#14c Bedford Lomas with Crimped Axles

[kwakers]

This one is the real deal with those factory axle crimps Tim. I can't say whether the hand crimp machine in the R&D department was not one of the same type used on the factory floor pre 1960, but these crimps appear to be perfect on Numi's Ambulance, just as the spun body rivets do also. The bite on one 'unused' wheel is very common, as is the middle axle rusting from storage in a cellar display. Decals on rusty axle models, even after 30 years of the same 'seasonally damp' storage, show absolutely no damage from personal experience Idris.
The color trial would be a Great explanation, but the early raised roof cross is still found on the early second color off-white bodied variations. It appears the base could be either A or B during the changeover, so no problem there. Another point is that the cream interior continued quite a while after the color was changed. I believe Numi's interior is the later white one, along with it also having the late style silver painted front bumper. Three of these details seem to post date that color change by quite a bit Mick. kwakers

[tjlglass]

Yes Dick I am agreeing but saying these are Machine as opposed to hand crimped.

[numi]

Thanks Guys for this overwhelming response and opinions,much appreciated.Quite interesting i say.
Its just after midnight in SA and would certainly respond with more pics and other requested info later in the day.
All the best,
numi

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Thank you Numi, for posting it in the first place, it is something nice to get us all thinking and to bring this sort of model out of the closet and in to the open. It also demonstrates how we collectors are only too happy to help our friends and I hope our newer members can take something from this.

Regards,
GHOSTHUNTER.

[gpwcollector]

Hi numi, I know this may be a little of the subject...but your pictures are remarkably clear for as up close as they are what kind of camera do you have???

Thanks

[gpwcollector]

Oh and BTW very nice example of the 14C you have there

[numi]

Thanks again to all members who contributed:,

@ Kwakers, thank you for the lengthy,inspiring & educational write-up.Im sure most will be pleased to know these certain facts.Yes,the time-line the first thing that crossed my mind and undoubtedly on everyones thoughts/mind.

@ Jason, i have added a pic of the White interior and thanks for your congrats.

@ Ghosty, the axles and wheels have never turned on this Lomas and there is absolutely no wear evident.The section that seems somewhat worn/shiny is actually the area that has no rust whatsoever and unmarked (see pic with text).The consistency of the wheels & body may not seem to match due to various factors of handling,storage/display & environmental effects.Tacky paint & rust is an environmental factor which affects our models.This specimen was certainly out of its box and in an open-display or a partially closed display.The evidence shows on the model.The color & texture on both 9x20(rounded) & 10x20(crimped) GPW Lomases are 99% matching.

@ Idris, rust/tarnish on the axles of these Lomases seem commonplace.I too would worry about the pinched wheel had i not learned about tooling,handling & procedure but not that i know that completely.

@ Jeff, yes ive added a pic of the other round-end which has the "ticks" but u would have to enlarge pic to view clearly but they are there.

@ Tj, thank you for your opinion as well.

@ Sms88, this Lomas has Blue lettering and not Black.Perhaps its your monitor screen but thank u for your opinion as well.
Im not sure about it being a Color-Trial as its really dirty with age-old moisture & dust combination,a few stains from when the decals were applied,some silver paint marks and would not be able to distinguish the true color until Dad helps give it a once-over.It seems closer to the common Off-White.Also upon close inspection i would disregard this specimen as having the front bumper trimmed.Perhaps this accidental spray & over-spray on mainly the left side was caused by the mask-spray mechanism and also the whole top of the bumper is clearly without silver paint/trim.
Further to most concerns, Dad pointed out that this Crimped specimen has much larger wheels and he measured them at 10.2mm with 20xthreads.Thats quite unusual and remains unlisted at the moment in Nicks Codes.It also has Cream colored rear doors on this body.

Heres the variation combination that could help draw us closer to the time-line,if any:
Off-White Body with Blue lettering.
10x20 GPW on Dome-Crimped Axles.
White Interior.
Smooth rooftop.
Smooth Inner-Roof (above the front windscreen).
Floor with Round Block.
Grille & headlights trim.

Here are more pics.
Thanks again Guys,your input is appreciated,
numi

[numi]

Hi numi, I know this may be a little of the subject...but your pictures are remarkably clear for as up close as they are what kind of camera do you have???

Thanks

Hi Gpw,my camera is about 7yrs in use and needs replacement shortly cos it seems to have lost magni-power.its a Canon Ixus 9015 x 10megapixels.
I could get a bit more mileage from it before its retirement....lol.
numi

[mike]

Hello Numi.
Maybe interesting. (Similar to your 14c)
The Crimped Axles of my 56a?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1757
Greetings from Mike & Nico.

[kwakers]

In our trusted Stannard's Bibles these 10X20 wheels are called 9.5X20, just as they are at Nick's site. This was probably done to easily differentiate them from the 10X24 next size and count wheels. I will use this designation for this Post Numi.
The nearest wheel to your 10X20 GPW Numi is Stannard's 9.5X20 commonly used from 1958 on the 31B, and then on lots of Lesneys like the 40A and 46 Pickfords up till early 1963. They were possibly used for a bit longer on the 47A Trojan Tea Van and also the 69A Commer Van. The early black plastic wheels used on the first run of this Ambulance are also listed as 9.5X 20, so not much of a surprise on yours being that same size in gray plastic because they were still available.
The first grill painting did cover the middle section of the front bumper, so if the mask slipped, other parts of it could be painted by overspray.
The interiors of Lesney pre-production Cars are well known in white, so yours could pre-date the cream ones of the earliest releases, and be out of the R&D archives.
The cream rear doors on your Ambulance seem to be left over from the fabled code ones with roof decal, so why is the roof on this one smooth with no cast roof cross? It is still a mysterious mix you have on this interesting model Numi, and I still love it with all your added info. kwakers