Matchbox 7e; Volkswagen Golf

The Mark 1 Golf was brought into the range in 1976 and stayed there until the brand folded in 1983, there are some post-Lesney versions known produced by Matchbox Toys Ltd after 1983. The model is a good representation of the early Golf and is better for having no opening parts to break its lines. There should be a pair of surf boards on the roof on many of the versions, usually lost on playworn examples.

The first Golfs released 1976/77 were in metallic lime green with black surfboards on the roof, from 1977 to 1981 they were metallic green, still with the surfboards on the roof, there are variations in this phase; red or yellow seats, black or grey bases and darker or lighter amber coloured windows. Also in 1977 there was a German release in yellow with ADAC graphics and no surfboards and in 1979/80 there were red cars with surfboards and red or yellow seats. From 1981 to 1982 the car was yellow with surfboards and in 1982/3 the car was silver without surfboards and interior colours of red, tan or blue.

With such a long production run and so many variations there are inevitably some scarce ones which get a premium price. Top value is silver with blue seats, next in the pecking order is red with red seats then Yellow with ADAC graphics and then green with red seats. After that they all value out at about the same level.