What is a Variation?  By definition it is a change from the normal.  I have always had trouble with the concept of variations.  Car A for example, is introduced as a new casting and is painted orange.  It quickly disappears and is replaced by one painted yellow.  Now here is my dilemma.  Now isn't the first of anything the something that establishes the normal?  So why is it then that the orange car is known as the variation and the yellow one as the normal one.  Now don't confuse common with normal. They are quite different things.

Now about those variations.  Or is it a version.  Or, is it a mistake?  You know, one of those oft repeated differences due to mass production.  What then defines it as a variation, version or a mistake?
First of all, a variation has to be available in sufficient quantity so that the average collector at least has a remote chance of finding one. And second, it has to be collectible which is another way of saying that people want one.  Thirdly, it has to be an intended difference.  Someone didn't like the orange after all so they changed it to yellow.  A version is a bit easier actually.  A version is a difference that is the standard for the place of manufacture.

Now if there is a single point of production, one could easily say it was a mistake or it was indeed a departure from the norm.  There are currently four locations that make our little treasures, to wit: Malaysia, Thailand, China and India.  Most of the current cars are being produced in Malaysia, Thailand or China and guess what boys and girls?  Most of the cars vary in one way or another between all of these locations.  Some minor in difference, some major. Now are these variations or standards (normal) cars for each of the locations?
They are NOT variations.  They are a version from one of the three places but they are not variations.  What we have is a Malaysia Version, a Thailand Version or a China Version.  Now a variation can occur within each of these three families but not between them.

For example the Mustang Cobra (1998 FE #18) is made in Thailand or Malaysia. The Malaysia cars come with or without the sponsor "Cosen" on the rear fender. The Thailand  cars come in two distinct shades of green in the tampo, both of which are darker than the Malaysia green.  So there are four separate and distinct cars.  There are two versions with one variation of each version.

On the other hand look at the Mustang Mach 1 (1998 FE #28). It comes in orange or yellow. Both colors are made in Malaysia.  This is a true variation.  The Mustang Mach 1 is only made (at this writing anyway) in Malaysia.  The orange one is the original the yellow is the variation.

Now what constitutes a variation if YOU collect variations?  Color or Tampo or Base or Wheels or Glass or Package or the Position of the little Hot Wheels Ribbon or a bazillion other things.  (Did you know that the base on every car made in one of the four locations is different?  There could be four otherwise absolutely identical cars with the exception of the one thing on the base and that is the place of manufacture.  Don't believe me?  Look at the Toe Jam.)

Back to the original question.  It does not matter.  If you want to collect one of everything that is different from something otherwise intended to be the same then go for it.  Collecting is about having FUN and not about investing.  Oh sure the game of one ups man ship is a fun thing but sooner or later everyone is more or less even...but it is fun...I HAVE JAG with a WHITE INTERIOR and A MERCEDES with a BLACK INTERIOR.  See how much fun I am having?

And last but not least it appears to me that we have yet the possibility of a whole new category of collector(s).  These would be the people that only collect Malaysia or Thailand or China or India cars.  I kind of like the dodge this gives me. "Hey Moses!....You really got the Jag and the Mercedes?" "Those were made in Malaysia weren't they?"  "Yes".   "Nope, sorry.  I only do Thailand cars".

HAVE FUN

I would like to thank Henry, who is beyond a doubt the worlds foremost authority on variations for the inspiration for this article and Brian who reminded me to write it.

MOSES