Mixed Gold/Silver Trim

[Idris]

Two new mixed trim models: Malcolm (he of the 76a) has recently found a 59a, and I have found a photograph appearing to show a 17b. Photographs below.
I'm sure there are other models out there just waiting to be discovered, and would ask everyone to check their collections if easily accessible.

[matchbox1-75showroom]

One I have never seen with mixed trim before, the 53a Aston. I would love to know if anyone has seen another. My idea of why the mixed trim arrived in 1958 and I suspect into '59 is that we know outsourcing of trim ended in 1958 and both silver and gold trim was being used at the time. Is it possible that Lesney had told the trimming company that the contract was coming to an end and to mix the two types of paint together if supplies of silver or gold ran low? I think Lesney may then have taken any remaining mixed paint back from the outsource company when the contract finally ended, then in true Lesney style of nothing going to waste used the last of the mixed trim on models in production at that time? Another maybe is that there was a delay in the introduction of the masked sprayed trim system or the masked spray system could not handle the mixed paint for some reason. Anyway the silver/gold trim mix was only around for a very short time so something was certainly going on that needs an explanation.

Mal

P1190789.JPG (1.6 MiB) Viewed 2767 times

P1190788.JPG (1.5 MiB) Viewed 2767 times

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Resized images.

[matchbox1-75showroom]

Thanks GHOSTHUNTER

[Idris]

One I have never seen with mixed trim before, the 53a Aston. I would love to know if anyone has seen another.

There was a report of one on Lefora, but the poster himself put it down to the metallic green showing through the silver in some way.

[nearlymint]

Eventually found this 60a which I had noted as an unusual colour trim gold/silver, I have added just in case anyone else has one.

60a

J

[Idris]

As Mal has pointed out, 1958 seems to be the key year.
An analysis of model dates using Frank Wagner’s chronological catalogue (download here) shows the following for mixed gold/silver trim:
14b 1958 - 1962
17a 1955 - 1958
17b 1958 - 1961
19a 1956 - 1958
19b 1958 - 1962
20a 1956 - 1959
32a 1957 - 1962
35a 1957 - 1964
43a 1958 - 1962
45a 1958 - 1964
53a 1958 - 1963
57a 1958 - 1961
59a 1958 - 1963
60a 1958 - 1966

Furthermore, looking at models with gold instead of silver trim, we find:
15a 1956 - 1959
17a 1955 - 1958
21b 1958 - 1961
32q 1957 - 1962
38a 1957 - 1963
47a 1956 - 1963
58a 1958 - 1962
60a 1958 - 1966
73a 1959 - 1962

So, with one exception, the 73a released in 1959, all the gold/silver trim models and all the anomalous gold trim models we currently know of were in production during 1958. On the other hand, it must also be acknowledged the the above listings are a very blunt tool indeed since they take no account of whether any of the variations concerned are early or late issues and the consequences of that on the model's likely issue date.