8c Caterpillar Tractor

[Idris]

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition) lists two models missing from Nick's listing: variation 8-3C has SPR and carries model no. 18, whilst variation 8-3G has BPR and carries model no. 8. Can any Member confirm the existence of either (or both) of these models?,
None of the AIM's “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983), Stannard, Houghton, or Leake ("Concise Catalogue of 75 Series Matchbox Toys by Lesney" (4th edition, reprinted 2006)) lists any variation not already catalogued by Nick.
U.K. Matchbox did not examine the model.

[DrJeep]

Here's one that's missing from Nick's codes for the 8c. It has black plastic rollers, the partial number, but no triangular braces. It's a variation that's listed for the 18c, and as they both use the same casting and rollers it's not a surprise that this variation is also found on the 8c.

IMG_7262.jpg (306.35 KiB) Viewed 1633 times

[yellowfoden]

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition) lists two models missing from Nick's listing: variation 8-3C has SPR and carries model no. 18, whilst variation 8-3G has BPR and carries model no. 8. Can any Member confirm the existence of either (or both) of these models?,

Hi Glenn , Hugh and all,

Thanks for the addition of this model to this thread Glenn.
In my Stannard catalogue I had noted I had this model but spent a bit of time this weekend trying to find it.
I am able to add a second example of your model variation with black plastic rollers, NO braces and with the partial number 8 visible. Not that it needs a second one given as you say they exist without blade as per 18c. With respect to the question from Hugh above I wonder if this is the bpr 8 that NAMC is referring to!!

The reason I could not find it was back in 1988 I put some models into boxes and others into plastic bags and plastic containers to see how they would react over time. This was after finding many models with tacky paint and at some point will post my findings. The caterpillar was to see how the tracks performed over time and not exposed to light etc.
I had it in a small card cereal box with the tracks not in contact with anything and the tracks still super soft some 30 years on and the actual age of tracks about 55 years. I couldn’t resist giving it a roll to change the track position.

Photos attached to show bpr, brace area and partial numbering with just the 8 nice and clear.
Suggest this could be put at NJ code 6a and lines up with the 18c code 15

While I had these out I snapped a photo of the wider cross-member which Nick mentions on the 18c but it is not mentioned in the 8c. This shows just how worn this mould was becoming at the end of its life. This is the last code for this model.

Bert

[DrJeep]

Thanks, Bert. That one is in amazing condition too, and the tracks look like they're new!

Photos attached to show bpr, brace area and partial numbering with just the 8 nice and clear.
Suggest this could be put at NJ code 6a and lines up with the 18c code 15

While I had these out I snapped a photo of the wider cross-member which Nick mentions on the 18c but it is not mentioned in the 8c. This shows just how worn this mould was becoming at the end of its life. This is the last code for this model.

I wonder about the listings for the 8c and 18c. We know there were originally two moulds, one with each number. In the text for the 18c, Nick says:

Lesney decided that to avoid confusion the numbers from both models would be removed but the job was only partly done as indecipherable parts of a number could still be found on some baseplates. Later the number was properly erased and at the same time the large round cross member next to the number was enlarged.

I'd like to suggest an alternative hypothesis.
- I think the number 18 mould was modified to give the partial number that we've both shown. I say this because of the distance between the remains of the N and the 8.
- I think the number 8 mould had the number deleted completely and was given the wider cross member.

In turn, I wonder whether the triangular braces were only added to the old number 8 mould. Does anyone have the triangular braces without the wider cross-member?

Could everyone with an 8c/18c turn them over and check? I'd like to know:

- does anyone have a partial number that looks different from the one Bert posted?
- does anyone have one with triangular braces with the narrow cross-member?
- does anyone have the wider cross-member without triangular braces?