Matchbox 1f; Mod Rod

Yet another fantasy piece by Matchbox. However it does have a proper UK numberplate from 1971. I wonder what vehicle that was on? LMV is a South East London registration. This is one of a number of weird and wonderful cars Matchbox made in the early seventies and onwards. They are very whacky and obviously made to compete with Hot Wheels and some of their fantasy models - which it has to be said are much more attractive.

This car was released in 1971 in yellow with red wheels. These are the hardest to find and fetch a small premium. Later in 1971 the wheels were changed to black and remained so until the car was deleted in 1975. During the production run there were two stickers used on the bonnet; a wildcat and a leopard. Leopards are harder to find than wildcats.

• The leopard head label is tan with black leopard spots, in addition to four large fangs visible in the open mouth there are smaller teeth visible both top and bottom

• The wildcat head is plain tan in colour with a white chin and has four small fangs visible in the open mouth

Some of the photos below are from my very earliest days as a collector and are not that great I'm afraid!