Moko Lesney Matchbox MG-1 Garages

The first Matchbox Garage was made in 1957 and was based on a real garage local to the factory. It was molded in plastic, the Building was in yellow and the Forecourt in red. At that time Lesney did not have the facilities to manufacture plastics so the Garage was made by Raphael Lipkin Ltd, hence the R.L.L. Trademarks on the box. At the same time Lesney also introduced the A-1 Accessory pack consisting of 3 die cast Petrol pumps and attendant and a die cast "Esso" sign, there was a recess in the Forecourt for the pumps to locate into. this stayed in the range like this until about 1959

In 1959 the colours were reversed giving a Red Building and Yellow Forecourt, Lesney now had the facilities to mould plastic and made the Garage in house, Accordingly the R.L.L. Trademarks were removed from the box, The Garage was in production for two years until it was replaced by the two story Garage in 1961.

The two story Garage kept the same Colours and "Esso" Logo as the earlier Garages, this is the hardest version to find, The Clock and Facia were die cast metal while the rest was plastic, it was in production from 1961-63

In 1963 the Colours were revised and the Logo changed to "BP". The Esso Pumps Accessory pack was replaced with the new "BP" Pumps and sign complete with attendant and lights, this Garage stayed in the range until 1967 or 68

The next Garage joined the range in 1968, it came with a pump island and sign and except for the base of the sign was all plastic. early models had a small cardboard Forecourt. After a while the Forecourt was deleted.

In 1970 an enlarged version of the cardboard Forecourt was reintroduced and a plastic Vehicle lifting ramp included. the Garage was also available in the various G-1 Giftsets. I believe this set was deleted in 1971 or 72