1981 was the Bi-Centenary of the Ironbridge in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. Mrs. Jo Roper, a local resident, approached the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust with a view to making a promotional model celebrating the world's first Ironbridge. Permission was obtained from the Trust in early 1981 and six months later Lesney Products also agreed to use the Y5 Taystee van as basis for her promotional model. The model was packaged in a blue non-Lesney box with a cellophane lid. 600 models were produced and packaged in an individually numbered box. Ten quality control models were also produced but these were eventually sold in non-numbered boxes. The Trust Museum was given, free of charge, forty Ironbridge models which were subsequently sold through the museum shop. Two main variations exist as 300 all yellow Taystee vans and 300 black based Taystee vans were originally used. The models were sold for £4,25.

Comments/Identifying Features: The model has the decals on each side, "[Depiction of the bridge], 1781 - 1981" in fine gold on shiny black background on the upper left side and "[Depiction of the bridge], Bicentenary" in fine gold on shiny black background on the upper right side. Below this on the lower left side the label has "Ironbridge Gorge Museum, Trust", on two lines, in fine black text on yellow background. The lower right side has a similar label with "The World's First Iron Bridge", on two lines, in fine black text on yellow background.
The baseplate is yellow or black painted metal and is held in place by three machined rivets. It is marked "Made in England" under the left running board, "Matchbox, © 1978 No Y-5, Models of Yesteryear, 1927 Talbot Van" on 4 lines to the centre of the base, and "Lesney Products & Co. Ltd" on the underside of the right running board.

The model comes packed in special individually numbered boxes. It is an Official Code 2 issue from Lesney and has the distinctive black and gold label applied to the sides (over the original Taystee decal, an impression of which can still be seen under the black label).
The model has no opening parts other than the rear doors which are painted in the body colour, yellow. The vehicle roof is matt black, the seats are black plastic, and the tool box lid is brass coloured. There is no glazing.

Fakes: There are fakes. Genuine black labels have a gloss background with very fine gloss gold lettering and artwork. Fake labels have a matt background with thick dull gold lettering and artwork.
Look at the "T" in the word "Trust", it should be directly below the "R" in "Ironbridge" on the genuine model. On the fake label the "T" is in line with the "I" in "Ironbridge".

Scale: 1:47

Bi-Centenary Of The Ironbridge

Models with yellow and black chassis

Genuine amd fake (Fake Ironbridge labels have differently positioned lettering, and are different colour)

Models were packed in special individually numbered boxes