My Old Dinky Toys / Play-worn

There are collectors who will only collect pristine examples of models in their collections; others only proud of or are willing to display their mint examples.  As for me, I cherish my old toys and those of my brothers' as they bear the marks of our childhood and bring back fond memories each time I touch them or look at them.

Shown here is a listing of them, and the order I chose to show them in is in accordance to their numbering rather than a historical timeline.  A few of these were not mine as a child but have been added over the years...

Civilian Motorcycle, No. 37A

Cute motorcycles with solid rubber wheels.  One does not see these often...

Austin-Healey 100, No. 103, Released in 1957

This was one of my favourites and as the fate of nearly all played with Dinkys of the time, the plastic windscreen perished...one can thankfully buy replacements, but I preferred to leave this with its original 'patina'.

Here is a restored one of one I had which had been even more battered...:

MGB, No. 113, Released in 1962

This is a jump of a few years, and now models generally had suspension, steering and opening doors...the windscreen of this one somehow survived...

Triumph Spitfire, No. 114, Released in 1963

Another 'survivor'.  Later, in 1966 the model was reissued with a 'Tiger in my tank' transfer on the boot-lid, referring to the advertising by Esso.  These were in gold or in metallic purple...in another chapter of my blog in due course...

Another iconic and seminal sports car from the ear was also released around the same time,

Jaguar E-type 'Hardtop'; No. 120, Released in 1962

Purists will cringe at this makeover; my model was battered and it was restored to 'as new' condition.  Instead of placing the plastic Hard-top which normally came with the model, and looked a little out of proportion, I chose to have it appear with a fold down soft-top...an after market restorers option!  I think this looks more elegant even if not true to the original Dinky.

Ford Corsair, No. 130, Released in 1964

The Corsair was a UK built Ford with a relatively short term production life.  The Dinky is a well built and sturdy model, with suspension and now with jewelled head-lamps.

Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, No. 131, Released in 1956

This model remained in production for many years.  My brother and I had versions in yellow and pink.  Mine was the yellow one and it has been lost...years later, in the same shop (Mavros Toy shop, Ledra street, Nicosia, Cyprus) where I'd bought the original (or my dad bought for me...), I found this mint pink example without a box. It was immediately bought.  One can tell that it ws a later release from the wheel hubs - the early ones had solid die cast hubs like the Packard below. I might have added some silver highlights for the chrome effects on the sides...

Packard Mayfair Convertible, No. 132, Released in 1955

American cars were pretty prominent in the Dinky catalogue as they were exported in significant numbers to the USA and Canada and had to appeal to the local market.  The Packard was not as elegant as the Cadillac but was in any event just as appealing as a toy.

Triumph Vitesse, No. 134, Released in 1964

This was very similar to the Triumph Herald but with the distinctive four headlamps.  How they managed to squeeze in a six-cylinder in line engine in there I don't know...but it was the brother of the Triumph GT6 sports car developed from the Spitfire(the Herald and Spitfire shared the same platform I guess).

Triumph 2000, No. 135, Released in 1963

With opening bonnet/hood and boot/trunk, suspension and steering this was a beautifully executed model.  The 2000 had the same engine as the Vitesse and was a contemporary of the Rover 2000.  Interestingly, while Dinky never modelled the Rover, neither did Corgi make a Triumph...collusion or accident? The Dinky is very beautifully detailed and is very well made with a die-cast base as well.

Hillman Imp, No. 138, Released in 1963

Hillman was the 'mass' brand of the Rootes Group.  The Imp was a rear engined car designed to compete with the likes of the Mini, Fiat 850, NSU Prinz and the like.  It was an advanced design and had a cute opening rear window for loading smaller items on the shelf behind the rear seats (Corgi produced a model with an opening rear window).  The quality and detailing of the Imp model is as good as the Triumph 2000 and both have opening parts with excellent fit and feel.  This version of the model has a baseplate painted grey.  I have another mint version which has a silver base.

Vauxhall Victor Estate, No. 141, Released in 1963

Sorry for the missing tires...beautifully detailed model (one can even read Victor on the front wings) with sadly a poorly designed hinge for the door, as it has gone missing; a fate I've noticed with many played with Victors.  Vauxhall is GM's British operation and it used to be sold all over the world, but now confined to the UK. Interestingly, this model has a tin baseplate while the previous two models, also released in 1963 have cast baseplates.

