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The 20c Chevrolet Taxi - 45b Ford Corsair - 75b Ferrari Berlinetta, the 75b model seems to be the hardest to find.

The Silver/Grey base on the 75b was only issued on the first issued model.

George T.

Thank You George for a look at these three models shown together with their painted bases. The #45 was introduced in Feb. of 1965, the #20 was introduced in April of 1965, and finally the #75 was introduced in May of 1965. It seems as though Lesney may have been experimenting with this method of painted silver base treatment for a very limited time. By the time that #75 was released, and that first batch with painted bases had already been shipped, the trial of silver base painting may have been ending. I agree with you on the fact that the Ferrari is in fact the hardest of these three to find today. Perhaps it indicates the shortest production time for this first base treatment on this model which makes sense by looking at its later release date. It is very strange that these 1965 bases were done originally in silver rather than the customary black Lesney had used for years. The 5D Routemaster Bus introduced in June of 1965 had its base painted in the same red as its body like many other commercial vehicles in the lineup. Was the silver base experiment over by then?? Thanks for some interesting thoughts here George! Dick

I agree with you both. The 75b is the hardest to find here in the states, in my neck of the woods out west. I have several of each of the other 2 but still hunting the 75. Did you find any in the states, Dick? Great lineup, George. Thanks Thanks for showing.

Jay

Thank you for your input Dick on the models, Jay in fact the 75b model came from America about 20 years ago.

I do look at every 75b that I see but have not seen another one in all that time, as Dick has said it must have been a very short run as it was only done on the first issue. But now with Dicks input many viewers will be checking their models.

George T.

I agree with George, Dick, Jay that 75b Ferrari Berlinetta with silver painted base plate is hard to find. But the most rare the model with silver painted base plate is 20c Chevrolet Impala Taxi without tow guide!
Antonin

Have you noticed, that the very early 75b Ferrari have "5" above #75. There must be some changes in the design of the text on the base plate.
Antonin

I had never noticed that "5" before Antonin, it is very curious and may appear faintly on the earliest plated bases also because they both were shipped mixed in with each other here in the U.S. We found these painted bases almost by mistake, but were able to trade some off with fellow collectors who had never seen them in their area. You are a very lucky collector to have one of these rare painted bases without tow hook Antonin. I only knew of two others that used to be in Bob Brennen's collection before they were sold. I believe at least one went to a German collector/Dealer we all know. Very, Very RARE....
The same mixed model shipping is true of the first Orange and White #68 Mercedes Bus shipping Cases we opened at our stores that contained one or two Green and White ones mixed in with them. When we saw the few green ones in their "Own" green picture boxes, we bought all we could find in our area for trading spares without knowing how uncommon they would be today, 53 years later. Kwakers

just checking my 75Bs...i have two painted bases and neither have that 5 above the 5...but i did find three plated bases with the 5 above the 5...two have wire wheels and one has discs wheels

Thanks Dan! That indicates one of the earliest paired bases may have had the "Ghost 5" that stayed in production for quite some time, while the other base without the "Ghost 5" was also in use right from the earliest painted base models. What a surprise detail Antonin has shared with us on this Ferrari base that few of us have ever noticed before. Thanks for your input Dan, it gives us a possible answer and makes us want to check all our models to find any "Ghost 5" bases that may have been hiding from us in clear sight for many years. Kwakers

Thanks Dan for checking it. I have overlooked it. Thanks Dick for your comments. I have checked my unpainted base plates. I have found on the one unpainted base plate an infinitesimal trace of the number "7" also. It seems that the early mold was for a longer time in production process. And it seems that the text "MATCHBOX" SERIES N°75 was originally approximately 1mm above current text.
Antonin