I didn't know whether to post this topic here or if I should bring it up within Hugh's unlisted variations page. I decided to start here.
It seems that the variations list of the 57b Chevrolet Impala within Nick's online resource could be updated. At the very least, there are enough maroon-based examples that have surfaced (still at the tip-top of my wish list) to embrace this as an accepted variation. I did notice on a photo of a maroon-based example that Numi posted the model had two different types of silver plastic wheels, coarse wheels on front and fine on the rear. Might be hard to pinpoint the other casting features to attribute to this variation with so few to examine.
In addition the list contains just one variation with dark blue base and 9x20 gray plastic wheels. The first example I found came from Ethan Enser's collection. I has clear windows which makes it an "unlisted" variation. The second example I found came out of Australia via an ebay purchase. The seller did not even include a base photo so it didn't find a significant ebay following. That model has the body casting with the 1.5mm wide window supports. Another unlisted variation. It wasn't until I found a third example that I finally had a model as described within the current resource.
Three or four months back I found a fourth example. On the surface it seemed to be another example as listed within Nick's guide; 9x20 GPW, dark blue base, early body casting and green tinted window insert. While comparing the four in hand I noticed that there is a subtle but certain difference in the thickness of the wheels on these models. I'm not talking about diameter, I'm talking about the actual thickness of the wheels from outside to inside, the width of the tread so-to-speak. Two of the models have all thicker wheels (2.7mm), one has all thinner wheels (2.4mm) and the fourth has two of each! Take a look at the photo below and see if you can tell the difference.
So now I'm playing mind games with myself. Do I consider this thickness difference a variation? Or do I use this fourth model as potential trade material for something else I don't have. I need to go look at the models with silver 9x20 wheels and see if they too have different thicknesses.