Singer Vogue, No. 145, Released in 1962

Singer was another brand of the Rootes Group and the brand positioned above Hillman but below Humber and Sunbeam which were the other two brands of the Group. This is a very competent representation of the Vogue but has no opening parts.  Solido in France were the first to offer opening doors on a die-cast toy the previous year (on a Lancia Flaminia Coupé - see my Lancia Models Blog at http://lanciamodels.blogspot.com/ ), so Dinky had not caught up yet.  The model also has a tin-plate base, similar to the Victor's as well as steering.

Ford Fairlane, No. 148, Released in 1962

An American car which typified the era.  It was also released as a US and RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) version under Nos. 258 and 264 respectively.  The RCMP version is depicted below.

Rolls Royce Silver Wraith, No. 150, Released in 1959

Standard Vanguard, No. 154, Released in 1954

Standard was one of the brands of the Standard-Triumph group; this was the first 'modern' post war car of the group which saw significant success.  It was amazingly roomy for rear seat passengers!

Rover 75, No. 156, Released 1954

Three versions of the model are shown here; I believe there was also one in cream& blue released.  The two tone versions were introduced in 1956

This looks like new because it was restored by a friend in New Zealand for me.

Jaguar XK120, No. 157, Released in 1954

This was one of my very favourite toys; it has had to be restored as hardly any of the original paint had been left on it...

Ford Zephyr, No. 162, Released in 1956

The model above has been restored.

This was a very successful car for Ford UK.  I loved the deep sound of the straight six cylinder engine of the car which contrasted the rather weedy and strained sound of the similarly sized Consul.

There was a two tone lime-green/cream version as well. The model was withdrawn in 1959.

Humber Hawk, No. 165, Released in 1959

Sorry for the sad state of this well-played example.  Sadly, it was damaged too much to make a restoration worthwhile, but this used to be a favourite toy and it shows it...although I'm sure it did not suffer all the pain at my hands as I also had a younger brother and perhaps nephews who had a 'say' too...its saved here for posterity...it normally would have had 'windows', a novelty at the time.

It was also released in a Black and Green finish. The same casting was used to produce a nice Police car under No. 256 in 1960.

Sunbeam Rapier, No. 166, Released in 1958

A lovely representation of the car which was also available in a two-tone yellow. Note the windows which were a new feature at the time.

Studebaker Golden Hawk, No. 169, Released in 1958

This was one of my all favourite Dinkys, perhaps because of the special style of the car.  Very unusual for an American car its design endured into the 60s with the wings chopped off and a squarer rear end - I remember several of them in existence in Cyprus.

It was also available in a tan and red finish but I preferred the green/tan one...

Dinky also produced many military vehicles and several of them also ended up home...

Ford Fordor Sedan Staff Car, No. 170m (initially released under No. 139am), Released in 1954

A typical Ford Sedan of the early 50's. It was in the catalogue only till 1954...

Hudson Commodore, No. 171, Released in 1954

A groundbreaking car in America at the time, and a future iteration making it famous as Doc Hudson in the animated movie Cars of 2006. 

Fiat 2300 Familiare, No. 172, Released in 1965

I find it fascinating that this model made it into the Dinky catalogue.  Dinky France had issued a model of the Fiat 1800 Familiare in 1960, Corgi an 1800 saloon also in 1960 and they all are in a similar two-tone blue...two tone colours were popular with Fiat at the time, but to my recollection the combination was only offered on the 1100 model.

The model was also released as a camera car in 1967 under No. 261

Nash Rambler, No. 173, Released in 1958

This was a nice model of one of the less well known US brands, but allied to Hudson.  Nash Kelvinator and Hudson merged in 1954 to form American Motors.  The company 'survives' today in the form of the jeep division within Chrysler-Fiat.  American Motors had taken over Jeep from Kaiser in 1970.  In my view, Nash/rambler continued in the vein of Studebaker in making some of the nicest proportioned and styled American cars over the years.

This model was also released as a Fire Chief's car under No. 257.

Studebaker President, No. 179, Released in 1958

A nice representation of the car.  It was also available in yellow with blue, which I had but has got lost...

Volkswagen, No. 181, Released in 1956

This model remained in the catalogue till 1969; the one depicted has the spun wheel hubs which were used in the latter years.  My earlier version has sadly 'perished' as I've lost its baseplate along the line...it was available in numerous colours e.g grey, green, yellow.

Alfa Romeo 1900 SS, No. 185, Released in 1961

This was the first Alfa Romeo to make an impact beyond Italy's borders post WWII.  It must have been quite an expensive car in the UK at the time, but at the same time Dinky was trying to appeal to customers beyond the UK who were becoming more and more familiar with Alfa Romeo, specially after their racing successes of the 50's - Dinky had previously modelled an Alfa Romeo, the  159 racing car released in 1952 under No. 23F and re-relesed in 1954 under No. 232 (see lower down)

Dinky France issued a practically identical model under No. 24J.

