[REVIEW] Lesney Matchbox Ford Fairlane Fire Chief's Car

It’s time for the first Lesney Matchbox review of 2016. Today we examine 59b, the Ford Fairlane Fire Chief’s Car. This model entered the range in 1963, and had a relatively short run, replaced in 1966 by a more modern Ford of the same role. As to be expected, it is a nicely detailed casting:

This model is based on a 1961 Fairlane, and the rear wraparound/bubble windshield is nicely included. I like 1960 Fords, so I like this too. The decals are in a nice kind of old fashioned font, and the white dome on the roof also has a vintage look. Nothing opens, the play value is in it being a fire service vehicle, one to go with some fire trucks and the fire station playset. I estimate scale to be around 1:65. This model has good detail from all angles:

Front and rear have consistent good detail too:

Base is typical of the era:

This is lucky enough to live in its original “D” box”:

Sitting on knobby black plastic wheels, this was probably made in 1963-64. I have a couple of these, a model I am happy to have in my hoard:

A couple of real ones and an original ad, from hemmings, momentcar, and curbsideclassic: