Yesteryear Collection - Smith's Crisps

The Smith's Crisps van was released in 1981. It was a promotional issue obtainable by sending in empty crisp packets.

This model came about because of an initial move by the crisp manufacuturer making enquiries about using the Yesteryear Ford Model T Van as an on-pack promotional offer. Lesney was not opposed to such enquiries but being aware of the collectors market, the company would not agree to exclusive on-pack offers. However, they would agree to send the first batch of models to the promotor from the initial production run and to give at least a month’s grace before releasing the model through the normal distribution channels. The crisp manufacturer agreed to these conditions and the models were offered for 1.95 gbp plus five coupons, as opposed to the 2.00 gbp to buy them from toy shops and so on.

Livery: (Tampo)
'POTATO CRISPS' in red and 'SMITH'S' in white on red, all in white panel on both sides of van.
'THE BEST' in white and '17' in a white circle with 'HEAD OFFICE CRICKLEWOOD LONDON' and '58-60 BRINK WAY STOCKPORT' in white on both sides of van.
'ALWAYS READY FOR ALL MEALS' in white on both cab doors.
Coachlining in white.

Variations/Rarities: It had a blue body a black chassis and a white roof.
It could have brown or black seats (The first 2.000 models were released with a black seat).
It has gold plated radiator and windscreen frame and red 12 spoke plastic wheels.
The baseplate could have Y12 or no Y number.
It could have type 1 or type 2 rear doors.
There are no rare issues.

A SMITHS CRISP'S DIAMOND JUBILEE model was commisioned and produced for the famous Smiths Crisps Company in England to celebrate their diamond jubilee from 1920 -1980 and was only issued as an incentive to select retailers who stocked and sold large quantites of Smiths Crisps. Only 500 of these models were ever produced and they were never sold to the general public. This is a fantastic model which is extremley hard to find due to the limited numbers avaliable.


Smith's Crisps		Type 1 - Plain Rear Doors	Type 2 - Ornate Rear Doors	Code 3 - Green body & Diamond Jubilee Models

Information as from "The Yesteryear Book 1956-2002
E: SMITH'S CRISPS
Issue	Year Of Release	Colour	Roof	Seat	Grille	Wheels	Plated Parts	Rear Doors	Rear Lights	Baseplate Number	Baseplate	Rarity	Box
1	1981	Blue body, black chassis	White	Black	Gold	Red 12 spoke (WW)	Gold	White type 1	White	Y12	LESNEY © 1978 ENGLAND	D	I
2		Blue body, black chassis	White	Tan	Gold	Red 12 spoke (WW)	Gold	White type 1	White	Y12	LESNEY © 1978 ENGLAND		I
3		Blue body, black chassis	White	Tan	Gold	Red 12 spoke (WW)	Gold	White type 1	White	None	LESNEY © 1978 ENGLAND		I
4		Blue body, black chassis	White	Tan	Gold	Red 12 spoke (WW)	Gold	White type 2	White	None	LESNEY © 1978 ENGLAND		I
5		Blue body, black chassis	White	Tan	Gold	Red 12 spoke (WW)	Gold	White type 2	White	Y12	LESNEY © 1978 ENGLAND	S	I
6		Blue body, black chassis	White	Black	Gold	Red 12 spoke (WW)	Gold	White type 2	White	None	LESNEY © 1978 ENGLAND	D	I
7		Blue body, black chassis	White	Black	Gold	Red 12 spoke (WW)	Gold	White type 2	White	Y12	LESNEY © 1978 ENGLAND	D	I
8		Blue body, black chassis	White	Black	Gold	Gold 12 spoke (WW)	Gold	White type 2	White	None	LESNEY © 1978 ENGLAND	S	I
Wheels: BW - Black or White Walled Tyres; WW - White Walled Tyres; WF - White Flanged Tyres
Rarity: D - Difficult; S - Scarce; R - Rare; VR - Very Rare; ER - Extremely Rare
Box: I - Straw coloured with clear panels