Lesney Matchbox 1966 No 72b Standard Jeep with Fully Functional Spare Tyre Scale 1:64  

THIS LESNEY MATCHBOX NO. 72 STANDARD JEEP IS A CLASSIC 1:64 SCALE DIECAST MODEL BASED ON THE JEEP CJ-5. PRODUCED BY LESNEY PRODUCTS IN ENGLAND FOR ONLY A SHORT PERIOD BETWEEN 1966 AND 1970, IT IS A STAPLE OF THE VINTAGE "MATCHBOX 1-75" SERIES. 
 
ORIGINALLY IN VIBRANT YELLOW BODY WITH RED SEATS (INTERIOR). OURS WAS REPAINTED IN A CREAM COLOUR. IT FEATURES DETAILED SIDE STEPS AND STEERING WHEEL.
 
RELEASED IN 1966 WITH BLACK PLASTIC WHEELS WITH A FULLY FUNCTIONAL SPARE TYRE ON THE TAILGATE TO REPLACE A MISSING OR DAMAGED TYRE WITH. IT FEATURED SPRING SUSPENSION. A TRANSITIONAL VERSION WITH THIN "SUPERFAST" WHEELS WAS RELEASED AROUND 1970.
 
THE JEEP CJ-5 (19541983) IS A LEGENDARY CIVILIAN OFF-ROADER BASED ON THE KOREAN WAR-ERA M38A1 MILITARY JEEP.
 
THESE EARLY LESNEY MODELS ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER BY VINTAGE TOY COLLECTORS AND DUE TO ITS POPULARITY, THIS MODEL IS A COMMON SUBJECT FOR RESTORATION AND REPAINTING PROJECTS. PRICES RANGE IN THE HUNDREDS OF US DOLLARS DEPENDING ON CONDITION.
 
SIZE 60MM DEEP OR LONG 25MM HIGH 25MM WIDE SCALE 1:64
CONDITION: WAS REPAINTED. PAINT SCRAPES AND USED WEAR. ALL 4 TYRES IN TACT. SPARE TYRE IN TACT. WINDSCREEN MISSING. STEERING WHEEL 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.
 
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