You may be looking for the earlier Routemaster casting, released first for 1961 as London Bus, or the 1965 Routemaster Bus casting.
The Double Decker bus model is based off of the iconic AEC Routemaster, best known for serving London, England's public transit needs for a half-century. The prototype underwent minor changes over its production run, and this model represents 1963 AEC Routemaster 3. It is a licensed model. Routemasters were officially withdrawn from London's fleet between 2003 and 2005, though many survive in heritage fleets and in private hands.
This is a large model for the mainline series, standing over 1-1/2" tall and 4" long. The body consists of two metal castings, at the expense of an interior; the steps seen at the rear of the bus are part of the base. A single piece of plastic accounts for all of the windows.
The Double-Decker is given out to every single person who holds the title of Matchbox Ambassador To Collectors.
Versions
The Double-Decker has come out in the following scale versions:
Col # | Year | Series | Color | Tampo | Base Color/ Type | Window Color | Wheel Type | Toy # | Country | Notes / Variations | Photo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MB56 | 2006 | MBX Metal | Red | The British Invasion Continues | Black / Plastic | Smoke | J2382 | Thailand | |||
BB09 | 2007 | Best of British | Red | MATCHBOX Best of British, 12 Oxford Circuss, Double Decker Bus Tour, Yellow stripe | Black / Plastic | Clear | Red | L1852 | Thailand | ||
MB34 | 2007 | MBX Metal | Blue | "Matchbox" Toys, Tottenham Ct Rd STN, No.5 | Black / Plastic | Smoke | K9489 | Thailand | |||
2007 | Matchbox Gathering of Friends Dealer exclusive | Dark smoke tint | Black | Limited to 300 pieces. | |||||||
BB10 | 2008 | Best of British | Green | High Wycombe, Buckinhamshire, Union Jack, 363 | Black / Plastic | Smoke | M4608 | Thailand | Routemaster Bus on card | ||
MB53 | 2008 | City Action 9/12 | Metalflake Tan | Union Jack with "55+ Years of Quality and Heritage" and Red, White and Black Matchbox logo on sides | Black / Plastic | Smoke | M5338 | Thailand | Routemaster Bus on card | ||
N/A | 2008 | Dream Halloween | Metallic purple | 13 PYSCHIC ENCOUNTERS, Stripes | White / Plastic | Green tint | Copper | Thailand | Charity event exclusive | ||
2009 | Best of British | Black / Plastic | Smoke | ||||||||
MB52 | 2009 | City Action 12/13 |
Dark Grass Green |
Black, White, Yellow, and Gold "The Matchbox Transport Sightseeing Tours" on sides | Black / Plastic | Smoke | White | P2960 | Thailand |
Routemaster Bus on card Base code(s): B24 |
|
MB71 | 2010 |
14/15 |
Red | Union Jack, "Adventures don't just happen, What's your adventure?" banner | Black / Plastic | Dark smoke tint | R4996 | Thailand |
Routemaster Bus on card Base code(s): C07 |
||
N/A | 2013 | Toy Fair | Gold Chrome | New Matchbox logo on side, Union Jack on roof, Matchbox Vehicles and Brown tampos on side, 60th Anniversary logo on rear, detailed headlights and tailights. | Black / Plastic | Smoke | Gold | Thailand | |||
2013 | Matchbox Gathering Dinner model | Black / Plastic | Smoke | Gold | Dinner exclusive, limited to 75 each | ||||||
MB694 | 2013 | Matchbox 60th Anniversary 4/24 | Red | Matchbox 60th Anniversary on Union flag backdrop | Black / Plastic | Smoke | Y5336 | Thailand | Base Code(s): F12 | ||
MB694 | 2013 | Matchbox 60th Anniversary 25/24 | Metallic Red | Matchbox 60th Anniversary ads, bus routes, detailed tampos | Black / Plastic | Smoke | Gold | Thailand | Also known as the "Chase Model" Base Code(s): F12 |
||
2015 | Best of the World | Yellow | Rubber Tires |
See Also
- London Bus, based off of the AEC Regent buses, which preceded the Routemaster in London service.
- The Londoner, based off of the Daimler Fleetline, which was intended to replace the Routemaster but ultimately predeceased it.
- Two-Storey Bus, a 2013 model of a modern double-decker bus.
For other London buses, see London Bus (disambiguation)