BOX FACTS

SERIES :

Regular Wheels

FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION :

1960

BOX TYPES :

B, C, D

SIZES AVAILABLE :

3, 4

TOTAL VARIATIONS :

10

NUMBER OF MAJOR VARIATIONS :

9

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL INFO

After two Bedford Wreck Trucks, the #13 saw a third Wrecker, but this time it was a Ford Thames Trader. This model has some very curious variations that made it quite fun to collect, from a box perspective.

First, as it started its career in 1960, it was packaged in a B5 box and the picture is a bit different from the later 13B box, but it still shows the earlier mode. The main difference is the numbers which are closer to model and use the “straight 3”. The model is also a bit lower, and the hook is barely visible.

We would have to wait for the next B5 box to actually see 13C in a picture. It shows the model without any background and still uses the “straight 3”.

The first C box shows the 13C to the very left of the scroll, while the second C box has it better centered, but without any line underneath. A third C box followed, and this time, lines are back underneath.

The number of major variations would increase even more with the D boxes. The fist D1 box used the “straight 3” again, while the second box has the numbers without serifs and a little bigger. The third D1 box has very small numbers with serifs. And finally, the last box, the fourth one, is a D2 box with large numbers with serifs. Each box shows a back view of the model, with black wheels (which may seem gray depending on the quality and tint of the coloring) and red boom and hook.

RARITY

Considering the number of major variations, it is quite hard to declare one variation rarer than the other. C boxes are always desirable, and the two B5 boxes are probably less common for this model.

VARIATION LIST

A picture containing concrete mixer, red, dark Description automatically generated

RW13C - FORD THAMES TRADER WRECK TRUCK

 

 

Front/Back

#

Type/Sub-type

Size

Top/Bottom

End Flap

Variation Name

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\13B-BBoxB5.jpg

(13B shown, dark background, hook to rear, yellow hubs,  normal “N” with “straight 3” close to model)

1

B5

3

Blue/Black

A picture containing graphical user interface Description automatically generated

RW-13C-B5-1a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\13C-BBoxB5.jpg

(13C shown, no background, normal “N” with “straight 3” away model)

2

RW-13C-B5-2a

Calendar Description automatically generated

(Red model, yellow wheels, small background (line), lines underneath model, model flush to left end of scroll)

3

C

 

A picture containing graphical user interface Description automatically generated

RW-13C-C-1a

Diagram Description automatically generated

(Red model, yellow wheels, no background, no line underneath model, model better centered)

4

RW-13C-C-2a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\13C-CBoxLinesUnder.JPG

(Red model, yellow wheels, no background,with lines underneath model, model better centered)

5

RW-13C-C-3a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\13C-DBoxD1.jpg

(Small number, without serifs, "straight three")

6

D1

4

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RW-13C-D1-1a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\13C-DBoxD1RoundSmall.jpg

(Small number, without serifs, "round three")

7

RW-13C-D1-2a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\13C-DBoxD1VerySmall.jpg

(Very small number, without serifs)

8

RW-13C-D1-3a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\13C-DBox.jpg

(Large number, with serifs)

9

D2

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RW-13C-D2-4a

10

Blue/Blue

RW-13C-D2-4b