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This model is know with and without the front engine braces, which you can hopefully make out in the photo (braced version in the bottom model). But I noticed that although this has the front braces, the engine support at the back of the engine was also re-tooled and is narrower and has disappeared from view. Only having a couple of these models, I don't know whether these changes were done at the same time.

The engine itself looks to be remodelled as well - back end of it. Seems to have a rounded cover which is why you or I can't see the rear engine mounts any more.
The engines must have fallen out on the earlier models when the central pin under the engine shrank and became loose.
I wonder how common the top model is ? I would have thought Lesney would have picked this up before production, so your top model could even be a pre -production!!

Cheers Steve
Matchboxkiwi

matchboxkiwi wrote: The engines must have fallen out on the earlier models when the central pin under the engine shrank and became loose.
I wonder how common the top model is ? I would have thought Lesney would have picked this up before production, so your top model could even be a pre -production!!

Cheers Steve
Matchboxkiwi

Steve,

I dont think it's a prepro, but it's certainly an engine modification and probably for the very reason you pointed out.

I would agree that the engine in the top model in Johnboys image will prove to be quite rare as the modified engine block as seen in the bottom car was probably carried out very early on in the production run.

Just checked mine all three seem to be without the modification

Reg

From what i can see your three models all have the modified engine. I will be the first to admit though that i have poor eye sight at the best of times.

Here is one of my modified engines for comparison

Sorry Alex I thought it was the larger molding to the rear of the engine being spoke about took another picture without flash please correct me if I'm wrong

They look like the later engine Reg but i am not 100% sure from the images youve posted. Perhaps Mick could clarify just what was going on with the differing engine casts for this model.

I dont know much about this model however one thing we can be sure of is that these engines were cast many in one tool - a survey of casting numbers underneath may produce the answer because 6 maybe 8 engines could perhaps fit easily in 1 tool so we need a bigger population of these cars to survey, I only own 2!