#12c Land Rover Safari No windows. Error?

[rememberwhenshoppe]

Hello,
I've had this a while and have studied it several times, and I would like your opinion.
It appears to have no tamper marks of any kind.
It has had some extra paint on the outside; red tail lights, added silver trim, and the tow hook painted.
It does not have any windows!
I think it would be very difficult to remove the clear plastic insert without damaging the model.
I hope I re-sized the pictures correctly.

PLEASE NOTE:There is a black dot that appears from my lens this is not on the model.

[Lummox]

Alright, I'll say it...
I doubt myself because it's too weird to think this, but the chrome details look spray-masked on to me (as opposed to hand painted).
And at a time when Lesney was producing vehicles with less and less detail trim-wise.
Some of the (possible) spray-masking looks misaligned. A possible point in favor of spray masking
Stranger things have happened...
Stranger still, none of these areas on a 1:1 Series II Rover are chromed!!!

More pix of these areas as close up as possible might be helpful.

I've seen a couple of these Rovers without any glass.
This casting has no rivet under the roof to secure the glass so it's no surprise some made it through the assembly process without it.

Interesting piece for sure!

[Tinman]

Alright, I'll say it...
I doubt myself because it's too weird to think this, but the chrome details look spray-masked on to me (as opposed to hand painted).

It looks nothing like a mask spray job to me. I'd put my money on a silver paint pen as the method of detailing on this one.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

It probably isn't, but to me it looks like the Silver detail areas have been masked first, before the 'Gold' candy top-coat was applied, to leave the Silver base coat exposed on those detail areas!

Lesney were often thinking-up new ideas to extend the life of various models and extra detailed models from current ranges have been considered. The 1990, introduced 'World Class' series is one such range, where models taken from the normal miniatures range received extra detail and packaged in nice bright 'Blingy' Blisters!

Ghosty.

[Lummox]

Easy test; take some nail polish remover on a Q-Tip. (Not just any house-hold product fer chrissake, and experiment on a beater...of course).
Dab some on the silver, then QUICKLY try to rub some off with a rag.

If it's Lesney paint, it'll take more than that to remove it.
If it's a marker, it'll come right off.

[Tinman]

Real Lesney sprayed on trim comes right off with many household products. I wouldn't use any of these as a test for "authentic" trim. The fact that the sides of the model are done along with the tail lights in red indicates an at home detail job. We've seen enough of these over the years to not be fooled by the latest one to come along!

[motorman]

The lack of window glass is a factory error as for the silver trim and the superdetailing to the rear, it looks like an example of a railway enthusiats track display model.

The red detailing to the rear has clearly been done by hand and I like Joes suggestion of a silver paint pen being used for the silver detailing. I suspect none of this detailing was ever done in the factory. IMHO.

[Lummox]

Plus the fact that the trailer hitch is silver points to a hand-job. (so to speak)

[rememberwhenshoppe]

Thank you for all the input!
It looks like my first question was answered about the windshield. that it looks to be a factory mistake. That's Great!
The second question about the detailing. I thought for sure it was hand painted after the fact but it still is interesting.
With much anxiety, I attempted to remove the silver trim and the red tail lights paint.
I first tried two home products, Windex, and Greased Lightning. It didn't not effect it at all.
Next, I very carefully took a q-tip dipped it into Testors Enamel thinner and brush cleaner and attempted to remove the red from the rear tail lights and silver from the rear door handle. It had not effect the first time which was a very quick dab. I was nervous. The second time I got a bit more thinner on the q-tip and gently rubbed the area with pressure for about two seconds. It had no effect again.
That's it, no more testing it for me I pressed my luck enough with the thinner.
That being said I'm happy to have a factory error in my collection. The paint detailing may remain a mystery. It looks good either way in my display.
Thank you again for the information.
EDIT: I mustered up some courage and was able to completely remove the silver paint from the hitch without much effort and the paint thinner. Tried one more time on the rear door handle with no effect again.