One of Moonbase's recent die-cast restorations was of the Matchbox Wild Life Truck. I thought a closer look at this model might be of interest.
In the 1970s Matchbox introduced the Rola-Matics, as part of their efforts to counter Hot Wheels. All the models had some sort of working feature.
As the models rolled across the floor, gears made various parts rotate, swing back and forth, or move up and down. The models were scattered throughout the 1-75 Series.
The Rola-Matics were introduced in 1973, and lasted until 1985. The models had the Rola-Matics name on the base.
Model No.57 was the Wild Life Truck, a pick-up truck with the Ford name on the tailgate, and a clear plastic cover over the rear bed. Inside was a lion, that paced around inside his cage, as the vehicle moved.
The early version was yellow, and had an orange sticker on the bonnet that said Ranger, along with the head of an elephant. Released in 1973, this is by far the most common model.
The Wild Life Truck was not re-coloured until 1981, when a white version, with black zebra stripes on the sides, appeared. The Wild Life Truck was finally replaced by the Carmichael Commando rescue truck in 1982.
The metal baseplate carried the Rola-Matics name, and had a 1973 copyright date. The model was sold in cardboard boxes, and on cards.
Four photographs from Worthpoint
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Lovely piece Paul. I much prefer the yellow version to the striped one. That little plastic canopy is hard to find. Mine is missing. I will have to find something else ... oh and a spare lion from somewhere!
ReplyDeleteThe striped version reminds me of Daktari!
DeleteNice trucks and nice but of history on them, thank you. Decades back I found the yellow truck in a parking lot. No lion, no cover and the sticker was almost gone but the rolamatic feature still worked.
ReplyDeleteThank you. This is not a model I ever had, but it certainly looks like fun. There is a British company called Steve Flowers Model Supplies that makes reproduction parts for die-cast models. I just had a look, and they do both the clear cover and the lion. I have never dealt with this company, but they are often mentioned in magazine articles, and have been around for a long time.
ReplyDelete