We have been asked about the Matchbox Lesney #41 Ford GT40 Sticker Variations. I think they varied depending on availability from printers as well as changes to ordering over the years.
Some are clear based decals, some are white-based decals and equally there are self-adhesive stickers. I think the logic of decals on the earlier models and stickers later is appropriate.
The stickers for the Superfast models is almost certain. Early and Transitional is questionable but decals on early regular wheels.
As for colour? The models which were white in colour could have a decal with a clear medium allowing the body paint to provide the white for the stripes and number. However, I think they were mostly white-based media. The models with yellow are probably clear as the number and stripes are also yellow.
The earliest regular wheels decals had a very dark blue to almost black, while the later issues changed to a paler blue. This is where I think it depended on the printer and batch. Noting that the number 6 seems to move down the sticker closer to the front of the car in later issues.
In terms of a time line, I think dark blue on clear decal is first or early issue, while light blue stickers on Superfast are most likely. However there are years in between that I am sure had different variations. The model was produced from 1965 through 1972 which means a lot of different production batches and potential variations.
The rare Matchbox #41 Ford GT40 factory error with “racing number 9” is simply the decal or sticker being placed upside down on the model.
RecoverToy has been making decals and stickers to restore vintage toys since 1999. We expanded our in-house production capability a few years ago with a Roland commercial-grade Printer / Cutter. RecoverToy can produce peel’n’stick replacements for Matchbox, Corgi Toys, and Dinky Toys. We also have a range of water-slide decals for the earliest of models. A lot of our artwork is produced in-house based on our own collection of models as examples, ensuring a good match with the original factory issues.
If you cannot find the stickers or decals that you want please message us with a request via our Contact Us page.
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