47a Trojan Van

[Idris]

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition) lists a variation at 47-1C with c/a but a silver grille. Confirmation appears to be provided by the AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) which lists the same variation at 47-1c. In addition, AIM highlights the existence of both dark and light GPW, with the latter only occurring on Nick's code 9 (r/a, silver grille).
Houghton lists all of Nick's 1 mm tongue models as having silver grilles, whilst his code 9 is Nick's code 9 but with light GPW.
Stannard does not list any variations not already covered by Nick (only four variations are listed!), and U.K. Matchbox did not examine the model.
What we therefore need for this model is clarity regarding the timing of the introduction of silver trim to the grille. Nick suggests that it was very late in the model's life. AIM and NAMC suggest that it was sometime during the c/a period, whilst Houghton ties it in with the casting modification at the rear.

Two other variations are known to me, but further details and confirmation are required:
- I recall Vectis selling a BPW example. It was discussed on this Forum (Lefora?) and the consensus seemed to be that it was a plausible variation and might have once been a salesman's sample.
- Garry showed a gold-trimmed example on Lefora. I've looked for the photograph, but cannot find it. (It's not in the George's Casting Show thread.) IIRC, it was a headlights-only job (headlights and grill would probably be too late for even occasional gold-trim). Now Garry had his faults, but I don't recall outright fakery being one of them. I am therefore very tempted to regard this as being a genuine variation. (Plenty of other models throw up seemingly random gold-trimmed variants.) Can anyone confirm the existence of the gold-trimmed version and, if so, provide the associated code details?

[yellowfoden]

What we therefore need for this model is clarity regarding the timing of the introduction of silver trim to the grille. Nick suggests that it was very late in the model's life. AIM and NAMC suggest that it was sometime during the c/a period, whilst Houghton ties it in with the casting modification at the rear.

Hello Hugh,
Back in the early nineties I made a notation in my Stannards to follow up re trim codes. I believe this is what you are after for mask spray timeline.
In the line-up below from left to right are
1 c/a mw,
2 c/a mw,
3 c/a dark gpw 9.28mm x 20 mask trim UNLISTED
4 dr light gpw 9.24mm x 20 mask trim.
The important one is my number 3 crimped axles and dark gpw with mask spray and I have managed to take some close-up shots that capture the fine overspray from the mask spraying.

My example is not in Stannards (or Nicks) because it has 20 count tread and type A 0.75mm tongue clip slot casting.

What is interesting though is whilst Nick does not show the c/a grill trim in the variation table he does however show it on two lines in the value table.

I have added a pic of number 4 as well which shows a smaller grill coverage but it has a more open spray pattern. This would be current NJ code 9.(cast 1.00mm)
What I like about this pic is the smudge pattern can be mistaken for hand applied.

Also added in the same order a pic of base plates in case Nick wants to add the number 3 to his table with confirmed details.

- I recall Vectis selling a BPW example.

The BPW model you also mention was actually withdrawn from sale. So was it sold privately or was it withdrawn because it was not authentic? I remember the original photo only showed the dome end.

- a gold-trimmed example ... IIRC, it was a headlights-only job (headlights and grill would probably be too late for even occasional gold-trim). Can anyone confirm the existence of the gold-trimmed version and, if so, provide the associated code details?

According to my notes the gold trim model you speak of was only the headlights and it had GPW. The photo however was taken of the dome axle end side so we do not know if it had crimped axles or rounded.

[Idris]

Brilliant contribution, Bert!