39A Unexpected Find - unlisted code

[EarlyWheels]

I recently received a 39 A Ford Zodiac convertible. I was interested based on pictures that were on the auction listing. The dealer was amenable to my questions. I’m pretty deep on 39A details. Can’t say the same for all other production necessarily. As we know this late base color of this car is considered to be dark sea green. Typically this late base color is found with 8 x 18 tread gray plastic wheels and rounded axles. This example has crimped axles and I believe it to be unlisted in any guide or compendium. I’m doing my best to attach a couple pictures for comparison. Admins feel free to crop and edit as per usual.




Images rotated and resized by Ghosthunter.

[EarlyWheels]

Thanks Ghosty for the assistance!

[DrJeep]

I'm no expert, but the crimped axle ends look good to me, and the rivet looks fine too. The driver's head looks poorly cast - or is that just the angle? It would be good to see the windscreen but I'm sure you've checked it's the later casting. How worn are the wheels? It's hard to tell from the picture.

Glenn

[EarlyWheels]

Hi Glenn, I’ve checked the model carefully and also had some higher resolution pics checked prior to posting here. The 39A has no visible wear on the wheels as well as the car body. The driver’s head wasn’t in 100% focus in my image, as this variation report is about the crimped axles against this later issue base.

[DrJeep]

The driver’s head wasn’t in 100% focus in my image, as this variation report is about the crimped axles against this later issue base.

Sorry - I should have explained better. As the casting looks poor, I was wondering if the driver had been replaced. If he has, it would make one wonder whether there has been other restoration work too.

So what do you think this one is? An earlier use of sea green paint in a small batch while axles were still being crimped?

[kwakers]

Years ago during the Lefora years of the Forum we ran into several different models just like this rare 39A with some out of timeline crimped axles on them. They initially baffled some of us long time Lesney Regular Wheel collectors, so we began a Forum discussion about them. Because Nick Jones had become very familiar with early Lesney factory processes from conversations both with his own relatives and with a lot of former factory workers he had met over the years , his answer to our question was quite simple. In the event of a power or machine failure at the factory, the old style axle crimping machines were still available to finish any base assemblies that may have been on the line that day. Nick had pointed out that power outages were quite common back in those early years, (1961 or 1962 in this case) so old techniques to keep production moving and workers busy had to be used once in a while. This 39A's base could have been finished on one of those days, AND, there should be more to be found now that Ethan has shared his model's details with us.
This 39A is a beauty that most of us here would not have recognized as "Special" in any way, Great spot Ethan! When we focus on any particular Lesney casting for our collections, we sometimes begin to notice variants in colour and castings that have gone undocumented for decades. Thanks for showing us this one Ethan, I hope we can one day add it to Nick's codes and be able to note its discovery by you after all these years in "Hiding". Cheers!, Dick

[EarlyWheels]

Dick, Thanks for the support and backstory on what we both believe to be a newly revealed variation. The production scenario that you charted is plausible but again these are little castings and cannot speak for themselves. As mentioned previously I have examined this model very closely and as regards the driver I cannot see any signs of replacement or tampering. I’m thinking about traveling to Sandown at the end of May for the first time in 21 years. If there are our enthusiasts for this vintage who will go from the U.K. and the Continent the best aspect of a return would be to meet up.
In the meanwhile here is a picture of the three cars at or near the end of production for the zodiac. Upper left is SPW; upper right is Sea Green GPW rounded axles; and the new find in front.



Image rotated, resized and slightly enhanced by Ghosthunter.

[nearlymint]

Hi Earlywheels,
I can confirm this variation unfortunately my front crimp is deformed but the rear one is ok, also not as good condition as your one.
Thank you for the great pictures.

39a

39a.JPG (88.1 KiB) Viewed 931 times

Jason

[yellowfoden]

Hello Ethan and Jason,
Nice addition to the collection Ethan, I especially like the base plate colour comparison image showing the three colours and of course anything with crimped axles.
Very nice too Jason.

Note to Admin Hugh, think this thread could be moved into the unlisted section for the 39a to keep all these new codes together if you think so.
Might apply to the dark 40b thread also.

Bert

[durangokid]

Hi Earlywheels,
I can confirm this variation unfortunately my front crimp is deformed but the rear one is ok, also not as good condition as your one.
Thank you for the great pictures.

39a.JPG

Jason

Great stuff and congrats to Earlywheels and Jason.
Jason: It might make sense that the one crimp is deformed as the factory workers would not be real used to the older “manual” methods they would have to use if the power went out.
Bill