VBD2 is closed. Please go to https://vbd3.co.uk instead.

Another model we found in the collection from Maryland.

In my opinion this model is a 3rd party repaint over the original finish. It appears to have been dismantled and re-assembled.

In spite of the above assessment (which I agree with), this model is now being offered on Ebay as a pre-production by a seller called italoy.

I am no expert but on closer examination I can see creamy yellow paint colour in some of the scratches on the body work and clear yellow creamy paint shading showing where the chrome piping exits the bonnet.

The pictures on E-Bay make it even clearer that it's a code 3. A deceptive listing in my opinion.

Not sure if Bob is selling or has changed his Ebay name but that is not the one he used to use which was electro something . Definately a repaint on the body only.

that listing was on my daily search and also thought repaint
have purchased from BOb and italoy as separate...are they indeed one?
nothing of great value but both seemed to be upfront and I have been satisfied with all items they sent

this would be at least misrepresentation if the same car and ......out of character..
having asked here and been advised to suspect item

from previous posts as I said before ebay forces and encourages/aides sellers to do this type of listing

The offending listing seems to have been withdrawn.

The listing was stopped so that the model could be represented more accurately as it has caused some controversy here. I have deep respect for the collectors here and I value your opinions and historical knowledge highly.

The model is part of a large collection that we have been moving for a while and as I knew the collector that these belonged to, I know about the provenance of the model and the cataloging system that he used to document various parts of his collection.

The pictures posted do not accurately show the front rivet which looks good. The rear rivet was poorly hit. I agree that there are hints of a different color under the green but the possibility exists that Lesney model-makers used a tan production model and overpainted it. This happened with production models such as the yellow Jaguar which was painted over a green body (Issue 14 in the Yesteryear book). On the Auburn the baseplate and fenders are matte black, the rear rivets where the rear bumper should have been are straight and have not been mushroomed over, and the wheels are 12-spoke red which are unusual as well. The axle ends do not appear to be tampered with.

The pros and cons of the model will be documented when it is relisted again so that the buyer can make an informed decision and bid accordingly. Thank you all again for raising the issues.

bobneumann wrote:I agree that there are hints of a different color under the green but the possibility exists that Lesney model-makers used a tan production model and overpainted it. This happened with production models such as the yellow Jaguar which was painted over a green body (Issue 14 in the Yesteryear book).

Whilst there are plenty of examples of production models being overpainted (thereby saving money by using up old stock rather than scrapping it), I'm struggling to think of a pre-production where this is the case. Does any Member have such a model they could show?