74b Daimler Fleetline Bus

[Idris]

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (first edition) distinguishes two shades of decals: red and dark red. The AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) merely notes that shades exist. It would be interesting to know if there are actually only two shades (in which case it would be worth cataloguing them) rather than a continuous spectrum (which seems more likely and in which case a footnote would suffice).
NAMC also notes two shades of green body: light green and green. (If I recall correctly, Kwakers has mentioned this previously but we have yet to see a photograph showing the difference.) Nick has only one green model listed at variation code 7.
Finally NAMC also lists two different labels for the red bus (Nick's variation code 8): the normal one and one with a much smaller Esso logo. Nick does not list the latter label.
U.K. Matchbox did not examine the model except in passing when discussing promotionals. However, these only involved the SF version and will therefore not be discussed further.
The AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) does not contain any unlisted variations, and neither does either Houghton’s “Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys” (2007) or Stannard.

[nickjones]

Hi Hugh.
I can confirm the two shades of label/decal, The earlier decals are red proper but the labels tend to be more orangy, The orangy labels were also used on the sf issue buses.
I can also see a slight difference in text size where the text on the label is slightly larger than the decal but this could be where the ink has bled into the surrounding paper,
I do not know of two shades of green other than what Dick has told us,
Having only half a dozen mint 74b's to check I would like to hear the findings of other members. (Dick, this means you!)

[Idris]

I can confirm the two shades of label/decal, The earlier decals are red proper but the labels tend to be more orangy, The orangy labels were also used on the sf issue buses.
I can also see a slight difference in text size where the text on the label is slightly larger than the decal but this could be where the ink has bled into the surrounding paper,

Nick, I think we're talking at cross-purposes. My reading of the NAMC listing is that:
1) the decal comes in two shades of red, and
2) the label on the red version comes with two difference sizes of Esso logo.

[kwakers]

I will post three different green Buses to Joe early this week Nick, so that everyone may see the major color difference between the light and the dark, and actually a 'shade' existing between them that can be ignored for clarity. I do also have a mixed base and body color model I picked up just this Summer and showed to several U.S. collectors who had missed the green color difference all this time. They were suitably impressed with my 'Discovery' that Bob's NAMC Guide featured in 1971 as a variation well known to us back then. I have looked through my Bus spares to see whether I have an example of the 2 size Esso logos, but cannot find one smaller example on any of our spares or those in the collection Idris. (14 Boxed Spares and 8 in the collection) One cream body in the collection has a double label on one side right out of the factory. I have collected factory errors since these were still current and in the stores.
I think Nick's point was that the background is Red on the decals versus an orangy red on the labels Idris. The major difference in the labelled Busses is not in the color background of the label, but the blue ring around both Esso logos. They are either a lighter blue-green, or a dark very distinct blue color, and are very easy to spot. My three Busses will show the two color ovals along with the greens of their paint.
As requested Nick, I will also have Joe show the odd Snowtrack rollers and also maybe a couple of kwakers colors not seen in the wild very often......kwakers

[kay]

A friend of mine who collects RW as well had two boxed green busses for sale - and they were of two distinctive greens.
I told him I did not know that there were two shades of green with this model, and that I want to buy the darker green one.
He told me he can't sell it to me, now that he realized that there are two greens, and the darker one would have to go into his collection! Grrrrrrrr......

So they are out there for grabs......but only if you don't tell the seller!
Kay

[Diecast]

I can confirm the variations of green colour, which Hugh and Dick has mentioned.
Antonin

[kwakers]

Your picture looks a bit like the comparison of my medium and light colored green ones Antonin. The colors are very accurate to my lighter two that are still on my desk in front of me. I believe my third color U.S. released Dark green is MUCH darker than your two, so may be another Version to add to your tokyo telephone book sized 'Want List' along with Kay's blue green base T Bird with double body braces.......So much torture that we disguise as collecting 'FUN'!....LOL kwakers

[Diecast]

Your picture looks a bit like the comparison of my medium and light colored green ones Antonin. The colors are very accurate to my lighter two that are still on my desk in front of me. I believe my third color U.S. released Dark green is MUCH darker than your two, so may be another Version to add to your tokyo telephone book sized 'Want List' along with Kay's blue green base T Bird with double body braces.......So much torture that we disguise as collecting 'FUN'!....LOL kwakers

Hi Dick
Really a hard life of Matchbox´s collector. I have showed one variation and I should add to my want list two variations (actualy three variations, the nice Hugh´s Jag also) !!!!!!! monkey business!!!!!!!
Antonin

[ChFalkensteiner]

Here are some comparison pictures of my two green buses. These are old pictures first posted on MCCH in November 2008 after I had found the lighter one at Aachen.

The colour difference is more obvious on the base than on the body, and the lighter colour is also somewhat duller whereas the darker is brighter.

Strangely the labels on the lighter model are also different, being a darker red and with the Esso lettering inside the ovals of a smaller size. I do not have this type of label on any other of my 74b buses, including Superfast models.







Besides, the two cream models I have in my collection (one with decals, one with labels) also feature two quite obviously different colour shades. I have not tried to take pictures of those yet - will probably have to wait for the return of daylight in a few months' time.

[kwakers]

Thank You Christian for the first picture of the smaller Esso on the label as originaly documented in Brennen's 1971 NAMC catalog. Idris mentioned this label earlier, and it appearer on the red version only in that Guide (1971 & 1973). Now that we see yours on a green model, we know that smaller Esso was used on both red and green busses, but we need to confirm 2 of each for Nick's guide. The label Esso size difference is very notable when compared as you have here, further proof that Mike Stannard did not use known information from either of the older well known U.S. Guides when editing his 1985 guide in the U.K.
I know you used the term 'shades' when comparing your two greens in your Post Christian. There are absolutely three different greens as light, medium, and dark, with possible 'shades' occurring in between the two extremes. Antonin showed us 2 of his in a roof shot that appear to be your lighter one and an even lighter green than yours. His side picture is deceiving, because the top one appears as dark as yours possibly because of lighting and the shadow in that picture. If we were to compare your 'dark' with Diecast Antonin's lightest, I believe those are the extremes on the green bus colors. I believe Antonin needs the darkest, and you may not have the lightest shown in your older picture. The point on both the Esso size and the two major green colors has been well shown on this thread now. Stannard missed them both. From my U.S. experience, that smaller Esso is the tough label to find, I have none myself. Both the lighter and the darker greens were seen here in large numbers. I have original cross-over models with dark and light green bases/bodies, but the bases snap in so could be easily switched. For that reason, mixtures need not be cataloged and are not rare, but are neat to find in the wild as I did just this last Summer at the Macungie Pennsylvania Toy Show. Please check your spares and collections.....kwakers