This is the first Volkswagen Type 2, or Transporter Van produced by Matchbox. Initially the VW Beetle car was the Type 1 Volkswagen and the van was the Type 2, these designations being less frequently referred to latterly, especially as this generation of VW van is generally known as the Type 1 van or T1 split-screen or splitty. Matchbox kept a VW Transporter in the range right through to the 1970s, all of the versions after this one being bus or camper van variants.
Matchbox 34a was released in 1957 and produced until 1962. It is always light greyish blue with 'Matchbox International Express' graphics. The only variation is to the wheels which were initially metal, then grey plastic or silver plastic. I've seen references to a black plastic wheels version, but I doubt it ever existed. The metal wheels version is most commonly found, grey plastic wheels are harder to find and demand a premium. Silver plastic wheels are very rare and can be worth a lot of money.
This Matchbox was sourced in September 2014 from UK Toy & Model Auctions auctioneers, it was sold in September 2014 via eBay for £15.01
