Matchbox Superfast No. 19 Road Dragster Value Guide

The Matchbox Superfast No. 19 Road Dragster was Lesney's high-speed response to the Hot Wheels craze of the early 1970s. This United Kingdom-made model is highly collectible for its aggressive 1:64 scale design, featuring a massive exposed chrome-plated V12 engine and iconic racing decals.

What affects the value of Matchbox Superfast No. 19 Road Dragster?

• Paint color variations, ranging from the common bright red to the rarer shades of orange produced later in the run.
• The condition of the chrome plating on the engine, which is prone to rubbing and oxidation over time.
• Presence and intactness of the original water-slide or sticker decals.
• The inclusion of the original 'G' or 'H' style Matchbox picture box in crisp condition.

How to Identify Matchbox Superfast No. 19 Road Dragster?

• Look for the 'No. 19' and 'Made in England' stamps on the die-cast zinc alloy baseplate.
• Verify the presence of the prominent chrome-exposed V12 engine situated behind the driver's seat.
• Check for the original '8' racing decals on the front hood, which were standard for the early red releases.
• Confirm the model features the thin 'Superfast' low-friction wheels introduced in 1970.

History of Matchbox Superfast No. 19 Road Dragster

Introduced in 1970, the Road Dragster was part of the Lesney Matchbox Superfast range, which was launched to compete with Mattel's Hot Wheels. The model features a large V12 engine and was originally released with '8' decals. It transitioned through several variations of red and orange paint during its production run in the early 1970s.