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CY-2 Kenworth Rocket Transporter
The Convoy range was a series of Matchbox tractor-trailers units introduced in 1982.[1] Replacing the tractor trailer units in the Matchbox 900 range, they have been offered under a variety of names (e.g. Super Rigs - see more complete list below). The series has also been the namesake for later cab and trailer multipacks, such as Super Convoy (2009-2011) and Convoys (2020-2024). Trucks and trailers from the same generation are interchangeable, but those from different generations do not fit together.
Numbering Convoy trucks is complex, as sets were often numbered separately from the tractors and trailers. This article addresses the numbers of the trucks and trailers, rather than the sets.
Exceptions to the usual Convoy tractor/trailer formula are the CY010A Kenworth C.O.E. Racing Tranporter and the CY030A Grove Crane, neither of which features an articulated vehicle.[2]
Before Convoy[]
1-75 tractor-trailers[]
The first articulated tractor-trailer model issued under the Matchbox name was the Scammell Scarab Mechanical Horse and Trailer, released in 1955 as No.10 in what would become the standard Matchbox Series 1-75 range.
In the 1970s the 1-75 series featured two other tractor-trailers, the Freeway Gas Tanker and the Articulated Truck. These vehicles consisted of a small two-axle tractor and a single-axle semi-trailer in a vehicle that fit into a standard box or blister pack. Tractor and trailer were detachable, but neither was of much play value on its own: the tractor was only 1 inch long (and about an inch tall), making it unstable without its trailer, and the trailer lacked any front support without its tractor, leaving it lying rear-end up when uncoupled. Thus, the idea of (in play) dropping off one trailer and picking up another one, an essential feature of the trucking industry, was awkward at best.
Articulated Truck's tractor with a longer trailer.
The Container Port (PS-1) play set, introduced circa 1976 and featuring the then-new intermodal containers, included the Articulated Truck's tractor with a longer trailer designed to accept two first-generation shipping containers, but this truck only appeared as part of set PS-1.
Accessory Packs[]
The Accessory Packs range, introduced in 1956, included the A-2 Matchbox Car Transporter, which is an articulated tractor-trailer unit. This was the first toy issued by Matchbox in the size and style of the future Convoy models.
Major Packs[]
The Major Packs range, produced from the mid 1950s through to the mid 1960s, included a number of articulated tractor-trailer units such as the M-2 Bedford Tractor & York Freightmaster Trailer.
King Size / Super Kings[]
The larger scale King Size range of the 1960s and the subsequent Super Kings series of the 1970s and 1980s both featured several articulated trucks, but most were permanently attached to their trailers. Even in cases where trucks and trailers were detachable, lack of a universal hitch impeded trading trailers between tractors.
900[]
Close-up of the tab (left, top and bottom) and slot that connected G1 tractors and trailers
The Matchbox 900 range was created in 1979 to replace the Two Packs range and to accommodate four new tractor/trailer combinations.[1] These articulated vehicles featured tractors the same size as the mainline vehicles, using Superfast wheels, and bore the Superfast logo on their bases. The trailers had an inverted T-shaped tab that fitted into a T-shaped slot on the tractor. These were the first Matchbox trucks where part of the play value was intended to be the interoperability of different cabs and trailers.
Two two-axle tractors was offered, the Long Haul and, from 1981, a Leyland.[1] Long Haul was most frequently seen, appearing in at least two colors, green and red. The articulated trailer functioned as a flatbed trailer, capable of hauling two first-generation shipping containers. Different designs featured the articulated trailer fitted with a plastic box as a box trailer, or with plastic stakes for carrying pipes or timber.
900 Tractors[]
| Col # | Name | First Year of Issue | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP-22, 23, 24, 25 | Long Haul | 1979 | Black and silver markings in this image are aftermarket | 
|
| TP-2, 26 | Leyland Tractor | 1981 | 
|
900 Trailers[]
| Col # | Name | First Year of Issue | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP-22, 23, 24, 25 | Articulated Trailer | 1979 | Flatbed, Flatbed with Sideboard, or Flatbed with Box (Box Trailer) | 
|
| TP-2 | Tanker Trailer | 1981 | ||
| TP-26 | Low Bed Trailer | 1981 |
Convoy[]
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Carry Case for Convoy trucks, from 1982. The case's two trays each hold twelve trucks in a six-by-two arrangement, for 24 trucks total. Josiah Carberry Collection.
The tractor/trailer units in the 900 range were replaced in 1982 by the Convoy range of vehicles, offering a greater variety of tractors and trailers. Trailers were now fitted with a ball-and-post type of hook, fitting into a keyhole slot in the tractors. As with the first generation, wheels and size were the same as mainline vehicles. Convoy tractor-trailer sets were also sold as Super Rigs and Super Star Transporters, and in larger sets as Team Convoy, a name not exclusive to tractor-trailers. Similarly, at least one Highway Cruisers set featured a G2 tractor trailer plus a car. In 1982 a special carry case was issued for storing and carrying tractor trailers; this case bore the name Highway Express.
Tractors[]
Most Convoy tractors were based on actual vehicles. The numbering is particularly complex, as some of the trucks were also issued independantly in the mainline series without trailers, but with mainline numbers. The Manufacturing numbers appear in this table, where available.
| Man # | Name | First Year of Issue | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB106 | Peterbilt Conventional | 1982 | 
| |
| Peterbilt Tractor cab | 1984 | 
| ||
| MB103 | Kenworth Aerodyne (Conventional) | 1982 | 
| |
| MB045 | Kenworth Aerodyne (COE) | 1982 | 
| |
| MB147 | Scania T142 | 1985 | 
| |
| MB183 | DAF 3300 Space Cab | 1987 | 
| |
| MB202 | Mack CH600 | 1990 | 
| |
| MB308 | Ford Aeromax | circa 1991 | 
| |
| MB725 | Mercedes-Benz Actros 1857 | 1999 | 
| |
| MB432 | Kenworth T2000 | 1999 | 
| |
| MB702 | DAF XF 95 Space Cab | 2007 | 
| |
| MB865 | Torque Titan | 2013 | Mainline release with Convoy trailer hook. | 
|
| MB977 | '13 Ford Cargo | 2015 | Mainline release with Convoy trailer hook. | 
|
Trailers[]
| Col # | Name | First Year of Issue | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car Carrier Trailer | Specified Trailer | 
| ||
| Fire Trailer | Specified Trailer | 
| ||
| Dumper Trailer | Specified Trailer | 
| ||
| Container Trailer (Articulated Trailer) | Holes in bed accept plastic box as (Box Trailer). Trailer can hold two first-generation shipping containers | 
| ||
| Flatbed with tarpaulin Trailer | 
| |||
| Box Trailer (Articulated Trailer) | Opening Doors at rear. Modified Flatbed Trailer | 
| ||
| Pipe Transporter Trailer | Modified Articulated Trailer | 
| ||
| Tanker Trailer | Specified Trailer | 
| ||
| Low Bed Trailer | Holes in base accepted plastic brackets for Boat Trailer and Rocket Trailer | 
| ||
| Aircraft Trailer | Modified Low Bed | 
| ||
| Boat Trailer | Modified Low Bed | 
| ||
| Rocket Trailer | Modified Low Bed |  with r with rocket. Josiah Carberry Collection.]]
| ||
| Mission Helicopter Trailer | Modified Low Bed | 
| ||
| Helicopter Trailer | Modified Low Bed | 
| ||
| Control Center Trailer | Modified Low Bed | 
| ||
| Horse Box Trailer | Modified Low Bed | 
| ||
| Mobile Workshop Trailer | Modified Low Bed, Opening rear doors | 
| ||
| Big Box Trailer | Modified Low Bed, Opening Rear Ramp | 
| ||
| Lights and Sound Box Trailer | Doors do not open | 
| ||
| Long Box Trailer (Asada's Rig) | Doors open upwards as a single piece | 
| ||
Super Convoy (2009-2011)[]
The next generation of Convoy sets is slightly larger than the mainline vehicles, sharing its size and wheels with Real Working Rigs, instead. These vehicles are marketed as Super Convoy trucks. A post and flange on the trailer fits into a keyhole slot (larger than the keyhole slot on the second generation trucks) on the tractor. With the Real Working Rigs, the Super Convoy trucks fill a market niche similar to the Super Kings trucks of the 1970s.
Tractors[]
| Col # | Name | First Year of Issue | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBSC001 | DL 2000 Conventional Cab | 2009 |  | |
| MBSC002 | MBX RIG I Cab | 2009 |  | |
| MBSC003 | Kenworth K100 | 2010 |  | |
| MBSC004 | International LoneStar | 2010 |  | |
| MBSC005 | MBX Rig II Cab | 2010 |  | |
| MBSC006 | DAF XF 105 | 2010 |  | |
| MBSC007 | Mega Ton Fire Truck | 2011 |  | |
| MBSC008 | Ford C900 | 2011 |  |
Trailers[]
| Col # | Name | First Year of Issue | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBSCT002 | • Auto Transport • Car Transporter • Auto Transporter • Transporter |
2009 | 
| |
| MBSCT003 | • Lowboy Trailer • Crate Hauler • Generator Trailer • Spool Hauler • Heavy Duty Hauler |
2009 | Multipurpose low bed trailer, carrying spools, crates or a generator | 
|
| MBSCT004 | • Pipe Hauler • Utility Hauler • Log Hauler • Water Tank • Tanker Hauler |
2009 | Multipurpose trailer for long loads, carrying pipes, logs or a water tank |
|
| ? | • Box Trailer • Cargo Courier |
2009 |
| |
| MBSCT005 | • Dry Bulk Hauler • Covered Hopper |
2010 | 
| |
| ? | Dumper Trailer | 2010 |
| |
| MBSCT008 | Open Top Hopper | 2011 | 
|
Convoys (2020-2024)[]
After the discontinuation of the Super Convoy line in 2011, Matchbox would go nine years without any tractor-trailer multipacks. Until 2020, when a new line called Convoys made its way onto the pegs. The models were brought back to the size of the original Convoy line, whilst its newly introduced cabs and trailers were mostly inspired by Super Convoy combinations. At retailers' request, the revamped convoys were now accompanied by a (sometimes exclusive) miniature car. The line was discontinued after one last batch in 2024, with the Freightliner eCascadia cab and trailer with Power Lift as part of that assortment being cancelled.
Trucks[]
| Col # | Name | First Year of Issue | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB977 | 2013 Ford Cargo | 2015 (Mainline), 2020 (Convoys) | In 2020, the trailer hook was modified to fit Convoys trailers. |  |
| MB1026 | International LoneStar | 2020 (Convoys) | Based on Super Convoy. |  |
| MB1110 | Tesla Semi | 2020 (Convoys) |  | |
| MB1150 | MBX Cabover | 2020 (Convoys) | Based on Super Convoy. |  |
| MB1202 | Western Star 4900 | 2021 (Convoys) |  | |
| MB1285 | 1965 Ford C900 | 2022 (Mainline), 2023 (Convoys) | Based on Super Convoy. |  |
| N/A | MBX Mega Ton Firetruck | 2023 (Convoys) | Based on Super Convoy. | |
| MB1339 | 1979 Freightliner FLT | 2023 (Matchbox Collectors) | Equipped with Convoys trailer hook, but is yet to be released in the line. |  |
Trailers[]
Trailers and fixed cab-trailer combinations, such as the MBX Mega Ton Firetruck, do not receive MAN-numbers in the Convoys series.
| Col # | Name | First Year of Issue | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Box Trailer | 2020 (Convoys) | 
| |
| N/A | Tanker Trailer | 2020 (Convoys) | 
| |
| N/A | Logger Bed Trailer / Pipe Trailer | 2020 (Convoys) | Multipurpose trailer for long loads. | 
|
| ||||
| N/A | Auto Transport Trailer | 2020 (Convoys) | 
| |
| N/A | Rocket Trailer | 2020 (Convoys) | 
| |
| N/A | Firetruck Trailer | 2023 (Convoys) | Fixed set with MBX Mega Ton Firetruck |
|
| N/A | Dump Trailer | 2023 (Convoys) |
| |
| N/A | Gravel Trailer | 2023 (Convoys) |
|
List of Series Names[]
| Name | Generation | Year(s) | Notes / Variations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convoy | G1, G2 | Starting 1982 | |
| Super Star Transporters | G2 | ||
| Super Rigs | G2 | ||
| Super Convoy | Super Convoy | 2008-2011 | |
| Convoys | Convoys | 2020-2024 |
Convoy in other Series[]
Convoy trucks also appeared in other series, non-exclusively:
- Highway Cruisers, where a tractor trailer appeared with a car.
- Big Movers, a series that also featured buses in the same scale.
- SUPER STAR TEAM CONVOY, Sport Series in 1990-1993
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kevin McGimpsey & Stewart Orr, Collecting Matchbox Diecast Toys - The First Forty Years, First Edition, 1989, pages 235-236
- ↑ www.mbxforum.com Retrieved 28 November 2016