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Lesney Matchbox Major pack M8a Mobilgas petrol tanker

The Mobilgas fuel tanker joined the Majors series at number M8a in 1961.
The Thornycroft Nippy was probably a bit of a lightweight for pulling a tanker but paired up with its American style streamlined tanker made for a cute looking model.
The two parts were painted red all over including both baseplates, The Nippy had mask sprayed silver trim to the grille, headlights and front bumper but this was reduced to grille only on the final issue.
The trailer had blue & white or blue & cream decals for "Mobilgas" on the sides and a smaller version with a small pegasus horse which was their trademark on the rear.
The wheels were knobbly grey or black plastic or fine tread black plastic and both types of black wheel are rare. The axles were dome head with rounded ends.
There was just one casting modification to the rivet post inside the drivers cab which was attached to the rear cab wall, The post was originally rectangular but it was later thickened and rounded off.
The model was not a good seller so after just three years it was deleted and replaced by the Guy Warrior Farnborough Measham car transporter in 1964. It was packaged in 'B' type Moko Lesney or 'C' type Lesney boxes.

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Lot 1579 The California Matchbox Collection - March 10th, 2008 Matchbox Major Pack No.M8 Thorneycroft Articulated "Mobilgas" Tanker - red, knobbly black plastic wheels with rounded axles - Near Mint (does have a couple of very minor factory marks) - still a superb example of a hard issue to find in Excellent Plus Moko box. Estimate: £700-£800 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £700

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Lot 1578 The California Matchbox Collection - March 10th, 2008 Matchbox Major Pack No.M8 Thorneycroft Articulated "Mobilgas" Tanker - red, knobbly grey plastic wheels, rounded axles - Near Mint (very slight wear to one side decal) in Excellent Moko box. Estimate: £80-£110 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £50

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Lot 2324 Matchbox - December 13th, 2007 Matchbox Majorpack No.M8 Thornycroft Tanker "Mobilgas" - red, cream and blue side decals, black plastic wheels - Good Plus - still displays well in Good Plus Lesney blue and yellow carded box - hard to find issue. Estimate: £200-£300 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £400

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Lot 647 The David Kenney Manhattan Collection - Part III - December 11th, 2007 Matchbox Major Pack No.M8 Thorneycroft Articulated Tanker "Mobilgas" - red, white and blue decals, knobbly grey plastic wheels - Excellent Plus in Excellent Lesney blue and yellow carded box. Estimate: £80-£110 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £80

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Lot 1325 Matchbox Magic 19 - October 10th, 2007 Matchbox Major Pack No.M8 Thornycroft Articulated Tanker "Mobilgas" - red, grey plastic wheels - Near Mint nice example in Excellent blue and yellow Lesney carded box (slight blue pen graffiti to one side). Estimate: £70-£80 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £40

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collectable toy specialists.

Lot 3624 Matchbox - May 17th, 2007 Matchbox Major Pack No.M8 Thornycroft Articulated Tanker "Mobilgas" - red, white, blue, knobbly grey plastic wheels - Near Mint nice example in Good Plus to Excellent blue and yellow carded Moko Lesney box. Estimate: £70-£80 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £70

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collectable toy specialists.

Lot 2547 The Ron Slyder Collection - April 12th, 2007 Matchbox Major Pack - M8 Thorneycroft Articulated Mobilgas Tanker - knobbly black plastic wheels - Near Mint in Excellent to Excellent Plus type B Moko box (original retailers label to one end flap). Estimate: £500-£700 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £800