K4B & M4 GMC Tractor & Fruehauf Hopper

Post by **Idris** » Mon Jan 01, 2018 9:24 pm

Tinman wrote:I wonder if anyone has the green pre-production M4 model featured in many photos/illustrations?

Jason has one which he found on Ebay about five years ago.

Post by **GHOSTHUNTER** » Mon Jan 01, 2018 9:31 pm

Just had a look at his picture of said model and it seems to have Orange wheel rims with definite Grey tyres.

I won't post picture here until he gives permission.

Ghosthunter.

nearlymint · Post by **nearlymint** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 5:44 pm

Recent picture of my green/red model with orange hubs, with a silver back(red hubs) trailer to complete the model.

: M4; P1010001 (1).jpg (51.83 KiB) Viewed 1200 times

J

Post by **Tinman** » Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:21 am

Truly a fantastic find for any collector and a huge find for those (like myself) who love Major Packs! Thanks for posting the photos again.

yellowfoden · Post by **yellowfoden** » Tue Jan 30, 2018 3:08 pm

Yes, I agree what a great model in those colours.

My trusty notes have recorded that Nigel Cooper also has a model with green tractor unit but with grey painted (not silver) trailers and pretty sure it had a blue dolly as well.
Perhaps if Nigel reads this thread he may confirm with a photo.

Bert

matchboxuk · Post by **matchboxuk** » Mon May 14, 2018 9:55 am

Hi

I have the pre-production M4 you are talking about. It has a green cab with black tyres and red hubs but the trailer has grey tyres and orange hubs indicating perhaps that they were around at the same time.

My problem is simple. I struggle in vain to post photos. I can take them with my phone or with a camera but I never seem to be able to make the transfer from there to this site. I'm sure there's an idiot's guide but I can't find it.

I can easily attach photos to emails.

It would be great if a knowledgeable collector / photographer could take photos of all of my pre-pros.

Tinman wrote:My assumption has always been that the gray tires on the M4 were the result of a shortage of black tires or an error on the assembly line. Same goes for the orange hubs (IMHO).

I wonder if anyone has the green pre-production M4 model featured in many photos/illustrations?

With regard to gray tires, I am not doubting the authenticity of any models shown, I just wanted to make a general comment to all unsuspecting collectors. There has never been a shortage of these gray tires as they were used on the car transporter for such a long time. As a result, those tires find their way from old transporters and onto other models where they can jack up the price with a simple tire switch. The GMC hopper train is but one example, putting them on certain Hatra's is another and if you think about the other models sharing this same tire you can get a grasp of the issue. Hence the don't pay a premium warning. A very realistic reproduction gray tire is also produced. However, it's color is off and it's a much lighter gray shade. If you come across a model with this tire and it looks too light in color then you know it's a reproduction tire.

yellowfoden · Post by **yellowfoden** » Mon May 14, 2018 1:33 pm

Hi there Nigel,
Thanks for responding to this. I have sent you a PM
All the best
Bert

matchboxuk · Post by **matchboxuk** » Thu May 17, 2018 9:48 am

yellowfoden wrote:Hi there Nigel,
Thanks for responding to this. I have sent you a PM
All the best
Bert

Hi Bert

I have sent you a note and some photos. I hope they all come out ok for you to choose some to show.

Nigel

Post by **GHOSTHUNTER** » Fri May 18, 2018 4:17 pm

Hi Nigel.

Assuming you can get the pictures from your phone or camera into your computer (you are getting them into emails so this seems to be yes!), here is a topic that you might like to read for guidence...viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21&start=30#p2512
any questions or problems just shout and I'll try and answer them.

Ghosthunter.

yellowfoden · Post by **yellowfoden** » Sat May 19, 2018 11:57 am

matchboxuk wrote:
yellowfoden wrote:Hi there Nigel,Thanks for responding to this. I have sent you a PM.All the best.Bert
Hi Bert
I have sent you a note and some photos. I hope they all come out ok for you to choose some to show.
Nigel

With thanks to Nigel I can now add some photos of the pre-pro M4 on his behalf.
Nigel tells me this is how he received the model and on close inspection it can be seen it has black plastic tyres on the tractor unit and front trailer and grey plastic tyres on the rear.

The draw bar turntable is interesting in the blue colour (metallic appearance in one photo) and had me thinking what other production model came in this colour for the year 1964. The only model I could think of is the 47b Commer for the period with more than one blue colour in its range. It would also be interesting to compare this blue alongside the blue base plates of various 1-75 models. I am undecided on the actual colour as the three photos from Nigel as when placed side by side (see my composite picture) show a slight variation in colour
The grey trailers are very similar to the grey on the K11 Farm trailer or perhaps the grey trailers of the M9 Interstate.

Being that the M4 pre-pro from Jason also has a metallic red/maroon colour trailer it does not surprise that the green colour of his tractor unit looks to be a different colour to that from Nigel. A further green difference is depicted in the 1964 pocket catalogue. It is an interesting exercise in comparing the two M4 pre-pro from Nigel and Jason.

I have also added some of my favourite photos of the displays which originally feature a pre-pro M4 with green cab, grey trailers along with the pocket catalogue showing the same but with orange trailers.

What I like about the pocket catalogue is that it features metal hubs similar to those used on the K8 Laing. I would like to have seen more models with these metal hubs. (At least the tyres stay on the hubs) and they were very nicely detailed hub castings. However I would be more than happy to wait for the email or phone call if anyone has a spare pre-pro M4 with the green tractor unit, orange tailers with orange plastic hubs.
It is also worth noting the artist who prepared the 1964 price list cover depicted the M4b GMC with metal hubs.

In my other photo of the Major pack display from a 1960’s sales aid it shows some models at mock up stage. What is interesting is that the M4 looks to have solid bpw with axle.

Thanks Nigel for sending me the M4 photos to add to this thread, they are a great reference and hopefully be of interest to the seasoned and new collectors.

Regards

Bert