Monday, April 18, 2011

#8 MATCHBOX – MERCEDES BENZ ‘BINZ’ AMBULANCE (1967)

There is nothing I can say about Matchbox cars has not been written before, there are many books dealing with this British company. This time, I’ll just present one of the “King Size” models I acquired two years ago.
From the models made before 1971, there are two models for each reference. The first reference belongs to models made between 1960 and 1963, that were packaged in the classic yellow “matchbox” box. These models are often referred as “K-XX-a” (K-1 to K-12). Most of these models are trucks and construction machines (excavator, tractor, shovel…)

In 1964, new “King Size” models were packaged in a more elaborated box, with a window through which you could see the actual toy. All references were reused. (K-1 to K-24). In this series there were for the first time cars, and the models included new features like opening doors, suspension and front wheels steering.
All King Size models were manufactured before 1971; in that year, the brand changed this series name to “Super Kings”, although the numbering remained K-XX.


The Mercedes Benz ‘Binz’ Ambulance reference is K-6 (often referred as K-6-b). The box keeps its original yellow color and includes the word “new” before “King Size”.

The back is beautifully illustrated as well. Even the inside of the box is decorated.

The car is built in what it seems to be a 1:43 scale (is not indicated anywhere in the box). The interior is made of plastic, and the tyres are made of rubber. The model presents a very high number of details: high roof, siren, front radiator and lights, Mercedes emblem, hub caps, interior, opening doors and trunk, and red cross decals. The most interesting detail is the patient in the stretcher with the blanket. This part is obviously very hard to find, and gives much value to the scale model. The box is completely original.

catalogue image promoting this model

I hope you liked this review. I must apologize for the pictures, when I took them, I didn’t know I would use them for this report, and therefore I didn’t make any attention to the backgrounds.

FACTS AND FIGURES
  • Name: MERCEDES BENZ ‘BINZ’ AMBULANCE
  • Series: King Size
  • Scale: 1:43 (estimation)
  • Year: 1967
  • Company: Matchbox (Great Britain)
  • Size: approx. 10 cm

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