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But we can't wait 5 years Johnboy! With all the weight in Joe's package for him to photo, I might better drive my tyre lorry down to Florida to deliver it in person. That would be an expensive load of tyres for me to bring back in the wrong direction, but maybe my boss wouldn't notice. The Winter up here in N.Y. just refuses to quit, and I need some beach time anyway!
As I thought about the Pickfords Moving Vans this A.M., the whole re-coloring of the model to green now makes no sense to me. I being from America had never seen these vans on your roads, only the pictures here on Nick's site. Why would Lesney continue with Pickfords' decals on a non-corporate colored model? I always assumed the fleet color changed, and that was the reason for Lesney's color change. If Pickfords' colors remained blue, I am now entirely quite lost on the reasoning behind this green model.
Back to the green two-line Pickfords. Hopefully, English collectors will step forward to show this variation existed during the regular wheel period. We have it now appearing in some prominent U.S. collections by the 1980s, why do they not turn up in old English collections and 'shoe boxes'? Did Lesney try issuing, or even 'selling them' to Pickfords after the color change in the mid 60s? That would now seem like too much of a stretch without more facts available. If everyone meets at least one elderly collector at your next toyfair over in England, and they discuss this one variation with them, we may get a better picture of a timeline directly from your side guys. Opinions are O.K., but first hand knowledge can't be beat. These are the type of discussions we all look forward to on this Forum......kwakers

I agree, Dick. The colour change from dark blue to green whilst retaining the Pickfords decals has always struck me as being very, very odd.
All I can think of is that it was harking back to the 17a/b in some way, but as to why.......

I remember BRS lorries in green and a little check revealed that BRS (latterly the National Freight Corp) was made up of four operating areas, one of which was Pickfords (the others being Containerway & Roadferry, BRS Parcels Ltd and British Road Services Ltd). It's a bit tenuous but I wonder if the green livery had any link with Pickfords role in the BRS group?

Perhaps the colour change was nothing more than Lesney trying to brighten up a dull coloured model once the Pickfords sponsers no longer required all made to be in their corporate dark blue - if transfers were printed by the million then it cost nothing to use up existing stocks for new green bodies which must have sold well to remain in the range perhaps a year longer than anyone would expect looking at typical 5 year average model lifecycles although we know this body was retooled around the time the colour was changed to green which is much brighter than authentic BRS green.

Idris wrote:

Diecast wrote:I have one green model with two lines in my collection, but I do not boast about it, because I'm not sure about it. I will show you some photos, when I am back at home.

Besides the variation code, it would be interesting to know how you came by it.

I am adding some photos of my 2 lines Pickfords, it has GPW 9,5x20, silver trim to grille, headlights and front bumper. I have bought it with several models in one box and I did know, that there is a rare model (simillar to my 3b Bedford with grey base plate)
Antonin

and my fleet of 2 lines Pickfords

Very nice Antonin, and interesting that the same box had another odd variation besides this one in it. Because we did not find these originally in our stores, some of these models like this are very tough to document. I am still hoping we can tie this variation into a stock Lesney promotional product, but only memories of some Brits may be able to do that for us. I understand why you cannot boast of this rare combination right now, I have some odd models like this myself out of 'OLD' collections. kwakers

Hi Dick
You never know, some odd models could be very rare and some odd models could be only a scrap. I am keeping odd models, like you, in my collection.
Antonin

I agree totally that this van should proudly be displayed and Thank You for sharing it with us Antonin. I would love this Van just as much as you do I am sure, even if we did not buy it brand new.
Even though models may be faked years later as Harold Colpitts warned of in 1976/1983 when he told us of the decal sales, it is our decision to buy and collect what makes each of us feel good about, and be honest as you have about them. That is the best we can do for our hobby.
I have some battered old Toys that have been with me in our collection since 1964. They bring back memories that the rarest Lesney cannot compete with, and younger men will someday understand. kwakers

To date, all the green two-liners appear to be mint. To my mind that is reason to be suspicious.