Matchbox/Lesney 74b; Daimler Bus

There's always been a double-decker bus in the range, or so it seems. The Daimler Fleetline spanned the introduction of Superfast wheels, having black plastic wheels at first then later the Superfast wheels. In retrospect it seems wrong to have ditched the iconic Routemaster in favour of this rather faceless box, but it was the Sixties and everything old was being carefully chucked out in favour of the new. However this is a good model of the Daimler which stayed in the range for a long time. Regular wheels versions were first cream, then green, then red which remained the colour (in various shades) after conversion to Superfast. In its Superfast years it started being used as a promotional item and the stickers move on from just advertising Esso Extra Petrol.

The Daimler Bus (74b) was introduced as a regular wheels model in 1966 being converted to Superfast in1970, it was deleted in 1972. The rare and more collectable issues are all Superfast versions with variations in the advertising labels. Anything other than Esso Extra Petrol will demand a premium, but they do vary and some are not genuine Matchbox issues so be sure you check Ramsay or one of the reliable websites before you commit cash as faking them seems to be a whole cottage industry.

Matchbox/Lesney 74b; Daimler Bus; Cream, Esso Extra Petrol, BPW	Matchbox/Lesney 74b; Daimler Bus; Green White Interior; Esso Extra Petrol, BPW	Matchbox/Lesney 74b; Daimler Bus; Red With Red Bus On Box; BPW	Matchbox/Lesney 74b; Daimler Bus; Red, Esso (Superfast)	Matchbox/Lesney 74b; Daimler Bus; Red, Fly Cyprus Airways

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Last Edit: 12/06/2024		Page Added 02/03/2021