VBD2 is closed. Please go to https://vbd3.co.uk instead.

A Thought just came to me after adding the above Post.......IT IS A GOOD TIME TO BE A LESNEY COLLECTOR. kwakers

The only one I can lay my hands on at present is a variation code 8 (red, fine GPW) which is without the central roof casting line.

Hi Dick
Your theory about 65b could explain the existence in 69a in metallic red. After all we've seen here, such as e.g. orange 5b London Bus, orange 11a ERF Tanker, lighter blue 10c Sugar Container Truck, turquoise 30c Crane... 57a Impala with a blue metallic base plate ..... The problem is that this variation is easily overlooked and not immediately distinguishable on the photos by Ebay. Therefore, it was never spotted or mentioned until now. From today believe in the existence of 69a in metallic red and my dwarfs have to find a 69a in metallic red
Antonin

Idris wrote:The only one I can lay my hands on at present is a variation code 8 (red, fine GPW) which is without the central roof casting line.

Hi Hugh
I think you are too much sceptic or pessimist. I would believe at least in variations in dark red without central roof casting, dark red with crimped axles and red model with SPW (all I have in my collection). I admit or believe, that the variation without the silver trim could be the ooops only and the variation with strange decal is probably with reproduction decal. I believe in existence of metallic red variation also.
Antonin

In the early 1970s when the Aim and NAMC Guides were being written, there were huge early collections in the Northeast U.S.A., including New York City. Being that Bob Brennen (NAMC) was in Westboro, Massachusetts, and Harold Colpitts (AIM) was in Lynn, Massachusetts, they were fierce competitors. Any models they listed in their Guides were thoroughly researched, and most were present in their personal collections. Both their guides were not as detailed in casting changes as Mike Stannard's Guide in 1985, but major paint shades, as well as some trim changes were noted very well by them. Even though the metallic Red 69A has not been featured anywhere else, there is no doubt in my mind that the one Bob had seen, and then listed, still exists in a privately held collection somewhere in the world.
Antonin! I LOVE your pre-pro 69A in the Rentaset color. What a model!!! Please also remember that in the Chester Toy Museum there was also the orange pre-pro (?) version on display that was shown on a video that was linked to the factory U Tube video that Motorman showed us a week ago. Your Creamy color is spectacular compared to the orange, but I would now have to say other trial colors may also have been done, and still may be found both on this Van and perhaps on other 'Special' Regular Wheel Lesneys still to be discovered by Jason.......LOL ........kwakers

Antonin.
You should be able to tell if your suspect decal is original by gently scraping your finger nail over it, with an original decal you can feel the printed letters on top of the carrier film, reproduction decals feel completely smooth because the letters are printed on the back of the carrier film.

nickjones wrote: You should be able to tell if your suspect decal is original by gently scraping your finger nail over it, with an original decal you can feel the printed letters on top of the carrier film, reproduction decals feel completely smooth because the letters are printed on the back of the carrier film.

Hi Nick
I have checked it, the decal is smooth, it is a reproduction decal ,
unfortunatelly nothing special or interesting
Antonin

As Dick has mentioned 69a Commer in metallic red, I and my dwarves can not sleep well. I have found in my spare models one red model which has the colour and structure of painting very similar to 65b Jag in metallic red. It looks like that the model had primary painting in metallic red and then it was repainted with something between red and metallic red. Quite strange.
Antonin

and the comparision of "metallic red" (on the left) with the standard red Commer (on the right)
Antonin

I have checked my spare models once more. I have found a second model where on the inner side of the roof is more obvious that the primary painting was metallic red.
Antonin