Double Decker

You may be looking for the earlier Routemaster casting, released first for 1961 as London Bus (5-C), or the 1965 Routemaster Bus (5-D) casting.

Double Decker Debut Series 1-75 Produced 2006-2016, 2021, 2023 Number MB694 Scale 1∶108

Model History

The Double Decker is a casting by Matchbox; a bus model is based off of the iconic AEC Routemaster, that debuted for the 2006 mainline.

The casting has a number of MB694 and was originally produced from 2006 to 2016.

The Double Decker is given out to every single person who holds the title of Matchbox Ambassador To Collectors, a program that started in 2006 until it was discontinued after 2016.

Despite that, the casting has reemerged in 2021 as an exclusive vehicle on the Matchbox® Collector site, and resumed production.

This is a large model for the mainline series, at 1 ⁵⁄₈″ tall and 3 ¹⁄₁₆″ long long. The body consists of two metal castings, at the expense of an interior; the steps seen at the rear of the bus are part of the base. A single piece of plastic accounts for all of the windows.

Description

• Visiting London's famous landmarks has been fun, but this is no ordinary site-seeing trip. You have been collecting clues on your quest to find the site where the first ever Matchbox Lesney edition vehicle is hidden. The Route Master double-decker bus gives you a bird's eye view of the city. Next stop: Trafalgar Square!
  —From the 2010 City Action card

Versions

The Double Decker has been issued in the following versions:

Col #	Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
MB56	2006	1-75: MBX Metal	Red	The British Invasion Continues	Black / Plastic	Smoke		J2382 (USA) J6341 (ROW)	Thailand
MB34	2007	1-75: MBX Metal	Blue	"Matchbox" Toys, Tottenham Ct Rd STN, No.5	Black / Plastic	Smoke		K9489 (USA) L0379 (ROW)	Thailand
BB09	2007	Best of British	Red	MATCHBOX Best of British, 12 Oxford Circuss, Double Decker Bus Tour	Black / Plastic	Clear	red	L1852	Thailand
N/A	2007	Matchbox Gathering of Friends Dealer exclusive	White / Red	MBX logo, 5th MCCH Gathering	Black / Plastic	Dark Smoke	Black		Thailand	Limited to 300 pieces.
MB53	2008	1-100: City Action 9/12	Metalflake Gold	Union Jack with "55+ Years of Quality & Heritage" and Red, White and Black Matchbox logo	Black / Plastic	Smoke		M5338 (USA) M7412 (ROW)	Thailand	Routemaster Bus on card
BB10	2008	Best of British	Green	High Wycombe, Buckinhamshire, Union Jack, 363	Black / Plastic	Smoke		M4608	Thailand	Routemaster Bus on card
N/A	2008	Dream Halloween	Metalflake Purple	Bus #13, PYSCHIC ENCOUNTERS, stripes	White / Plastic	Green Tint	Copper		Thailand	Charity event exclusive; Base Code(s): A40
MB52	2009	1-100: City Action 12/13	Dark Grass Green	Black, White, Yellow, and Gold "The Matchbox Transport Sightseeing Tours"	Black / Plastic	Smoke	White	P2960 (USA) P6421 (ROW)	Thailand	Routemaster Bus on card. Base code(s): B24, B32, B36
BB08	2009	Best of British	White & Red	Summer Arts Festival, Union Jack	Black / Plastic	Smoke			Thailand
MB71	2010	1-100: City Action	Red	Union Jack, "Adventures don't just happen. What's your adventure?" banner	Black / Plastic	Dark Smoke		R4996 (USA) R5090 (ROW)	Thailand	Double Decker on base. Routemaster Bus on card. Base Code(s): C07
N/A	2013	Toy Fair	Gold Chrome	New Matchbox logo, Union Jack on roof, Matchbox Vehicles and Brown tampos, 60th Anniversary logo, detailed headlights and tailights	Black / Plastic	Smoke	Gold		Thailand
N/A	2013	Matchbox Gathering Dinner model			Black / Plastic	Smoke	Gold			Dinner exclusive, limited to 75 each
N/A	2013	Matchbox 60th Anniversary 4/24	Red	Matchbox 60th Anniversary on Union Flag backdrop	Black / Plastic	Smoke		Y5336	Thailand	Base Code(s): F12
N/A	2013	Matchbox 60th Anniversary 25/24	Red Chrome	Matchbox 60th Anniversary ads, bus routes, detailed tampos	Black / Plastic	Smoke	Gold	BCB98	Thailand	Also known as the "Chase Model" Base Code(s): F12
N/A	2016	Best of Matchbox	Metalflake Gold	Routemaster Bus No. 28	Black / Plastic	Smoke	Gold	DKC92	Thailand	Base Code(s): H49, J22
N/A	2021	Matchbox Collectors (Mattel Creations)	Red & Off White	Vintage era-styled logos and banners	Silver / VUM	Smoke	“True Grip” steelie wheels	GRJ31	Thailand	Base Code(s):
N/A	2023	Special 70th Anniversary Model	Matt Silver	Matchbox, 70 Years,	Black / Plastic	Smoke	Orange	HPN17	Thailand	Special Card, Base Code(s): S16, S17

See Also

• London Bus (5-A) and London Bus (5-B) – AEC Regent buses (preceded the Routemaster)
• Daimler Bus (1966) and The Londoner – Daimler Fleetline buses (served with the Routemaster)
• Leyland Titan (1982) – similar to the Fleetline (served with the Routemaster)
• Two Story Bus (2013) – a modern double-decker bus.

For other London buses, see London Bus (disambiguation)

Gallery

2013 60th Anniversary version

External Links

• Wikipedia article on the AEC Routemaster