Matchbox/Lesney 23e; Volkswagen Camper Dormobile

One of a long line of VW Transporter Vans, Campers, Microbuses and Dormobiles produced by Matchbox over the years. Also known as the 'Mobile Home'. This one has a lift-up roof which displays the detailed interior. By now we've moved on from the old split-screen Type 2 Volkswagen which originally had barn doors on the side, then sliding. Now we have a one-piece windscreen and smoother styling, the Bay Window T2. The registration plate is correct for 1970, backed up by '1970' being stamped on the baseplate.

There was no transitional model 23 in the range. The old Trailer Caravan with regular wheels was deleted and this new model introduced in 1970 at 23e, the Volkswagen Camper with Superfast wheels. First it was blue, then orange, then military green, last of all white as a pizza van, the latter two versions have diecast closed roofs and no campervan interior.

There are two harder to find versions to look for, the blue one sometimes has a fuel filler cap cast in, sometimes not. With the filler cap is hard to find. Orange ones with sailboat labels are also harder to find and hence more valuable. Other than that they are relatively common.