Hi Woodsy,
A little while ago you mentioned the Matchbox Snow-Trac model. As a boy, this was one of my favourite Matchbox models, so I thought it deserved a write-up.
The real Snow-Trac was a Swedish vehicle, with a Volkswagen engine, built from 1957 to 1981. It was widely exported, and saw both military and civilian use. It could carry an impressive seven people, with a single entry door at the rear. There is a Wikipedia article which includes a section on toys, and this led to a couple of other Snow-Trac items which I thought might also be of interest.
I had always thought that the Snow-Trac was a fairly large vehicle, until I actually saw one in a movie. It is only about the size of a Jeep. Space Invasion of Lapland, or Terror in the Midnight Sun, is a Swedish science fiction movie from 1959, with several good shots of the vehicle, clearly showing just how small it is. The film was later re-edited, with new scenes, and released as Invasion of the Animal People. Both versions are available on a DVD by Something Weird Video in America. It seems there was also a Snow-Trac in The Shining.
Snow Trac - WikipediaThe Matchbox Snow-Trac came out in 1964, and was the second model in the 1-75 series to carry the number 35. The first was the ERF motor horsebox. The Snow-Trac was retired in 1969. There was only one colour scheme. Red body, with a silver base and grille, black plastic rollers, white rubber tracks which seldom survive today (although reproductions are available). There is a towing hook. The windows were tinted green, but there was no interior. The Snow-Trac name appears on the body sides, below the windows, either as white decals or cast-in.
The base carries the words Snow-Trac, "Matchbox" Series No35, Made in England, by Lesney.
The site vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk goes into great detail on all the early Matchbox variations. This is
the entry for the Snow-Trac. Lesney matchbox 35b Snow Trac (vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk)
There was a series of eight jig-saw puzzles, one of which featured the Snow-Trac. All depicted one or two Matchbox models in a realistic setting. According to this item on Worthpoint, the puzzles were released by the Fred Bonner Corporation in the US in 1969, so I am not sure if they were available in Britain. Size 5 in by 7 in, 40 pieces contained within an outer frame. There is a circular hole in the top of the frame, so I assume these were intended to hang on a peg.
RARE!! COMPLETE SET OF 8 1969 LESNEY MATCHBOX 5X7 PUZZLES EXCELLENT! | #429924540 (worthpoint.com)The Australian company Rosenhain and Lipman included a Snow-Trac in their line of cereal toys. These were very small snap-together kits. They were re-issued by Aurora in the US in sets (usually of four models) as Snap-a-roos. Was the Roo part of the name a reference to their Australian origin ? The Snow Trac was included in the Antarctic Explorers set, along with a dog sled and figures.
AURORA SNAP A ROOS 1975 ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS SEAL PENGUIN SLED SNOW TRAC MINT | #1843793009 (worthpoint.com)As my own model is a little battered, the photos here are from Ebay.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
