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Just wondering what other members think of this odd-looking 17b. Normally I'd be interested in something like this, but I was put off by the black residue (melted charred plastic, soot?), the "tide mark" on the offside just level with the top of the decal, the extreme discolouring of the clear decal background, evidence of a slightly different colour where the paint and decal had chipped and, just possibly, a hint of green inside the cab. Furthermore, I'm not sure this is a Lesney colour (although it could possibly be the same as the 30a Ford Prefect).

Very interesting model, looks like its either had a lot of heat or lots of sun. Not sure on this one but a great talking point.
Never seen a green one go this colour although the later ones I have seen go a yellow colour.
Thanks for adding this, very much into faded models at the moment and have added recently some amazing superfast models.
J

It is interesting. It looks evenly faded all around + inside and out. Some chemical or environmental exposure? Plus the char on sides and rear. Curious...

Looking at some extra large pictures, it does look like a section of the decal on the driver's side has blistered and fallen away leaving an open hole, the area just before the letter 'S' of the word SERVICE.

The Black marks could be that something has been resting on this model that has melted over it from a lot of heat, I have seen this with soft plastic or rubber toys when inspecting fire damaged cars from my rescue and recovery work.

As for the overall Tan colour, I can only assume it is the result of fire damage and it would be interesting to get a 'Beater' #17b and subject it to a period of heat from a fire without the model actually being placed in the fire, as that would assuredly cook and melt the Mazac base metal and the paint would just bubble and blister, then see what colour the model turns, over to our science department!

GHOSTHUNTER.

Interesting for sure! Another example of something that would have totally eluded my attention on ebay because of my color-blindness.

i remember seeing that the other day...thought it was odd too

Today Surprisingly (the world can be a small place) i was offered this model as part of a lot transaction,from the purchaser of the model when it was last on eBay (i declined)
Here is the description as given by the seller
" I am enclosing a few photos of a very rare removal truck set. I would love for this to go to a fellow collector, one is the tan version with brown decals it has some
sort of residue on it but I didn't try and clean it and I think, being as I can find no example it is super rare, as well as the maroon with gold trim and light blue and of course the green.
I would really like to get what I paid 350 for that lot "


cheers Steven

He's discovered that he's bought a pup and is trying to shift it. (If he really thought it was genuine and rare, he'd be asking a lot that that!)

Idris wrote:He's discovered that he's bought a pup and is trying to shift it.

How much is that doggy in the widow? US$350.