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The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition) list variation code 3-2E as being grey/dark red, KGPW (probably 11 x 24), and trim. The presence of trim in this listing indicates to me a misidentification of a standard grey/maroon model (unless any member knows better).
None of AIM's “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983), Stannard, or Leake ("Concise Catalogue of 75 Series Matchbox Toys by Lesney" (4th edition, reprinted 2006)) lists any variation not already catalogued by Nick.
Houghton lists a curious “angled” exhaust as variation code 2b-5, but close inspection of the photograph supplied indicates that it is almost certainly the product of damage during the tumbling process.
U.K. Matchbox did not examine the model.

(Thanks to DrJeep for pointing out that I uploaded the wrong draft this morning! )

Pretty rare variation with the grey base platte

often overlooked variation with large and small #3

I have one early variation with slightly smaller #3 (or is it my optical illusion only?)

three shades of the red tipper:
a) bright red
b) matt red
c) darker bright red

two variations with maroon tipper and GPW:
a) with silver trim
b) without silver trim

Antonin, do you have a really good (comparison) photograph of the ridged tipper bed you could share? (I've never seen one first-hand and still feel that it is more likely to be the result of tooling misalignment than a deliberate casting variation.)

Idris wrote:Antonin, do you have a really good (comparison) photograph of the ridged tipper bed you could share? (I've never seen one first-hand and still feel that it is more likely to be the result of tooling misalignment than a deliberate casting variation.)

Good question, Hugh. I think the variation with the rigged tipper bed does not exist. I think it is only a optical illusion with a bad judgment (like by me). For a long time, I was looking for this variation, and since once on Ebay there was a nice photo of the model described as 3b Bedford with ridged tipper bed , and according to the photo, there was no doubt that it is really one of this rare variation. After receiving the model, I checked the model and convinced that it is code 14, I have added it to my collection. For a long time I was convinced that I have the rigged bed variation. A few years ago there was a discussion about 3b and I "proudly" published the photo. But numi pointed out that it is an optical illusion caused by painting. And so after many years I had to remove the model from my collection.
Antonin

I am enclosing a proposal of a new 3b list. Please comments.
Antonin

I remember the 'Ridge' discussion and always had it in my mind it was a paint problem where the rear panel had rest during the painting process which when freed by the packer or someone spotting the panel was not lose, caused the slight groove (ridge), in the painted surface.

Interestingly it is a model I also look out for at toy fairs, because if one has happened, every chance more may exist caused by the same fault of a tightly fitting rear panel.

Ghosthunter.