eBay find

I haven't collected any models from that era, so I'm not familiar with these. They look like very fine examples. Is one of those made of brass? or bronze?

@john-shamblin John, yes these 2 of FM best early models. The copper 1921 Rolls Royce is a famous FM creation well respected among the brass-era collectors. I have several in great shape and love the model.

At first glance these 2 look like piece of junk and that what they were listed as and sold as ... parts cars. However, there is one clue that is obvious and it immediately draws attention to study the photos further ...

@chav

Ummmm... the photo with the "missing parts" for the copper model?

@john-shamblin The most obvious clue is on the last photo, although that model is not the treasure ...

Ok, no challenge takers ... either nobody is interested in these stuff or nobody can figure it out ... anyway I am excited about this model so I want to share it with you guys ... as they say "one man's trash is another man's treasure".

Look at the last picture, the obvious thing that doesn't belong to this model is the label "FPA 105". FM preproduction samples were labeled either FPA (first production approval) or PQS (product quality sample). Plane stickers were used on models without boxes in the mysterious FM storage room where preproduction samples were kept. So that sticker on the Packard was the first detail that drew my attention to this listing. I first studied the photos of the Packard but nothing indicated that the model is worth anything. Then I noticed the color of the RR, it was more pinkish than the production model, but more importantly the seats appeared black rather than dark green on the production model. OK, I am thinking, perhaps the quality of the pictures is misleading  ... but then look at this "AWESOME" license plate. The production model license plate shows "1921"...

Back in the days when the HK modelers were recreating something from pictures, they were replicating everything as seen on the original car, quick online search and bingo!

wow, now I have a 4th clue that this is very early preproduction model. Well but all these could be modifications, right. Then I study the pictures further and I see the that trim on the body edges are molded with woodgrain, well that is definitely different from the production model and it is something very difficult to create and why would someone go through all this trouble; so now I am absolutely sure that this is a unique and very early prototype, probably the first one assembled. Then I check the seller and the seller is from a town 12 miles from the FM headquarters, then I look at the rest of the models for sale and I find 3 other models that are potentially preproduction. That sealed the deal, I was in for the race ...

more to come...

Chav, that is some great detective work!  I am totally unfamiliar with these models as my focus is predominately on '50s thru '70s, so I would have no clue as to the details of the production models to compare with these early preproduction model.  I had a feeling that these might be special models knowing your ability to track them down. Congratulation, and I look forward to seeing more of your treasures!

@pete-rovero Thanks Pete, when I received that Rolls Royce I found many other differences enlightening the process of transition from prototype to production. I call this "diecast archeology". I am currently working on restoring the model while trying to preserve it as original as possible. Will post pictures when ready.

extraordinary! Not a TV detective in the world who could beat that! The finished product and progress pics will be something to look forward to Chav, well done!