This is the second of the two vintage Matchbox casts I purchased recently. It is in amazing condition especially considering it’s aprx 50 years old now! Like the Hendrickson-Jarrett Hauler from my earlier “money cant buy you happiness” post this set looks like it’s never been played with.
My knowledge of this cast is zero so I went looking for some info. Here’s what I found on www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk
“1966 saw the introduction of the Lesney Matchbox King-Size K-18 Dodge Kew Fargo Articulated Horse Transporter which was a British built ‘Kew’ Dodge of American design. It had a red painted cab fitted with silver plated airhorns to the roof and it had a clear plastic window unit, The grille, bumper and headlights were cast as part of the baseplate and the doors had a red & white decal showing a horses head design,
The tan painted trailer was permanantly attached to the tractor unit, It had a white plastic living area and clear plastic windows and sported an ‘Ascot Stables’ decal to each side, The drop down horse doors were silver-grey and it had small red plastic hubs with black plastic tyres, The Dodge had the same colour wheels & tyres but they were a larger size.
The trailer also had a seperate plastic interior for the stables area which can be found in many colours which I have listed as- grey, cream, red, grey-green, mustard yellow, dark green, maroon and brown and no doubt other colours not listed here exist as well. The model was sold with 4 white plastic Horses and it was packaged in E and F type window boxes, It was converted to Superfast wheels in 1971 and I believe the superfast issues all had dark green interiors.”
So on to the cast. The box is in remarkable condition and still has the cut out for the peg in place!
The price has risen a little in the last 50 years. $2.50 is around the cost of mainline HW/MBX here now.
So this being a Super King puts it at a larger scale than the M-9 pack but I’m not sure what scale it is. The details are fantastic and the thing is solid!
Nice tail light and number plate details on the rear of the horse box.
That clear roof section on the trailer covers a full width bench seat facing forward so I’m assuming the jockeys and/or trainers would ride in there.
Nice details again and the roof mounted air horns are brilliant. Almost look like they could work!
Both loading ramps open and lock in nicely as you’d expect with this being a ‘new’ cast.
You may have noticed the horses in the trailer in the earlier shots. If not now you do. There are in fact four horses included in the set.
I was amazed to find two horses were still attached to their mold sprue! Incredible that after all this time they remain together, my instant thought upon seeing them was to take them apart! Old habits die hard I guess. They remain together and shall do as long as I have this awesome set.
Now does anyone know how to block eBay from my browser?