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As Tim mentioned it is an original factory variation, my understanding is that some had the rear label applied to the side when stocks were short. Below is a photo from Christians site.

You are missing nothing JB.
The labels shown in the first images of the Aral shown by Hugh are the standard rear label but attached to the sides of the Tanker. The second image shown by Hugh is the Aral tanker with the correct long "ARAL" label attached to the sides of the tanker and the square label to the rear. Most left the factory with this label arrangement.
I note the seller of the tanker at the top of this page was from Germany and my recollection is that Dr Jazz had a tanker just like it. Could this be a regional variation with a batch of these factory issue mis-labelled tankers delivered to stores in Germany or that region of Europe?
BTW someone got a bargain!!!

Thanks Rob and mm. Yes, the buyer did well there.

motorman wrote:Could this be a regional variation with a batch of these factory issue mis-labelled tankers delivered to stores in Germany or that region of Europe?

My understanding is that Aral-liveried matchbox tankers were only distributed in West Germany. (I've always wondered why it was unbranded BP tankers which got sent to East Germany. Why not unbranded Aral tankers instead? Production runs too small to waste on the extremely limited and non-remunerative East German market perhaps?)

Idris wrote:

motorman wrote:Could this be a regional variation with a batch of these factory issue mis-labelled tankers delivered to stores in Germany or that region of Europe?

My understanding is that Aral-liveried matchbox tankers were only distributed in West Germany. (I've always wondered why it was unbranded BP tankers which got sent to East Germany. Why not unbranded Aral tankers instead? Production runs too small to waste on the extremely limited and non-remunerative East German market perhaps?)

That certainly explains their abundance on ebay Germany. Thanks Hugh.

Idris wrote: My understanding is that Aral-liveried matchbox tankers were only distributed in West Germany. (I've always wondered why it was unbranded BP tankers which got sent to East Germany. Why not unbranded Aral tankers instead? Production runs too small to waste on the extremely limited and non-remunerative East German market perhaps?)

I tend to agree, also the fact that unbranded tankers were sent to East Germany may also have been something to do with the communist regime at that time not wanting to advertise Western capitalism.

Thought I would take the opportunity to show a photo of the nice Aral artwork on the box.

Idris wrote:

motorman wrote:Could this be a regional variation with a batch of these factory issue mis-labelled tankers delivered to stores in Germany or that region of Europe?

My understanding is that Aral-liveried matchbox tankers were only distributed in West Germany. (I've always wondered why it was unbranded BP tankers which got sent to East Germany. Why not unbranded Aral tankers instead? Production runs too small to waste on the extremely limited and non-remunerative East German market perhaps?)

Having said that, my RW 32c Aral box has what appears to be a price in shillings and pence written on it.......

Idris wrote:

Idris wrote:

motorman wrote:Could this be a regional variation with a batch of these factory issue mis-labelled tankers delivered to stores in Germany or that region of Europe?

My understanding is that Aral-liveried matchbox tankers were only distributed in West Germany. (I've always wondered why it was unbranded BP tankers which got sent to East Germany. Why not unbranded Aral tankers instead? Production runs too small to waste on the extremely limited and non-remunerative East German market perhaps?)

Having said that, my RW 32c Aral box has what appears to be a price in shillings and pence written on it.......

Assuming that retailers like 'Woolworths' may have had stores in Germany as well as the UK, is it possible that in placing orders with Matchbox to supply them with stock for their European stores that some of these 'Aral' Tankers would have ended up on the shelves within their UK stores? Just a thought.

I can't see any reason models destined for over sea's markets couldn't end up on the home market and vice versa after all they are toys and surely stock would have been sent to where it was needed especially at high volume times like Christmas , if some Aral tankers were needed to make up an order for a large customer such as Woolworths it would be logical to do so

fixer wrote:I can't see any reason models destined for over sea's markets couldn't end up on the home market and vice versa after all they are toys and surely stock would have been sent to where it was needed especially at high volume times like Christmas , if some Aral tankers were needed to make up an order for a large customer such as Woolworths it would be logical to do so

I have never heard or read any reports of Aral tankers having being found in UK shops.