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This is turning into a mystery model!

With the details established so far it is from the 1963-1964 production period. It still has the grille cast onto the bonnet but with the 'Long' (larger) rear spring fill-in, it should have a seperately cast grille component and by 1964, all bases have two holes!

It is not very clear but the tyres seem to be Mk1 designs with a curved side wall profile. These became a flat design during 1965.

Green tonneau cover/seat moulding last appeared on a 'Plated' version of the Bentley in 1963, all models being fitted with red components from this date onwards.

Finally, I think I would like to see the underside of the nearside front wing showing the three wing struts as they are cast to the wing. If the middle strut is the same length as strut one and three, it suggests the main wings and base casting is preproduction.

Ghosthunter.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:

Sebastian10 wrote:Is the model with the early base , no holes and small infill a desireable one to have?

I have one in reasonable condition that I bought for only a few pounds about ten years ago

Thanks

Sebastian

Yes, maybe you can show us your example please.

Ghosthunter.

Ghosthunter

Sorry at present I don't have access to a camera so I can't supply any photos for a few days

On looking at previous postings I came across the following posted by yourself back in December 21 2014

"The front wing struts finish level with each other, but on full production models, they do not, the middle strut is always shorter."

On my example with the early base the front middle strut is shorter on the passenger side but on the drivers side it is longer i.e. about the same size as the other struts.

I also have a later version Bentley Y5 with holes in the base, number 3 decal and red tonneau and it has the same i.e. shorter middle strut on the passenger side and longer middle strut on the drivers side

Bearing in mind I have 2 Is this a known variation?

Sebastian

Yes, it is a known variation as all full production Bentley models have the shorter middle strut on that front passenger side wing. Only the preproduction castings have a full length middle strut.

Sounds like it should be in reverse but all 40+variations in my collection have a short middle strut, you can not argue with the figures!

Ghosthunter.

Hi Ghosty,
This one has a short strut wing, here is a base picture just in case i am getting something wrong here. J

Thanks Jason.
No you're not getting anything wrong, as usual if you are not getting hold of pre-pro models you are getting models we find difficult to identify making them just as special as pre-pro's...

Ghosty.

I had a look in my box of Bentley models in the hope of finding a similar model. To my surprise I found an identicle model with the short base, no base holes, no cut-out on the top of the rear body but the same rear spring fill-in as Jason's.


Short base without holes.


No cut-out on the rear body section.


Long rear spring fill-in.




This stunning example was a problem for me to identify for my own collection because of the conflicting specification details so how lucky was Jason in finding another example!

The last three pictures above just about show the lighter shade of green on the chassis casting which added to the fact it has the long fill-in for the rear springs suggests the main body is 'Old Stock', discovered and put back into the flowline (full production).

Ghosthunter.

Ghosthunter

Beautiful model

Can I ask you about the front wheel's middle strut - is it short on both sides or like mine long on the driver's side and short on the passenger side?

Thanks

Sebastian

Sebastian10 wrote:Ghosthunter

Beautiful model

Can I ask you about the front wheel's middle strut - is it short on both sides or like mine long on the driver's side and short on the passenger side?

Thanks

Sebastian

It is long on the driver side and short on the passenger side, just like yours.

Ghosthunter.

Thanks for the info Ghosty, your one is a lot better looking than my one. Can I just confirm the struts on the wheel arch, I have this one which has a long strut both sides. J

This is the preproduction type chassis without any rear spring brace I think. I have 3 prepros like this, some without the Bentley emblem cast on the passenger step, or any detail cast on the driver step.