Is this driver (on 12a) a reproduction?

[Silje]

Can anyone tell if this driver (in 12a) is a reproduction or an original (asking due to the total lack of paint on the driver)?








Appologize for poor pics

[MatchboxFreak]

Greetings Silje
I would guess your model has a replacement driver.
These 12A’s often lose their drivers and unpainted replacement are readily available.

Still a nice model in decent shape considering it's about 60 years old!

Enjoy!
Kurt

[yellowfoden]

Hello Silje and Kurt,

Yes, I think so too Kurt and one reason could be the mating of the two halves of the mould.

Although it is not unusual for the two halves of a mould (die or Tooling) not to line up and a slightly offset shape is formed I do not think this would have been normal for the 12a driver.

The mould for the 12 Landover included the body, 4 wheels and the driver all to be cast in the same mould at the same time. So any misalignment of mould halves would have also been transferred to each component. This would have resulted in rejections.
The locating studs or pins on the mould would have prevented this.(until such time as they were badly worn)
I do not recall seeing any poor quality 12a bodies, wheels or drivers.

Back to the driver in the 12a, he seems quite content and suits the vehicle.

Some collectors file and reshape the reproduction pieces and then give them a coat of paint and it is a good option. It can always be detailed with a different colour hat to identify it as aftermarket or casual driver employee. The chances of finding loose genuine 12a drivers are slim.

Personally I like repro just the way it is in photo, it is already taking on a nice patina.

Here is a photo of comparison between 12a original and the one from Silje and a driver from 2b.
Note the driver feet from 2b are not mated (circled).

The second is a side view of a nice clean cut driver and a reproduction with a bad hair day.

Bert

[misterpop]

He looks like Terminator 2s younger brother.

[MatchboxFreak]

Thank you for your input Bert.
I had not known that the 12a body, driver and 4 wheels were all cast at the same time in one mould. Was this common practice in the early days and then later a shift to casting of separate components in individual moulds?

On a related note, what is the difference between a mould and a die?

So much to learn! Thank you for sharing your knowledge
Kurt

[zBret]

Thank you for your input Bert.
I had not known that the 12a body, driver and 4 wheels were all cast at the same time in one mould.....
Kurt

That is very interesting!

zBret