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Hi all,
I have just received this model which with many thanks, Jim Gallegos forwarded to me as the seller would not ship to Australia,i purchased the model knowing it to be an unlisted variation.
I asked Jim to inspect the model and give me his opinion(good or bad) which he has done and i concur with him,i ask the same of all members.cheers steven

Looks genuine to me. What a brilliant find!

Idris wrote:Looks genuine to me. What a brilliant find!

I agree with Hugh, a brilliant find. But not just only because they are rounded, but they are flat head rounded!
Antonin

Those didn't looked like domed head axles to me (not flat heads).

Without having the model in hand, I'd also be a little suspect. I'm concerned about an oblong shape to the small axle peens. I'm not assessing flat or riveted as an issue. Just from what I'm seeing they're a bit unusual. Also, I would want to check the inner core of the plastic wheels to see if they're wobbly or loose. I have never seen a rounded axle version of this piece. I can say the same about the 46A Morris Minor. Other opinions welcome of course. This is sure to raise opinions on both sides, factory axle ends or re-worked.

Hi All,
Initially i thought the model looked good,Jim pointed out to me that the later released 20b erf truck , initially had domed and crimped axles,which indicates that at the time of production for this model(20a),the factory would not have been set up to produce rounded axle ends,let alone flat head rounded axles, i will keep the model and pretend its a lunchtime special,Jim also indicated that it is much easier to produce rounded axle ends than crimped,having never restored or modified vehicles i was unaware of this . i thank all for their opinions.
cheers steven

Tinman wrote:Those didn't looked like domed head axles to me (not flat heads).

Sorry I have to edit this comment, should read: This LOOKS like dome head axles to me! In other words the "didn't" should not be there.

I don't see any issues with the small ends of these axles.

artherfonz wrote:Jim pointed out to me that the later released 20b erf truck , initially had domed and crimped axles,which indicates that at the time of production for this model(20a),the factory would not have been set up to produce rounded axle ends,let alone flat head rounded axles, i will keep the model and pretend its a lunchtime special,

I think a more nuanced conclusion is also plausible. Perhaps something to the effect that the factory was not fully converted to riveted axles at the time that the 20b was introduced. It may also be that this model represents a riveted axle trial.
I think it deserved better than to be classed as a lunchtime special. (If it were mine, it would in in my display cabinet along with the rest of my gems.)

How many workstations were there doing the axle-crimping, how many new axle-peening machines were brought in to replace them, not as many and is seems logical to assume they brought in maybe Two or Three new machines to start with to try them, in case it was not right for the models being made at that time, so there will be models put on those new machines for axle-peening while the full production models stay on the old machines.

GHOSTHUNTER.

I'll offer an opinion. The axle ends look OK to me and I see no reason why it can't be authentic.
1). This model ended it's production right at the time everything was being converted from crimp to rounded over axles.
2). It's very likely that not every 20a was assembled and shipped before the 20b went into production.
3). Crimp axles are longer than round over axles. What was available (which axles were located and used) when the final 20a stock was finished?

There's not that many crimp axle 20b models out there and they are a coveted rare find. So it's not like the 20b had some long run using crimp axle ends. My opinion is that the particular model is authentic, the variation is authentic and also fits the timeline. I've not seen the model in hand, but it looks good from the pics offered.