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I've finally managed to complete my set of large-scale rollers (although admittedly there are a couple of other, as yet unconfirmed, colour variants, namely tan body with dark grey wheels and yellow body with bare metal wheels):

A very impressive line up which if someone wanted to do now would take a long time in my opinion ,keep looking for the stray roofs and you will be able to complete your green one with driver,which i think is one of the hardest variations to find,also i realise you mention colour variants ,but there are also shades of green particularly on the first roller ,and on the second one there is a casting difference where the rear holes were strengthened on the inside,the red wheel version green,no driver, can be found with and without this strengthening.(basically red painted wheels on an early body)
i think this is quite hard to find also
dave

Thank you for the kind words, Dave.
I was aware of the internal casting variation, but am still in two minds about whether to go after it. first of all, it's not the kind of detail which forms part of a normal Ebay listing for these models (and trying to explain it to a seller will be a nightmare) and second, it's not visible when the models are on display. However, it's definitely something to look out for if we ever have any more toy shows. (Interestingly, both my green with base wheel examples are the second casting.)
Paint shades are, as we all know from the 1-75s, a difficult subject and, although I'm tempted, I think lack of shelf space will cause common sense to prevail.

Nice group of rollers. Early Lesney Toys form a nice group of models, some of them are over 70 years old!

Idris wrote:Thank you for the kind words, Dave.
I was aware of the internal casting variation, but am still in two minds about whether to go after it. first of all, it's not the kind of detail which forms part of a normal Ebay listing for these models (and trying to explain it to a seller will be a nightmare) and second, it's not visible when the models are on display. However, it's definitely something to look out for if we ever have any more toy shows. (Interestingly, both my green with base wheel examples are the second casting.)
Paint shades are, as we all know from the 1-75s, a difficult subject and, although I'm tempted, I think lack of shelf space will cause common sense to prevail.

Yes i must admit ,i spotted the shades and the casting change after i had bought them,but if /when toy fairs start it might be something to pick up if picking are slim
dave

charliep wrote:Nice group of rollers. Early Lesney Toys form a nice group of models, some of them are over 70 years old!

The road roller as far as i know was the first lesney toy,so the first ones i think were made in 1947 making them 73 years old
I guess they were phased out in the early fities but don,t know for sure.
i took this photo while i had them out ,but have since added 2 more i noticed in a cabinet so i think its around 35 rollers i have but it could be more.
dave