The Matchbox #60 Leyland Site Hut Truck was first released in 1966. It wore black plastic wheels from 1966 to 1969 and Superfast wheels from 1970 to 1971, and the bed of the truck carries a yellow plastic construction site hut with a removable green roof. I have found this truck before, but never with an intact site hut. This example is another of my Wichita eBay scores.
The Matchbox Leyland Site Hut Truck features a nicely detailed representation of the Leyland Ergomatic cab.
Matchbox | 1966 | #60 | Leyland Site Hut Truck | blue, yellow plastic site hut with green plastic roof, blue tint windows, chrome plastic grille and base | England | black plastic wheels
The company now known as Leyland Trucks Limited has its origins in the Lancashire Steam Motor Company. First established in 1896, the company’s original product was a steam van with a 1.5 ton capacity. The first petrol-powered vehicle, nicknamed “the Pig,” was introduced in 1904 and the name of the company was changed to Leyland Motors Limited in 1907. In 1912 Leyland entered the military market and throughout WWI the company provided nearly 6,000 vehicles to the British armed forces. Leyland expanded production in the 1920s and 1930s, building a variety of vehicles with animal names (Lion, Tiger, Bull, Bison, Hippo, Rhino) and thus the model line came to be known as the Leyland Zoo. This period introduced trolleys and fire engines and Leyland began to produce its own diesel engine. During WWII, Leyland produced tanks and tank engines as well as other wheeled vehicles for the war effort. In the 1950s, Leyland acquired Scammell Lorries and broke into international markets. The Ergomatic cab, which tilted forward to reveal the engine, was introduced 1964. In the 1980s, a new assembly plant was built on the outskirts of Leyland to build the T45 range of models, and in 1987 Leyland Trucks was merged with DAF of the Netherlands. Both Leyland and DAF are currently owned by PACCAR and their products are still produced at the Leyland Assembly Plant.
The Matchbox #60 Leyland Site Hut Truck (featuring the Ergomatic cab) was first released in 1966. Wearing black plastic wheels from 1966 to 1969 and Superfast wheels from 1970 to 1971, the bed of the truck carried a yellow plastic construction site hut with a removable green roof. This regular wheels version that is missing the site hut is one of the bonus items I picked up (to take advantage of combined shipping) when I bought the Hay Trailer on eBay.
As you can imagine, I have been on the lookout for a site hut to make this model complete, but so far have not had any luck.
Matchbox | 1966 | #60 | Leyland Site Hut Truck | blue, missing plastic site hut | England | black plastic wheels
The Race Case MBX 