Common as muck!

[Idris]

I have been sent these photographs by Forum Member Mal (Matchbox1-75showroom) and have his permission to post them here. As you will see below, rare Matchbox are just like buses and policemen, you wait ages for one to come along, and then you get two at the same time!

78a (pair)-a(s).JPG (45.82 KiB) Viewed 3173 times

78a (pair)-b(s).jpg (40.88 KiB) Viewed 3173 times

78a (pair)-c(s).jpg (39.24 KiB) Viewed 3173 times

(The one of the left is the model currently up for auction on Ebay. The model on the right is the one referred to by Nick on his catalogue page.)
Seriously though, there are some interesting differences between the two models:
Colour: the one on the left is a much richer shade of blue than the other
Assembly: the darker model has an unpainted rivet, suggesting assembly after painting
Trim: the paler model has red tail-light trim
Based on the above, i would suggest that the darker, post-painting assembled, trimless model is the earlier of the two.

[Tinman]

How about that! If I had his luck I would buy a lottery ticket.

[matchbox1-75showroom]

The auction for this Triumph ends 1st of March at 21:48 GMT

Mal (matchbox1-75showroom)

[Idris]

The auction for this Triumph ends tonight 29th February at 21:48 GMT

Mal (matchbox1-75showroom)

Actually, I think you'll find it ends tomorrow evening (here).

[DrJeep]

I’d be happy with either of these! It’s great to see them both together. Are these the only known examples?

[TinTin]

Two nice examples of the model..

[matchbox1-75showroom]

As far as is known these are the only two in existence in the world with No.78 baseplates.

Mal (matchbox1-75showroom)