Besides from my main-collection of pre-SF Matchbox, I collect Morestone/Budgie small scale.
Generally speaking those models never reached the high standards of the early Matchbox, but there are a few exeptions; The # 8 VW is in my oppinion better than the Matchbox version, mainly due to the bumpers that are cast with the baseplate wich makes all the difference, a very delicate casting :thumbsup:
In the other end of the spectrum is the # 10 GPO Repair Van this is truely a hiddious model :freak:
Anyway; All the models have the charm that I connect with the 50s toycars In my oppinion; These are all awsome in their own right :woohoo:
Judge for yourselves and enjoy!

Karl-E. Denmark

#3 "AA" Land Rover and #4 "AA" Bedford Van
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j216/karl-e/IMAGE001-7.jpg

#5 Wolseley Six-Eighty Police Car and #7 Mercedes Benz Racing Car
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j216/karl-e/IMAGE002-8.jpg

#6 Cooper-Bristol Racing Car and #8 Volkswagen 1200
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j216/karl-e/IMAGE003-6.jpg

#9 Maudslay Horsebox and Karrier GPO Telephone Repair Van
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j216/karl-e/IMAGE004-5.jpg

Too cool. I did not realize Esso even had anything like those. Thanks for sharing.

Too cool. I did not realize Esso even had anything like those. Thanks for sharing.

Actually Esso had nothing to do with the series (other than providing the name)
The boxes was made to look like an Esso petrol pump (see 1st pic.) the funny thing was that the pumps was way oversized for the actual cars :freak:

As a way to increase sales, a note was in the boxes advertising for an "Esso Display Garage" you got the garage, if ten box-bottoms was collected and send to Morris & Stone (Morestone) (see 2nd pic.)

Karl-E. Denmark

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j216/karl-e/IMAGE009-4.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j216/karl-e/IMAGE010-4.jpg

I have never seen that Bedford AA van before -it looks very similar to the Lesney Evening news van casting, I wonder how they compare side by side?

The Morestone VW may lack an opening engine compartment but it captures the shape of a real 1950s Bug more successfully than the Lesney IMHO. Interesting to see that both Lesney and Morestone chose light metallic blue for their Bugs - co-incidence or competition???

Hello All,
Has anybody ever seen a Budgie #5 Police Car without the six-eighty marking on the bottom? The only markings on my "green" police car are BUDGIE MODELS POLICE CAR made in England. No 5
I'll try to attach a picture of the bottom.
Thanks All!
Dan

I would like to find the horsebox to display alongside my Dinky version.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a80/chrycopaul/Dinky/PictureorVideo093.jpg

Great cars Karl.

Whoa! This is an ancient thread you guys have found :p almost two years since I posted it! :tongue:

Nice Dinky Paul!