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The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition) lists a model as variation 39-2A which is identical to Nick's variation code 1 (metallic violet body, maroon baseplate, 9 x 20 SPW, red steering wheel, full trim) but with a clear windscreen. If confirmed, this would become the new variation code 1. Variation 39-2I is interesting, being a yellow body with grille only trim, a black baseplate, BPW and a red steering wheel. This crossover is plausible as the result of stockroom emptying (resulting in the discovery of a number of first-type interiors) at the end of the model's life. If confirmed, the exact location in the variation table would be determined by the wheel type.
The AIM's “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) does not contain any unlisted variations, but notes the following: "Yellow models come in various shades. Red and ivory steering wheels can be changed if not part of the interior. Wheels come in various treads, light and dark, thick and thin". This is interesting because it indicates that the introduction of the cream steering wheels occurred before the change to the all-in-one interior design. However Leake ("Concise Catalogue of 75 Series Matchbox Toys by Lesney" (4th edition, reprinted 2006)) makes it clear that the separate steering wheel only ever came in red. The text of Nick's catalogue page is a bit ambiguous on this point, but strongly implies that non-red steering wheels were always part of the interior moulding. Clarification please! Does anyone have a separately moulded steering wheel in (off-)white? The comment on thick and thin wheels is one we have seen before (I think from UK Matchbox) and represents a subject still to be explored on this Forum.
Both NAMC and AIM comment on the interior being available in two distinct shades. NAMC refers to white and cream, whilst AIM talks about ivory and cream. This does not seem to be referring to the gradual colour change mentioned by Nick in his listing.
Neither Stannard nor Houghton list any new variations.
U.K. Matchbox examined the model in Vol. 4 no. 5 (Dec. ' 80) p159. No unlisted variations were identified.

The white or off white interiors were molded with the steering wheel as part of the interior. It would simply be folded over and clipped into the groove in the dash. My firm opinion is that any older interior with an off white steering wheel is a parts switch. One of the things I always wanted to do (but never did) was to look through all the models and see if the red 39b steering wheel was common to any other model.

Just to remember, there is one unlisted variation on the front rivet post:
a) with small triangular braces
b) with large triangular braces
Antonin

Hi Antonin,
Well spotted on this one(great pictures), will have to dig my ones out and check. Does this apply to both colour models.
J

Hi Jason
nice to see you back, please check both colour variations, metallic violet and yellow. I think that this variation is by metallic violet colour only, but you will surely find it by yellow colour models also (please check 34b Volkswagen Caravette also, mainly the variation with the groove)
Antonin

Diecast wrote:Hi Jason
nice to see you back, please check both colour variations, metallic violet and yellow. I think that this variation is by metallic violet colour only, but you will surely find it by yellow colour models also (please check 34b Volkswagen Caravette also, mainly the variation with the groove)
Antonin

Hi Antonin,
I have checked all mine and I only have this small brace on the metallic violet, same as you.
I will dig out my 34b models to check for you.
J

Thanks Jason for checking it. I have metallic violet model with a small and large triangular brace. All my yellow models have the large braces.
Antonin

Hi Antonin, my one met. Violet has the large brace as well as my 3 yellows, all large brace whether BPW, spw and GPW.

Jay

Thanks Jay for confirmation of the metallic violet variation with the large brace. How rare is this variation? What is the statistic by another guys here.
Antonin

Diecast wrote:Thanks Jason for checking it. I have metallic violet model with a small and large triangular brace. All my yellow models have the large braces.
Antonin

Hi Antonin,
I do also have both types brace in the metallic violet.
Jason