MATCHBOX restoration: 5A & 5B London Bus

Restoring Lesney Matchbox No. 5A & 5B London Buses, in the Matchbox range from 1954 until 1961 with the upscaled B arriving in 1957.

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Being a fan of these early Matchbox models that were upscaled a few years into production, I was even more keen on it when I found out the model is actually based on a downsized Dinky Toy Leyland Titan London Bus from the 1940s. The bus itself is pre-World War II though the Titan would be produced until 1969 having first been introduced in 1927.

The 5A has some minor differences to its younger sibling. It has 12 windows in total, seven upper and five lower where the B has six upper and four lower. The A has a flat, smooth grille while the B has cast detailing. There are decal differences and there are more variations to the B in which I go into detail in this video.

Both of my examples were on opposing ends of the condition spectrum at first glance. The larger B was completely paint stricken. The A looks fine at a distance, then you realise that it has had a generous repaint in red which included a splash for the wheels. The body and base connection was also perilously close to being separated for good. I return both to the condition each would have left the Lesney factory, including respecting the trim levels, colours and decals each would have been adorned with.

Parts source:
http://model-supplies.co.uk/

Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Hackers
   • 80s Retrowave / Synthwave Music - Hackers ...  

Outro
The Drop
   • Epic Groovy Synthwave - The Drop // Royalt...  

#Matchbox #Diecast #Restoration