Thunderbirds was set during the mid-2060s, but a surprisingly high percentage of toy vehicles are seen that were common on roads a hundred years earlier (1965). Most of vehicles used in the background fell into three categories:
- A. Die-cast metal toys manufactured by Matchbox, Dinky, Corgi, Budgie and Husky.
- B. Model kits available for sale, such as Airfix, Revel, AMT and Monogram.
- C. Scratch built models, made in the work shops at the Slough studio. These were larger-scale or custom designed cars for use in close-up scenes.
This is a list of Die-cast Vehicles seen in episodes of Thunderbirds.
Matchbox Die-cast Toy Vehicles[]
Matchbox was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953. The brand was so named as the original die-cast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar in style and size to those in which matches were sold. The model range was available in most toy shops, and were easily obtained close by the Slough studios.
Bedford Tipper Truck[]
No.3, Bedford Tipper Truck is seen during the crash of Zero-X at Craigsville, in the film Thunderbirds Are Go.
Euclid Tipper Truck[]
No. 6 Euclid Tipper Truck can be seen next to the Number 1 Lift Body Hangar at Glenn Field Spaceport in the feature film Thunderbirds Are Go.
Ford Anglia[]
No.7, Ford Anglia can be seen in several episodes parked at London International Airport.
Sugar Container Truck[]
No.10 , Sugar Container Truck can be seen at New York Central Airport in The Duchess Assignment. And at the launching of Zero X in Thunderbirds Are Go
Land Rover Safari[]
No.12 Land Rover Safari appeared as a toy car in Give or Take a Million.
Bedford Ambulance[]
No.14 Bedford Ambulance can be seen at the crash site of flight D-103 in Alias Mr. Hackenbacker. Another was seen at the start of Operation Seahawk in The Cham-Cham.
Chevrolet Impala Taxi[]
No.20, Chevrolet Impala Taxi Cab can be seen at New York Central Airport in The Duchess Assignment. It also appears as a toy car in Give or Take a Million.
The Duchess Assignment
Commer Bottle Float[]
No.21 Commer Bottle Float appeared as a toy car in Give or Take a Million.
Pontiac Grand Prix[]
No.22 Pontiac Grand Prix can be seen just outside the hangar door of the USAF RTL-2 Transporter, in The Cham-Cham.
BP Tanker[]
No.25 BP Tanker can be seen at New York Central Airport in The Duchess Assignment, and in other episodes.
The Duchess Assignment
Foden Cement Mixer[]
No.26, Foden Cement Mixer can be seen at the base of the San Martino dam in Path Of Destruction, etc.
Cadillac 60 Special[]
No. 27c, Cadillac 60 Special (lavender version) is seen in The Impostors, and in Operation Crash-Dive.
Jaguar MK 10[]
No. 28c Jaguar MK 10 was seen in Trapped in the Sky.
Fire Pumper[]
No. 29 Fire Pumper can be seen at the crash of Flight D-103 in Alias Mr. Hackenbacker.
8-wheel Crane[]
No.30, 8-wheel Crane can be seen at the base of the San Martino dam in Path Of Destruction.
Ford Station Wagon[]
No. 31 Ford Station Wagon was seen in Trapped in the Sky, and other episodes.
Four Ford Station Wagons at London International Airport
Jaguar E-Type[]
No. 32 Jaguar E-Type was seen at London Airport in a number of episodes.
Alias Mr. Hackenbacker
Ford Zephyr[]
No. 33b Ford Zephyr Mark III was seen in Operation Crash-Dive.
Volkswagen Camping Car[]
No.34, Volkswagen Camping Car is seen during the crash of Zero-X at Craigsville, in the film Thunderbirds Are Go.
Snowtrac Tractor[]
No.35, Snowtrac Tractor can be seen parked near to the Number 1 Lift Body Hangar at Glenn Field Spaceport, and also just outside the hangar door of the RTL-2 Transporter in The Cham-Cham.
Coca-Cola Truck[]
No.37, Coca-Cola Truck can be seen at New York Central Airport in The Duchess Assignment.
Vauxhall Victor Estate Car[]
No.38, Vauxhall Victor Estate Car can be seen at New York Central Airport in The Duchess Assignment.
