With the transition to Superfast wheels, the majority of the models still remained as Regular Wheels. These are denoted by the ‘1-75’ logo, instead of the ‘Superfast’ logo.
1969 is a well documented area of Matchbox collecting. The advent of Hot Wheels, Matchbox rushed to get the Superfast series up and running as quickly as possible. Certain models like the Merryweather Fire Engine and Eccles Caravan are well documented as being originally planned as regular wheel models but were released purely as Superfast.
The story goes that as 1969 began Lesney were unsure of how fast they could get the Superfast models going and released the initial catalogue with all regular wheel stuff. Mid way through 1969 they finally released the first batch of models. These included the well documented 5 brand new castings (MB5 Lotus Europa, MB20 Lamborghini Marzal, MB35 Merryweather Fire Engine, MB56 BMC 1800 Pininfarina, MB69 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Coupe Convertible) and 5 models previously as regular wheels that were quickly converted to Superfast in 1969 itself (MB14 Iso Grifo, MB15 VW 1500, MB33 Lamborghini Miura, MB41 Ford GT, MB67 VW1600TL).
1969 is officially documented by all the official Matchbox history books as having 10 Superfast models in total.
David Tilley
Additional photography: Dan Zsebehazy & www.garyscars.co.uk
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Model No.
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Model Name
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Brand
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Image
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MB1
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MB2
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MB3
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MB4
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Stake Truck
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MB5
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MB6
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Ford Pick Up Truck
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MB7
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MB8
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MB9
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Boat and Trailer
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MB10
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Pipe Truck
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MB11
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MB12
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MB13
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Wreck Truck
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MB14
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MB15
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MB16
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Case bulldozer
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MB17
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Horse
Box |
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MB18
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Field Car
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MB19
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MB20
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MB21
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MB22
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MB23
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Trailer Caravan
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MB24
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MB25
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MB26
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MB27
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MB28
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Mack Dump Truck
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MB29
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Fire Pumper
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MB30
|
8 Wheel Crane
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MB31
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MB32
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Leyland Petrol Tanker
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MB33
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MB34
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MB35
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Snow-Trac
Tractor |
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MB36
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MB37
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Cattle
Truck |
|
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MB38
|
Honda
Motorcycle with Trailer |
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MB39
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Ford Tractor
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MB40
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Hay Trailer
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MB41
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MB42
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Fairy
Iron Crane |
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MB43
|
Pony Trailer
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MB44
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Refrigeration
Truck |
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MB45
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Ford Corsair with Boat
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MB46
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MB47
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DAF Tipper
Container Truck |
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MB48
|
Dumper
Truck |
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MB49
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MB50
|
Kennel
Truck |
|
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MB51
|
8-Wheel
Tipper |
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MB52
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MB53
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MB54
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MB55
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Mercury
Police Car |
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MB56
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MB57
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MB58
|
DAF Girder
Truck |
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MB59
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MB60
|
Truck
with Site Office |
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MB61
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MB62
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MB63
|
Dodge
Crane Truck |
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MB64
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MB65
|
Combine
Harvester |
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MB66
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MB67
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MB68
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MB69
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MB70
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MB71
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MB72
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MB73
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MB74
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MB75
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Matchbox 1-75.com 