When it comes to the Matchbox #5 London Bus, it can get a little confusing. This is another of those models where there are several different versions with only slight differences between them. All are referred to (in various sources) as some varition of London Bus, Routemaster, or London Routemaster Bus. The important thing to remember is that each version is slightly larger than the one that came before.
Here’s a brief description of each:
#5A London Bus | 1954-1956 | 2” | red | Buy Matchbox Series | metal wheels
#5B London Bus | 1957-1960 | 2 1/4” | red | Buy Matchbox Series | metal or gray plastic wheels
#5C London Bus | 1961-1964 | 2 9/16” | red | Player’s Please, Visco Static, Drink Peardrox, Baron of Beef | gray or black plastic wheels
#5D London Routemaster Bus | 1965-1969 | 2 ¾” | Longlife, Visco Static, Baron of Beef | black plastic wheels
This nice example – another of my Wichita eBay scores – is the 1965 #5D with Longlife BP decals. Click here to see a slightly later variation of the Matchbox 5D London Routemaster Bus, the 1967 issue with Visco Static labels.
Matchbox | 1965 | #5 | London Routemaster Bus | red with Longlife BP decals, white interior, black metal base | England | black plastic wheels
The Race Case MBX 