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Hello,

I have recently got this model. My question is, is it really a pre-production or some kind of trial/testing model? The body casting has some weird colouring on it. Please inspect the photos. The friend who gave me this model has some more like these, but he doesn't say much about them, so I can only guess




I will appreciate any help!

I have listed it on eBay aswell - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251988235038

Thanks.

It looks like a 'First Shot' or 'Test Shot' model where the components are cast or moulded and put together to check fitment etc, and on these, they hardly ever have the rivets spun down because the model is frequently taken apart for inspection by the sales team and the model makers.

I see the model number is not shown, just a blanking plate where the new version number (if it were to be made as a TAXI), or normal number will be cast.

GHOSTHUNTER.

To me it doesn't look anything other than an unspun casting, think its the base as used on the later silver issues.

Having said that I don't know the first thing about matchbox so if I'm wrong feel free to shoot me

An unspun casting from the late 1970s two pack era - it could be a factory test bodyshell or just an error that wasnt spun - parts all look completely standard, stripping and burying an unspun body for some months would produce this finish

having seen the others you have on ebay I would think they are unfinished castings , nice little set though

Note that the rivet to retain the window insert is unspun as well. It's unlikely to be an error for base and roof rivet to be unspun.

Tinman wrote:Note that the rivet to retain the window insert is unspun as well. It's unlikely to be an error for base and roof rivet to be unspun.

Not true - everybody at home can inspect their own examples and will find unspun roof rivits are normal, the role of the roof rivit on this SF casting is merely to ensure that the glazing is inserted the correct way around.

Thank you everyone for your input! So it's some kind of test shot model, then? How often these come by? Is it rare and what about any price estimate? The collector friend who sent this to me, relies on me for it to get sold, so I will be happy to receive any more information

Are there any difference"s between the England and Bulgarian castings. This could be an unpressed Bulgarian casting with a base that has been removed from an England model, does look well used to me.

nearlymint wrote:Are there any difference"s between the England and Bulgarian castings. This could be an unpressed Bulgarian casting with a base that has been removed from an England model, does look well used to me.

I don't have an production England model in order to compare, however I have an unspun Bulgarian model:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251991570274

At first glance they look similar, however the metal looks different on the one with England base, kind of brownish. I also noticed some differences of which I will take photos later. Anything could be possible as I don't have any information.