VBD2 is closed. Please go to https://vbd3.co.uk instead.

If this model had the earlier snap in base, I would say it was an original factory Van if the axle ends looked good. BUT: By the time this riveted base on this particular Van came into use, knobby GPW and BPW had not been in use for quite some time in the Lesney factory. Wheels are all fine tread on all the riveted base TV Vans I have ever seen. This is not a question of an old base with these knobby GPW coming out of factory storage to be used up on this later Radio Rentals body, this is a later riveted base design that NEVER had any knobby wheels used on them, Gray or black. There is a slim chance it was a back door "Custom" done for a collector, but it smells more like a Fake in my opinion.
My advice is to avoid this Van, and we on the Forum should all keep an eye on this Seller's other offerings. He says his "Sources" are dependable in his listings. That is code to tell us he is buying all these 'Rares' he is selling from other people. (Not making them up in his own cellar) That is a conscious attempt at limiting his liability if anyone sharp gets one of his fakes and tries to expose him. He simply states he bought it that way and he THOUGHT it was real.
One point that all new members should keep in mind: Nick's listings include every known wheel color and casting variation that we have been able to find listed in Guides as old as 1971, and all but a handful have been verified here on our Forum. If no one has ever found and listed a model at Nick's site you see for sale, the collectors here are always willing to answer your concerns on that variation. Badge109,Thanks for alerting us to this Van, and also to it's Seller. I recognize that small collection he shows in his last pictures, and I too remember other rarities from him that we have questioned here on our Forum. Motorman, I feel you are correct on that point.......kwakers

Thx God for being a poor man

All,
Thanks much for all your great comments and insights on this matter!! One of the things that I REALLY like about this Forum is the ability to get such quality feedback from so many experts so quickly.
As mentioned above, I have also had many great transactions on Ebay over the years and hope that it continues. I think it is good that we continue to question the models that "don't seem quite right" in order to continually learn from one another while trying to help protect the honest and reputable collectors and sellers.

Kwakers: I completely agree with your comments and was skeptical about this model from the onset (especially since it wasn't listed on Nick's site as a variation).
Still hope to see a real 62B Radio Rentals TV Van w/ grey plastic wheels someday !! The quest continues................

Bill

The "Real variation" Radio Rentals Van with fine Gray Plastic Wheels has been on my "Want List" for over 40 years now. It is the toughest and rarest code to find of all these TV Vans.
My Rentaset with those same fine GPW came from Nick's collection only 2 years ago, so I am very Happy having found that one after a very long search for one. Thank You Durango, your doubts on this one are correct in my opinion. kwakers

motorman wrote:Something is niggling me about this seller, has Numi not mentioned them before? I may be wrong

I hadnt do date made any announcements/alerts about this collector/seller cos he seemed to be legit with his models in the past.My attention was drawn to the recent batch of rares and i particularly followed this Gold RW Landy which didnt seem kosher and it sold to an unsuspecting buyer due to the confidence built over the years of his past sales OR the buyer simply has less knowledge about this rare variation and how easy it is for the "experts" to fake them.
numi

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291674094104?ss ... 1436.l2649

Interesting some of the folks this seller is following in eBay. A certain Chilean comes to mind.

Something to ponder over...Hmmm!

Has 5x Negatives to date.

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d ... terval=365

Following these members and perhaps his suppliers:
swow
0 collections . 373 followers
jimmycash1968
0 collections . 28 followers
chelseabid2
0 collections . 70 followers
olddiecasttoys
0 collections . 88 followers
msvpilot1984
0 collections . 10 followers

Chelseabid & Mvspilot1984 ...customiser & fraudster respectively.

kwakers wrote: My Rentaset with those same fine GPW came from Nick's collection only 2 years ago, so I am very Happy having found that one after a very long search for one. Thank You Durango, your doubts on this one are correct in my opinion. kwakers

Congrats on that model Kwakers! I was also fortunate to obtain some nice models from Nick including the 49a half-trac with grey plastic rollers.
Also, I purchased a 24 tread GPW "Rentaset" 62b model when I was young in the late 1960's. I did not know that it was a scarce model at that time so the model has a little playwear, but still holds a special spot in my collection. This also happened with the 41b Jaguar with red plastic wheels............! As the saying goes, "sometimes it is better to be lucky than good................"

Numi-- Thank you for the additional information and "watch" statistics! Always helpful!

Bill

P.S.
Someone took the bait!
Model sold for $1400 USD-- opening bid.
Yikes!

Bill

A subsequent comment about this interesting model: Upon checking the 1983 A.I.M. Matchbox reference manual, the 62B "Radio Rentals" decal model IS listed with knobbly Grey plastic wheels and the rivet front base-- this is the same model type that initiated this post via the Ebay auction listing. A.I.M lists it as variation "f" or the Sixth one listed. While none of the quality reference materials always agree on all the variations, I think having this particular model included in A.I.M. adds strong possibility to the fact that they do exist.
I have also been in contact with a very reputable and long standing collector who advised me that they have this model in their collection.

While this doesn't substantiate that the subject Ebay listing is an original factory model, it does indicate strongly that such original models do exist. Regardless, I believe the 62B TV Service Van with Radio Rentals decals and Grey plastic wheels (knobbly or fine treads) remains as one of the hardest regular wheels models to find. Would love to see a photo or validation of this model(s) from a forum member!
Thanks again for all the comments and thoughts on this matter,

Bill