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Just a repainted model in different colours to factory specified colours, is likely to be worth a fraction of a factory painted model.
A model repainted in similar colours to a factory finished model and sold as 'Restored' to original colours can be worth a little more than the model above.
A scarce or hard to find model repainted in similar factory finish colours and sold as 'Restored' to original colours, can be worth even more than the two models above, but still far less than if it were a genuine original factory finished model.

All the model examples I mention above can be classed as 'CODE 3'.

GHOSTHUNTER.

ah so even if its restored it counts as code 3..
intresting !

On a lighter note, dellamotherduck, do you know what your 'Username' really means? NO, then click on this link and find out...viewtopic.php?f=5&t=447&p=18270#p18270

Ghosty.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:On a lighter note, dellamotherduck, do you know what your 'Username' really means? NO, then click on this link and find out...viewtopic.php?f=5&t=447&p=18270#p18270

Ghosty.

good one !

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:CODE 1, models are entirely made in the factory with certain colours and any labels.
CODE 2, models are made by the factory but they have given permission for another company to decorate the model with special labels or trim.
CODE 3, models are decorated with new colours , labels and or trim by private owners without any permission from the factory who originally made the model.

I've finally found the reference for these codes (it's exceptionally well hidden in the volume index). They come from UK Matchbox Vol. 5 no. 1 (April '81) p10 and replaced an earlier, more complicated coding system. The precise definition of each code is given as follows:
CODE 1 - Model manufactured completely at Lesney Products , or one of the firm's subsidiary companies, inclusive affixing of associated labels.
CODE 2 - Model manufactured at Lesney Products or a subsidiary company: associated labels and any changed components authorised by Lesney Products under the 'Code of Practice' for for promotional models and these may have been affixed elsewhere.
CODE 3 - Models and components, inclusive of associated labels, not completely manufactured at Lesney Products or a subsidiary company and the model completed without the approval of Lesney Products. This Code will include all private promotionals, those which have been repainted and/or bearing MABEX or any other private label.

These three codes were so well thought out, that they are still in use today They cover at least 99.99% of all models, the only exception I can think of being the 46b Beales-Bealeson where it would seem that Lesney supplied Beales with unpainted body castings and ready-wheeled bases.

Thanks for the explanation on Codes 1, 2, 3 Ghosthunter makes a lot of sense really when you think about it. Originals made in the factory are of more valuable without any restoration on outside modifications