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Here is a mystery.

"Matchboxmarcel" posted a picture of a 'Giftware' Y-10 on one of the forums we both contribute to. He posted as much information as he could, based on details observed from the model, it's deskstand and the box it comes in, he then asked for my opinion.

I replied with what I knew of the model and it's production period, he never came back and said thank you for the information and this is because the posting went AWOL and for some strange reason, my answer was never attached to his initial posting and I never did see it or find it again, now here is the mystery, it has just been found through a Google search not directly connected to the model in his posting, so before it gets lost again, here is a link to his posting and with my answer attached...viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2666#p23977

So Marcel, if you are reading this now, I did answer your query, but I don't think you saw it, so now you can...

GHOSTHUNTER.

I don't really know how many forum members are into the 'Yesteryear' models, but as Nick has a guide for them and I have posted some info on Rolls-Royce here, I guess there is enough to warrant adding more details about the Rolls-Royce.

I have already shown a line up of models from my collection of the Y-10, now I can maybe explain some of the modifications.
One of the earliest modifications was the replacement of the single seam with double seams, this is a well known variation, the other less well known detail change was the little catch for the boot hatch, first it was represented by a small dot (left model), then it became a small circle (right model).
Another totally unrecorded change concerns the brake levers mounting block, in the picture above, the left model is the earlier type, quite narrow, but during 1972 only, it was made wider and the brake levers casting is actually mounted a bit further back than before and by virtue of this, the spare tyre is also further back. This was to be changed again for the 1973 re-launch version.
The Two models in the above picture show a surprising modification that was done more out of convenience, rather than a production necessity. The model on the right has been fitted with the wheel and tyre combination from the Y-7 1912 Rolls-Royce (and other models in the range), but it is not a factory error, as I have a few examples the same and I can only conclude they knew at this point in production they would soon be halting production of the 'Yesteryear' range, to concentrate their resources on the 'Superfast' range and were just using up stocks.

I must thank "YYS4BOB" for taking the pictures showing the Lime Green models with the rear seams and boot catch, and the brake lever mounting blocks, I took the picture with the Two wheel sizes.

GHOSTHUNTER.

In terms of variations of this first coloured model there were the initial casting modifications to the front springs and the rear of the body. There were virtually no colour changes to the main body or the baseplate and chassis etc. The seats however went through Three colour changes.

The correct term here would be shades, because that is how most of us perceive colours all based around a base colour, but for the purpose of my listing and for clarity, I used Maroon, Brown and dark Red to describe the colours of the seats for this model and this is very difficult to show on electronic screens, but if you had the models in your hand (which they are when assessing and studying the models!), you can easily see the difference.

So from the above, it would be pointless showing every version I have in my collection as a single picture, but maybe one Day when I can upgrade the Camera equipment to a 20+ Megapixel system, I will post them.

The last versions in Lime Green and dark Brown were released into UK retail shops during 1972. Production of the 'Yesteryear' range was suspended at the end of 1972 and Lesney concentrated it's resources into the 'Superfast' range, this did not stop R&D doing some fine tuning and development of the models and one development were the replacement of the metal wheels with Nylon based plastic wheels, designed to be one size (back to Lesney's famous 'One size fits all' approach), with softer tyres of larger section.

Two types of wheel would be fitted to the models if and when the 'Yesteryear' range are re-launched, a 12 spoke 'Artillary' type for light commercials and some of the lighter cars and a 24 spoke 'Cross-Wire' type ideal for fitting to the heavier looking classic cars.

In 1973, Six 'Yesteryear' models were re-launched...

Y-1, Model 'T' Ford.
Y-3, Riley MPH in a Half-plated finish.
Y-4, Opel coupe.
Y-7, Rolls-Royce.
Y-9, Simplex.
Y-13, Crossly RAF Tender in fully plated finish.

All except Y-3 and Y-13, were packaged in new 'Woodgrain' window boxes and all models were now wearing the new wheel and tyre combination with the Riley and RAF Crossly wearing the 24 spoke 'Cross-Wire' type, the others had the less exciting 12 spoke type.

In 1974, a further Ten 'Yesteryear' models came to market, including the Y-10 in it's new colour of White over Red-Purple. It had the 12 spoke wheel and tyre combination instead of the 24 spoke design, which when it was fitted to this model looked much better in my opinion.
This is now the new colour for this model until another colour change in 1979.

During the production of this version, there were more casting modifications to contend with than before, including some exciting seat colours...!

GHOSTHUNTER.