18d Bulldozer

[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, Houghton does note that "body and blade colour shades vary from yellow to orange-yellow", and I'm pretty sure that 'two-tone' models have been shown on this Forum.
U.K. Matchbox examined the model in Vol. 3 no. 6 (Aug. '79) p107 and states that there are four rather than two different baseplate designs:
!Type A - With the embossed legend "MATCHBOX" SERIES across the model behind the baseplate rivet. A further legend, in two lines, is embossed on all 18d models, across the base in front of the rivet, reading MADE IN ENGLAND BY LESNEY. Other than the embossed lettering and the rivet, the baseplate is unmarked.
Type B - Identical to Type A except that a 3 mm diameter hole was punched in the baseplate section, central and cutting out some of the letters in the legend in front of the rivet.
Type C - Only the legend MADE IN ENGLAND BY LESNEY appears on the base in front of the rivet. the legend "MATCHBOX" SERIES does not exist, the area behind the rivet being completely smooth and clear. Plain base without the hole punches through.
Type D - Identical to Type C but with the 3mm diameter hole punched through the front part of this section of the base as in the case of Type B."
It seems to me that we are dealing with paired tooling here, meaning that Nick's twelve variations should actually double-up to twenty-four, a view shared by UK Matchbox (Rob Newson) at the end of the article.

[kwakers]

I am weak on variations on this later unmaned casting, so I better start looking at them a lot closer now. When you found a stock of these Bulldozers in stores years ago, all Dozers in the same small order boxes had identical castings on the base details you have shared with us. My experience is not of finding any differing paired castings boxed in lots together, so Newson's theory comes into question from shopping our U.S. stores' stockrooms in the mid 60s. The theory sounds plausible though, are the models out there in our collections to support doubling Nick's codes to include any unknown combinations that have not been coded as of yet?? If so, we can add any combinations in that he is now missing. Kwakers

[yellowfoden]

..... we can add any combinations in that he is now missing. Kwakers

Here you go Dick,

These two of mine do not feature in M.J.Stannard or in Nicks codes.

I have a silver plastic roller SPR with Base A no hole, Blade B with brace and Body A square inside rear.

Attached are images showing base, the blade and the rear inside view

Please note Dan has shown this SPR variation with photo in the past.

The second is BPR with Base A no hole, Blade B with brace and Body B rounded inside rear and is open under muffler/silencer and open in front engine and large exhaust pipe.

It has low mileage owing to lack of tracks

Bert

[yellowfoden]

There is one code from Nicks list which does not compute. Suggest this is just a typo. Screen print attached.
Code 10 BPR B-base with hole, B-blade with brace but is shown with no engine infill and large engine fittings and small pipe which is not possible, but should be large smoke pipe.

Bert

[Idris]

There is one code from Nicks list which does not compute. Suggest this is just a typo. Screen print attached.
Code 10 BPR B-base with hole, B-blade with brace but is shown with no engine infill and large engine fittings and small pipe which is not possible, but should be large smoke pipe.

I believe you are correct.

[kwakers]

As luck would have it Bert, the only two uncoded variations I have are ALMOST the same as yours. Mine with Silver rollers and the later braced blade has the Type B body with large exhaust stack and the lower round edged ridge on the inside at the rear. Yours has the type A body which is square edged on the inside at the rear. Because of that, I cannot confirm your 'new' code, only add mine as a possible "New" Nick Code also.
Your black plastic roller version that has the A base, B braced blade, and also has the B body with round lower edge and large stack I can confirm because we have one that is exactly the same in our collection. It was penciled into my Stannard's Bible in Sept. of 2013, not that long ago. kwakers

[red-thumb]

Here I have an 18d Dozer with Silver Rollers
Blade Brace
No Hole Base
Square Rear Brace.

P1020360.png (1.09 MiB) Viewed 2345 times

P1020359.png (1.09 MiB) Viewed 2345 times

This is the same as Yellowfoden posted over a year ago.

Cheers Red.
Down Under.