52a Maserati racer

[matchbox_n_molars]

This is one of my favorite castings. So when two very clean examples came up on ebay for the right price I got them. As I sat down with the rest of my 52a models I noticed that one of the new ones, code 5 in Nick's resource, and the example on the far left in the photo here, is a distinctly brighter red than any of the others.
The one in the center is the other new one, an early code 1, with no decals, crimped axles and flat black base. It seems to be the typical red of most of my models.
The one on the far right is the old example I had as a kid. It too is an early example with crimped axles but a gloss black base. It seems to be somewhat a deeper, darker red than most.
I guess any model that is in the range as long as this one was is going to show a range of paint shades.

[johnboy]

That's a nice colour difference and it's special to have one of the models from your childhood. Out of the seven years, I wonder know how long the red model was in production for?