Circa 1925 - Earliest brass plate models, this one has type III frame, cast iron drivers but nickel rimmed die-cast pilot wheels. Compare it to the 1926 model below with type IV frame and all die cast wheels.

A later orange 3243, probably for a Bankers Special, the example below looks identical but has an earlier frame.

Circa 1926 - Type III frame with nickel rims on all wheels. Count the steps and the cotter pins and then compare with the earlier 3243s.

Circa 1926 - this one is red.

Only seen a couple of these, same gray as 3242. This one was originally red and factory repainted.

Another unusual example in tan.

Circa 1926 - It's not clear if IVES made any brass plate white 3243s. The one above looks original, but since we've never seen any cars from this time period, we would have to assume it's not.

Circa 1927 - Very scarce dark green 3243.

Circa 1927 - Light green above and below, type IV high frame.

 Same color above and below but it would appear that the closer the engine gets to 1928 the more 'puke green' the color becomes.

Circa 1928 - maybe rarer than the black one that year - this pale green 3243 has brass window inserts. We believe this to be from early 1928 as it has no brass doors. We have only observed the brass door inserts on the black and cadet blue 3243s.

Circa 1928 - The 3243 above is cadet blue and would appear to be from early 1928 as it has the brass window inserts. The 3243R below is also cadet blue, but note that this one also has brass doors, a feature that is usually associated with 1929 or later. The 3243 was last cataloged in 1928. Late 3243 also have the Wide Motor

Circa 1928 - The black 3243 above has brass windows and a stamped steel frame (same frame as the 3245 short cab). This variation was shown in the 1928 catalog. We believe it was necessary to use the steel frame on the 3243 when it was used to pull American Flyer bodied cars. The black 3243R below has brass windows, brass doors and the old cast iron frame from previous years. This is believed to be the last 3243 made by IVES. Note the plate on the right reads 3242R, supposedly IVES ran out of 3243 plates and used these on some engines. We've also seen this engine with NO brass doors and there is at least one with a Cardinal Red frame. 

Some black 3243s have 3242 plates, this one doesn't. We assume this to be early 1928 as it has the brass window frames and no brass doors.

This example has the 3242 plates, but no brass window inserts, so either 1927 someone switched cabs, although there never was a black 3242 prior to 1928?

Another example without the brass door inserts, but brass window inserts.