Interesting #57 Chevrolet Impala

[motorman]

Very interesting J, this model appears to have more positives than negatives!

[nearlymint]

Very interesting J, this model appears to have more positives than negatives!

Hi Alex, yes this difference in the casting is a nice added bonus. Glad I decided to add it into the collection. J

[Idris]

Anyone that has a clear window model could they check this feature...

Mine has rounded inside corners.

[nearlymint]

Thanks Hugh, I have checked 4 with clear windows and all have rounded corners. J

[kwakers]

Well, just as you predicted Jason, this model did turn up again in a future discussion, little did we know it would be today! Despite a few problems with it's details, this pre-production can now teach us that not all is as we may assume to know for sure, just like on those odd 23C glazed Caravans Nick showed us. We actually found out glaze testing was done through several paint 'Trial colors' on that model.
It would now appear that this one IS a color trial with hand peened rather than the typical machine spun rivets done on the production floor at Lesney or the hand crimped ones used in the prototype shops till much later. As was related to Joe Stone years ago, many paint trials were then thrown around and used for 'Stress Testing' the brand new designed Toys for casting weaknesses that would be reinforced before production began on each new model. That certainly now accounts for the 'brand new wheels' on such a paint scarred Chevrolet, and also the untumbled and unpainted base and unspun roof rivet now start to make sense and fall into place with a logical explanation. As Brad pointed out, I think they had the base off this one at least once, perhaps for a casting examination after stress testing was done. (??) That accounts for the re-peened non factory look the base rivets have to them. By God, it is REAL!! With Jason, I never should have doubted it!! You Lucky and very Skilled Shopper Mate...... kwakers

[Taniwha]

My clear window has the curve.

Very interesting model!

Cheers,
Gavin

[nearlymint]

Hi Kwakers, thanks for the comments I just had a feeling about that one.

Gavin thanks for checking , much appreciated. J

[nickjones]

I have one 57b with clear windows and it has curved corners.
It's possible that a Lesney employee pocketed a pre production colour trial body and a unfinished baseplate and assembled the model at home for their son.

[nearlymint]

Thanks for checking Nick, yes as you say could have been made up as well. J

[johnboy]

Such an interesting model Jason, if only we had a time tunnel.