A 65b Oddity

[DendoRacing]

I've been sorting through my late father's Matchbox collection to prepare it for sale and I've come across this odd 65b Jaguar 3.8 Litre Saloon:



Firstly, the box belongs to the 65a. It may have just been put in the wrong box, though he didn't have a 65a in his collection.

However, most unusual is that there is silver trim on the rear bumper, lights, number plate surround, and door handles.

The green tinted glass would suggest a later production run.

Any thoughts on whether this is an authentic factory production or an after market touch up job?

[Idris]

Trim to the door handles is always an indication of super-detailing by a previous owner.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Hello DendoRacing.

If you can gently press a fingernail into the surface of the silver painted rear trim, it is very likely the paint has been added by a previous owner, as commercially purchased model paint is never 'Set' as hard as the Lesney applied paint.

If the particular model is a scarce variation, it is probably worth gently removing the silver trim, to put the model back to 'Original' condition.

Pop into 'Tinman's Restoration' section to see if he has something on removing such paint with care on these models.

It looks like a very nice example and keep it with that box until another collector can confirm that this version did in fact find it's way into it, it does happen.

Regards,
GHOSTHUNTER.