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Idris wrote:My understanding is that the (A) was a belated attempt by Lesney to differentiate between models with the same number in the 1-75 series, the idea being that subsequent models would carry a (B) and so on.

Well, interesting but not really workable, how many letters were Lesney prepaired to tool-up for, no I think you'll find what I have stated is very close to the real reason, because the idea was stopped in favour of using copyright control so the little (A) Stamp was phased out in favour of the little 'C' in a circle and it started to appear on new models baseplates during 1969 and it's interesting to see the #35 Merryweather Fire Engine with and without the (A) Stamping.

Ghosty.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:

Idris wrote:My understanding is that the (A) was a belated attempt by Lesney to differentiate between models with the same number in the 1-75 series, the idea being that subsequent models would carry a (B) and so on.

I'm pretty sure that this information came from the old forum (and I don't recall it being challenged when it was posted).

Hello Hugh, I'll have a look for it next time I pop into 'Lefora', but if that was the case, why was it not used and why does it not appear on any other "Matchbox" models like the 'King-Size' and 'Yesteryear' models, which presumably would have been treated the same way.

Ghosthunter.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:Hello Hugh, I'll have a look for it next time I pop into 'Lefora', but if that was the case, why was it not used and why does it not appear on any other "Matchbox" models like the 'King-Size' and 'Yesteryear' models, which presumably would have been treated the same way.

Ghosthunter.

If it helps Ghosty, I remember asking about the (A)'s on the old forum and I think it was Christian who answered. My memory is pretty poor but I also thought it was a way of identifying models which were to be superceded in the number range.

Hello Johnboy, I've been back in to the old site and went through all the threads in 'Mick's Superfast Casting Show' and all your own authored posts in the Lounge and could not find anything relating to the topic above (interesting item on front badge differences on the Iso Griffo), so it may have been a side topic hidden under a different subject, therefore very difficult to find, sorry.

I am sure Christian will come back on this and relay his earlier views.

Ghosty.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:Hello Johnboy, I've been back in to the old site and went through all the threads in 'Mick's Superfast Casting Show' and all your own authored posts in the Lounge and could not find anything relating to the topic above (interesting item on front badge differences on the Iso Griffo), so it may have been a side topic hidden under a different subject, therefore very difficult to find, sorry.

I am sure Christian will come back on this and relay his earlier views.

Ghosty.

Thanks for looking Ghosty, I've found the search facility on the old site is very flaky.

I know Nick's listing has these models listed as red, but here's a red and dark red which I presume the NAMC catalog was referring to, although these are both later issues (pat number, tow guide, hubs, etc). Interestingly, the dark red has off-white interior and the lighter red has cream interior.

Having looked at my photo l-r, I would actually call these light red and red

I was able to get my only version with hub caps from Tim in March of 2012, and it is the light red shade of yours on the left Johnboy. I actually was able to pick out our three distinct shades while cataloging our models with Stannard in 2008, mentioning again that these were collected out of the stores brand new that way. We had found the 2 shades as listed in NAMC by Bob Brennen years ago, and then a third turned upo somewhere in our travels when comparing for variations on them at home. kwakers

Thanks for the information Dick, is the third shade somewhere in-between the two above?