23c with windows.

[petethesweet]

Hi All personally I wouldn't want it in my collection, I can think of better things to spend my £1000 on I am sure I have seen that type of plastic before. I think it was used in the windows of a model kit called Betta bricks. Pete

[Idris]

I really don’t know, Pete.
On the one hand, i understand what you’re saying but, on the other, if you regard this as an RW pre-production (which is what it is – look at the crimped axle), perhaps £1,000+ is reasonable. After all, think how much some SF pre-productions go for and then think about how many of them there are available.
Personally I would have thought somewhere around the £750 mark would be more realistic, but we shall see what it goes for.

[petethesweet]

Hi Hugh, treat yourself I think it may sell after the auction but I don't know. It would be different if it was mint I am sure you could get some similar plastic & put it in an old beater. With the pre pros its any bodies guess. its what its worth on the day. Did any body see the auction yesterday? a lot of the matchbox not sold Pete

[Idris]

Hi Hugh, treat yourself

The flesh is willing, but the bank balance is weak!

[Tinman]

I agree with most members that the start price is too high and the seller is just too optimistic,or should he be?.
Its not his nicest looking specimen of the loot thats in his possession so should have started at .99p and let it run its course thus enticing bidders to have a strike and allowing this specimen to enter the markets or collections at whatever end-price to keep the RW collectors ticking once again,irrespective whoever wins it.
Although most would consider this to be an historical artefact myself included,i would personally inspect this specimen to render its true collective or intrinsic values.Naivity & novelty is temporary!
Just saying.
numi

These items have already been inspected, discussed and certified as authentic by none other than this forums owner. Some specific other members were in on the discussion (via email) prior to the unveiling of these models on the forum.

[tjlglass]

As far as I'm concerned, condition only counts if there is a better one out there and to my knowledge there ain't. So worth what it sells for although I wouldn't pay a grand for it.

[Squid]

Please excuse my lack of knowledge here...but is "collection only" akin to picking up in person?

Yes!

Wise move on the seller's part. It should keep the unscrupulous individual who has been mentioned previously in this thread from bidding on it. Hopefully it'll go to an appreciative member of this board.

[Tinman]

I think a starting price of .99 cents is just silly. The item is quite valuable and the starting price is high but could also be considered the reserve price. Having a super low starting price on such an item is useless. It's a high end item, it will go to the high bidder. The price will not be cheap and having a high starting price weeds out all the pretenders and wanna-be's right away.

[numi]

The qualm-key here is rarity versus condition so all opinions & responses remains valuable whether personal or party.Im sure nobody on here has any intentions of damning this specimen,disrupting or damaging the auction in any way.This is a true Lesney piece of history but what might be/look good for one could be regarded as "scrap" to another as aesthetics & overall condition plays the most important part of any collectible as traders,collectors & buyers know,hence all views & responses should be welcomed on the open forum.Had this model been an excellent+ specimen without any casting damages im sure this forum would have been all hyped with excitement and would have received more hits compared to whats happening now.

Unless one has 1-st hand info then thats another story but for the un-informed, questions & valued responses on the subject like Tinmans & others and arguments will always be welcome to all, the die-hard,the lay or new-comers.
Mr Jones always advised the forum sellers to start their auctions @ .99p in order to attract buyers and entice bidding and to achieve better end-prices whether common or rare.I guess that worked for him and most others.Each unto themselves though.

JFK,did any member on here inquire whether the caravan windows have any cracks around the roof rivets? hence my point about doing an in-hand inspection before buying/removal from sellers hands.Its also hard to notice the dings on the casting at first glance.I further noticed that seller replaced the previous pic showing the window rivet thru the door with this current last pic showing the entire windows after removing the base.Im sure he is visiting & reading all posts concerning his rare caravan for sale which would put him in a better position of insights and to exemplify & facilitate this sale to satisfaction.Good luck to the seller & buyer and hope all turns out good.
Perhaps early collectors see this differently.
The auction end-results would speak for itself and which could give us less experienced collectors a profit of learning.
numi

[kwakers]

I can attest that we early collectors see this piece just as Joe has stated, an original Factory rarity. The condition is what it is, and I think his starting price is O.K. on it.......kwakers