windshield and windows without glazing. The only interior detail is the seats, made of metal painted dark blue. Plastic tires reproducing the shoulder blocks, unpainted metal spoked wheels. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:62 and the overall length (including wheel projections) is approximately 2.2 in. About 1 oz. This model represents an automobile, the 1919  Ford Model T  coupe, equipped with the 176.7 cu in (2896 cm³), 20 hp (15 kW) Ford "L4" engine. Top speed around 40–45 mph. In the seventies, my feelings about Efsi models were contradictory. I liked the realistic proporti...

Matchbox – Refuse Truck

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Scale model of a garbage truck, the Refuse Truck , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 36, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, in 1981. Metal body painted in dark metallic red, garbage collection module in yellow plastic. Metal base, painted in aluminum. Cab windows represented in transparent orange tinted plastic. No interior details in the cab. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. The garbage collection module features moving elements that allow for "automatic" garbage disposal, activated by sliding side flaps. License plate "GSK 77T". The nominal scale is 1:86 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.8 oz. This model represents a garbage truck equipped with the Heil Colectomatic system, which could be mounted on chassis from various manufacturers. In this case, the chassis-cab assembly appears to be based on that of the 1975  Berliet GR  260 or 280 truck.  ...