Mercedes Benz 220SE, No. 186m Released in 1961

Somewhat miraculously, the box has also more or less survived.  The model captures the essence of the original beautifully, although at the scale of 1/46 that it was issued in, the tires look a little small...Corgi's 220SE Coupé reflects the same shortcoming to my eyes - I felt the same about them as a kid and still do...at 1/43 it would have looked perfect.  Subsequent Dinkys like the Triumph 2000 released in 1963 (see No 135 above) were more successful in this respect.

Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia, No. 187, Released in 1959

The timeless Karmann-Ghia. An Italian-German hybrid which lasted for many years and added immensely to the kudos of the brand.

The model was also available in black & red finish.  I had one but its lost...

4 Berth Caravan, No. 188, released in 1961

Nearly all Dinky passenger cars had a cut at the back of the baseplate in which one could hitch a trailer or caravan; one of these was this.  It also had suspension and an opening door on the other side.

This model was produced till 1963.  It was also available in a turquoise/white finish.

 Triumph Herald 1200, Released in 1959

This was one of the first Dinkys to sport suspension; it was also available in Green/White and Red/White. Reportedly it was also made as a promotional for the Triumph factory, in which case these models were in a single colour.  The windows of mine perished at some point.  The transfer on the door was my 'enhancement'.

Caravan, No. 190, Released in 1956

It was also available in Yellow and Cream finish.

Dodge Royal Sedan, No. 191, Released in 1959

The model was available in three colour combinations; a two tone green and two cream versions, one with brown wings (depicted here) and the other with blue, which I must have somewhere...another of my favourites as a kid.

De Soto Fireflite, No. 192, Released in 1959

De Soto was one of the brands under the Chrysler empire. A rare die-cast of this brand and the only one produced by Dinky.  Soon after Chrysler killed the division. It was also available in light blue/beige finish which I used to have...

There was also a Police version released in 1960 under No. 258

Bentley S Series Convertible, No. 194, Released in 1961

This was the only Bentley ever produced by Dinky in that era. I acquired this soon after I stopped playing, so it survived pretty well...

Morris Mini Traveller, No. 197, Released in 1961

A cute model. It was available in several colours including a fluorescent green which I used to have and stupidly swapped for something worth much less...a similar Austin Mini Traveller was also released under No. 199 at the same time!

Rolls-Royce Phantom V, No. 198, Released in 1962

This lived up to what one would expect of a Rolls-Royce even in model terms.  It felt somewhat regal and a special feature were the rear windows which could be slid up and down! A first in 1/43 scale history?

Talbot Lago, F1 racing car, No. 230, Released in 1954

Maserati, F1 racing car, No. 231, Released in 1954

Alfa Romeo 159 F1 racing car, No. 232, Released in 1954

My version has plastic hubs and its obvious that they are not as long lasting as metal ones...it was produced until 1964

Ferrari, F1 racing car, No. 234, Released in 1960

There are a few variations of this; some with yellow ridged hubs, others with blue ones, others with a yellow triangle on the nose but always bearing No. 5 on the side...but why blue & yellow rather than red?  some also had plastic hubs.

Mercedes-Benz W196, No. 237, Released in 1957

Austin Mini Cooper Police, No. 250, Released in 1967

The antenna is missing from mine...this was a later acquisition and not one of my 'toys'.

Daimler Ambulance, No. 253, Released in 1959 with windows

Austin Taxi, No. 254, Released in 1959

There was a Green/yellow version released in 1954 with yellow hubs, but it seems that the black one is more rare...

Land Rover 88 Van, Mersey Tunnel Police, No. 255, released in 1955

Nash Rambler Fire Chief's Car, No. 257, released in 1960

Dodge Royal Police, No. 258, Released 1961

A Police edition of the version released under No. 191 in 1959.  The casting is the same, but you will notice that the Police version has a full interior and it also has suspension, lacking in the 'standard' 1959 edition. Mine has been restored.

Pontiac Superior Criterion Ambulance, No. 263, Released in 1962

Although not named as a Pontiac in Dinky's literature this is what it is based on; the model had a rear opening door and a stretcher with a patent strapped in it that you could slide in...real realism for you!

Ford Fairlane RCMP Patrol car, No. 264, Released in 1962

A Cadillac 62 was later offered under the same number with the same Ford on the picture box!

