8a Caterpillar Tractor

[Idris]

None of the NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition), 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 examined the model in vol. 5 no. 3 (Aug. '81) p86 and vol. 5 no. 4 (Oct. '81) p147 but does not list any variations not already covered by Nick.

[Diecast]

I think that there are some unlisted variations. The first very small variation is by models with yellow wheels.
a) with yellow helmet
b) with black helmet
Antonin

[Diecast]

the second unlisted variation is by orange models. The very first orange models were without gold trim.

[Diecast]

another very small variation is by yellow models with metal wheels:
a) yellow body
b) lighter yellow body

[Diecast]

Pretty hard to find (for me) is the variation without silver trim (and yellow helmet)

[Diecast]

I am enclosing a proposal of a new list. Please comment.
Antonin

[Idris]

I think that there are some unlisted variations. The first very small variation is by models with yellow wheels.
a) with yellow helmet
b) with black helmet
Antonin

Is that perhaps a negative variation, i.e. the model is simply missing the black trim?

[Diecast]

I think that there are some unlisted variations. The first very small variation is by models with yellow wheels.
a) with yellow helmet
b) with black helmet
Antonin

Is that perhaps a negative variation, i.e. the model is simply missing the black trim?

Yes Hugh, it could be. I am not sure if it was an exception or a short batch.
Antonin