66c Greyhound Bus

[Idris]

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (first edition) contains decal and label information which is contrary to other published sources: 66-3-b (corresponding to Nick's codes 5 and 6) is reported as having greyish-blue decals, 66-3-b (also corresponding to Nick's codes 5 and 6) has grey decals, and 66-3-e (corresponding to Nick's codes 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16) has blue labels. However, Nick's listing is very clear: decals have blue lettering, labels have grey. If anyone has a model which deviates from this rule, could they please post a photograph?
The AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) has no uncatalogued variations, and neither has U.K. Matchbox (model covered in Vol. 2, no 6 (August 1978), p104, with a follow-up in Vol. 2, no. 7 (September 1978), p144).
Houghton has two plausible new variations. The first is his 66c-9 which is Nick's variation 14 but with a matt black baseplate. Similarly his 66c-11 is Nick's code 16 but, once again, with a matt black baseplate. Can anyone confirm either (or both) of these?

[kerbside]

Hello Hugh, I have a model that is a code 8 in Nicks listing, but a code 5 in Houghtons listing, but rather than a Glossy Base it has a flat Black base.

I do not know what Nicks base listing is for the code 8, as my code 8 has a flat Black base.



George T.

[Idris]

I do not know what Nicks base listing is for the code 8.

Whilst Nick doesn't actually state whether any given baseplate is gloss or matt, the implication of the way the table has been drawn up is that they are all gloss.

[kerbside]

Well Hugh, if that's the case where does this fit in?

George T.

[Idris]

The important thing here is that this would seem to corroborate Houghton, meaning we can safely conclude that there was at least one run of matt black bases for this model.
What we therefore now need to do now is to identify which of Nick's codes exist with both matt and gloss baseplates.

[ChFalkensteiner]

I have codes 9, 13 and 14 with both matt and gloss black bases. I also have a matt black base example with a "line through rear light" body and a "no towguide" base which appears to be unlisted.

My only other "line through rear light" example (code 16) has a gloss black base.

I do not have any example of codes 7 and 8 - the combination of decals and towguide has eluded me so far.

By the way, I find the distinction between white and yellow background decals rather questionable, as surely the background was always white at the outset and has yellowed with age on some of the decals. The same would apply to all decals on any other models which have white parts in them. (47a comes to mind for example - I have some pure white and some very yellow decal examples of those.)

[nickjones]

I can confirm Christians 'matt black base example with a "line through rear light" body and a "no towguide' but I would call it a satin black rather than matt black.
This is the only one of a total of 28 Greyhounds that I have to examine that does not have a gloss black base.
I have to disagree with Christians observation that all decals started out as white and it is a result of sunfade that the yellow versions exist, Surely if this was true we should also see yellow decals on the 5b/5c and 56a but where are they.
I only found one greyhound with tow guide and decal, As it has a bent baseplate I am concerned that the base may have been off in the past so can you please check your greyhounds and see if you have one with decals and towguide. Thank you.

[Diecast]

I think it was not mentioned up till now, there are some colour/shade variations:
a) grey
b)silver grey
c) silver
Antonin

[MOKOSEX]

The important thing here is that this would seem to corroborate Houghton, meaning we can safely conclude that there was at least one run of matt black bases for this model.
What we therefore now need to do now is to identify which of Nick's codes exist with both matt and gloss baseplates.

From a recent spot the gem lot.code 14 matt black base,its the one in the middle,i did clean it and its definatly matt black
dave

[Miller]

I have several bases, that are not shiny, but i´m not shure,if they can be called matte. What common RW would one recommend as a exymple for matte black to compare?