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

I knew the axle-end was good from the start! just needed to be sure about the hub drilling.Fantastic find Rodger!
numi

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:I would like to know what other members think about fitting replacement tyres on our models. We do it all the while on real vehicles and think nothing of it, but do it on a model and it is no longer totally original, is that strange or what...

Ghosthunter.

When i started collecting Matchbox, i got a nice King Size McCormick tractor with a missing rear tire and untill today its displayed with a piece of plastic under the empty hub. I definetly would buy a replacement tire, if someome offered it!

I think no one will care about a replacement tire even in a sale, if its mentioned. It only brings doubts, if its something rare like this tractor.

I agree with Roland on replacement tires. To me it doesn't matter as long as they are genuine Matchbox tires. They are still original but just not to that particular toy.

Jay

Jay, a genuine Matchbox tire can´t be seen as a replacement. Pulling of a tire from a beater and completing a nice example won´t hurt any collector. The question is, what do people think about new tires from a modelpart dealer!?

Miller wrote:The question is, what do people think about new tires from a modelpart dealer!?

Original is always preferred (by me, anyway), but missing tires/tracks just don't display or function well. Therefore, I'm okay with replacements for these parts, provided that the replacements are a very close match to the original. (In the case of old, deteriorated tracks, such parts are a necessity.)

I've sourced a few replacement tyres & treads (of varying quality).
Tyres are usually good matches but I have found treads to often be thin and of poor quality.
A good number of my early caterpillars & dozers have replacement tread due to loss.

Any models with replacement(s) I note and if sold on that detail is included.
Sometimes tyres can be obtained from beaters cheaper than replacements.

With tyres I'm not sure what to look for to distinguish what is genuine or replacement.
You can look at a replacement decal and see that the font/colour is wrong - not sure if I'd be able to do that for a tyre.
Have we ever had a thread regarding replacement tyres and ho to spot them?

Very nice find Rodger, I like it! I prefer all genuine parts and tyres are usually so easy to come across and can often be cheaper if you've got a decent beater box. I don't know about distinguishing genuine from new replacements, a side by side in-hand comparison would be needed to check the colour, textures and so on. New items normally look new (if you know what I mean) there should be some members who've used replacements who can chip in.

I have never been afraid to use replacement tracks of the same approximate color and shape as the deteriorated ones found on some of our oldest original models, but have never needed any non-Lesney replacement tires at all. 'Beaters' of Lesneys, or even more common minty variations can be bought cheap at Toy Shows, so I keep all our collection tires Lesney Factory original. I have never glued any of our loose tires back on, but a spot of clear Elmers glue has been found on many of the models we have bought that way. The spot of glue holds the tires straight, so I have never rejected or even complained about E Bay models arriving with their tires carefully glued on.
I feel aftermarket replacement tires are mainly for restorations or Customs, but we may have bought original models with replacements if they are exact copies. What collector can tell the difference for sure if they had not installed the "New" tires themselves? I am sure there are some good tire copies, but also some very bad ones as well. In my opinion, Tinman with his many years of experience will be the best at covering this 'Tire Identification' topic in his restoration threads if he hasn't already discussed their differences.
I have been told that Hardy HATES any replacement treads or components, but that was from one of my respected old time Yank collector friends who has known him for years now, not directly from Hardy's lips. I will not comment any further, BUT...... kwakers

kwakers wrote:I have been told that Hardy HATES any replacement treads or components, but that was from one of my respected old time Yank collector friends who has known him for years now, not directly from Hardy's lips. I will not comment any further, BUT...... kwakers

However, we do know that Hardy has no problems with swapping original components between models - especially caravans.