Long Distance Bus[]
No.40 (Leyland Tiger) Long Distance Bus is also parked at New York Central Airport in The Duchess Assignment.
Bedford Evening News Van[]
No.42 Bedford Evening News Van is seen at London International Airport in a number of episodes.
Studebaker Lark Wagonaire[]
No.42b Studebaker Lark Wagonaire was seen at London Airport in Operation Crash-Dive.
Hillman Minx[]
No.43, Hillman Minx can be seen in several episodes parked at London International Airport.
Commer Pick-up[]
No. 50 Commer Pick-up Mark VIII was seen at London Airport in a number of episodes.
Mercedes 220 SE[]
No. 53b, Mercedes 220 SE was seen at the Fake Rescue (The Impostors), and at the launching of the second Zero X in Thunderbirds Are Go
Ford Galaxie Police Car[]
No. 55c Ford Galaxie Police Car (repainted) was seen in Terror in New York City and The Impostors.
Ford Galaxie Fire Chief Car[]
No. 59 Fire Chief Car was seen inside Thunderbird 2's hangar in Terror In New York City. Two were seen at London Airport in Operation Crash-Dive.
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Morris Pick-up Truck[]
No. 60 Morris Pick-up Truck is seen during the crash of Zero-X at Craigsville, in the film Thunderbirds Are Go.
Airport Crash Tender[]
No. 63 This Six-Wheel Fire Truck appears in Thunderbirds Are Go (film). See also the Budgie Alvis Salamander listed below
Jaguar 3.8 Sedan[]
No. 65 Jaguar 3.8 Sedan can be seen in several episodes parked at London International Airport.
Trapped in the Sky
Ford Estate Car[]
No.70 Ford Estate Car can be seen just outside the hangar door of the USAF RTL-2 Transporter, in The Cham-Cham.
The Impostors
Ford Grit Spreader[]
No. 70a Ford Grit Spreader can be seen at the base of the San Martino dam in Path Of Destruction.
Jeep Pick-up Truck[]
No. 71 Jeep Pick-up Truck can be seen in The Impostors, and in Thunderbirds Are Go.
The Impostors
Mobile Refreshment Canteen[]
No. 74 Mobile Refreshment Canteen was seen in Thunderbirds Are Go (film).
(Rear view)
Ferrari Berlinetta[]
No. 75 Ferrari 250 GTL Berlinetta appeared as a toy car in Give or Take a Million.
KW-Dart Dump Truck[]
No. K2 KW-Dart Dump Truck is a king-size example (1/96th scale), appearing in Ricochet.
Hatra Tractor Shovel[]
No. K3 Hatra Tractor Shovel is another king size example (1/69th scale), and it can be seen in The Impostors, driving along the deck of a World Navy Aircraft Carrier.
BP Petrol Tanker[]
No. M-1 Autotanker is often seen at London International Airport. It is also seen at the site of the bogus rescue attempt in The Impostors.
See also: Hover Tanker
Inter-State Double[]
No. K-9 Inter-State Double Freighter appears in many episodes, sometimes with both trailers attached, with only one trailer, or just the tractor. The original "Cooper-Jarrett" yellow arrow on the trailers is normally covered with a black arrow, sometimes with a number in the centre and /or with "BAOC" or "Air Freight" lettering. The tractor is sometimes seen with a flashing red rooftop beacon.
- Main article: Air Freight Lorries
Jumbo Crane[]
No. K-14, Taylor Jumbo Crane (king-size) is seen at the crash site of the second Zero X in Thunderbirds Are Go. Another is seen at Glenn Field spaceport.
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Corgi Die-Cast Toy Vehicles[]
Corgi Toys is the name of a range of die-cast toy vehicles produced by Mettoy Playcraft Ltd. in the United Kingdom. The Mettoy (Metal Toy) company was founded in 1933 by German émigré Philip Ullmann in Northampton, England, where he was later joined by South African-born German Arthur Katz, they decided to market a range of toy vehicles as competition to Meccano's Dinky Toys model vehicles, which had dominated the British market for many years. Corgi Toys were introduced in the UK in July 1956 and were manufactured in Swansea, Wales, for twenty seven years before the company went into liquidation.
