Something different?

The Moko Toys large scale Soapbox Racer, complete with its driver figure, is a very difficult Lesney item to track down. One surfaced recently, though. Described as overall Good Plus, albeit with with some paint loss, this rare toy raced away at Vectis to achieve £3,400, against an upper estimate of £1,200.

The same auction fielded another really unusual item for the Lesney collector: a Matchbox Series PC-1 Paint & Crayon Set. This contained six crayons, three of which were unused, the others having had little use. The set came with original unused paints in a tinplate case and was only missing the original paint brush. Hardly ever seen, its estimate of £150-200 was left standing, and the lot realised £1,100.

Not strange enough? How about an empty box for £1,300? A Matchbox Regular Wheels unfolded type D2 box for the No.58a BEA Coach, printed by Pembroke Abbey, was near mint and had carried a pre-sale estimate of £400-500.

Finally, a Matchbox Regular Wheels No.52b BRM Racing Car came under the hammer. This was a factory colour trial model with a metallic gold body and bearing racing No.5 labels, with a bare metal factory un-spun base, yellow plastic hubs and black tyres. In Good Plus condition, the car came with an excellent type F2 box. The guideline of £150-200 was quickly passed, this unusual model finally making £950.