The numbering system as applied to Pocket Cars was a three-part hyphenated number.
From back of sixth 1974 card.The first part is the Pocket Cars' model number.
The second part is the model's identification number.
The third part is the variation number.
Though what the "three-part hyphenated number" means is easy to understand, the 'way' in which it was actually used was rather complex and easy to be confused by.
Here's why.
First, as far as I know, the first part number only appears on the blistercards. I have not found the first part number in any printed reference material.
Second, the three-part number only appeared on three blistercards (1974 #6; 1974 no print in white area; Undated). On those cards, only 11 (at most) out of the 72 vehicles listed on each card had the three-part number included; the remaining vehicles had the 'standard' two-part hyphenated number.
From back of 1980 card.I call the "two-part hyphenated number" "'standard'" since the first five 1974 cards and associated variations, along with the 1980/81 cards and the front of the 1982 card (for a total of 16 cards), only used the two-part number -- and it was from these cards that I made my first checklist.
Third, even though the two-part number appeared more often, its format did not always remain consistent. For example, the
From back of first 1974 (small) card.
also appeared as
From back of sixth 1974 card.and as
From Back of 1980 card.where the leading zero disappeared and returned.
Then there's the
From back of fifth 1974 card.that also appeared as
From back of sixth 1974 card.where the leading zero on the second part disappeared.
This disappearing zero really doesn't confuse things as much as the name changes might (which have been covered in detail on the Checklist and Lists of Vehicles pages).
Fourth, and speaking of the "leading zero on the second part," though this zero may appear on a card,
From back of third 1974 card.it never appears on the vehicle itself.
Fifth, though the first part is Pocket Cars' model number, it also doubled as a type of variation number. For example, the red American La France Ladder Chief fire engine is numbered 160-F33 while the yellow version is numbered 187-F33. However, I have seen the red fire engine blisterpacked on a card with the 187 number.
In addition, the 'variation' was not just in body color, stickers, tampos, etc., the 'variation' could be an entirely different vehicle (along with a different number in the second part). One example is the
From back of first 1974 (small) card.and the
From back of third 1974 card.Like the 'leading zero' mentioned above, this really doesn't cause any confusion since the number in the second part tends to match the number on the vehicle.
Sixth, "tends" is the key word in the sentence above since some chassis were used on different models. For example, the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham is number 86-F2 and the Cadillac Superior Ambulance is number 181-F60. Even though the same chassis was used on both and the "Fleetwood Brougham" part was blanked out, the chassis number was not changed.
Brougham chassis.
Ambulance chassis.{As a side note, I have a metallic blue Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham whose chassis also has the "Fleetwood Brougham" part blanked out.}
Seventh, there is the 'basic' generic chassis that was used on several different models. For example, the following chassis (with the very hard to see "No.F11" just above the universal joint & driveshaft) and running boards/fenders assembly
 was used on the 1915 Ford Model T Convertible Coupe (112-F11 / 248-F11), the 1915 Ford Model T Delivery Truck (134-F13), and on the 1915 Ford Model T Touring Car (125-F12 / 246-F12).
Eighth, then there is the very generic chassis with several embossed numbers that was also used on several different models. For example, the
 was used on the Fire Chief car (163-F10), the Police car (105-F8), and on the Taxi (139-F18).
Ninth, and the rare very generic chassis with several embossed that was also used on several different models for which none of the chassis numbers match the second number printed on a card. For example, the chassis of the Airport Ground Service Truck has "NO.52.53.54" (hard to see on the plastic chassis just below the upper two rear wheels)
 while the card has
From back of third 1974 card.printed on it. {Reference books list this vehicle as "99".}
Tenth, and speaking of 'not matching,' there are the few chassis whose number does not match the number assigned to them. For example, the Isuzu Elf TS30 Crane has "NO.49" embossed on the chassis while its assigned number is "26". {However, in the number system's defense, I must add that "26 1" is embossed on the inside of the crane's plastic housing. But then again, how many people are going to look there after seeing the 'official' number on the chassis?}
Eleventh, the instances where the chassis number was actually changed. For example, three (possibly four) of the Big Rig models (Cement Mixer/Truck, Dump Truck, Tow Truck) all have the same "American Truck" chassis with the embossed "NO.F63". Sometime during production to be blisterpacked on the 1986 card, the "63" was blanked over with a raised circle that had an "18" on it. {I know that both 'variations' were blisterpacked on the '86 card.}
Twelfth, and as far as I know, the third part (or 'official' variation number) is rather vehicle-specific. For example, though the "F44-1" on
From back of sixth 1974 card.refers to both "Chevrolet Truck"s, the "212" part 'identifies' the camper version while the truck with just the roll bar assembly has a first-part number of "190". Unfortunately, I've seen these particular vehicles not only with another first-part number ("214"), but also blisterpacked on the other's card.
In addition, and like the "leading zero," this third-part number never appears on the vehicle.
Thirteenth, most reference books and collectors use only the last two part numbers (of the three-part hyphenated number) when specifying a particular model (minus, of course, any leading zeros). However, in the case of the Chevy Truck just mentioned above (and worth repeating), the "F44-1" refers to both versions. in order to refer to a specific version or variation, books and collectors have added an additional hyphenated suffix. For example, the Chevy Truck with just the roll bar assembly is referenced as "F44-1-1" while the Chevy Truck with the camper shell is referenced as "F44-1-10". The 'jump' from "-1" to "-10" is best 'explained' in the following chart
From Tomica Collection, page 148.
Picture courtesy of Bill Amdall.where the variations of "F44-1" range from "F44-1-1" through "F44-1-9" and include "-11", "-12", and "-15"; and the variations of "F44-1-10" also include "-13" and "-14". The variations are combinations of body color, stickers, tampos, color of plastic, and wheel types.
And there you have it -- a "baker's dozen" {seems kind of apropos, huh?} of why the Pocket Cars' numbering system may not only be confusing at times, but also why it's sometimes mentioned as not being very consistent.
If you're a regular Pocket Cars collector and don't have access to any of the Japanese reference books and rely on the blistercards/chassis for your information, don't worry. As you've probably seen while perusing through this site, I decided to use the blistercard data (when available) as the major source, with vehicle chassis data as back-up, for model/vehicle identification since that was all the reference material I had for nearly two decades.
But if you're more 'into' Tomicas, then you'll probably want to get a reference book. If you do, you'll have to go with one of the Japanese books since no English-language reference book has the detailed number or variation entries. I suggest that you check out the "Books & Catalogs" page {click on "Books" in the pop-up window} at Super Great Tomica and read the overviews/reviews of the available Japanese reference books. If you have any questions about the references, use the "Mail Us!" option there.
As a start to help you narrow down to the 'right' book for you, don't get The Complete World of Tomy Diecast by Davey & Chan. Though the book's multiple appendices have some great data on variations (in English !), the way Davey & Chan set up the model numbers may lead to more confusion. I would suggest a book with a set-up similar to the one pictured above {RE: "Thirteenth"}.
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