Casting #31

[nearlymint]

That's a really interesting find. I agree that it must have been a stock of old bases, because the strengthened tow hook definitely appeared on the yellow-bodied station wagons with the crimson base. It's easy to see why this modification was made - this really is fragile.

I've often wondered why the body was made with the wide gap in the rear bumper around the hook. It's almost as though the body was originally designed for the subsequent modified hook. Or is there an unrecorded really early body with a narrower gap?

Maybe its something to do with the tool that fixes that end of the base as well, just to allow a bit more room.
J

[DrJeep]

Maybe its something to do with the tool that fixes that end of the base as well, just to allow a bit more room

Certainly a possibility, though it doesn't seem to have been a problem on other models with the split rivet. Here's a yellow 31b that once had a thin hook next to a 46b removals van. The split rivet is just about the same distance from the bumper. The 68a Austin radio truck and the 70a Ford Thames are even more extreme - the rivet is right at the front.

[nearlymint]

Yes a very good point, I will check my early yellow models to see if there is any sign of extending the area at the back. As you say maybe are very early,prepro bodies with a narrow area for the tie hook. J

[A-Man-Called-Bwian]

A Lincoln Lime Green......ZOIKS!

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Another nice little diorama and I presume you have told us already that these models you use are beaters to start with and NOT mint crisp factory fresh models...

Ghosty.