BOX FACTS

SERIES :

Regular Wheels

FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION :

May 1966

BOX TYPES :

E, F

SIZE AVAILABLE :

4, 5

TOTAL VARIATIONS :

6

NUMBER OF MAJOR VARIATIONS :

4

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL INFO

The 36C Opel Diplomat is a nice model to collect boxes from. The first box, an E3 box, small size 4 NEW MODEL one, shows the model in dark green with hood open, a color unknown for this model. The box got longer but thinner with the next variation, still having the NEW MODEL on end flap, but this time showing the turquoise model with bonnet closed, one of the most sought-after models of all Matchbox. This box also came without the NEW MODEL.

A third E box was made showing the regular gold model, with the bonnet opened again. This one came in E4 and E4R variations.

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An F box followed, still showing a gold model with bonnet opened. This “ALP” F2 box had blank end flap closers.

Except for the very first box, all other boxes are size 5.

RARITY

It is well-known that the first E1 box with green model is harder to find, but don’t overlook the F box, which does not come along too often as well. Both boxes are scarce. But not rare. The Turquoise box with NEW MODEL can be also a bit harder to find.

VARIATION LIST

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RW36C - OPEL DIPLOMAT

 

 

Front/Back

#

Type/Sub-type

Size

Top/Bottom

End Flap

Variation #

Diagram Description automatically generated

(Green model, hood open)

1

E3

4

Light Blue/Light Blue

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\EndFlaps\36C-E3NewOpen.jpg

RW-36C-E3-1a

Diagram, schematic Description automatically generated

(Turquoise model, hood closed)

2

5

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\EndFlaps\36C-E3NewClosed.jpg

RW-36C-E3-2a

3

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RW-36C-E3-2b

Diagram Description automatically generated with medium confidence

(Gold model, hood open)

4

E4

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\EndFlaps\36C-E4.jpg

RW-36C-E4-3a

Diagram Description automatically generated

(Gold model, hood open, (R) )

5

E4R

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\EndFlaps\36C-E4R.jpg

RW-36C-E4-3b

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\36C-FBox.jpg

(Gold model, black wheels. “ALP” Bottom text)

6

F2

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\EndFlaps\Sides\36C-Bottom.jpg(Top & Bottom identical)

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\EndFlaps\36C-F.jpg

EFC: (X/X/X)

RW-36C-F2-1a