Originally the Arnott's Biscuit van was scheduled to be issued world-wide with Australia receiving their models six months in advance. Unfortunately for collectors Lesney products were in the hands of the receivers who were reluctant to see more models leaving the factory until the company had been successfully sold to a new organisation. 18,000 models were actually produced and distributed to Australia. This, of course, created an overnight market for the model and many of them came back from Australia to Europe at a much higher price than the recommended selling price! Such was the outcry from collectors at the time that Matchbox Toys made it clear that in future 'limited edition' runs would be substantially higher than the Arnott's run.

Livery: (Label)
'ARNOTT'S BISCUITS' in yellow/white with black outline above and below.
'FAMOUS' and 'SAO' in cream and red outline with a wheat sheaf and parrot on each end, on black and yellow background on both sides of van.
'No. 3' with 'PHONE U6621' and 'WILLIAM ARNOTT LTD HOMEBUSH' in yellow on both sides of door.
Coachlining in yellow.

Variations/Rarities: It had an orange-red body with a black chassis and seats.
The roof can be matt or gloss black.
It had a gold plated radiator and windscreen frame.
Released with gold 12 spoke wheels.
It had yellow ornate type 2 rear doors.
The Arnotts van was supposed to be a worldwide release and after Australia had received their quota of 18,000 pieces Lesneys were declared bankrupt and put into the hands of the official receiver so all versions of the Arnotts have been re-exported from Australia and are at least hard to find if not rare.

Scale: 1:35

Arnott's Biscuits

Double Labels

Yellow, Type 2 Rear Doors

Pre-production