Lesney Matchbox 1966 No 35 Opel Diplomat with Opening Hood Scale 1:64  

THIS LESNEY MATCHBOX NO. 36 OPEL DIPLOMAT IS A CLASSIC 1:64 SCALE DIECAST MODEL INTRODUCED BY LESNEY PRODUCTS IN ENGLAND IN 1966. IT IS A PART OF THE VINTAGE "MATCHBOX 1-75" REGULAR WHEEL SERIES AND PRODUCED UNTILL 1970.
 
IT REPLICATES THE FULL-SIZE PREMIUM EXECUTIVE SEDAN BUILT BY THE GERMAN AUTOMAKER OPEL DURING THE 1960S. THE STANDARD MODEL FEATURES ORIGINAL BLACK REGULAR WHEELS AND A BUILT-IN TRAILER TOW HOOK AT THE REAR. SUPERFAST WHEEL TRANSITIONS APPEARED BRIEFLY TOWARD THE END OF ITS RUN IN 1970.
 
IT COMES WITH AN OPENING BONNET (HOOD) THAT REVEALS A DETAILED, SEPARATE PLASTIC ENGINE PIECE INSIDE.
 
NOTE THIS WEEK WILL BE THE LAST BATCH OF OLD DIECAST CARS THAT IS GOING ON AUCTION. TAKE THIS CHANCE TO OBTAIN SOME OF THESE CLASSIC DIECAST MODELS.
 
SIZE 70MM DEEP OR LONG 20MM HIGH 25MM WIDE SCALE 1:64
CONDITION: WAS REPAINTED. PAINT SCRAPES AND USED WEAR. ALL 4 TYRES IN TACT.TOW BAR IN TACT.
 
LESNEY (1947-1982):
Lesney Products, founded in 1947 by Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith, became famous for producing Matchbox die-cast cars in 1953, designed to fit inside miniature matchboxes.
LESNEY MOKO MINIATURES (OFTEN BRANDED AS "MOKO LESNEY") REPRESENT THE EARLIEST, FOUNDATIONAL YEARS OF THE MATCHBOX BRAND, WHILE THE "REGULAR SERIES" (OR 1-75 SERIES) REFERS TO THE BROADER, LONG-RUNNING MATCHBOX LINE THAT FOLLOWED. The "Moko" branding signifies the partnership with distributor Moses Kohnstam (MoKo) before Lesney took over full marketing in 1959. Lesney Matchbox models distributed by Moko (often marked "A Moko Lesney Product" on the box) began in 1953 with the first few models, ultimately expanding to a 75-model range by 1960. THE FIRST FOUR MODELS RELEASED WERE THE NO. 1 DIESEL ROAD ROLLER, NO. 2 DUMPER, NO. 3 CEMENT MIXER, AND NO. 4 MASSEY HARRIS TRACTOR.
THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EARLY MOKO LESNEY MINIATURES (19531959) AND LATER REGULAR WHEELS SERIES (1960S1969) THAT FOLLOWED LIES IN THEIR SIZE. Early miniature models were typically 5 cm long, made entirely of metal, and often lacked windows or plastic interiors. Regular Wheels Models (1960-1969) grew to around 7 cm in length, featuring plastic windows, interiors, and improved wheels.
Both series settled on a No 1-75 model limit in their series. When a new model was introduced, an older one was dropped, maintaining a 1-75 lineup. While the series was capped at 75 at any one time, over 100 different models were released in total within the 1-75 Regular Wheels series over its full 19531969 run. 
Lesney expanded to include MODELS OF YESTERYEAR (Introduced in 1956, featuring vintage vehicles).
In 1969, the "Regular Wheels" (RW) series was phased out for "SUPERFAST" WHEELS to compete with Hot Wheels. 
Financial issues led to bankruptcy in 1982 and the Machbox brand was taken over by Universal Internationnal and while the brand is French, the manufacturing of these diecast products commonly takes place in China. 
Early models especially the miniatures which were limited to 75, can be highly valuable and collectable.
 
SUPERFAST WHEELS:
The primary difference between Superfast wheels and regular wheels lies in their construction and friction levels. Superfast Wheels features much thinner, polished steel axles that significantly reduce friction, allowing the wheels to spin longer.Made from low-friction plastic, often wider than older "regular" wheels for improved stability on tracks.Most Superfast models will also have suspension on the wheels.
Regular Wheels are found on older vintage models, these use thick, heavy axles that are durable but generate high friction.
 
PLEASE ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED. I HAVE VARIOUS CIRCA 1950s 1970s DIE CAST CARS AND TRUCKS FROM LESNEY, DINKY, CORGI, HUSKY AND OTHER COMPANIES ON AUCTION THIS WEEK. YOU ARE WELCOME TO COMBINE. SOME MODELS ARE RARE AND SELDOM COME UP FOR SALE.
 
YOU CAN SIMPLY CLICK ON MY NAME OR CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW. OR COPY THE URL UNDERNEATH AND PASTE INTO GOOGLE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO ALL MY LISTINGS THIS WEEK. NOTE ALL MY AUCTIONS END AT 22H30.
https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/3685641/ErnRex1545