Uploaded December 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
see my Wreckers Yard playlist here youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg6YRp1RFpxzQk8qaqi49_EX7t8_c3LRN
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The Yesteryear Range of Models
All models were issued a 'Y' number. As the die cast moulds wore out so another new model was issued under the same number to take it's place, thus giving rise to, in some cases, four or five different models under the same number - confused - just follow the chart and you won't be. Models were coded as Y1-1, Y1-2, Y1-3 and so on for each number in the range. Because of this models were bought into the range on different dates and not as a full series in one go. To go one step further, under each model is a variation number and so we get for instance Y1-1 -1, Y1-1-2 etc etc depending on how many variants are known on a particular model.
What is a variation - it could be any number or combination of changes to a model such as colour, wheel types, casting changes etc but all are itemised.
The true first series are only considered to be numbers Y 1-1 to Y16-1 with Y15 and 16 being a larger scale than the first 14 issues and the range stayed at this total of Y numbers from 1956 until 1975 when the number Y17 was used for the very first time and extended beyond the magic number 16. By clicking on the number next to the model you will be taken to the page for that model and it's description and variants see matchboxmemories.com
Matchbox is a popular British toy brand which was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953, and is now owned by Mattel, Inc, which purchased the brand in 1997. The brand was given its name because the original die-cast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar to those in which matches were sold. The brand grew to encompass a broad range of toys, including larger scale die-cast models, plastic model kits, and action figures.
During the 1980s, Matchbox began to switch to the more conventional plastic and cardboard "blister packs" that were used by other die-cast toy brands such as Hot Wheels. The box style packaging was re-introduced for the collectors' market in recent years, particularly with the release of the "35th Anniversary of Superfast" series in 2004.
see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchbox_(brand)
see my Wreckers Yard playlist here youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg6YRp1RFpxzQk8qaqi49_EX7t8_c3LRN
s
The Yesteryear Range of Models
All models were issued a 'Y' number. As the die cast moulds wore out so another new model was issued under the same number to take it's place, thus giving rise to, in some cases, four or five different models under the same number - confused - just follow the chart and you won't be. Models were coded as Y1-1, Y1-2, Y1-3 and so on for each number in the range. Because of this models were bought into the range on different dates and not as a full series in one go. To go one step further, under each model is a variation number and so we get for instance Y1-1 -1, Y1-1-2 etc etc depending on how many variants are known on a particular model.
What is a variation - it could be any number or combination of changes to a model such as colour, wheel types, casting changes etc but all are itemised.
The true first series are only considered to be numbers Y 1-1 to Y16-1 with Y15 and 16 being a larger scale than the first 14 issues and the range stayed at this total of Y numbers from 1956 until 1975 when the number Y17 was used for the very first time and extended beyond the magic number 16. By clicking on the number next to the model you will be taken to the page for that model and it's description and variants see matchboxmemories.com
Matchbox is a popular British toy brand which was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953, and is now owned by Mattel, Inc, which purchased the brand in 1997. The brand was given its name because the original die-cast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar to those in which matches were sold. The brand grew to encompass a broad range of toys, including larger scale die-cast models, plastic model kits, and action figures.
During the 1980s, Matchbox began to switch to the more conventional plastic and cardboard "blister packs" that were used by other die-cast toy brands such as Hot Wheels. The box style packaging was re-introduced for the collectors' market in recent years, particularly with the release of the "35th Anniversary of Superfast" series in 2004.
see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchbox_(brand)
