52b BRM Racing Car

[Idris]

What a nightmare! Not only a complicated listing, but errors in Nick's listing and a rare mistake in Houghton too! (This one took two sheets of paper for the comparison.)

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition) does not have any variations not already listed by Nick and neither does the AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983). Both catalogues note the existence of two different positions of the base text, but explain these away as paired moulds in use during the whole of the model's lifetime.
Nick's listing contains a mistake: the with and without decal guide body variations are reversed, so apparently the majority of models carrying decals did not have guides, whilst those bearing labels did! Taking that into account, Stannard lists a variation at 52(B) 2-12 not in Nick's list: red/5 label/exhaust brackets/4 pips/small text/with guides. This would slot in as code 18.
Houghton contains a rare mistake: his type 3 base is listed as exhaust brackets/4 pips/large text. However, I believe that this should read exhaust brackets/3 pips/large text. Working on that basis, there is only a single variation not covered by Nick: 52b-12 is red/5 label/exhaust brackets/4 pips/small text/with guides. This matches the missing Stannard code. (Unsurprising since Houghton's listings are, for the most part, based on Stannard.)
U.K. Matchbox did not cover the model in any depth, although a pre-production example with a plain base is pictured and examined in Vol 2, no. 2 (Apr. '78) p34

[Idris]

I should have added that Houghton lists the casting details of the dark red variation as follows: exhaust brackets, 3 pips, small text. (This information is missing from Nick's listing.)

[Idris]

Houghton contains a rare mistake: his type 3 base is listed as exhaust brackets/4 pips/large text. However, I believe that this should read exhaust brackets/3 pips/large text.

It has just occurred to me that I have assumed that this mistake is in Houghton, but it could just as easily be in Stannard and carried over into Nick's listings. The reason I say this is that Nick's variation code 7 (found by yours truly) has exhaust brackets/4 pips/large text.
Can anyone confirm the existence of baseplates with exhaust brackets/3 pips/large text?

[nearlymint]

Hi Hugh,
I do not have any of baseplates with exhaust brackets/3 pips/large text, according to my notes the dark blue one I have has exhaust brackets/3 pips/small text which does not match Nicks list.(but it must be in a box somewhere)
Never been able to get to grips with Nicks table, so I have just made notes. Spent hours checking my lot but you need very good eye sight for those engines.
Jason

[Idris]

I do not have any of baseplates with exhaust brackets/3 pips/large text...

That seems to be pointing in the direction of Houghton being correct and Stannard containing not one but two errors. Anyone else?

[kerbside]

My Dark Blue model is the same as Jason,s one.

George T.

[Idris]

Houghton contains a rare mistake: his type 3 base is listed as exhaust brackets/4 pips/large text. However, I believe that this should read exhaust brackets/3 pips/large text.

It has just occurred to me that I have assumed that this mistake is in Houghton, but it could just as easily be in Stannard and carried over into Nick's listings. The reason I say this is that Nick's variation code 7 (found by yours truly) has exhaust brackets/4 pips/large text.
Can anyone confirm the existence of baseplates with exhaust brackets/3 pips/large text?

Final call. Can anyone confirm the existence of baseplates with exhaust brackets/3 pips/large text?

[mike]

Hi Hugh.
I'm looking at, for these new codes.
Maybe a little help.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2362&hilit=+52b

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1644&hilit=+52b

Prost Mike.

[Idris]

Hi Hugh.
I'm looking at, for these new codes.
Maybe a little help.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2362&hilit=+52b
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1644&hilit=+52b
Prost Mike.

Mike, your red example looks to be a new code whilst your blue model is a variation code 2. (There is a mistake in Stannard which has been carried over by Nick. In his variation table, where it reads "no guides" it should read "with guides" and vice versa.)

[mike]

Hi Hugh.
I'm looking at, for these new codes.
Maybe a little help.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2362&hilit=+52b
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1644&hilit=+52b
Prost Mike.

Mike, your red example looks to be a new code whilst your blue model is a variation code 2. (There is a mistake in Stannard which has been carried over by Nick. In his variation table, where it reads "no guides" it should read "with guides" and vice versa.)

Perfect, thank you Hugh.

Collectors greetings from Austria
Mike & Nico