Moko Lesney Matchbox 3c Muir Hill site dumper

The third Lesney model of the Muir Hill site dumper replaced the second issue in the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1962, Like other reissued models it was slightly scaled up with additional features not found on the previous version. The new Muir Hill had a roof and a yellow and black decal for the Laing construction company on the drivers door but on this version there was no driver included.
The first version was painted in the same colour scheme a the previous issue which was green body with a red bucket but these are extremely rare and are most likely to be pre production models
For regular production it was recoloured to red body with a green bucket. It had 11.5 x 45 black plastic wheels on the front axle and 16.5 x 20 black plastic on the rear, the axles were dome head with rounded ends. The bucket could be tipped and it was hinged on a regular axle pin.
Silver trim was applied to the radiator grille but this was omitted towards the end of the run, The final issue was fitted with very slightly smaller 11 x 45 black plastic wheels to the front axle.
There was a number of casting variations some of which were done before the regular issue was released, The first was to join the left side of the front bumper to the front of the left wing to add some support to the axle end, The early type bumper only found on the pre production issue.
Later a hole was cast into the baseplate.
The last two modifications appear to have been done at the same time where the front axle housings were thickened and an extra brace was added to the join left wing with the chassis just ahead of the left rear wheel.
There were probably two dies in use as the lettering on the baseplate can be found in two sizes and the front number plate also comes in two sizes but these variations are so minute I have not included them in the variation table.
Some years ago an unopened Lesney trade box of I believe about 144 mint and boxed Muir Hills was discovered by a member of the family that owned the Miur Hill company, These were promotional issues that were all fitted with Miur Hill decals similar to the ones found on the Kingsize K2-a dumper,
These all found their way into collections so this must be the only old Lesney toy that can only be found mint and boxed condition. I believe another two boxes were found more recently.
The dunper was packaged in 'E' and 'F' type boxes, It was replaced by the Mercedes trailer in 1967.

above: promotional for Muir Hill which was never issued
photo courtesy George Marshall

above: the silver trim to the early issues was later omitted

above: these are the later thicker axle posts

above: the bumper brace was
the first modification, later the
wing to chassis brace was added.

body code	bumper-wing brace	wing-chassis brace
body 1	no brace	no brace
body 2	with brace	no brace
body 3	with brace	with brace

code number general decal type front wheels rear wheels front axle baseplate hole body type

code 1 green body, red bucket, silver trim LAING decal 11.5 x 45 black plastic 16.5 x 20 black plastic thin supports no hole body 1

code 2 green body, red bucket, silver trim LAING decal 11.5 x 45 black plastic 16.5 x 20 black plastic thin supports no hole body 2

code 3 red body, green bucket, silver trim LAING decal 11.5 x 45 black plastic 16.5 x 20 black plastic thin supports no hole body 2

code 4 red body, green bucket, silver trim LAING decal 11.5 x 45 black plastic 16.5 x 20 black plastic thin supports with hole body 2

code 5 red body, green bucket, silver trim LAING decal 11.5 x 45 black plastic 16.5 x 20 black plastic thick supports with hole body 3

code 6 red body, green bucket LAING decal 11.5 x 45 black plastic 16.5 x 20 black plastic thick supports with hole body 3

code 7 red body, green bucket MUIR HILL decal 11.5 x 45 black plastic 16.5 x 20 black plastic thick supports with hole body 3

code 8 red body, green bucket LAING decal 11 x 45 black plastic 16.5 x 20 black plastic thick supports with hole body 3

box types	notes
D1	'new model' on endflaps
D2	one black side one blue side
D2	two blue sides
E3	light blue sides

values

green body, red bucket £2000+ (estimate)

red body, green bucket LAING decals £25

red body, green bucket MUIR HILL decals £80+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

priceguide gallery

box gallery

picture gallery

code number	general	decal type	front wheels	rear wheels	front axle	baseplate hole	body type
code 1	green body, red bucket, silver trim	LAING decal	11.5 x 45 black plastic	16.5 x 20 black plastic	thin supports	no hole	body 1
code 2	green body, red bucket, silver trim	LAING decal	11.5 x 45 black plastic	16.5 x 20 black plastic	thin supports	no hole	body 2
code 3	red body, green bucket, silver trim	LAING decal	11.5 x 45 black plastic	16.5 x 20 black plastic	thin supports	no hole	body 2
code 4	red body, green bucket, silver trim	LAING decal	11.5 x 45 black plastic	16.5 x 20 black plastic	thin supports	with hole	body 2
code 5	red body, green bucket, silver trim	LAING decal	11.5 x 45 black plastic	16.5 x 20 black plastic	thick supports	with hole	body 3
code 6	red body, green bucket	LAING decal	11.5 x 45 black plastic	16.5 x 20 black plastic	thick supports	with hole	body 3
code 7	red body, green bucket	MUIR HILL decal	11.5 x 45 black plastic	16.5 x 20 black plastic	thick supports	with hole	body 3
code 8	red body, green bucket	LAING decal	11 x 45 black plastic	16.5 x 20 black plastic	thick supports	with hole	body 3