66a Citroen DS19

[Idris]

I thought this was going to be a very straightforward model, but it turns out that there are some significant subtleties to the various listings.

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (first edition) talks about variation 66a-1 (corresponding to Nick's variation codes 1 and 2) being light yellow.
The AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) listss variations 66-1b and 66-1c as having dark grey and light grey wheels respectively. Houghton also lists this variation as 66a-5 and 66a-6. These models probably correspond with Nick's variation code 3 (or just possibly 4). AIM also comments "light and dark yellow bodies on most models".
Besides the wheel variations given above, Houghton also has two entries (66a-1 and 66a-2) covering Nick's variation code 1, and a further two (66a-3 and 66a-4) covering Nick's variation code 2. In both cases, both matt and gloss back bases have been identified.
U.K. Matchbox covered the model in Vol. 6, no 2 (June 1982), p64, with box-related follow-ups in Vol. 6, no. 3 (August 1982), p86, and Vol. 6, no. 4 (October 1982), p142. No variations not covered by Nick were identified, but Rob Newson did note that the model's colour was initially a deep, rich yellow, but gradually changed to an insipid pale yellow (c.f. AIM's assessment!).

It is worth noting that Antonin (Diecast) identified an early baseplate change quite some time ago. It was initially thought that the early baseplate always went with the early body and that the later baseplate always went with the later body. However, both crossovers have now been found (although I believe I'm correct in saying that only one example of the early body/later baseplate combination is so far known).

[kwakers]

My theory on the lack of response on this 66A Post is not really a lack of interest in the model, but a lack of very many mint Citroens to compare together in the collections of our Forum members. I only have 3 different wheel/ axle variations, so never pulled them out to compare their paint shades, or had any other spares to check for Antonin's casting updates on this one. Shame on me......kwakers

[Diecast]

There are many shades. I think, we can distinguish three basic colours (or shades?)
a) pale yellow
b) yellow
c) dark yellow
Antonin

[nickjones]

The 66a Citroen page has been updated.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

What follows are re-postings of a thread from our old 'Lefora' forum of the #66 Citreon DS. Please note that not all contributors are now available for further comments and any links you see are not active.

I have tried to leave them as close to their original size for ease of reading, please use the scroll bars to move the post to the right position.

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Ghosthunter.

[ChFalkensteiner]

Thanks for the re-post!

All I can add six years later is that in the meantime I have seen this model live (during my visit to Mathias in October 2014) and am still unsure about it. In real life it looks as genuine as it does in the pictures. A paint analysis has not been done, as far as I know.

I have not heard of any other examples in this colour turning up in the meantime.

[Idris]

I have not heard of any other examples in this colour turning up in the meantime.

I too still haven't heard of another example - either playworn or mint.
I would therefore suggest that this is most likely yet another example of a single model in a non-standard colour being produced "under the radar" within the factory for a friend or a family member (who, presumably, owned a DS19 in white). I really don't think we should read too much into it being a model of a French car which was found in France, and certainly there is absolutely nothing to support the idea f it being part of a special commission by Citroen!
It looks 100% genuine to me and is a model i would be more than pleased to have in my collection.

[johnboy]

I like the colour. I wonder if Mathias could supply some photos to compare it with some other similar coloured models of the period (Mobile Refreshments Canteen, Lomas, MGA), are there any more?

[numi]

This is the only specimen i have and didnt quite realize it was the Code-2 until i read this thread.
Thanks for the alert guys
numi