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Matchbox – Leyland Royal Tiger Coach

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Scale model of a bus, the Leyland Royal Tiger Coach   ¹ , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 40, included in the "1–75" series. It is made in England, in 1961 and 1966. Metal body painted in blue-gray. Metal base painted black. Windows represented in transparent/blue-green tinted plastic. No interior details. Silver plastic wheels with molded details (SPW). No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:145 and the overall length is approximately 2.9 in. About 1 oz. This model represents a demonstration bus (coach) intended for long-distance services, the Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster presented in 1956 at the Commercial Motor Show in Earl's Court, London. It had a LERT.2/1 chassis presumably equipped with the Leyland 0.680H "L6" engine of 677 cu in and 150 hp (112 kW), combined with a 44-passenger body designed by  Carrozzeria Ghia  and manufactured by Autocostruzioni Casaro , both based in Turin. I don't know if this demonstration bus, a creative styl...
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Hot Wheels – Peterbilt Tank Truck

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Scale model of a tank truck, the Peterbilt Tank Truck , made by  Hot Wheels . This example is reference 2800, included in the "1989 Workhorses" series. It is made in Malaysia in 1989. Metal cab, cargo platform, and chassis; cab and cargo platform painted yellow, chassis unpainted. Metal tank painted in metallic gray ("metalflake"), with printed details showing the inscription "SHELL" next to the famous clamshell logo. Cab windows represented in transparent black tinted plastic. Interior details in the cab in black plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims (" Black Walls "). No suspension. At the base of the tank, on both sides, two black plastic hoses can be pulled out, allowing the kids to simulate supplying fuel to gas stations. The nominal scale seems to be around 1:96 and the overall length is approximately 3.2 in (3.3 mm, including the projection of the hose tips). About 3.5 oz. This model represents a tank ...
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Matchbox – Leyland Titan

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Scale model of a double-deck bus, the Leyland Titan , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 17, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in China, between 1988 and 1990. Metal body painted in red, with paper stickers placed on the sides, showing the advertisement "AROUND LONDON TOUR-BUS". Black plastic base. Model without "glazing". Interior details in white plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:124 and the overall length is approximately 3.1 in. About 2 oz. This model represents a double-deck bus used in urban services, the Leyland Titan (B15), introduced in 1977. Primarily operated by London Transport, the  Leyland Titan (B15) ¹ was 31.4 ft long and could accommodate up to 93 passengers, 73 seated and 20 standing. It featured air suspension and was fitted with either 177 bhp (132 kW) Gardner 6LXB or 170 bhp (127 kW) Leyland TL11 "L6" diesel  engine...
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Tomica – Austin Taxi Cab

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Scale model of a taxicab, the Austin Taxi Cab , made by  Tomica . This example is reference T12, included in the "Tomica T-Series" ¹ series. It is made in China, in the 1990s. Metal body painted in black, with printed details. Metal base, unpainted. Glazing represented in transparent plastic with details molded in the windshield. Interior details in red plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims (1H). With suspension. Opens the front doors. License plate "F56". The nominal scale is 1:67 and the overall length is approximately 2.7 in. About 1.5 oz. This model represents a  taxicab , possibly the 1969  Austin FX4 , equipped with the 2178 cm³, 41 kW (56 hp) BMC "L4" diesel engine. Top speed around 59 mph. As a kid, I saw this London taxi many times in toy stores, but I always ended up choosing other models—until it stopped appearing. Years later, I finally bought it and I'm glad I did. Released by Tomica in 1978 as part ...
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Matchbox – Airport Coach

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Scale model of a bus, the Airport Coach , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 65, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, between 1977 and 1980. Two-part body: the lower part in metal painted in dark blue and decorated with paper stickers on the sides, with graphics and the inscription "British Airways"; and the upper part in cream-colored plastic. Metal base, unpainted. Windows represented in transparent yellow (amber) tinted plastic. Interior details in cream-colored plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:98 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.9 oz. This model represents a fictional bus (or coach), presumably operated on express routes to airports. It's interesting—as a kid, I never liked this Airport Coach. There was something wrong with the proportions. Furthermore, a bus that somehow reminded me of my beloved Scenicruiser (or som...
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