I have often thought that this is a not model of anything real - it may be just a made up thing, although one authority claims it to be a Magirus Deutz, the same as the previous holder of the number 8 slot. I think it is a Faun if anything at all. I owned one as a child and really liked it, but this is a more recent purchase.
Number 30c the 8 Wheel Crane Truck was released in 1965 and stayed in the range over the transition to Superfast wheels. It was converted to Superfast in 1970 and deleted in the same year. I've never managed to find a Superfast example.
The regular wheels version is very easy to find and there is only one variant which attracts a large premium and that is one with sea-green bodywork which was released briefly in a gift set. These are worth thousands and are very rare. Of the commonly found green/orange regular wheels version look for a central strengthening brace cast into the underside of the rear load bed, absence of this brace doubles the value. The Superfast models are red with a gold jib, if you can find one with the orange jib meant for the old regular wheels version you will have a rare and quite valuable model, although fakes are known.
This Matchbox was sourced in August 2013 from Lacy Scott & Knight auctioneers, it was sold in September 2013 via eBay for £20.87
