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After the complexities of the 73a last week, we move into much calmer waters with the 72b.

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (first edition) has but one variation, whilst the AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) has only two. Neither listing includes variations not already covered by Nick ,and neither does either Houghton’s “Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys” (2007) or Stannard.
U.K. Matchbox did not examine the model.
Interestingly no one else seems to have catalogued Nick's variation code 5, the transitional with the Superfast body colour. Can anyone confirm this variation and provide a side-by-side photograph with a ?

All I can add is that the white interior version, although in all probability a pre-production, does seem to crop up from time to time, and certainly with more regularity than other pre-productions. This leads me to suspect that it might be yet another example of limited numbers of a pre-production ending up in retail outlets by being included with the initial release. An argument against this has to be the fact that the first box for this model shows red seats.

There are two unlisted variations:
a) no inner grill brace

b) with inner grill brace

two types of tow hook
Antonin

lighter yellow, standard yellow, dark yellow
Antonin

I have updated the 72b Standard Jeep page, Can everyone with a white interiored Jeep please check and see if it has the raised panel behind the grille, Thanks

I will update some information, which I mentioned yet. The white seats model has a body with the first casting modification to the underside of the bonnet without the post and has the interior with the small hook.

The dark yellow model with the red seats has the same colour as the model with the white seats (on the right is the standard yellow model).

The dark yellow model with the red seats has also the body with the first casting modification and the interior with a small hook.
Antonin

I am enclosing a comparison photo. It seems that the pre-pro models have almost the same colour as the superfast model (superfast is slightly lighter). I think that the first Jeep models (debut in 1966) were painted with the same painting as 20c Taxi (debut in 1965).

a) dark yellow model with white seats and small hook, the first casting modification
b) dark yellow model with dark red seats and small hook, the first casting modification
c) yellow model with red seats and larger hook, the second casting modification
d) superfast yellow model with red seats and larger hook, the second casting modification

Antonin