Lesney No 34C Volkswagen Camper Scale 1:64 Original Regular Model Series (1967-1971)  

THE LESNEY MATCHBOX 1-75 SERIES NO. 34 VOLKSWAGEN CAMPER IS A POPULAR 1960S DIECAST MODEL, FEATURING TWO MAIN ITERATIONS: THE PALE GREEN 34B CARAVETTE (19621967 WHICH I ALSO HAVE ON AUCTION THIS WEEK) AND THIS SILVER 34C CAMPER (19671971). THESE MODELS, MANUFACTURED IN ENGLAND, ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR OPENING SIDE DOORS AND DETAILED INTERIORS.
 
THE VOLKSWAGEN CAMPER HAS SILVER PAINTED BODY WITH AN ORANGE INTERIOR AND AMBER TINTED WINDOWS. IT FEATURED EITHER A HIGH-ROOF OR LOW-ROOF DESIGN AND INCLUDED SUSPENSION.
 
THE VOLKSWAGEN CARAVETTE WAS PALE GREEN WITH A DARK GREEN BASE, GREEN TINTED WINDOWS, AND EARLY MODELS FEATURED A HINGED DOOR WITH A PICNIC TABLE AND CHAIRS INSIDE. BOTH MODELS ARE DIECAST METAL WITH BLACK PLASTIC WHEELS.
 
THE 34C WAS ONE OF THE FINAL REGULAR WHEEL MODELS BEFORE THE TRANSITION TO SUPERFAST, THOUGH THIS SPECIFIC MODEL WAS NOT CONVERTED TO SUPERFAST IN 1969. THESE EARLY LESNEY REGULAR MODELS FROM THE FIRST NO 1-75 SERIES ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER, WITH PRICES IN THE HUNDREDS OF US DOLLARS DEPENDING ON CONDITION.
 
SIZE 6.5CM DEEP OR LONG 3CM HIGH 2.5CM WIDE SCALE 1:64

CONDITION: SOME PAINT SCRAPES AND USED WEAR. TYRES IN TACT. TINTED WINDOWS AND HINGED DOORS IN TACT. STILL IN GOOD USED CONDITION.
 
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. Popular models include the #7 Refuse Truck, #11 Car Transporter, Pullmore 982 Car Transporter (which I also have on auction this week) and this No 41 Jaguar D-Type Racing Car. 
 
PLEASE ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED. I HAVE TWO OTHER JAPANESE TIN PLATE TRUCKS ON AUCTION THIS WEEK. ALSO 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