Rare Lesney Matchbox 1970 A1 Service Ramp Accessory - Lever Needs Repair It is not Ramping Up  

THIS LESNEY MATCHBOX 1970 A-1 SERVICE RAMP IS A HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE VINTAGE DIE-CAST TOY. PRODUCED IN ENGLAND BY LESNEY IN AS AN ACCESSORY PACK. THE RAMP FEATURES A DISTINCT GOLD-PAINTED DIE-CAST FRAME, A RED LIFTING HANDLE, AND A CASTROL DECAL (MISSING). IT WAS DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE 1-75 AND SUPERFAST DIE-CAST CARS.
 
A MECHANICAL, ELEVATING RAMP THAT ALLOWED YOUNG MECHANICS TO RAISE THEIR DIE-CAST CARS TO ACCESS THE UNDERCARRIAGE. IT FAMOUSLY FEATURED AUTHENTIC CASTROL BRANDING.
 
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.

NOTE THIS WEEK WILL BE THE LAST BATCH OF OLD DIECAST CARS FOR A WHILE THAT IS GOING ON AUCTION. TAKE THIS CHANCE TO OBTAIN SOME OF THESE CLASSIC DIECAST MODELS.

SIZE 110MM DEEP OR LONG 30MM HIGH 48MM WIDE SCALE 1:64

CONDITION: LEVER TO RAMP UP IS NOT WORKING. CASTROL DECAL MISSING.
 
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, CORGI 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