2b Site Dumper

[Idris]

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition) notes that GPW with c/a are dark, whereas GPW with r/a can be either light or dark.
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 as variation code 2b-7 a GPW, d/h, r/a model with a type 1 driver and a dome-head axle-pin bucket hinge. This would be a credible variation in terms of stock clearance at the end of the model's production and would fit neatly into Nick's table as variation code 7a.
U.K. Matchbox examined the model in vol 3 no. 2 (Apr. '79) p32 and, interestingly, has as variation code 2b-1 a model with c/a, pivot posts, type 1 driver, and green-painted metal wheels! Whilst this could be seen as a direct continuation of the 2a colour scheme (something we have seen before when models were upgraded), it does seem unlikely that such an obvious variation should be otherwise uncatalogued. On the other hand, since this variation only occurs in Rob Newson's listing, he must have seen it first-hand (and I would trust Rob's judgement in such things). Does any Member have one?

[kwakers]

I have never heard of a 2B with green metal wheels, so possibly the model Rob saw might have been an early colour trial or an R &D piece which ended up in an old collection. Did he note that model as being like the earliest run with their flat crimped axles?
Bob Brennen in his 1973 NAMC Guide had a model in his own collection that had the later Light GPW version listed as his Code D with a driver without a hat. Bob was a purist just as Rob, so it may be interesting to see if any other collectors have seen that version through the years. I have not ever found one, and I realize the drivers can be easily switched (Therefore not worth cataloging). Could they have used a different driver for the last castings of this model to be used up? Just a thought....Kwakers

[Tinman]

Unless I'm not understanding common abbreviations "c/a" stands for crimp axles (which means yes it had crimped axles).

I can't understand why a model would be done with painted wheels, even a pre-production model. Since crimp axles are easy to replicate, I suspect a little alteration after the fact (with the motive being profit at the expense of a collector).

[kwakers]

The key to my inquiry was the FLAT axles Joe. Nick states these were used on an early initial run of this 2B with the snap on bed. We have never been able to find one of those flat axle types for our own collection. One of the problems we face is that Mike Stannard (In 1985) was the first I know of to catalog the difference between the earliest flat axle ends (Nails?) versus the later dome headed axles, so chances are Rob Newson may not have noted or even cared at the time which type he saw on that green wheeled model he listed. If Rob even suspected it was "Fake", I doubt he would have noted that model as an original variation. As with any unknown toy oddity we hear of today Joe, we would like to see provenance on it, but we seldom receive any hints at all on Who, When or Where it was found or even seen. Rob Newson might have more info on where he saw this green wheeled 2B oddity and why he accepted it as being a Lesney factory produced model?? Kwakers

[ChFalkensteiner]

I have just had a look at the original article in UK Matchbox Vol.3 No.2.

It is correct that the article makes no distinction between flat or domed axle heads.

One aspect which may be important is the fact that I cannot find any evidence that Robert Newson was involved in this article. I am not sure when his involvement with UK Matchbox began, but it may have been after April 1979. Besides, if Robert was involved in the compilation of an article, his name was usually mentioned, which is not the case here.

Therefore it seems likely to me that the article as well as the listing contained in it was compiled by Ray Bush himself, as he did all the work by himself initially. As Ray Bush was not an expert on MB Miniatures, this listing of the 2b variation with green wheels may well be a mistake. Some other similar mistakes (especially pre-production items being listed as issued variations) have appeared in other early UK Matchbox articles, so it would not be a big surprise.

[Idris]

One aspect which may be important is the fact that I cannot find any evidence that Robert Newson was involved in this article. I am not sure when his involvement with UK Matchbox began, but it may have been after April 1979. Besides, if Robert was involved in the compilation of an article, his name was usually mentioned, which is not the case here.

Good point. Rob's involvement is an assumption on my part, but since this is from Volume 3, I felt that it was a relatively safe one.

[ChFalkensteiner]

Having looked into this a little further, I am now almost sure that Robert Newson's first contribution to UK Matchbox was the article about plastic wheel types which was published in Vol.4 No.1. From that issue onward, his name is mentioned in virtually all articles about regular wheel MB Miniatures, but not in any earlier issues.

I believe that the articles about regular wheel MB Miniatures published up to Vol.3 No.12 were compiled by Ray Bush on his own.

As a side note, I just happened to notice that the "Regular Round-Up" article in Vol.3 No.10 introduces both the incorrect (completely reversed) sequence of variations of the 35b Snow-Trac and the probably non-existent 70b Grit Spreader variation which combines the bright yellow (Superfast colour) hopper with the black slide (which is in fact only found on early examples of the model made at least two years before the bright yellow hopper came into being). Both are mistakes which were later carried over into other works including Stannard's catalogue and Nick's website, and both are mistakes which in my opinion Robert Newson would not have made if he had applied his usual diligence to the preparation of that article.

[durangokid]

Bob Brennen in his 1973 NAMC Guide had a model in his own collection that had the later Light GPW version listed as his Code D with a driver without a hat. Bob was a purist just as Rob, so it may be interesting to see if any other collectors have seen that version through the years. I have not ever found one, and I realize the drivers can be easily switched (Therefore not worth cataloging). Could they have used a different driver for the last castings of this model to be used up? Just a thought....Kwakers

Greetings, I have attached a photo (compliments of a good friend and fellow collector) that shows the driver without a hat as well as the driver with the "V" shape hands. It is my understanding that the model shown from his collection with the hatless driver actually was purchased from the collection of Bob Brennen! Hope you enjoy:

Bill

[Tinman]

An error was my first thought. I must admit that thought didn't have anywhere near the reasoning and logic behind it like Christian's comments do. That said, an error is the most likely reason for the listing. Whatever the reason, I seriously doubt a genuine 2b with painted wheels exists.

As for the driver without a hat, it looks like the hat may not have fully formed.

[kwakers]

The angle of the steering column is all wrong Joe. I have a #39A Ford Zodiac with a driver who has an odd hat on him. I have a feeling this man is in fact a 2B Driver, and the one seen in this 2B is in fact an original hatless 39A Ford Zodiac Driver.
I must admit that Bill's collector friend has answered a 43 year old question I have had on this code in Bob's NAMC Guide. As I head off to bed now this is like a belated Christmas present for me Bill. Please Thank that friend twice for me if he is the one who supplied the 6C pictures as well. From your group picture of these models he is a fellow detailist who should join our friendly Forum just for fun. I am sure you have invited him on, but even if he lurks here for a while he might not be able to fight the urge to join and comment once in a while...... I hope he will.... Kwakers