TYPE 1
The Type 1 was the first 6464 body type and was introduced in1953. As shown above, rivets were left out of the first three rows on the left near the top as well as the second row from the left further down. In all cases of rivets being left out, Lionel did this to allow printing of lettering and graphics on a flat surface. The fastest way to identify a Type 1 is to see a full row of rivets in the second row from the right.
Below are pictures of Type 1A, 1B and 1C showing the different inside roof detail.
TYPE 1 VARIATIONS
The Type 1A has roof detail and no gussets as seen above
The Type 1B has added gussets as seen above near each of the small circular mold ejection pin marks.
The final, Type 1C, has gussets but a smooth interior roof. This is the most common variation.
TYPE 2
Introduced in 1954, The Type 2 has additional rivets removed to accommodate the graphics on the new cars introduced that year. The left side has the middle rivets in second row from the left removed, as well as the entire second row from the right is gone. Below are the two variations of the Type 2.
The first Type 2 cars had no “Ice Car Hatch” outline shown above as they were produced prior to the 6352 Ice Car in 1957 which required a modification to the mold. For standard 6464 bodies after that date, a plug was placed in the mold, leaving an outline as shown below.
Appearing only on both Types 2A and 2B starting around 1955.
As shown above, some cars like the -150 had a groove cut into the sides to aid in paint masking. This was a post-mold operation, not a mold change. Cars can be found with or without this groove.
TYPE 3
The Type 3 was introduced some time in late 1958. The roof hatch outline was gone. The interior of the roof now has ribs. The left side is the same as Type 2. Two rivets return at the top and bottom of the second row from the right.
TYPE 4
Beginning in 1960 and through the end of the postwar era in 1969, the Type 4 body was used. Identical to the Type 3 with interior roof ribs, no ice hatch outline, and the right side with only two rivets top and bottom in the second row. The left side now has all but two rivets top and bottom in both the second and third rows from the left.
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Cornucopiaoftoytrains – the most accurate documentation of Lionel Trains (and some others) on the web Lionel Prewar, Lionel Postwar, Marx, AMT/KMT/Kusan Sakai, Minitoys, Colber, Plasticvile.