73c Mercury Commuter

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kwakers
Posts: 1453
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:20 pm

Re: 73c

Post by kwakers »

As I sit and look at my newly purchased dark green deck #9 Boat which George pictured at Nick's site, but has NEVER been recorded, I am smiling...... The inside floor is pure white, no fading here.
We are thinking a bit about some unusual Toys lately, so this has been a good discussion!
Remember Mick, Idris is right, the 73 reference was the Wagon's model number, not any reference to imaginary 1973 Gift Sets. I knew the 24 Rolls had been removed Mick, the point was that I believe they were a pre-production that should have been left on Nick's list as such, seeking more input and information on it. We discussed that model at length on the old Forum. Was it actually pictured in one of Bronner's Dealer Catalogs or pocket catalogs? I have now forgotten our discussion on them.
An English Seller last year had a genuine silver #35 Pre-pro Fire Truck with regular wheels on it! It was in circulation in England, and he knew nothing special about it. Because of Nick's site, he himself was able to identify it as a rare pre-production model with all the 'right' casting details and sold it away from me for huge $$. I was also able to view both Nick's site and another one at Alan's to verify it's originality as I was bargaining with him on it.
With a spectacular model like that one being found in circulation, I am going to continue searching for a capless Wagon. It may possibly not have a Superfast body from 1971 as you are loudly speculating and proclaiming in advance. Until we see one, we won't know for sure.
Please keep in mind the #20 Taxi with no front tow slot. They were in an American Collection for years without any documentation at all. When Hardy published a picture of his spare for sale, the world learned of that rare casting variation. Do any of us have another one yet? Does that mean they do not exist? I hope you appreciate my point.
The other thing to remember as Stannard's Guide pertains to you personally Mick, is that your 13 C reverse color 1965 Wrecker has an asterisk next to it as a possible pre-production. If the 24 Rolls had remained on Nick's list with such a note, we may have others reported and shown by now when people learn they are 'special'...........Off for a pleasant drive in our sub zero N.Y. temperatures kwakers
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SMS88
Posts: 1544
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:23 am

Re: 73c

Post by SMS88 »

Drive safe Kwakers !Its only just below zero here with light wind and no snow so not too bad a night to be out on the roads.
Bottom line is always that the same high standards of photo evidence are desirable for all variations to avoid C Mack´s situation where he has a sizeable proportion of most knowledgeable section of the collector community querying the integrity of his guide after fakes have been outed.

Pre-pros and colour trials are best mentioned only in the listing texts and photo captions,not variation tables imho.



I know the transitional era as well as anybody and better than most - can any members here name ANYMORE RW 1-75 aside from the 3c & 75b where modified SF castings have been fitted to RW baseplates in significant volume?????
NOT TO BE CONFUSED with common Instances of SF colours on unchanged RW bodies that are so well known for F box 1969 SF conversion cars and a couple of trucks converted to SF in 1970 !
Diecast
Posts: 1571
Joined: Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:05 pm

Re: 73c

Post by Diecast »

Idris wrote:My apologies for the delay in reviewing this model. (No excuse apart from too much Christmas!)

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (assumed 1971 edition) distinguishes two distinct paint shades: light metallic green and metallic green, whilst the AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) merely notes that shades exist. Neither listing includes variations not already covered by Nick ,and neither does either Houghton’s “Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys” (2007) or Stannard.
U.K. Matchbox did not examine the model.
Interestingly, Nick seems to have been the first to pick up on his variation code 5 (the body lacking the petrol filler flap).
I think, that there are 3 shades
Antonin
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Diecast
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Re: 73c

Post by Diecast »

there are two base plates:
a) flat base with "1968 MERCURY"
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Diecast
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Re: 73c

Post by Diecast »

b) with raised platform with "MERCURY"
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Diecast
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Re: 73c

Post by Diecast »

There are three types of bonnet:
a) no interior positioning posts (unlisted)
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Diecast
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Re: 73c

Post by Diecast »

b) single interior positioning posts
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Diecast
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Re: 73c

Post by Diecast »

c) double interior positioning posts
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Diecast
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Re: 73c

Post by Diecast »

there are two types of glasing rivets
a) riveted
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Diecast
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Re: 73c

Post by Diecast »

b) chisel cutted
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