12a Land Rover

[Idris]

None of the NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition), the AIM's “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983), Stannard, Houghton, or Leake ("Concise Catalogue of 75 Series Matchbox Toys by Lesney" (4th edition, reprinted 2006)) lists any variation not already catalogued by Nick. However, NAMC does note the existence of two distinct body colours, light and dark green, for the first-type body casting, with dark green being the standard colour for all later issues.
U.K. Matchbox did not examine the model.

[Diecast]

There are two colours, but both on the later variations.
Antonin

[Diecast]

There are two types of the silver trim:
a) HA silver trim to bumper, headlights and grille
b) HA silver trim to bumper and headlights

[Diecast]

later models have a thicker front grille-wall

[Diecast]

Pretty hard to find, the first variation with a recess between the brace and the rear of the radiator

[Diecast]

I suppose that there is an unlisted, the very first (or pre-pro) variation with a small front and rear axle supports. If you look at the supports, you will see the added material. I have not seen it personally, but I think that the pre-pro hunters like Jason will find it soon.
Antonin

[Diecast]

I am enclosing a proposal of a new 12a list. I have introduce a code "0" for Pre-Pro models. I have tried to estimate the rarity of each model (10 - extremely rare; 1 - common), which is sometimes very subjective. For someone, it was very difficult to find a specific variation and someone has added it to his collection without any problems. Please comment
Antonin

[Idris]

Most impressive, Antonin!
Two comments:
1) The pre-pro version is currently only suspected (albeit with good reason). Even if there were once examples, it may no longer exist (c.f. 35b Snow-Trac with three rear windows, non-reverse 13d Dodge wrecker with thin booms). I suggest this should be indicated.
2) Since the trim is HA, the untrimmed grille could simply be a one-off. Are other examples known?

[Idris]

I suppose that there is an unlisted, the very first (or pre-pro) variation with a small front and rear axle supports. If you look at the supports, you will see the added material. I have not seen it personally, but I think that the pre-pro hunters like Jason will find it soon.
Antonin

I wonder if the front axle supports were originally supposed to be the same width as the under-bonnet cross-brace, since this would neatly explain that strange design feature.

[Diecast]

I suppose that there is an unlisted, the very first (or pre-pro) variation with a small front and rear axle supports. If you look at the supports, you will see the added material. I have not seen it personally, but I think that the pre-pro hunters like Jason will find it soon.
Antonin

I wonder if the front axle supports were originally supposed to be the same width as the under-bonnet cross-brace, since this would neatly explain that strange design feature.

I think so, because if you observe the inequality of the added material in the axle support, the intersection is on the rear side of the axle brace (I think the the material was added to the rear side also).
Antonin