This is a Scammell Scarab, a little 3 wheel tractor used for moving trailers around railway goods yards mostly and for local town centre deliveries. The term 'Mechanical Horse' is generic for this kind of tractor, there was an electric one made by Jensen, the sports car people called a Jen-Tug and there were others. The Scammell had a clever hitch which allowed trailers to be picked up and set down without the driver leaving the cab. Another interesting factette about this truck is that it shares the metal pressing of the upper cab body with the Bedford O Series truck. The Scarab was being developed as the Bedford O was being phased out and Scammell bought the tooling from Bedford.
In common with a number of the early release Matchbox toys this one got a second release, under the same model number in a slightly larger size. This one, 10a is 56mm long, the larger version, 10b is 75mm long. You will only find 10a in red with a grey trailer.
