1968 and 1970 Matchbox DAF Girder Truck Variations

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

1968 Matchbox DAF Girder Truck

The Matchbox DAF Girder Truck was first released in 1968 with 8 red plastic girders in the back. This example – the early version with black plastic wheels (missing the girders) – is one of the keepers I found in the box of toys my friend, Leslie, let me sort through. The Girder Truck can also be found in cream with Superfast wheels and in metallic gold with Superfast wheels.

My friend, Brad, told me he had one of these as a child. He jumped out of bed and landed on it, driving one of the metal posts into his foot. After that, his dad took some tools to it and made it a very flat bed. I notice on later versions, the bed was recast to remove the metal posts and create holes in the bed that secure a plastic carrier which holds the girders.

Matchbox | 1968-69 | 58 | DAF Girder Truck | cream white with missing red girders | England | black plastic wheels

I decided my Girder Truck needed a payload. There are reproduction girders available online, but I decided instead to cut some short sections of wooden dowel and paint them. It’s not original, but I think it looks pretty good with this well-worn model.