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Bobbo13 has replied to my query as follows:

"Hi Alex. You are right it is painted blue. I never noticed it before and if I did I might not have listed it. I do think the piece is original BUT it has been painted with blue. I do have a couple of these so if you win it and want one without the blue paint that is not a problem"

Why would someone paint the inside of a rivet?? Any suggestions?

That shade of blue was the usual colour of London Police cars when Rover V8s were standard,perhaps it was a colour trial just like Tim´s green zodiac with orange under the green? Or perhaps a collector put that blue on to identify his cars in the event of them being stolen and recovered if the seller has any other toys with blue rivits!

SMS88 wrote:That shade of blue was the usual colour of London Police cars when Rover V8s were standard,perhaps it was a colour trial just like Tim´s green zodiac with orange under the green? Or perhaps a collector put that blue on to identify his cars in the event of them being stolen and recovered if the seller has any other toys with blue rivits!

Mick i think the latter theory could be plausible. That said the blue has been added with such precision that it is also very plausible to consider it as a possible colour trial done at the factory, surely it would be difficult to paint on this blue as a private owner with such accuracy?........I am confused again.

Thought I would chime in too. I do not have a good explanation for this either. To me the paint looks painted on the rivet after it was closed, as the paint does not look crushed and appears raised above the surface of the paint below. I am inclined to think this may have simply been someone marking the model for some reason. The rivet finish looks clean to me.

vetrad wrote:Thought I would chime in too. I do not have a good explanation for this either. To me the paint looks painted on the rivet after it was closed, as the paint does not look crushed and appears raised above the surface of the paint below. I am inclined to think this may have simply been someone marking the model for some reason. The rivet finish looks clean to me.

That is a good point David and i am now of the same thinking as Mick and yourself that this has been applied by a previous owner, perhaps for security purposes as Mick suggested. Thanks.

motorman wrote:

vetrad wrote:Thought I would chime in too. I do not have a good explanation for this either. To me the paint looks painted on the rivet after it was closed, as the paint does not look crushed and appears raised above the surface of the paint below. I am inclined to think this may have simply been someone marking the model for some reason. The rivet finish looks clean to me.

That is a good point David and i am now of the same thinking as Mick and yourself that this has been applied by a previous owner, perhaps for security purposes as Mick suggested. Thanks.

I've had plenty of models with identification marks on the bases, I don't know whether it was done by the young lads themselves before they went off to school or to play or perhaps by a vigilant mum or dad! This is a more unusual one but without seeing it in the hand, the security theory seems plausible.

Hi Everyone This is my piece and I listed it without ever realizing that the rivet was painted blue. I was asked the rivet question about 5 hours before the auction ended so it was impossible for me to end the auction early (ebay rules). This came out of a Southern Ca. estate collection that I bought many years ago. The collector was very advanced and had over 3000 superfast pieces. It was coded 53A-7 (Charlies Numbering). So to be fair to the customer I wrote him the following;

" Hi I have a little problem with this piece. If you notice on the base the rivet is painted blue which is not normal. A fellow collector brought it to my attention and upon looking at it, it is really blue. Now this piece has been discussed in Nick Jones forum and there are a few opinions as to what it is. I do have a MINT piece without the blue rivet that you can have. Please let me know which one you prefer Bob"

If the customer doesn't want it I will be sure to take a close up of the piece for the forum. It is done so well I think it have been done in the factory.

I hope my fellow collectors understand that I had know idea that the rivet was blue before I listed it and accordingly I hope you agree that I am doing the right thing with the buyer.

Bob In San Diego

Bob,

Thanks for adding to this discussion and welcome to the Forum.

For your own peace of mind i dont think any members of the forum thought there was anything underhand going on, far from it!! All your current listings on ebay have been very well presented and very informative with excellent clear images.

It was myself who initialy asked you about the blue painted rivet and i informed the other forum members that i had done so. I also advised the forum of your prompt and informative response. As you can see it has certainly created a fair bit of discussion which i think had been very interesting and definately not negative in nature. The intergrity of the Zodiac was never in question, what was needing an explanation was how the blue paint got on the inner part of the rivet. And i think we are all drawing our own conclusions. It would be interesting to know if you would be able to ask the person who sold you the Zodiac if he has any knowledge of how the paint got there.

I am sure that the new owner will be very happy with either of the cars you offered him. I would have been perfectly happy with the blue rivet version and I would have taken part in the bidding if i had any cash left!!!!!!!.....Regretably, It has been a very expensive month for me so it was outwith my reach, maybe next time.

Can i also take this opportunity the congratulate you on what looked like a successful auction result on ebay with a fabulous selection of very tasty SF models to be had.

Thanks very much Bob,

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year

Hi Bob, welcome to the forum...just to let everyone know Bob is a great guy I have bought many RW from him...and also a great person (matchbox collector) to talk with

Ive known Bob (Bobbo) since the past 2.5yrs and his character is exemplary.He is a family man of great moral standing and impeccable virtue.
I had learned a lot from him about Superfast models and he has always given me the best advice available.He is an advanced collector and sells nothing but quality Mb's.I would never hestitate to buy any Mb's from him with the bonus being good value for money and the best after-sales.
Bobbo has earned my respect and so have countless other satisfied collectors/customers and friends in the fraternity.
numi