Here’s another comparison of a regular wheels model and a Superfast version of the same casting, using cars I picked up in the Grandparents Estate Sale. The Matchbox DAF Girder Truck was first released in 1968 with black plastic wheels and was transitioned to Superfast wheels in 1970. This cream example of the early model is unfortunately missing the eight red plastic girders that made up its original payload. Notice the four metal spikes on the sides of the bed that hold the girders in place, then imagine walking through a child’s dark bedroom and stepping on one of these. Ouch!
Matchbox | 1968-1969 | #58 | DAF Girder Truck | cream white with missing red girders | England | black plastic wheels
When the Matchbox DAF Girder Truck was released with Superfast wheels in 1970, it was also slightly retooled to remove the four dangerous metal spikes from the bed. Two holes were added in the center of the bed and a plastic insert (missing from this model) was used to hold the girders (also missing) in place. Rather than this nice metallic gold paint, the Superfast version can be found in the same cream paint as above, though that variation seems to be fairly uncommon.
I believe the large hole drilled in the back of the bed on this example is aftermarket work of an unknown purpose.
Matchbox | 1970 | #58 | DAF Girder Truck | metallic gold with missing red girders and black plastic insert (extra hole drilled in rear of bed), red plastic base | England | Superfast 5-spoke
The Race Case MBX 