I like to own diecasts of cars I own or have owned. In this case I owned a run-on model from this one in 1:1, the 420 from 1969, which shares the same profile but is about 6" narrower. The engine is the same, but with two rather than three carburettors and the suspension on my 420 owed more to the E-Type, which is not a bad thing. The Mk10 is a big imposing car though.
The Lesney model is always metallic brown with a black base. The variation comes with the different wheel colours and some cars which have three rather than four lines of text on the base, the words 'Matchbox Series' are sometimes missed off.
The engine detail is worth mentioning on this because it is really good. Compare it to the lamentable efforts Dinky Toys were making at the time and the rather two dimensional efforts of some Corgis - like the Mk10 Jag for instance. The Matchbox engine is both accurate and truly 3 dimensional.
There is a massive variation in values depending on version. The basic 4 line base with black wheels is worth about £20-£40 mint in a box. The three line base and/or grey plastic wheels put it into the low thousands. Smaller black wheels on the normal base are sought after too, but more easily found than the rare versions. Keep your eyes peeled guys.
This Matchbox was sourced in November 2013 from Lacy Scott & Knight auctioneers, it was sold in December 2013 via eBay for £16.00