Plymouth Plaza Taxi, No. 265, Released in 1960

 Some were released with white tires.

Jaguar 3.4 Litre Motorway Police, No. 269, Released in 1962

Observation Coach, No. 280, Released in 1954

There were several colour combinations for this including grey and Red.  One of my earliest Dinkys!

BOAC Coach, No. 283, Released in October 1956

My model has been restored as it looked rather battered...

BOAC merged with BEA in 1974 to form British Airways.  BEA flew European routes only, and BOAC flew long-haul routes although it would on some routes make intermediate stops in European cities. In later years, around 1970 I recall BOAC VC-10s stopping in Nicosia on the way to Africa on the London-Nicosia-Kilimanjaro-Blantyre route.

Double Deck Bus, No. 290, Released in 1955

The red should be redder, but its faded...must have been in the Cyprus sun for too many hours...

Leyland 384 Tractor, No. 308

I'm not sure how this model came into my possession, but it wasn't my toy as a kid...

Land Rover - No. 340, Released in 1954

This is the grey tired version; there was an earlier release in 1950 with black rubber tires. A nice a sturdy toy which reflects the original Land Rover 88 pretty well, although the tires are a little oversized...

Dodge Truck, No. 343, Released in 1954

Dodge Trucks were produced in the UK and had no connection to Dodge in the USA.  They were produced by the Rootes Group I believe, along with Commer.

Guy Truck, No. 431, Re-released in 1955

This model had been in production since 1947 under No. 511. It ceased being produced in 1957.

Chevrolet El Camino with Trailers, No. 448, Released in 1963

I came across this set recently and it came into my possession; I had not been aware of it before...

Chevrolet El Camino, No. 449, Released in 1961

I loved this toy; so American!

Bedford 3-Ton Army Wagon, No. 621, Released in 1954

I drove one of these in 1973...it drove like a ... truck!

1 Ton Army Cargo Truck, No. 641, Released in 1954

Austin Army Water Tanker, No. 643, Released un 1958

This a later version of the same, but with windows!

Mighty Antar Tank Transporter, No. 660 with Centurion Tank, No. 651, Released in 1956 & 1954 respectively

In 1960 windows were added to the Transporter, so mine is an early one; I recall when we went to the Mavros Toy shop with my older brother and bought it; our pocket money was not enough to buy the tank as well...they had a branch on what is now Navarinou Avenue, near or at where the Chinese Restaurant has been for some years.  The tank was added to my collection about 10 years ago from a garage sale in Washington D.C.

661, Recovery Tractor, Released in 1957

From 1961 on the model had windows, so this was is an early version.

Austin Champ, No. 674, Released in 1954

This was my toy which I've had restored; its missing the driver which considering how we played with it as children is not a surprise...

Medium Artillery Tractor, No. 689, Released in 1957 and made till 1965

This is also in restored condition as it had a hard life as a toy...

Vickers Viscount, No. 708, Released in 1957

The model has been restored.  This was the first plane I ever flew in on the route between Nicosia and Athens. The London-Rome-Athens-Nicosia route was the first on which the Viscount was deployed - their farthest route at the time.  BEA merged with BOAC to form British Airways around March 1974, although the decision  to merge had already been reached in 1971. I worked for British Airways in the summer of 1974 at Manchester Airport, but my ID and uniform still showed BEA...

Bristol 173 Helicopter, No. 715, Released in 1956 (withdrawn in 1962)

The model would normally have had two large red-painted propellers...

Post Box, No. 760, Released in 1954 and made till 1960

These were also typical in Cyprus; they were repainted yellow after independence in 1960 and several can still be spotted on the island.

Road Signs, No. 769?

I believe the traffic lights with the 'belisha beacon' on top were sold separately. The three faced version I have was No. 47B.  There were also two faced and four faced versions numbered 47A and C respectively.

Detail photo of the No Entry sign. This sign was a transitional 'international' road sign introduced to the UK; I don't know when the changeover took place but it must have been the late 50s?

Leyland Octopus, Esso Tanker, No. 943, Released in 1958

The decals on the side would read, Esso Petroleum Company

Foden Dump Truck with bulldozer blade, No. 959, Released in 1961

20-ton lorry mounted crane - Coles, No. 972, Released in 1955 and made till 1968 

This completes my review of my old Dinkys which were partly play-worn.  As I have some more toys packed away, more will be added when they 'appear'. I will devote another chapter to my 'mint' ones sometime...I hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane...looking forward to comments!