VW Beetle 25b

[chrisflandria]

Just got this one from a Dutch second hand webshop:

Condition is poor to fair, a lot of paint chipped off.
Axles are straight with 10 x 36 BPW.
Green tinted windows, with braces at the rear side of the baseplate.
Looks original with Nicks code 14.

[DrJeep]

I’d like to see clear pictures of the axle ends. I’m sorry to say that most, if not all, bpw 25bs are fake. Unfortunately many of these are produced by one person from the Netherlands, making this one need even more scrutiny! Having said that, we know that some rare variations were exported to the Netherlands, so you might have found something very special. But we need to see better pictures, and it would be good to know the seller’s name - not Lesney12345, I hope.

[Idris]

I assume it's come from Marktplaats. That's a favourite selling ground for a man called Eric Jonkers who offers large numbers of rare and htf models at very competitive prices. (If something is too good to be true.....)
What was the name of the account you bought it from?

[Squid]

Those were my thoughts exactly. A 25B with BPW is not something I'd buy unless I, or someone I thoroughly trust, have seen in-person.

[chrisflandria]

Hello from Belgium.
Yes, it comes from Marktplaats, but not from the 2 persons mentioned above.
The person offers some other RW in the same condition as the beetle.
For me it looks original, but of course I am not an expert.
Unfortunately because of Covid19, it's impossible to visit someone who I think knows more about it. Renaat Maes from the forum.
He has a Matchbox museum in Belgium.
Taking pictures is not my strongest side, but when my daughter comes to visit, I'll ask het to take some close up pictures.

[Maestro]

Would seller's name be Kevin?

[chrisflandria]

Yes indeed Maestro. That's the one.
Do you know more about him ?

[Maestro]

Yes indeed Maestro. That's the one.
Do you know more about him ?

Hi Chris,

I have no experience with this seller Kevin, but he gives me a bad feeling for he almost only sells VHTF models, too good to be true.
I have the opinion that the common models he offers are decoy.
At this moment he offers a green hub Field Car, a white interior SF Iso Grifo and a green SF MG.
The cream Cresta he sold last week looked a repaint to me.
I'm getting a bad feeling seeing these 'too good to be true' models at very, very low prices...

You may send me an e-mail or PM if you want. I live in The Netherlands, so language should be no problem

[Idris]

I believe I’m correct in saying that there is an element of doubt regarding whether the BPW 25b actually exists as a genuine Lesney product, the idea being that it has crept into the variation listings through incorrect identification of BPW Budgie/Morestone VW Beetles (no. 8 in the “Esso” Petrol Pump series).

[Idris]

Kevin's offerings on Marktplaast are here. Unfortunately, as far as I am aware, there is no way of looking at sold items/expired listings on Marktplaats.