#45 Ford Group 6 prepro?

[motorman]

What are your thoughts on this one. I bought this last week on eBay for £1.50. It’s a #45 Ford Group 6, in metallic red with an unpainted base. Christian has this listed in his variation tables but this is the first time I have ever seen the likes. It is also quoted elsewhere as being a Prepro?
It’s a beater which gives some credence to it being original to the factory and not a custom (rivets are factory). Does anyone else have an example?

[Rob]

Hi Al, the photos look like Metallic Red instead of Metallic Burgundy, is this so in reality? Also the wheels look like they had chrome originally and it has worn off over time, the true black wheeled version had 5 Arch wheels.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Not many others have turned up on the back of the posting by Alex so perhaps not many more are currently circulating the collecting community.

Alex, when you showed this elsewhere, ''SMS88'' (Mick Bruce) commented on the wheel mould numbers so would you mind enlightening me on the numbers here (also mention if the number is on a little platform - more dating evidence!) thanks.

Ghosthunter.

[nearlymint]

Hi Alex,
Interesting model, I have not seen one of these before with an unpainted base. Great find.
J

[TOYRFIC]

Hi Alex,
I have not seen this red with an unpainted base over here in Arizona!

So I am jealous.

Great deal for one pound fifty or two bucks for me?

[motorman]

Hi Al, the photos look like Metallic Red instead of Metallic Burgundy, is this so in reality? Also the wheels look like they had chrome originally and it has worn off over time, the true black wheeled version had 5 Arch wheels.

Rob it is a definite metallic red, very like the metallic red on the #24 Team Matchbox, and the hubs have the remnants of the silver foiling buddy.

[motorman]

Not many others have turned up on the back of the posting by Alex so perhaps not many more are currently circulating the collecting community.

Alex, when you showed this elsewhere, ''SMS88'' (Mick Bruce) commented on the wheel mould numbers so would you mind enlightening me on the numbers here (also mention if the number is on a little platform - more dating evidence!) thanks.

Ghosthunter.

Kevin I had a good look under a loupe and the wheels have no mould numbers at all.

[motorman]

Hi Alex,
Interesting model, I have not seen one of these before with an unpainted base. Great find.
J

I was actually hoping you would have another example J. I actually thought to myself ‘I bet Jason has one of these’

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Not many others have turned up on the back of the posting by Alex so perhaps not many more are currently circulating the collecting community.

Alex, when you showed this elsewhere, ''SMS88'' (Mick Bruce) commented on the wheel mould numbers so would you mind enlightening me on the numbers here (also mention if the number is on a little platform - more dating evidence!) thanks.

Ghosthunter.

Kevin I had a good look under a loupe and the wheels have no mould numbers at all.

OK, no numbers is a problem, as you would think by the time the wheels morphed into wider versions the number/letter format would be settled and each new set of mouldings will come to the flow line fully numbered. So no date of production from me on this one!

Ghosthunter.

[Idris]

Given the lack of mould numbers on the wheels and the distinctly different colour, could this model actually be from very early in the timeline and is, in fact, a colour trail dating from immediately before launch?