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8a Caterpillar Tractor, issued 1955, length 41mm, box type B.
8b Caterpillar Tractor, issued 1958, length 42mm, box type B.
8c Caterpillar Tractor, issued 1961, length 48mm, box types B-C and D.
8d Caterpillar Tractor (D8), issued 1964, length 51mm, box Type E.
8e Mustang (Ford), issued 1966, length 74mm, box types E and F.































With solid BPW and Chrome Hubcaps, and the Silver Hubs with Black Plastic Tyres, there are three (3) models that come with just Chrome Hubcaps
they are the 8E mustang, 24c Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, 67b Volkswagen 1600 TL, the 67b model seems harder to find.



The two (2) different key ways to operate the steering guide, on a flat base, and in a recess shaped key hole.


A Flat Black base plate.


Notice the Cream variation in this bunch.



George T.

I'm only able to find a single 8 in my pile, but I guess it is a nice enough 8a. I swear I had another, but I get it mixed up with the bulldozer.

I like the Caterpillars, especially the 8a. Took me a long time to find 8b with the correct box, but finally found one late last year - haven't gotten around to photographing it yet. Here are my 8a models, the yellow roller version is not common:



Cheers,
Gavin

I would submit George that ALL of the red coverall driver 8A models are rather elusive. While my photo is not idea, here is a trio of 'red driver' variations. As George has pointed out, the first variation with the yellow painted rollers is the one that get's most of the discussion but some have suggested that the second (bright yellow with UNpainted rollers) and third (pale yellow with UNpainted rollers) variations could have been even shorter runs. Any input on that matter?

matchbox_n_molars wrote:I would submit George that ALL of the red coverall driver 8A models are rather elusive. While my photo is not idea, here is a trio of 'red driver' variations. As George has pointed out, the first variation with the yellow painted rollers is the one that get's most of the discussion but some have suggested that the second (bright yellow with UNpainted rollers) and third (pale yellow with UNpainted rollers) variations could have been even shorter runs. Any input on that matter?

In terms of the numbers I have actually seen in hand, I'd say I tend to agree with you Greg - red driver/unpainted roller versions are even scarcer. My only red driver example has the painted rollers as depicted in my photo. Despite it being a fairly old photo, I have been unable to expand my 8a collection beyond these four models. 8a seems to come up for sale very infrequently here in NZ compared to its contemporaries, which is odd, as they are not so uncommon in the UK. All 4 of my examples came from either the UK or the US.

Cheers,
Gavin

One of the nicer models that I have in my humble collection, is this 8c with silver plastic rollers. Nick's code 6
Question: Other than the size ( for example)- when looking at a photo- is there a way visually to tell the difference between the 8b and 8c ?
I'm still looking for an 8b.

zBret

zBret wrote:
One of the nicer models that I have in my humble collection, is this 8c with silver plastic rollers. Nick's code 6
Question: Other than the size ( for example)- when looking at a photo- is there a way visually to tell the difference between the 8b and 8c ?
I'm still looking for an 8b.

zBret

Hello zBret,
a small comparison (from my models) of 8 a, b​​, c, d
Greetings Mike

zBret wrote: Question: Other than the size ( for example)- when looking at a photo- is there a way visually to tell the difference between the 8b and 8c ?
I'm still looking for an 8b.
zBret

I always go by the air cleaner cover. On the B, it's about the size of the driver's hat. On the C, it's nearly as large as the driver's head.

kerbside wrote: Notice the Cream variation in this bunch.
George T.

Looks like it's yellowed from external factors. In the photo, some areas look dirty and more dingy than the rest ... as if it needs a good polishing.