RW alleged 23 VW pre-pro

[kwakers]

We live here in the U.S., and somehow we did not really take note of the base plate dates when finding new models in our stores. I can't explain some of these date conflicts Mick. There are a slew of commercial vehicles Bob lists as being released in 1969, as well as models like the 36 Opel that are not on your list of U.S. releases that year. Bob used the Canadian Distributor also, but at what times and to what extent I don't know. He lists both the #8 and the #25 as 1971 rather than 1969, the #56 as 1970, and lists the #67 VW as being the first and only Superfast changeover model in 1968 (??). He agrees with your dates on all the rest of your listed cars at 1969. It seems that both expert friends of mine, Nigel and Bob, do not agree on their release dates, but my money has to be on Bob's dates. I agree that 1969 Christmas Superfast Racing and Commercial Gift Sets (that were featured in the 1970 Pocket Catalog) are a very logical explanation for thes 'early' releases, but I can't tell you what specific models they may have contained without further research on them. The racing sets box pictures a #68 hood number on what may actually be a generic racer, I can't tell for sure.
Just as the reverse colored Wrecker was 'publicly' released in April of 1965 according to Stannard, somehow Bronner had his to picture in Gift Sets and on the cover of his 1965 Dealer Catalog much earlier than that date.
I stand corrected Mick, you did ask for ONLY the Superfast section specifically just after the wife had cleaned a year ago. It wasn't with your package that was lost in our house, it was just a 'new' looseleaf binder that was also missing for 9 months. I may see a pattern here, we need less 'Stuff'' in our 120 year old house! My comment to you was unwarranted, despicable, without just cause, and a sign of my impending senility. I will have my wife flog me as punishment tonight Mick...... kwakers

[kwakers]

Getting back to your Camper Mick, Bob Brennen lists these versions and this timeline on the S23-1 VW Camper in his 1972 Guide:
A. Blue-green. hw___
B. Light turquois. sw____ hw___
C. Dark turquois. sw____ hw___
D. Light turquois, with gas cap outline on side. sw____ hw___
E. Dark turquoise, with gas cap outline on side. sw____ hw___
F. Light turquoise, boat label on each rear side. hw___
(Note: Shades vary from almost white to very dark)

As usual, I will put my money on the accuracy of Bob Brennen or Harold Colpitt' early Guides. Could the non gas-cap and with gas-cap been cast together on 2 sets of dies used early on??? It would explain many conflicting pre-pros that are known to exist.
kwakers

[SMS88]

I dont believe Bob got it right claiming the #67 VW was a 1968 SF release because they hadnt even got SF wheels ready before spring of 1969 nor chosen the SF name until 1969.Mattel HW used some #67 VWs as prototypes for wheels that developed into REDLINES. LOts of white #8 Mustangs were in the initial 1969 trackset shipment to USA & a member here confirmed #25 Cortinas in US stores for christmas so I think there are multiple errors in that listing.I have never before today heard of a 1-75 series casting released with the next year´s date on the baseplate as Bob Brennan claims with the Porsche 910 - perhaps Harold Colpitts disagreed and puts it in 1970 like everyone else? We know from the 40 years book that the decision to convert existing trucks in the range to SF was only taken after much resistance from Jack Odell, and Fire items aside,only done after all cars were converted so matching models with SF F boxes to physical rather than planned 1969 release may be what he has done.Odd that Lesney didnt put the 1969 date on the Porsche 910 when they did put 1969 on the #56 BMC + #45 Group 6
I dont own a VW with gas tank flap so i cant prove whether or not both sides of the tooling had gas tank flaps - can anyone check for me? Rear window mould line differences to tell left from right side...........

[numi]

Look closely at this negative.
numi

[kwakers]

This is the area where the C 1970 should be, but I can't distinguish anything there myself. Of course, my old eyes missed the small Esso writing under the large decal's writing in the 11B Post 2 weeks ago, and everyone is now afraid to ask Numi the details on this one??? I just can't stand the suspense any longer.........LOL

[Dr Jazz]

I voted genuine by mistake..... This is 100% fake in my opinion.

[kwakers]

I had a couple of questions on this one's wheels and tires, which from memory seem identical to the 35 Merryweather Fire Truck regular wheel pre-pro from 1969. I see Nick's Great coverage of that RW Merryweather has now been removed from the Website. Does anyone know why? Another example of that 35 surfaced just last year in England, and I was only able to determine it's originality by using Nick's Great pictures, now gone. Now there is also no base paint color or wheel type reference to compare to this 23 VW we are now discussing. Also, the mounting of the regular wheel axles on that #35 Superfast chassis may have also shown us some similarities to the method used on this 23, or may not have. Who can tell now that this valuable reference is no longer available to collectors here.....kwakers

[MOKOSEX]

I had a couple of questions on this one's wheels and tires, which from memory seem identical to the 35 Merryweather Fire Truck regular wheel pre-pro from 1969. I see Nick's Great coverage of that RW Merryweather has now been removed from the Website. Does anyone know why? Another example of that 35 surfaced just last year in England, and I was only able to determine it's originality by using Nick's Great pictures, now gone. Now there is also no base paint color or wheel type reference to compare to this 23 VW we are now discussing. Also, the mounting of the regular wheel axles on that #35 Superfast chassis may have also shown us some similarities to the method used on this 23, or may not have. Who can tell now that this valuable reference is no longer available to collectors here.....kwakers

hi dick
heres a poor pic of a real pre pro 35 that i saved.(jobson collection)
dave

[nickjones]

Nothing has been removed from the website, I think I have some more pictures of it somewhere.

[kwakers]

You still have a Great reference to the Superfast 35 Merryweather Nick, including some nice pictures of the special casting features on the early SF pre-pro (??) releases from our members. I believe the Seller not only found pictures of his RW on Allen Wank's site, but you may have had a picture of the silver RW one at your site also, and an explanation of the RW pre-pros existence Nick. (??) I could however be mistaken, and I may have only used your site to verify the model's earliest casting details on the lower sides, and to note their further changes with the Superfast release of it in 1969. All our U.S. guides missed those super early casting pre-pro details you now have posted. Dick