Matchbox/Lesney 74e; Fiat Mirafiori Abarth; White, Matchbox 45, Red/Orange Tampos

In 1976, 400 examples of the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally were built for homologation purposes. These cars were built in a cooperation between Fiat, Bertone and Abarth. Bertone took part-completed two door standard bodyshells from the production line in Mirafiori, fitted plastic mudguards front and rear, a plastic bonnet and bootlid and modified the metal structure to accept the rear independent suspension. The cars were fully painted and trimmed and then delivered back to the Fiat special Rivalta plant where they received the Abarth mechanicals.

The Matchbox version of the car was released right at the end of the Lesney period and was made only in 1982-83, however production continued under the new ownership and there are very many non-Lesney versions out there. The Lesney ones are all white with red and orange tampo stripes, RN45 on the roof and 'Matchbox' on the doors. Values are fairly modest unless you can find one with a black interior in which case they are not modest.

This MBX was sourced in May 2015 from Lacy Scott & Knight auctioneers