Matchbox 13c; Ford Thames Trader Wreck Truck

This toy was introduced into the range in 1960 and was produced until 1965 when it was replaced by the fourth wrecker in a row, the one with the Dodge Fargo cab. (13d) I don't know how they managed it but, according to one source, in the five years that 13c was in production Matchbox managed to make 27 variations on it without changing the colour. Admittedly they were remarkably small variations for the most part, but it is a great illustration of how collecting Matchbox models can drive you to the very limits of OCD.

In terms of version difference that has any effect on value there are only two to look out for. The most desirable is a grey plastic wheels (GPW) version with fine treads, 45 as opposed to 24 treads. These are very distinct from each other, both wheel types are grey plastic but one looks very knobbly and the other very fine. The other variation is to do with the crane jib. You will see that most examples have the gaps in the steelwork filled in on the top surface, if you can find a black wheel version (BPW) with this open on top as it is on the sides than that will be a little rarer and harder to find. The open lattice examples being from the earlier phase of production and black plastic wheels coming later.

You may also spot that the Knobbly GPW truck below has a red crane hook. The first releases had hooks made from painted diecast, being replaced early on by grey plastic which is less prone to break.

Ramsay mentions a metal wheels version which I'm sceptical about as metal wheels were long gone when this toy was released and I have found a very scruffy example with silver plastic wheels (SPW) not mentioned in my sources.