65a Jaguar 3.4 litre Saloon

[Idris]

As you will read, the biggest issue with this model is with the trim permutations. In addition, the timeline is unclear because, as Dick (Kwakers) has pointed out in the 65b thread, it would appear that both metallic and non-metallic blue variations were produced throughout a significant part of the model's life.

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (first edition) lists a "royal blue" (whatever that might mean) model with crimped axles as variation 65-1-d, presumably slotting in between Nick's variation codes 4 and 5. Additional unlisted variations are 65-1-e which is as Nick's code 3 but with red tail lights, and 65-1-f as Nick's codes 1 or 2 but with silver tail lights.
The AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) comments that there are several shades of the body colours. In addition, standard trim is noted as "silver grille, with and without silver headlights, bumpers, with and without red=painted tail lights".
Houghton lists a model (65a-2) which is Nick's variation code 3 but with a matt baseplate.
Stannard has no variations not already listed by Nick.
U.K. Matchbox covered the model in vol 7, no. 2 (Jun '83), p42 but does not list any variations not already covered by Nick. Rob Newson noted that silver trim could also include the grilles low down and either side of the radiator, whilst the tail lights could be red, silver or unpainted. Furthermore, perhaps because he too failed to appreciate that the metallic and non-metallic colours did not follow one another in the normal Lesney fashion, he commented that there was no pattern or consistency to the trim variations.

[Diecast]

Different colours

[Diecast]

Different rear trims

[Diecast]

Different front trims

[Idris]

Different colours
Different rear trims
Different front trims

Thank you, Antonin. Those photographs are ideal!

[Diecast]

And one unlisted variation
a) with one central ejector ring
b) with one central + two front ejector rings
Antonin

[Diecast]

I have checked the rear silver trims once more. There is a lot of variations:

a) hand applied silver trim to bumper, hand applied red trim to tail lights
b) mask sprayed silver trim to bumper, hand applied red trim to tail lights
c) mask sprayed silver trim to bumper, large number plate & tail lights
d) mask sprayed silver trim to bumper, small number plate & tail lights
e) mask sprayed silver trim to bumper & tail lights
f) mask sprayed silver trim to bumper

Antonin

[Idris]

Has anyone identified any shades of the metallic blue? I have a very playworn one in a significantly paler shade with a tapped hole towards the middle of the base. (It's actually slightly offset to miss the central ridge.) However, there are no apparent casting variations.

[Diecast]

Has anyone identified any shades of the metallic blue? I have a very playworn one in a significantly paler shade with a tapped hole towards the middle of the base. (It's actually slightly offset to miss the central ridge.) However, there are no apparent casting variations.

I have several metallic blue models and all have very similar shade. Anyway I think that there is one casting variation with one/ three ejector rings under the roof.
Antonin

[Idris]

Has anyone identified any shades of the metallic blue? I have a very playworn one in a significantly paler shade with a tapped hole towards the middle of the base. (It's actually slightly offset to miss the central ridge.) However, there are no apparent casting variations.

I have several metallic blue models and all have very similar shade. Anyway I think that there is one casting variation with one/ three ejector rings under the roof.
Antonin

What it reminded me of was the 28c Jaguars which seem to have been used for display purposes by Lesney. Not only do they have detail differences (three-line base, GPW), they also have a hole in the base for securing them. So, adding two and two to make at least five, I do wonder whether a 65a in a significantly different shade of metallic blue and with a tapped hole in the base might not have an interesting history (even though it has the later three-ring roof).