Matchbox/Lesney 52a; Maserati 4CLT

The Maserati 4CL and its derived sister model the Maserati 4CLT are single-seat racing cars that were designed and built by Maserati. The 4CL was introduced at the beginning of the 1939 season, as a rival to the Alfa Romeo 158 and various ERA models in the voiturette class of international Grand Prix motor racing. Although racing ceased during World War II, the 4CL was one of the front running models at the resumption of racing in the late 1940s. Experiments with two-stage supercharging and tubular chassis construction eventually led to the introduction of the revised 4CLT model in 1948. The 4CLT was steadily upgraded and updated over the following two years, resulting in the ultimate 4CLT/50 model, introduced for the inaugural year of the Formula One World Championship in 1950.

The Maserati 4CLT was added to the range in 1958 and deleted in 1965 - a very good long run, Earlier issues are red with solid black plastic wheels. The last of the red cars had wire wheels with plastic tyres. Later cars are coloured yellow and all of these have wire wheels. All red cars with numbers are RN52 as are most of the yellow cars. There are some yellow cars with RN 5 or 3. These are scarce and hard to find, which of course affects value.

The real rarity though is the red car with wire wheels.

Matchbox/Lesney 52a; Maserati 4CLT; Red, Black Plastic Wheels, Crimped Axles	Matchbox/Lesney 52a; Maserati 4CLT; Red, Black Reg Wheels, RN52	Matchbox/Lesney 52a; Maserati 4CLT; Red, Reg Wheels, RN52; Matchbox Originals	Matchbox/Lesney 52a; Maserati 4CLT; Lemon, Wire Wheels RN52

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Last Edit: 12/06/2024		Page Added 26/03/2021