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I was fortunate enough to locate the Pre Production model for the very hard to find Fisker Karma Promo model (pre pro is on bottom). Color is very close and it has the date code on the hood.

Do we know why it has the date code on the hood, any ideas ?

Ghosthunter.

The date code was and is currently applied to models sent to Mattel for final approval. Most models with these numbers are final production samples (FEP) however many are called Pre Production samples (PP) as marked on the cards. They used to have a card (I'll post a pic of a card soon) with a little more info but still a date,

Thank's Jim, yes please post an image of one of those cards.

Ghosthunter.

Here is a tag from a Hot Wheel Pre Pro

Thank's Jim, wish this recording method had been adopted in the earlier Days of Lesney production, would make our job of identifying models so much easier!

Ghosthunter.

Interesting thread Jim. Just a lurker here, but I'm trying to learn what I can from these strange new models I'm a bit confused by the card, without knowing I would have assumed the stages would be in chronological order eg. engineering prototype, final prototype and pilot production where the model was passed over for mass production. So have I got mixed up or is pp (pre-pro) the same as a pilot production? thanks

I like JB am reading these posts with interest and can't help wondering how many future reverse wreckers and cream cougars are being passed by

Here you go with the order order of process before final production: You were pretty close. PP is usually the same or very close to the production model. Some models may be disassembled in El Segundo and modified in the model shop before approval.f

E.P. Samples (Engineering Pilot Samples)
These models are produced at the Tooling plant prior to being approved by designer for first edition models. Once the designer approves them the tool is then shipped to the production plant. Typically the parts of a model were in unusual colors - colors not meant for production.

F.E.P. Samples (Final Engineering Pilot Samples)
These are sample models with paint and deco applied at the production plant. About six (6) models are sent to the Design Team for review and approval. In the past they had tags/labels attached and we're not in package. Now they are Date Stamped and still not in package or if a package is included it may not be the correct package.

P.P. Samples (Production Pilot Samples)
This is the final stage before production begins and three (3) to six(6) samples are sent to the Design Team for review and approval. These samples may ha be a Sticker applied indicating they are PP Samples.

I hope this explains some of the process.

Thanks for the detailed explanation Jim.