| Matchbox die-cast cars have always been assigned a | | | | numbers 1 through 75. While the logic here is |
| model number. While the system created early on | | | | understandable, it created confusion since one model |
| worked well for some time, it eventually began to | | | | number over the decades, ended up representing |
| become very confusing. This article will briefly explain | | | | multiple vehicles that had nothing in common. |
| the numbering system and changes over the years. | | | | When Matchbox was sold by Lesney Products to |
| Each year the cars would simply be numbered 1 | | | | Universal Toys in 1982, the numbering system was |
| through 75 on the package. The actual model number | | | | re-evaluated. The numbering system posed problems, |
| would be MB# (# is the model number). The model | | | | especially from manufacturing perspective. Universal |
| number did not change from one year to the next | | | | changed the numbering system so that when a new |
| unless a change was made. For example, the very | | | | vehicle was added, a new number was added to the |
| first Matchbox ever, was the Road Roller in 1953, or | | | | MB# list. (They were well past MB600 as of 2002.) |
| model MB1. When a change was made, like the new | | | | However, they made this change on the |
| paint color in 1956, the model number was changed to | | | | manufacturing side only. The customers continue to |
| MB1b. This change still makes sense as it is the same | | | | see cars numbered 1-75 (or 100). Another reason that |
| vehicle with a slight variation. It follows suit that the | | | | Universal adopted a new numbering system was the |
| model number should also remain the same, but with a | | | | fact that cars where produced for five different |
| slight variation. This basic version of the system is | | | | regions of the world. These regions were the |
| extremely easy but it will get complicated quickly. | | | | Americas, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and the |
| In 1967, the Road Roller mentioned above, was | | | | Rest of the World (aka ROW). The line of cars |
| removed from the line of vehicles and replaced with a | | | | produced by each region was similar but naturally, |
| Mercedes Truck. What was the model number for the | | | | there were many variances as well. This meant that |
| Mercedes? MB1e. By this time the Road Roller had | | | | even within one year's production, there may have |
| undergone a few more changes and was currently at | | | | been up to five variations of any model number. |
| model number MB1d, which explains why the new | | | | While the numbering system may only be of concern |
| number ended with an 'e'. However, some wonder | | | | to collectors it has been updated to drastically reduce |
| why it was continued to be an MB1. When the vehicle | | | | the possibility of variances among one model number. |
| changed completely, should not the model number | | | | However, it still poses problems when collectors are |
| also? From the beginning, Matchbox decided to limit the | | | | seeking older vehicles since the model number they |
| number of models produced in a year to 75. (This was | | | | desire represents multiple vehicles. The year is very |
| the case until 2008 when it was increased to 100 | | | | helpful in narrowing down to the specific vehicle in this |
| cars.) In order to keep the vehicle line to 75 model or | | | | situation, but be assured that some verification will be |
| numbers, that means that they had to reuse the | | | | required when looking for a specific vehicle. |