There's always a fixation with fire engines in die-cast toy ranges, I wonder why kids like them so much? Red? Easy to recognise? Make a loud noise? I can understand why toymakers like Matchbox choose to make models of American, rather than UK fire engines too as they are so much more stylish.
The Fire Pumper Truck (29c) released in 1966 was converted to narrow Superfast in 1970 and remained in the range for another six months. It appeared again in 1981 with wider Superfastwheels and Los Angeles decals.
The ones to look out for on regular wheels have a particular casting on the cab doors. If you look at the one below you will see two raised horizontal ridges above and below the 'Denver' decal. The rarer version has the space between these ridges filled in making a raised panel. I have sold several of these and they all had the ridges. With Superfast look for narrow wheels as these will be from 1970. The more commonly seen wider wheels are on the 1981 Code Red release.
This Matchbox was sourced in April 2017 from a private collection, it was sold in December 2017 via eBay for £4.21