Ford Thunderbird[]
The most frequently seen die-cast car is the Ford Thunderbird in either No.214 Hard Top, or No.215 Convertible.
- Main article: Ford Thunderbird - Cars
Aston Martin[]
Variant
No.218 Aston Martin in various colours can be seen in the background at Glenn Field in the feature film Thunderbirds Are Go.
Plymouth Suburban[]
No. 219 Plymouth Sports Suburban Station Wagon was seen in Alias Mr. Hackenbacker.
Alias Mr. Hackenbacker
Oldsmobile Super 88[]
No.235 Oldsmobile Super 88, can be seen at London International Airport in several episodes.
Variant (No. 237)
Jaguar Mark X[]
No.238 Jaguar Mark X appeared in City of Fire.
City of Fire
Buick Riviera[]
No.245 Buick Riviera was available in several different colours.
Alias Mr. Hackenbacker
Buick Riviera (variant)[]
No.245 Buick Riviera was available in several different colours.
Thunderbirds Are GO
Rambler Marlin Sports Fast Back[]
No. 262 Rambler Marlin Sports Fast Back can be seen parked at Glenn Field (in the feature film Thunderbirds Are Go).
Thunderbirds Are GO
MGA Sports Car[]
No. 302 MGA Sports Car was seen outside the NWA headquarters in Thunderbird 6.
Thunderbird 6
Ford Mustang[]
No.320 Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 appeared in The Impostors and Alias Mr. Hackenbacker.
[[File:]]
Superior Ambulance[]
No.437 Superior Ambulance was seen amongst others at Craigsville, where the Zero X crashed landed.
Midland Red Motorway Express Coach[]
No.1120 Midland Red Motorway Express Coach can be spotted parked at London International Airport in several episodes.
Simon Snorkel Aerial Rescue Truck[]
No.1127 Simon Snorkel Aerial Rescue Truck is seen at the Paris monorail station in The Perils of Penelope.
Dinky Die-cast Toy Vehicles[]
Frank Hornby established Meccano Ltd. in 1901 to make metal erector construction sets, moved into trains with the first train appearing in 1920. In the early 1930s, Meccano had made many types of tin plate and other metal cars mostly in kit form. In the April 1934 issue of Meccano Magazine they were given the name 'Meccano Dinky Toys' for the first time. In August 1935, the name Meccano was dropped and the marque became DINKY TOYS until 1971.
Buick Riviera[]
No.001 Buick Riviera, is seen parked outside the Fulmer Finance Building in Terror in New York City.
Ford Thunderbird[]
No.005 Ford Thunderbird turns up in a number of places. One prominent example is destroyed by the Zero X at Craigsville.
Autocar Isobloc[]
No.29 Autocar Isobloc is seen at London International Airport in a number of episodes.
Ford Fairlane RCMP Patrol Car[]
No.264 Ford Fairlane RCMP Patrol Car was seen at Glenn Field in the feature film Thunderbirds Are Go, and in several TV episodes.
Trapped in the Sky
Brink's Security Van[]
No.275 Brink's Security Van appeared in Day of Disaster.
Pathe News Camera Car[]
No.281 Pathe News Camera Car was seen New York in the episode Terror in New York City.
Budgie Toys[]
Motorway Express[]
No. 296 Motorway Express coach was seen at London International Airport in a number of episodes.
Alvis Salamander[]
No. 298 Alvis Salamander appeared in Alias Mr. Hackenbacker, pulling a trailer at London International Airport.
Alias Mr. Hackenbacker
Euclid Mammoth Truck[]
No. 318 Euclid Mammoth Truck appeared in the feature film Thunderbirds Are Go.
Thunderbirds Are Go
Husky[]
Citroën Safari[]
No. 6 Citroën Safari ambulance was seen on Tracy Island inTerror in New York City.
Sun Probe
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1961 Ford Thunderbird[]
No. 8 Ford Thunderbird was seen in Give or Take a Million as a toy car, still in its original packaging.
Luggage Elevator[]
No. 32 Luggage Elevator was also seen in Give or Take a Million as a toy car, still in its original packaging.
Gallery[]
