Matchbox/Lesney Buses
Lesney produced many different styles and variations of buses throughout its history until its eventual bankruptcy in 1982. The "MATCHBOX" brand was introduced by Lesney in 1953. When Lesney went bankrupt the Matchbox brand was purchased by Universal Toys and the Matchbox International Ltd. division was born. Matchbox was again sold in 1992 to Tyco Toys, who in turn was bought out by Mattel in 1997. See Wikipedia for a more complete history of Lesney and Matchbox.
Shown below are just a sampling of the many different buses that can be found from this manufacturer.
Matchbox #66 - GM PD 4501 Greyhound Scenicruiser
Wheel Type: Regular Wheels
Wheel Type: Superfast
Chasis Color: Black
Notes: The box shows the old regular wheels model, but adds the Superfast logo and text. I believe this indicates a transitional model.
Wheel Type: Superfast
Chasis Color: Pink
Notes: Shown with its Superfast box. These boxes are similar in style to the original regular wheels boxes. The Superfast variants were also produced in the blister pack.
Matchbox #47 - International Conventional School Bus - 1:95 Scale
Variation: U.S. Army Military
Variation: School District 2
Variation: 1986 Card - School District 2
Notes: Currently in stock:
1986 Card.
Variation: 1987 Card - School District 2
Notes: Currently in stock:
1987 Card.
Variation: 1990 Card - School District 2
Notes: Currently in stock:
1990 Card.
Variation: No red printing.
Variation: School District 2 Foreign Blue Box
Variation: Matchbox 75 Challenge
MB #: 47 50110
Variation: Police Prisoner Transport Mini Play Set
Notes: In stock now:
Emergency Action Pack Prisoner Transport Bus.
MB #: 47 33000
Variation: Wal-Mart Special Limited Edition
MB #: 47 (No. 20)
Variation: Collector's Choice White Rose Limited Edition
International School Bus (formerly MB 47) - The Mattel Years - 1:95 Scale
MB #: 1
Mattel#: 36415-0910 3498EA
Series: 1
Card Year: 1998
Variation: Ridge Elementary School, Ridge, NY
MB #: 31
Mattel#: 96317-0910 0570EA
Series: 7
Card Year: 1999
Variation: St. Thomas Elementary School - Rocky River, Ohio
MB #: 15
Mattel#: 95211-0910G1 0252EA
Series: To The Rescue!
Card Year: 1999
Variation: Police Transport
MB #12 Setra Coach
MB #: 12
Bus Type: Setra Coach
Wheel Type: Superfast
MB #67 Ikarus Coach
Variation: Gibraltar
Variation: Ikarus Coach
Variation: Swiss Collection - Marti
The Mattel Years
There was much uncertainty about the Matchbox name after it was acquired by Mattel in the late 1990s. Fortunately Mattel has seen fit to continue producing nice quality die-cast vehciles of a realistic nature with the Matchbox brand name. It seems though that these latest Matchbox models are being produced in far lower numbers than in the pre Mattel days. As a result these models can be somewhat more expensive and harder to find.
MB #768 GMC School Bus
MB #: ##
Bus Type: GMC School Bus
Variation: Metro School District
MB #: ##
Bus Type: GMC School Bus
Variation: Child Care Learning Center
MB #: 62
Card Year: 2010
Mattel #: t8934-0910
Variation: Star Home Tours
MB #: 120
Card Year: 2011
Mattel #: W4802-0910
Variation: MBX National Park - Cliff Tours
MB #372 Chevy Transport School Bus
MB #: 372
Variation: Wilderness Road Trip
MB #: 372
Variation: Airport Service Shuttle
Notes: A similar model in excellent condition is available in our eBay store:
Chevy School Bus Airport Shuttle.
MB #: 120
Variation: Prisoner Transport
MB #: 372
Variation: Forest Fire Control Wildfire Crew Transport
Mattel #: 36458-0910
MB #: 24
Variation: National Car Rental
Release year: 1998
Notes: In stock now:
MB 24 National Car Rental.
Mattel #: 92331-0950 - 92469-0910
Release year: 1999
Variation: "Coca-Cola" Polar Bear Fantasy Edition
Mattel #: 95378-0950
Release year: 2001
Variation: Science School Bus - School Spirit 5 Pack
Metro City Bus MB662
MB #: ##
Release Year: 20##
Variation: Uptown Communities Airport Express
MB #: 60
Release Year: 2005
Variation: Metro City Bus
Mattel #: H5813-0814
MB #: 18
Card Year: 2004
Variation: MBTA Metro Shuttle
MB #:
33
Release Year:
2006
Variation:
Metro Native American Iconography & Symbolism
MB #: 35
Release Year: 2007
Variation: Metro Rapid Los Angeles
MB #: ##
Release Year: 2009
Variation: 2009 Collection
MB #: 67
Release Year: 2011
Variation: Atrans Cross Line Transit MMXI Express 494