1965 Matchbox London Routemaster Bus

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

1967 Matchbox London Routemaster Bus

The iconic AEC Routemaster was designed by London Transport and produced by a collaboration between Associated Equipment Company and Park Royal Vehicles. The front-engine, double-decker bus was introduced in 1954 and made until 1968. It stayed in service until 2005, with heritage routes continuing as late as 2019.

There are a confusing number of Matchbox #5 London Buses:
• Matchbox London Bus #5-A was first released in 1954, is only 2″ long, and was produced in about 3 different variations up to 1955.
• Matchbox London Bus #5-B was first released in 1957, is 2-1/4″ long, and was produced in about 3 different variations up to 1960.
• Matchbox London Bus #5-C was first released in 1961, is 2-9/16″ long, and was produced in about 7 different variations up to 1964. This casting is also called Routemaster.
• Matchbox London Routemaster Bus #5-D was first released in 1965, is 2-3/4″ long, and was produced in about 3 different variations up to 1969.

The Matchbox 5-D London Routemaster Bus pictured here, another of my Wichita eBay scores, has BP visco-static labels and was produced from 1967 to 1969.

Matchbox | 1967-1969 | #5 | London Routemaster Bus | red with BP Viso-Static decals, white interior, red metal base | England | black plastic wheels

Click here to compare to the partial Playart AEC Routemaster Double Decker Bus in my collection.