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I am aware that these reverse 13d wreckers were produced in the factory without the approval/knowledge of the lesney bosses and are very very sought after by collectors. I am also aware that there are many many fakes out there and by that i mean reverse wreckers made outwith the factory, customs made by collectors that would not be considered true "Factory specials"

In light of this I think it might be a good idea for our gifted RW experts to provide a definative list of the the numerous casting/paint/label/decal/axel/wheel characteristics that are to be found on Reverse wreckers that are considered to be original/genuine "factory specials".

Can it also be confirmed when these were produced in the 13d time line?

All i know is that the boom and the baseplate are different to other standard castings........so i would certainly would appreciate some expert guidance in what exactly to look for to be able to identify a potential gem.

Can anyone help?

For members who are unclear what the reverse wrecker looks like, here is a link to one on Nicks site

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p34/ ... x/13d3.jpg

I understand what Alex requires and is a good idea but, won't it help the fakers make more accurate fakes with the detailed information we might post on the forum!

GHOSTHUNTER.

are you just talking about the lunch box specials or the legit reverse wrecker that was made at the beginning of the run of this model too?

Brad Pittiful wrote:are you just talking about the lunch box specials or the legit reverse wrecker that was made at the beginning of the run of this model too?

Dan, now you have confused me , I thought that all reverse wreckers were Factory specials are you suggesting there was a number manufactured legit with the approval of the lesney management? I thought all of these were done under the noses of the lesney hierarchy.

Nick, In light of ghosthunter's comments i must agree that i have not quite thought this one out perhaps we should move this post in it's entirety? What do you think?

Al my understanding is there was an original run of reverse wreckers and then some lunchbox specials made with a sort of blessing from above , but knowing me I've got that all wrong and need to go to bed

Thanks for the info Reg.

when the model first came out in 1965 it was painted in reverse colors (green cab...yellow bed)...the boom was thin and they made it thicker so it wouldnt break easily...then it was modified...then the paint was changed to the way it is...yellow in front green in back...most variations that this model had was decal/labels changes...also grey hook to red hook and then short runs of dual rope hook and yellow hook

the lunch box reverse color model had a thick boom and crimped axles and a red hook...three changes from the original reverse color wrecker

Dan's got it right.

First issue of the 13d Dodge wrecker (Stannard & Jones Code 1):
Green cab & yellow bed.
Mask spray trim on the headlights, front grille and front license/registration plate.
Grey hook.
Boom was thin at both ends and thicker in the middle.
Sunken ejector ring on the winch housing.
BP Decals with shield on white backgrpund.
Always came with rounded axles until converted to superfast.

Next variation:
Yellow Cab & green bed.
Boom casting altered to be thickest at the anchor points.
All other spotting features the same (including grey hook and mask spray trim).

Next variation:
Mask spray trim deleted, all other spotting features remain the same.

Next variation:
Grey hook discontinued in favor of a red hook.
Ejector ring goes from being sunken to proud.

Next variation:
Decals with no white background (the BP shield only) from a 25c used on one run.

Next variation:
Decals back to normal with white background.
Short red double rope hooks used on one run.

Next variation:
Decals abandoned for large paper labels.

Next variation:
Large paper labels give way to slightly smaller paper labels.

Next variation:
Square paper label (from the 32c) on one run.

Next variation:
Red hook replaced by yellow hook on one run.

Final regular wheel variation has the smaller paper label and normal red hook. Model is converted to superfast.

The so called factory fakes are as follows:
Reverse body colors (green cab, yellow bed).
No mask spray trim.
Normal thick boom.
Normal red hook.
Smaller paper label.
Crimped axle ends.
Proud ejector ring.

Although Nick lists, as Code 2, a model with thin boom, yellow cab, green bed and gray hook ... I've never heard of anyone that owns this model, never seen a photo of this model and wonder if it really exists. If it does exist, it would be the most rare of all 13d models.

See Nick's guide for more detailed information including photos of the different variations (no photo of the elusive code 2).
http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... /xx13d.htm