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Do you suppose the seller just doesn't realize? Or....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Rare-196 ... 1438.l2649

The picture of the base and rivets tells us a lot!!

Ghosthunter.

yes indeed !

The rear axle looks way too long, as well.

Seller is either an idiot or a con man.

Or both - I couldn't resist, I sent the seller a message. Interesting to see if he responds in any way.

Update, the seller responded saying he believes it is genuine, because it is chipped, he thinks it is an error or a prototype. States that he is a collector and he knows. I hope no one pays big for this believing it is genuine!

Tinman wrote:Seller is either an idiot or a con man.

Or both!

Below are the messages that went back and forth, they read from bottom to top. I believe any further emails are fruitless. And it does actually state in the listing that it is original.


cansolvest:
The front rivet us sturdy and not loose. In any case there is nothing in statement ir description that promoting it as original paint or not been painted or ... so that I keep it for inrerested buyer.

Reply

Your previous message
The body has been off. The rear rivet is obvious, the front rivet was worked loose with enough material left to restrike it. Wasn't enough material left in the rear because that one was drilled or pried off first.
cansolvest:
If you could solve this mystery I appreciate it. How you paint inside out without removing the front rivet, how. The front rivet is solid.
Your previous message
If only it were true! It would definitely be a rarity. She is a repaint - several ways to tell. The paint is very thick in some areas for one, they never came out of the factory that way. Both axles have been removed at some point - you can tell because one wheel on each axle has been pushed off and then back on - look at the center hubs of the wheels. And the rivets have been reset - a poor job done on the rear one. As far as the chips, either someone played with it after it was repainted, or someone chipped it intentionally to make you believe it is genuine. I truly hope you can prove its the real thing! But, I'm certain it isn't. As are quite a few other collectors I correspond with who are also watching your listing. I truly don't intend any disrespect, just wanted to point this out in the event you weren't aware. Have a great day!
cansolvest:
Thank you for note. I am a collector. I believe this is original color ( see the chipped areas) . This is simply an error version or a prototype as printed on some of matchboxes.
Your previous message
Hi, Are you aware that this Lesney Model is repainted in a non original color? I'm not trying to cause you problems - just letting you know it isn't original. Lesney never made this model in red - none exist. If you look at the rear rivet on the bottom, you can see that the body was removed, painted, and replaced at some point. The extra long rear axle is also not original. This piece is essentially worth less than 20 bucks as it is. Lots of people watching the listing to see if someone bids thinking it is original. A quick internet search will confirm what I have said. Regards, A serious Lesney Collector.

58oldsfan wrote:I believe any further emails are fruitless.

Agreed.