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On the second page some unique, commercially not available, Matchbox Ikarus coaches are presented:
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| 20. Volánbusz |
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A very-very rare repaint of the Ikarus coach. This is the official livery (funny called parrot) of 'Volánbusz',
the biggest Hungarian coach transport company.
This model was built on behalf of Volánbusz. The plan
to order models from the - at that time - still existing Hungarian Matchbox factory failed, so the company
purchased about 50 pieces at the stores and these commercial items were tampo printed.
They were not merchandised, they were distributed among business partners.
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| 21. Beige |
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A simple, beige coloured Matchbox. The seats are hand painted, but otherwise the model seems to be original.
Unfortunately there is no additional information available.
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| 22. Ikarus 10/100 Limited Edition |
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A code 3 item. Windows are labeled: 'ebc Model Car Club Swapmeet 98' and according to the decal on the box
this is the 10th exemplar of a limited series of 100.
On the other hand this model is based on the beige colour coach which was issued in Hungary in the year of debut.
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| 23. Collection 1999 |
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We found this picture in Charlie Mack's legendary Matchbox Encyclopedia. This is a preproduction model, unfortunately never
got into serial production.
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| 24. A Chinese copy |
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A Chinese copy of Matchbox's Ikarus coach. Probably the Far Eastern manufacturer (Express Wheels) obtained somehow the used,
worn out tools used to produce this model. One can clearly recognize the main characteristics
of the original Matchbox coaches, but the details are blurred. Also the materials used are of poor quality.
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| (6.) City Line - Tourist (3) |
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Hand made pre-production colour trial in white & green, black base, grey-brown interior (which is overpainted by hand in white)
and decorated with waterslide decals, screwed "Macau" base. Later production models had a "China" base,
got a slightly different shade of green, different interior colour (white) and deco was tampo printed
(and the base was of course rivetted).
Sample model to check out the new colour/livery. Even with the
"Macau" base this model was made at the then still UK based R&D department.
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