27b Bedford Low Loader

[Idris]

None of the catalogues or model reviews consulted contains a variation not already covered by Nick. However, there is some disagreement regarding trailer colours:
- The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition) notes that MW and c/a GPW trailers come in dark tan whilst c/a and r/a GPW trailers are found in light tan.
- The AIM's “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) agrees, pairing the dark tan trailer with the light green cab and the light tan trailer with the dark green cab.
- Both Stannard and Houghton merely note that the trailer comes in various shades of light brown, a view shared by Leake ("Concise Catalogue of 75 Series Matchbox Toys by Lesney" (4th edition, reprinted 2006)).
- U.K. Matchbox examined the model in vol. 8 no. 4 (Oct. '83) p 144, and Rob Newson has the following to say on trailer colours: "There are considerable shade differences in the trailer with later models tending to be of a lighter shade, although both light and dark shade trailers exist with all variants".

[Diecast]

None of the catalogues or model reviews consulted contains a variation not already covered by Nick. However, there is some disagreement regarding trailer colours:
- The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition) notes that MW and c/a GPW trailers come in dark tan whilst c/a and r/a GPW trailers are found in light tan.

I agree, there are two colours of the trailer:
a) light tan
b) dark tan

[Diecast]

There is one unlisted variation of the silver trim, (it is not mentioned the diferrence between Hand Applied/Mask Sprayed):
a) HA silver trim to bumper, radiator & headlights
b) MS silver trim to radiator
Antonin

[Diecast]

I am enclosing my proposal of the new 27b-list.
Antonin

[kwakers]

I agree with your trailer color notes Antonin, they are accurate for this model as they were delivered. I must add that Bob Brennen had also listed a dark green cab with riveted axles that was delivered with an earlier dark tan Trailer with crimped axles in his 1971 Guide, so they were boxed brand new mixed that way. That mixing may be considered an error today (?), but I still collect these mixes as a factory variation myself. The #10 Mechanical Horse was found boxed and delivered with mixed axle ends on it's Cab and Trailer also, so I have that as a variation in our collection also.
I see you are eliminating Nick's code with Dark Green cab and with hand applied trim on it Antonin. That code was not noted by Stannard either, so might just be fairly rare and tough to locate? Isn't it possible that some of these early dark cabs were done with hand applied trim at the factory? I have no background on why this variation was added at Nick's site, or with what information he had when he added it, but maybe a member might have an example to show us before we plan on eliminating it from Nick's tables?
Over here in the U.S., this 27B is very hard to find in any condition, especially with the dark green cab. In reviewing the NAMC catalog of 1971, Bob had no record of the dark green cabs ever being delivered with crimped axles on them at all. He had never seen one! If some of these earlier darker green cabs were produced when the Lesney axle crimper was still in use, could the hand applied trim Nick lists be a valid (but very early production) variation that you have not been able to add to your collection yet Antonin? I have watched all the dark green cabs sold in the last couple of years here in the U.S., but unfortunately I have not ever noted their two different grill and front bumper trims as you have detailed here. Bob Brennen's NAMC catalog that I mentioned above did not detail these 2 different front trim methods, so we will never know which type trims Bob had on the models and variations in his very detailed collection.
Rather than eliminating one of Nick's codes as it is written right now, I would rather we hold off and study as many of these 27Bs as we can before deciding to do so. We may or may not be surprised at what Forum members have to offer on this model, who can ever tell.......kwakers

[Idris]

I must add that Bob Brennen had also listed a dark green cab with riveted axles that was delivered with an earlier dark tan Trailer with crimped axles in his 1971 Guide, so they were boxed brand new mixed that way. That mixing may be considered an error today (?), but I still collect these mixes as a factory variation myself. The #10 Mechanical Horse was found boxed and delivered with mixed axle ends on it's Cab and Trailer also, so I have that as a variation in our collection also.

Very interesting, Dick.
I deliberately did not include that variation since I was uncertain how Bob had come by it and so felt that there was more than a chance it was not a genuine factory issue.

[kerbside]

Some time back I posted a photo of three trailer colours, but for some reason nothing was done about it

So here is the photo again showing three very different colours not shades.



Also the two fronts showing the different Silver trim applied.



George T.

[Idris]

Some time back I posted a photo of three trailer colours, but for some reason nothing was done about it

So here is the photo again showing three very different colours not shades.

Looking at the photograph, I'm instantly reminded of the 29a Bedford Milk Float colour variations. Any chance of a comparison shot?

[johnboy]

Some time back I posted a photo of three trailer colours, but for some reason nothing was done about it

So here is the photo again showing three very different colours not shades.

Looking at the photograph, I'm instantly reminded of the 29a Bedford Milk Float colour variations. Any chance of a comparison shot?

How do they compare to the Commer Pick-Up?

[kerbside]

Hello Hugh, here are three photos 27b, 29a, 13b, colours.







Hello John, here are the 50a colours.





George T.