56a London Trolleybus

[Idris]

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (first edition) and Stannard do not list any variations not already covered by Nick. Neither does the AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983), although comment is made that the r/a GPW can be either dark or light grey.
U.K. Matchbox (rather surprisingly) did not cover the model.
Houghton approached the model in a completely different way to everyone else and sees the smooth roof as being an early casting, and the cross-hatched roof as a later casting. As a result, he does not list models equivalent to Nick's codes 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13 and 15. Since he appears to have observed a direct correlation between c/a and the smooth roof, and between r/a and the cross-hatched rood with the only crossover model being the r/a GPW variation (Nick's codes 9 and 10), it would be extremely interesting to know whether any of the variations not listed by Houghton can be confirmed by members.
As if that weren't enough, Houghton also suggests that Nick's codes 1 and 3 have matt black bases, with codes 9, 10, 12, 14 and 16 having gloss black bases. Two crossover models, Nick's codes 5 and 7, can have either matt or gloss black bases.

[mike]

Hugh wrote: that of r / a GPW can either dark or light gray.

Thanks for the note.
I see at my models the difference.

Greetings Mike

[nickjones]

Interesting. I always thought that both the smooth roof model and the cross hatched were both in production for the lifetime of the model, I would be interested to know what models the other forum members have.

[Idris]

Interesting. I always thought that both the smooth roof model and the cross hatched were both in production for the lifetime of the model, I would be interested to know what models the other forum members have.

My thoughts entirely.
If we assume that Houghton's listing is based on models in his collection (in my opinion, not always the case with his listings), then the evidence is compelling.

[nickjones]

I have both the grey metal wheels and black plastic wheels with smooth and cross hatched roof which the variation table is taken from, But seeing as the Trolleybus bases can be taken off it would only need one base swap in my collection to mess up the whole listing.

[Idris]

I have both the grey metal wheels and black plastic wheels with smooth and cross hatched roof which the variation table is taken from, But seeing as the Trolleybus bases can be taken off it would only need one base swap in my collection to mess up the whole listing.

What colour are the bases: matt or gloss?

[nickjones]

3 with gloss bases all with bpw - 1 xh roof 2 smooth
2 spw with gloss bases 1 xh roof 1 smooth
4 gpw 1 with matt and 3 with gloss - 1 xh roof 3 smooth
3 gpw with matt bases - 2 xh roof 1 smooth

[Idris]

3 with gloss bases all with bpw - 1 xh roof 2 smooth
2 spw with gloss bases 1 xh roof 1 smooth
4 gpw 1 with matt and 3 with gloss - 1 xh roof 3 smooth
3 gpw with matt bases - 2 xh roof 1 smooth

Hmmm...that little collection appears to drive a coach and horses through Houghton's theory.

[kerbside]

1 Black poles MW Gloss Base Smooth Roof.
1 MW Flat Black Base Smooth Roof.
1 GPW Gloss Base Smooth Roof.
1 SPW Gloss Base Smooth Roof.
1 BPW Gloss Base Cross Roof.

George T.

[Martin Avis]

I have four examples as follows:

MW d/c, smooth roof, matt base
MW d/c, smooth roof, silk base (halfway between matt & gloss)
GPW, d/c, smooth roof, matt base
BPW, d/r, xh roof, gloss base