Thoughts on this #8

[waratah]

Just picked this up, looks like a re paint on the yellow and silver detail. No driver or evidence of having one. Lever in front of seat looks original. Base says Lesney England. is this one of the reproductions done in the late 80's? Thanks for any info. Laurie

[Idris]

That looks to be an original 8a.
I'm struggling to see the crimps on the axle ends, but I'd be temped to sa that the yellow is original paint, but that silver trim has been added. The engine trim is definitely an addition, and I think the radiator grille and surround may well have been repainted too.

[DrJeep]

The missing driver is a mystery, though. I suppose he could have been filed off very carefully and the column added. It’s a lot of work on what remains a very common model, at least in the UK. I think the grille paint could be original.

I’d like to see a picture from the side that shows whether the space round the engine is open or closed.

[Idris]

The missing driver is a mystery, though.

Sorry, yes, you're quite right. (I've got my mind on other things at the moment.)
Since the driver is an integral part of the casting, it must be a repaint (and probably a wheels-off repaint at that).

[waratah]

Thanks for the replies.
I agree it's a lot of work on a model, but if the person wanted a realistic looking model for a layout, it's not outside possibilities.
I have attached a close up of crimped axle, and engine area(with flash)
Laurie

[DrJeep]

Thanks for the extra pictures - really clear! The space round the engine is completely closed, making this a late casting. The most likely explanation does seem to be a good repaint, but the paint finish does look really convincing, except for the silver engine. The silver grille looks just right - not too shiny or too neat, and rubbed in the corners like you'd expect. I'll just say that none of mine have silver paint on the underside, but as they were done by hand some could have had paint all round.

[Diecast]

Very interesting model. It seems to be genuine. PrePro or test models are sometimes without a trim but sometimes are superdetailed. Maybe there is an analogy to the strange model 75a Ford Thunderbird with a roof rack, which we have discussed here some times ago. It was also the last casting variation. Maybe it was here tested the flow of the metal to the "gear lever" on the old mold. Without a driver the flow of the metal is more complicated.
Antonin

[Idris]

Very interesting model. It seems to be genuine. PrePro or test models are sometimes without a trim but sometimes are superdetailed. Maybe there is an analogy to the strange model 75a Ford Thunderbird with a roof rack, which we have discussed here some times ago. It was also the last casting variation. Maybe it was here tested the flow of the metal to the "gear lever" on the old mold. Without a driver the flow of the metal is more complicated.
Antonin

The difference between this and the Thunderbird is that the latter required material to be removed from the tooling, whereas this would require material to be added (significantly more difficult).
I agree with Glenn that the radiator trim looks pretty standard, but I'm not convinced by the silver paint cover on the engine.
Perhaps not an open-and-shut case after all!

[Diecast]

The difference between this and the Thunderbird is that the latter required material to be removed from the tooling, whereas this would require material to be added (significantly more difficult).

I know to add the material is much more complicated, but for the test purpose to add some material to the mold (in the separation plane), which should last only several casting, should not be a big problem.
Antonin

[GHOSTHUNTER]

The control lever is far too low to be a Lesney original or has been cut down for some reason.

If a previous owner has cut away the driver he would have to cut away the lever as well and drill a hole for a replacement lever to be put back in position to make the model look complete again.

Ghosthunter.