The range of Matchbox Superfast Wheels 1-75 Models commenced in the late 1960’s and continues today, although the brand is no longer owned by Matchbox as it was then.
Superfast Wheels were introduced to combat the market share drop that Matchbox experienced with competition from Mattel Hotwheels with the thin axles and nylon bearing wheels which made for more dynamic play value.
The earliest Superfast models were simply the current regular wheels models that could be adapted to the new axle and wheel types. The boxes were the regular wheel F style box with Superfast words or logo added, and later modified pictures of the model. The first new Superfast box style was the G style box which heralded the transition of the entire range of Matchbox 1-75 from regular wheels to Superfast wheels.
We reference the models by the box styles they were issued with from the early F style box adaptations, through G, and up to K style boxes. After that the boxes became generic and that change was brought about with the change of ownership of the Matchbox brand in the early 1980’s.
Although I do prefer the regular wheels models my collection currently includes some of the many Superfast models that were issued in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s alongside Mattel Hotwheels.