BOX FACTS
SERIES : | Regular Wheels | FIEST YEAR OF PRODUCTION : | 1968 |
BOX TYPES : | E, F | SIZE AVAILABLE : | 5 |
TOTAL VARIATIONS : | 3 | NUMBER OF MAJOR VARIATIONS : | 2 |
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GENERAL INFO
Replacing the Galaxie Police Car came the Mercury Park Lane Police Car, a larger model in real life as well as for the Matchbox model. Release in 1968, it came with a type E box (E4), first with “New Model” at the end flaps, then without it. With the Auto-Steer drawing, the box shows the model with what seems to be regular wheels and not chromed hubs as the model sports. Both boxes have the “®” at the end of “MATCHBOX”.
The end flaps are showing the “white line”, which was only printed for a handful of models (see the article about it!).
The F box shows the Auto-Steer logo now used on F boxes for models featuring it. The model has its front-wheel turned and the roof dome seems white or transparent. Only the ALP F2 box could be found.
There is only one size available, which is size 5.
RARITY
While both E box are relatively common (the new model one a bit less), the F box is definitely harder to find. Expect to pay 25%-30% more than an E box.
VARIATION LIST
55D - MERCURY PARK LANE POLICE CAR
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Front/Back | # | Type/Sub-type | Size | Top/Bottom | End Flap | Variation # |
(White model, blue roof light, (R)) | 1 | E4R | 5 | Light Blue/Light Blue |
| RW-55D-E4-1a |
2 |
| RW-55D-E4-1b | ||||
(White body, label, silver hubs, black tires, Auto-steer. “ALP” Bottom text) | 3 | F2 | 5 |
(Top & Bottom identical) |
EFC: (X/X/X) | RW-55D-F2-1a |
