Oddball Mercury fire chief

[nickjones]

These pictures come from Luiz from Brazil and the model was bought on ebay Brazil,
I don't quite know what to make of it, your opinions please.

[ogedei_voidoid]

going by the front post looks like the base has been off

[GHOSTHUNTER]

It does look like some force has been used around the front of the the car, to allow the grille and bumper to sag away from the body like that.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[SMS88]

Rivit post swapping is in these days with some forgers,and while I have seen most likely thousands of various #55,59 & 73 Mercurys I have no recollection of ever seeing one with the grille bent away from the body like this. We know that castings were shipped to Brazil as early as 1970 for painting and assembley however it seems unlikely to me that any RW compnents would have been sent out there and retained unused until these stickers were created in 1973!! Brazil had Lesney SF as a lower cost alternative when the Hotwheels speed obsession began so RW would not have been of any interest and as we know,by 1973 when these stickers were made there would also have been a made in Brazil base label of which there is no trace on this toy

[Tinman]

Who knows what has gone on with this one ... I think it's seen owner tampering and is another model for someone's junk bin.

[luiz_rubio]

I'm the buyer of it and know this Mercury (superfast) was sent to be assembled in Brazil, but didn't existed this type of base to be assembled here. So I thought that probably were a variation from UK, or really a false item. The rivets aren't so ruin, that's one of my doubt. But the body are distant of the grille, and it's unusual. How I collect all from fire, I trust in this model only saw in pictures, and bought in an auction. When received in hands, saw more accurate and doubted of the authenticity. I never saw a type like this in forum or eBay. So it's that.

[nickjones]

Hi Luiz,
Welcome to the forum, how about posting some photos of your collection.

[motorman]

Welcome to the Forum Luiz, do you live in Brazil??

[luiz_rubio]

Yes, I live in Brazil... and since my childhood collect Matchbox. The problem is when I was young I change almost my Matchbox toys, and believe me I had a lot of Inbrima Matchbox from 70's, today only 3 or 4, more 2 that I bought nowadays in mint/near mint condition. Very rare to found one in good condition here. The bulgarian models are easer.
A question: Where are the matchbox stores in London? I was in 2008 visiting a friend, and only found a few in Hamleys and in Portobello Road. Neither a Corgi (that I suppose still made in UK) I found.
Here in Brazil, since 2007 Mattel don't sell Matchbox, only Hot Wheels
PS: I collect all from fire (toys, helmets, badges, pins, stamps, clocks, pictures, clothes and all of stuff that I found) and have a lot of Matchbox toys, have a passion for this toys.

[motorman]

Luiz, such a shame that you dont have some of the Brazilian matchbox you had as a kid but clearly you have a passion for this wonderful hobby. This Forum is a friendly, informative and educational place to be, and i am sure you will enjoy being a member here. Feel free to ask questions and post images but most of all enjoy!