The manafacturer number, or MAN number, is a unique number for each casting or body style.

Originally models were refered to by the 1-75 number on the box they came in plus an alphabetic character to distinguish between different models sold with the same number. In 1982 a new system was developed where each casting had a unique number. The models that were in the range at the time took the first 75 numbers with each new model taking the next available number.

In the early days of the system any existing model would have needed major changes before being allocated a new MAN number, although in more recent years any slight change results in a new number;


MAN 016 with full roof and MAN 101 with T top roof		MAN 514 with canopy and MAN 584 without canopy



At the end of the planned regular models for 2004 the highest MAN number will be 651, although there are 16 numbers which were not used. See the MAN number listing page for details of all models.

Note that there are some exception to this range. Those are models that were not in the regular range in 1982 but were either available in packs or were re introduced to the range later, these models were assigned MAN numbers above 700.

The eight digit MVU codes you will see in the gallery/listing pages are a code of my own devising. I initially used this system to catalogue models and versions released in the UK regular range since 1982 (when Manufacturing Numbers, or MAN, began to be used), but I have since expanded the system to include earlier models and models from sets or exclusive to other countries.

Having used the codes so visibly on the site I felt that I should provide a more detailed explanation for anyone interested.

The codes are all 8 digits, with a ‘v’ in the fourth position to break up the otherwise long run of digits. The actual format is slightly different to represent pre and post 1982 models as explained in detail below.

Codes starting with three digits represent post 1982 models which have a MAN number, for example the code 180v002a. The first 3 digits are the MAN number. The 3 digits after the ‘v’ are the version, i.e. this number would represent the second livery to be worn by that model in the UK range. The final alphabetic character is used to represent any variations within the livery.


180v001a

180v002a

180v003a

MAN 180 - Land Rover, versions 1, 2 & 3 indicating different regular release colours.




162v003a

162v003b

MAN162 - Vauxhall Astra, variations a & b indicating that one has a '7' on the door, the other does not.

Initially that was all the code did, but I have started using higher version numbers to catalogue models released in other ranges and also models not released in the UK, for example version numbers 400-409 represent US only releases, version numbers 670-674 represent models released in the ‘My First Matchbox’ range.

042v400a

040v670a

The other use for the code is cataloguing regular wheeled models and pre-MAN superfast (Not to be confused with the 2004 superfast range). For these models the codes begin with ‘r’ and ‘s’ respectively, eq r61vb00a and s01vb01a. In this case the second and third digit are the MB number, the first character after the ‘v’ is the version, the next 2 count the livery and the final character represents any variation within that livery.

r61vb00a

s01vb01a

On the off-chance that this seems simple, there is one additional twist! This refers to castings first released prior to 1982, but which were then later allocated MAN numbers. In these cases I catalogue the model as a MAN numbered release using a version number in the range 90-99.

004v091a

004v001a

MAN004 - 57 Chevy, pre and post 1982 models catalogued under 1982 MAN number.

In the late eighties a range of 40 budget price cars was released. There were 20 different body styles, each of which was available in two colour schemes (although I beleive there ended up being numerous variations).

The models were all simplified versions of models which had previously been in the regular range. The most significant change was the use of opaque black glazing, which removed the need for an interior. Other changes were dependant upon the individual models, i.e the GT based on the Gruesome Twosome did not include the engines of the original release, the model based on the Lamboghini Marzal had the lower door glazing panel filled (see photo below).

    
The baseplates of the GT models are plastic (the original models would have been metal) and contains only a GT number without reference to the original regular model they were based on. The reason that each model show two numbers is to cover the two liveries that each would originally have been available in.

Full list of GT models taken from the Super GT pages of Christian Falkensteiner;

GT BR 01 / 02     ISO GRIFO
GT BR 03 / 04     GRUESOME TWOSOME
GT BR 05 / 06     Datsun GOLDEN X
GT BR 07 / 08     Siva BLACK WIDOW
GT BR 09 / 10     LOTUS EUROPA
GT BR 11 / 12     SAAB SONETT III
GT BR 13 / 14     FLAMIN' MANTA
GT BR 15 / 16     Monteverdi RALLYE ROYALE
GT BR 17 / 18     FIRE CHIEF Car
GT BR 19 / 20     FORD (F3L) GROUP 6
GT BR 21 / 22     ALFA CARABO
GT BR 23 / 24     Ford Mustang VANTASTIC
GT BR 25 / 26     FORD ESCORT RS 2000
GT BR 27 / 28     LAMBORGHINI MARZAL
GT BR 29 / 30     Maserati SUN BURNER
GT BR 31 / 32     FANDANGO
GT BR 33 / 34     HI-TAILER
GT BR 35 / 36     PORSCHE 910
GT BR 37 / 38     Ford Capri MAXI TAXI
GT BR 39 / 40     DE TOMASO PANTERA

No, matchbox models are made to a box size rather than a consistent scale. The reason many people refer to Matchbox as 1:64 is because there are other ranges which are made to this scale and the size is roughly similar - in truth the 1:64 scale cars are usually slightly larger.

Within the Matchbox range those models which represent actual vehicles will usually carry the scale on the base, models of generic or fantasy vehicles will not (there are exceptions to this rule). Being made to a box size means that models of smaller vehicles will generally be built to a larger scale, whilst those based on larger vehicles will be to a smaller scale. Within my own collection the most commonly occuring scale is 1:58.


MAN561 Smart Cabriolet 1:52		MAN578 VW Beetle Taxi 1:58		MAN149 Mercedes GE280 1:64		MAN402 Dennis Sabre 1:96

Restoration is basically the process of returning an old model to as new condition. The steps required will vary with the model to be restored but usually involve stripping the model down and repainting, in some cases it may also be necessary to replace damage parts with new parts or parts taken from another model.

Customisation may use similar steps but is used to create something that is different from the original model. The models used may be old or new, and the process may be anything from picking out details or repainting in a different colour, up to major changes involving changes to the casting and/or manufacturing and adding new parts.

Whilst resoration usually begins with the finding of a model to restore, the customiser will usuall have the idea first and then hunt for model(s) with which to achieve the desired results.

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