Idris wrote:Oddities like this do turn up. I remember on Lefora that someone posted a photograph of a red 52b in a blister pack, so there is a precedent for Gift Set models being shipped individually.
……and as it happens this was being written about as part of a reply to Bill.
Hello Bill and all,
The collector who may have shed a bit more light on this who had a rather nice set of Canadian blisters in stunning condition was Steve (Matchboxrw) a past member. However I do not recall seeing a 67b red in a blister on its own. He did have them in the Fred Bronner blister and box but none of them had the roof rack.
Now the chances of when they were making up the G4 race and rally gift set with having the exact same number of 67b red fitted with brown roof racks that match the exact number of gift sets would be remote. So one way or another there is going to be some left over that could go into individual boxes or there were gift sets fitted with 67 red without roof rack. (or other models to complete the run)
So I think there is a very good chance such a left over model could end up in this style blister.
This also applies to other models like the 52b BRM in red and has been found mint boxed and in sealed blister. See attached picture.
Not that it answers your question but here is a photo of rw F box with sf purple in a sealed blister is another good example of left over models or boxes being used up and simply boxed for retail sale. Were it not sealed, not many collectors would pair this model with this box and others would not believe they would have been put together in the factoryif it were not sealed.
Here are two Sears catalogue photos I have scanned and combined from different catalogues. One shows without roof racks and the other shows the Cortina and the VW as having what I would think are pre-pro white roof racks.
As a matter of interest what NJ code would you put against this taking into account tow guides or lack of and pat numbers and of course the wheel types.
In my G4 rally set still sealed the variation combination for the 67b is:
Pat number/chrome hubs with tyres/tow guide/roof rack.
Here is a little trivia for you with respect to 67b VW.
In the 1968 pocket catalogue the 67b in red is shown 6 times . Five show the model individual without roof rack and the g4 is the only time it is shown with roof rack.
One of the graphics actually show the 67b towing the Honda trailer and bike!!!
With eagle eyes you can see that one of the Sears pics show the 67b with racing roundels on the side. I wonder if these were factory applied. Interestingly the G4 artwork shows the VW sporting number 12 and another with number 16 and there is also a gift set with number 17 racing number.
The 1969 dealer catalogue shows the 67b no less than 6 times but sadly no sign of roof rack.
Bill, where I have sealed blisters I have sourced clear boxes and placed them inside so that they can still be handled and viewed from all angles. This helps slow down any further deterioration of package without accidental pressure on blister.
Bert