The Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys 1-75 Series 1953 - 1969 (expanded)

Number 48a Meteor Sports Boat and Trailer

 

1958 saw the introduction of the first boat and trailer into the Matchbox line up. It was based on the Meteor Sportsman Mark II sports boat. It was considered not a popular seller by Matchbox and consequently had a relatively short life span of about two and a half years. Strangely for a model with such a short life in the Matchbox range, today, it is quite common and easy to find and doesn't appear to command a high price. There were very few casting and colour variations of this model. In fact, the box designs are possibly of more interest. Over it's short life span there were 6 different boxes all based on the B type Moko box.

 
Trailer Braces

The trailer had the only casting change with this model. Soon after introduction small triangular braces were added to the trailer in front of the axle brace.

 

 
Models  

The boat and trailer came in the one colour scheme, black trailer and light blue hull and tan deck on the boat. the trailer came in matt black on the earlier models and gloss black on later models.

   

The hull remained the same light blue colour throughout the models life with slight shade variations. However, the deck came in both dark tan (as pictured above) and light tan with many shades in between.

 
Boxes
B type - 1958 - drawing of boat facing to the left and a blue frame around the face of the box. End flap has a black number "48". Box is 67mm long. Models that came in this box have metal wheels and crimped axles.
B type - 1959 - drawing of boat facing to the right and a blue frame around the face of the box. End flap has a white circle with number "48". Box is 67mm long. Models that came in this box have metal wheels and crimped axles.
B type - 1959 - drawing of boat facing to the right with the back showing. End flap has a with circle with number "48" and a white panel with "Meteor Sports Boat". Box is 67mm long. Models that came in this box have metal and grey plastic wheels with crimped and riveted axles.
B type - 1959 - drawing of boat facing to the right and side on. End flap has a with circle with number "48" and a white panel with "Meteor Sports Boat". Box is 67mm long. Models that came in this box have metal and grey plastic wheels with crimped and domed and riveted axles.
B type - 1960 - drawing of boat facing to the right with the back showing. End flap has a with circle with number "48" and white "Meteor Sports Boat". Box is 67mm long. Models that came in this box have grey plastic wheels with domed and riveted axles.
B type - 1960 - drawing of boat facing to the right and side on. End flap has a with circle with number "48" and white "Meteor Sports Boat" the word Meteor is not in inverted commas . Box is 67mm long. Models that came in this box have grey and silver plastic wheels with domed and riveted axles.
   
Wheels
There are 3 different wheel variations, metal, grey plastic and silver plastic.
 
Axles
Over the models life there were 2 different axle variation. These were domed and crimped and domed and riveted.
 
Trailer
The trailer was originally painted a matt black later becoming gloss black.
   
Values

In my opinion, the hardest version to find is the silver plastic wheel version but none command a high price yet.

 
Further Reference Material
I have a total of 8 different variations for number 48a Meteor Sports Boat and Trailer listed in my guide. For further reference on these variations including wheel, casting and axle combinations, refer to "The Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys 1-75 Series 1953-1969"
 
 
     

© 2008 Moko Lesney Matchbox