Matchbox 23a/23b; Berkeley Cavalier Caravan

The first version of the Berkeley Cavalier Caravan, 23a, ran only from 1956 to 1957, the second version 23b, was released in 1957 and deleted in 1960. It was basically a remodelling of the 23a version. The way to tell them apart is that the earlier version has a stud which holds the base in place that sticks through the centrally placed door on the near side. The later version has this stud but not through the door.

23a is always pale blue with metal wheels. You will find 23b also mostly in pale blue with metal wheels. It was recoloured into lime green, then the wheels were changed to plastic, so you will find a very few with metal wheels & lime green paint. There were two further colour changes to metallic lime green then metallic green. All plastic wheels versions have grey plastic wheels.

The metallic green caravans are vanishingly scarce and worth serious cash..