Lesney Matchbox Superkings 1973 Ford LTS Series Tractor Unit with Functioning Suspension Scale 1:43  

THIS 1973 LESNEY MATCHBOX SUPERKINGS METALLIC RED FORD LTS SERIES TRACTOR UNIT (K-16; K-18) IS A POPULAR DIECAST MODEL KNOWN FOR ITS DETAILED DESIGN, WHICH INCLUDES FUNCTIONAL FEATURES LIKE FUNCTIONING SUSPENSION AND A TILTING HOOD. 
 
THE REALISTIC SUSPENSION PROVIDES A REALISTIC BOUNCE TO THE WHEELS.THE HOOD TILTS FORWARD, REVEALING A CHROME-PLATED ENGINE. FITTED WITH MALTESE CROSS WHEELS.
 
LESNEY MATCHBOX SUPERKINGS, INTRODUCED IN THE LATE 1960S TO EARLY 1970S, WERE A RANGE OF LARGER-SCALE DIECAST VEHICLES DESIGNED TO COMPETE WITH CORGI MAJOR AND HOT WHEELS. THESE PREMIUM, DETAILED MODELS OFTEN FEATURED FUNCTIONAL PARTS (LIKE TRANSPORTERS OR CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES) AND REPLACED THE EARLIER "KINGSIZE" LINE, FEATURING FASTER WHEELS TO MATCH THE "SUPERFAST" REBRANDING OF SMALLER MODELS. 
 
SIZE 9.5CM DEEP OR LONG 4.5CM HIGH 4CM WIDE SCALE 1:43

CONDITION: SOME MINOR PAINT SCRAPES AND USED WEAR. STILL IN GOOD USED CONDITION. FUNCTIONING SUSPENSION AND A TILTING HOOD. NO TRAILER.
 
LESNEY:
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