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SPECIALIST MATCHBOX SALE FEATURING THE TORVIC COLLECTION - Friday 29th April 2022 HIGHLIGHTS

The Specialist Matchbox sale held on the 29th of April started with part 1 of the Torvic Collection. Lots included boxed and unboxed models, colour trial, pre-production and unfinished models, plus original factory injection moulds, factory labels, decal sheets, leaflets, catalogues and signs form the factory R&D departments. Further items in the sale included Code 2 and 3 models, boxed groups including Superkings and Superfast, Lesney giftware, collectibles era and a number of empty boxes. 

Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y1 Jaguar SS100 Pre-production
Lot Lot 1007
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y1 Jaguar SS100 Pre-production colour trial model - dark metallic blue body and chassis (similar to Matchbox Superfast 10b Piston Popper), pure white seats and folded hood, chrome plated parts, chrome 24-spoke wheels with riveted axles and with incomplete baseplate year - Excellent unboxed.
Estimate: £100 - £120 Sold For: £400
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y4 1909 Opel Coupe
Lot Lot 1024
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y4 1909 Opel Coupe - Pre-production colour trial - cream body, grey chassis, baseplate type C, bright red seats and grille, brass plated parts, tan smooth hood, chrome 12-spoke wheels with riveted axles - couple of tiny chips to bonnet - overall Excellent unboxed.
Estimate: £80 - £100 Sold For: £1,000
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y4 1930 Duesenberg Model J Tank
Lot Lot 1025
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y4 1930 Duesenberg Model J Tank Car - white body with cast open roof cross, dark yellow seats and hood, orange red chassis, front and rear bumpers without number cast, narrow rear locating lug, open front air horns and chrome 24-spoke wheels - tiny chip to nearside door, pin prick chip to front wing - Excellent Plus stunning example of an extremely rare model, comes with Excellent type H woodgrain window box.
Estimate: £1,000 - £1,200 Sold For: £3,600
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y8 1914 Sunbeam Motorcycle
Lot Lot 1039
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y8 1914 Sunbeam Motorcycle with Milford Sidecar - Original factory injection mould for plastic sidecar seta component. Superb example of British Tooling & Engineering, the moulds were saved from scrap towards the end of closure of the Lincoln Road Factory. Also includes an original component (colour Trial piece). PLEASE NOTE DUE TO EXTREME WEIGHT (OVER 40KG) THESE ITEMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR POSTING, CAN BE COLLECTED FROM THORNABY OR BY ARRANGEMENT FROM WITNEY.
Estimate: £100 - £150 Sold For: £340
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y8 Sunbeam Motorcycle
Lot Lot 1041
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y8 Sunbeam Motorcycle with Milford Sidecar colour trial model - light metallic blue (same colour as Matchbox Regular Wheels 4c Triumph Motorcycle & Sidecar) fitted with dark red sidecar seat and lighter red plastic motorcycle seat - rivets appear to be hand finished - Near Mint unboxed.
Estimate: £70 - £90 Sold For: £750
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y11 1938 Lagonda Drophead Coupe
Lot Lot 1063
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y11 1938 Lagonda Drophead Coupe - metallic gold body, black grille and seats, metallic purple chassis, front and rear bumpers with model number cast but without raised tabs and held into position by different sized rivets, brass 24-spoke wheels - generally Near Mint superb example of extremely rare model in a Good type G purple and yellow window box.
Estimate: £400 - £500 Sold For: £1,600
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y12 1909 Thomas Flyabout pre-production
Lot Lot 1068
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y12 1909 Thomas Flyabout pre-production colour trial model - metallic bronze body and chassis (similar to Matchbox Regular Wheels 66b Harley Davidson Motorcycle), type A baseplate, brass plated parts and 12-spoke wheels, dark red seats and grille, tan smooth hood - a few tiny rubs to chassis but overall clean and bright unusual colour combination, unboxed.
Estimate: £100 - £140 Sold For: £1,300
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y12 Ford Model T Van
Lot Lot 1073
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y12 Ford Model T Van "Coca-Cola" - off white body with 5-line tampo print, matt black roof, chrome plated parts, black seats, gloss black chassis, red 12-spoke wheels, rare issue - Near Mint in a Near Mint type I straw window box.
Estimate: £120 - £150 Sold For: £580
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y16 1928 Mercedes SS Coupe
Lot Lot 1111
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y16 1928 Mercedes SS Coupe - colour trial model - yellow body, dark red chassis without cast rear differential, black seats and grille, textured black hood and rear luggage trunk, brass windscreen, bare metal radiator shell, separate brass exhaust and chrome 24-spoke wheels - grille is a loose fit - Near Mint unboxed.
Estimate: £60 - £80 Sold For: £620
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y2 1911 "B" Type London Bus
Lot Lot 1275
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y2 1911 "B" Type London Bus - London Transport red body and chassis, bare metal lower deck ceiling, silver radiator shell, grenodised wheels, crimped axles, blue driver and steering wheel, 4/4 window design (4 over 4 window design) and body type A without cast ribs for label guidance, Lesney England baseplate, early type casting to underside of rear step (without reinforcing to open edges), extremely rare model - does have some small nibbles to edges of top decals but otherwise Excellent Plus.
Estimate: £400 - £600 Sold For: £1,200
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear 1905 Shand Mason Horse Drawn Fire
Lot Lot 1276
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear 1905 Shand Mason Horse Drawn Fire Engine - fire engine red body, brown horses with white manes and tails and gold collars, type A ash can to footplate, type A hose locker sides, type 1 drawbar, three black plastic crew with gold helmets and Kent type 1 logo - unlisted issue - generally Near Mint superb example in a Good Plus type C box.
Estimate: £200 - £300 Sold For: £1,800