Idris wrote:Just in order to clarify, I am not dismissing the tan interior, I am merely suggesting, as a point for further discussion, that the off-white hue may be the result of changes in the plastic post-factory (c.f. dark blue 33a Ford Zodiac).
Hello Hugh.
This is also a change in the plastics?
I have a model 29a
with gray metal wheels and cream plastic. (Color crates)
Please see Nick's code list.
(No models with metal wheels and cream crates)
Hello Mick. I must admit your request for additional pictures comparing George's interior to the 39B has now confused me a bit. 'Conclusive proof'? The interior of the 39B has always varied in color from white to almost exactly George's Cream color, even normally 'color-blind' Mike Stannard noted that in his 1985 Guide. Is there any reason these two models should have different color interiors? Or perhaps a reason they may even have the exact same shade of cream seats for that matter? How does one 'conclusively prove' the other when Lesney's factory plastic shades can vary so much even model to exact model? The flexible seat units in the 39B are in fact made of a completely different plastic than the hard polystyrene of the 68B roof and interior units, so trying to compare the colors of both to each other is like comparing 'apples to oranges' so to speak.
How do you dis-color an area like the hidden bottom of this 68B seat unit to match the top? You would have to intentionally remove the unit from the Bus to 'Treat' the top and bottom of this plastic interior exactly the same to change it's color.
If there is doubt in anyone's mind that these seats were delivered to stores in George's cream color, they can continue to collect all the 'stock white interior variations' they care to. Did someone plant these rare and odd cream color components in our U.S. stores in 1967-1969 so that kwakers could find just two brand new in Lesney boxes? We had even found this same odd cream color on the roof of a single Bus that had the 'stock' white seats inside of it right from the factory. We all collect what we like, so these plastic color variations are not for everyone.
The 23D Caravan was delivered with many colors of it's interior through the years 1965 through 1969, but some of the very last units were found in our U.S. stores with a more subtle off white-cream color roof that Nick has acknowledged seeing, but has never cataloged as a variation in his online Guide. Would comparing these roofs to other known Lesney plastic colors conclusively prove anything? Not to those who may have had these in our collections for the past 36 years...... kwakers
The cream dye used to make the purple issues of 39b seats is known to have been a colour stocked by Lesney so there is no reason why old stocks of it could not have been used for some 68b seats on a day that they ran out of white - no reason not to chck for a colour match either. It doesnt matter if there are any differences in thickness or hardness of plastic between 39b and 68b -the principle for colouring raw clear plastic is the same!
True Mick. I Guess the statement 'conclusive proof' is what bothered me. Lesney plastics were made in many shades of cream and Tan, so they are near impossible to get a handle on in my mind. I simply find them, verify they are not 'Fade' or bogus by close inspection, then enjoy them for their odd colors. All theories about their storage in Bronner cases, environmental damage etc. are dis-proven in my mind by my personal store finds, but I have also seen damaged Lesneys that have spooked fellow collectors away from odd plastic colors.......kwakers
kwakers wrote:True Mick. I Guess the statement 'conclusive proof' is what bothered me. Lesney plastics were made in many shades of cream and Tan, so they are near impossible to get a handle on in my mind. I simply find them, verify they are not 'Fade' or bogus by close inspection, then enjoy them for their odd colors. All theories about their storage in Bronner cases, environmental damage etc. are dis-proven in my mind by my personal store finds, but I have also seen damaged Lesneys that have spooked fellow collectors away from odd plastic colors.......kwakers
If the shade matches as my screen suggests they will then its proof enough for me or would require somebody to believe in coincidences!
1960s Corgis with blue seats are known to fade unevenly to tan after years of exposure to sunlight so I dont rule out fading possibilities without evidence unless can match to a known dye colour.
Another thing about plastics used by Lesney for seats,windows and roof is that its not just the amount of dye Lesney added that can vary -the amount of hardener added can also vary with softer plastic required when tow hooks were moulded compared to window units.
oops, sorry
