Post by oldirish33 on Mar 22, 2024 13:58:27 GMT -5
Those of us of a certain age grew up playing with Dinky Toys, which at the time were the top of the charts when it came to diecast. For those that Dinky's bring back pleasant memories from the past (or even collecting now) I thought you might like these short articles from MotorSport magazine I found while going through their archives looking for something else. Enjoy!
From July 1956
"Those readers who collect new Dinky miniatures as they come out are accustomed to keeping a close watch on the toyshops, but they should remember that the French branch of Meccano Ltd. makes a range of Dinky toys which are not available in England but which are just the thing on which to expend surplus French currency on the way home from holiday, for instance.
These French Dinky miniatures are sold in toyshops both in Paris and in quite small French towns. The latest additions comprise a very imposing Autocar Chausson, the typical high-speed single-decker inter-town French ‘bus, fully six inches long, and a big Berliet platform camion, complete with twin rear wheels, spare tyre, towing hook, and a load container, which although shorter than the Autobus towers above it, being 2 1/2 in. high and weighing 8 oz., so that it typifies those huge lorries that are part of the French scene. Private cars in this latest range are a handsome Simca Versailles saloon in light blue with white roof and “whitewall” tyres, a Peugeot 403 saloon, and taxi versions of Ford Vedette and Simca 9 Aronde complete with “taxi” signs and taximeters. Be sure to collar some of these as you return from Le Mans! – W.B"
From March 1955
"Meccano, Ltd. have brought out one of their best Dinky Toy miniatures to date, in the form of an open-bodied Cunningham C-5R sports/racing two-seater. Rather larger than previous Dinkys, this Cunningham is nearly 4 in. long and has an open cockpit with I.h. drive and blue-overalled driver. The finish, of a high standard, faithfully reproduces the white body with its dual banks of blue and the car has a full-width Perspex screen and carries the racing No. 31. Anyone who has seen the big Cunninghams upholding U.S. honour in modern sports-car races will want this model. Ask for it at any good toyshop or sports dealer.—W. B."
From June 1958 (this article reflects the growing influence of Corgi and Matchbox on the hobby)
"The number of actual makes of car now represented in miniature is certainly legion ! Meccano Limited have added many attractive examples to their popular Dinky Toy range. These include a Nash Rambler station wagon (No. 173) with whitewall tyres and roof-rack and a very nice Austin A105 saloon (No. 176), both having neat ” flashes ” correctly along the body sides, while both have transparent windows and screens, an innovation Dinky Toys have copied from Corgi. Then there is a Dinky minature (No.239) of the Grand Prix Vanwall, with driver in white overalls and carrying the racing number 35, and a Fiat 600 (No. 183). Those who are limited for space or whose collection of miniatures is becoming so large as to be difficult to accommodate will find the smaller Dinky miniature to 00 and HO gauge of interest. These include Singer Roadster, Ford Prefect and Commer van.
The larger Dinky Supertoys and Corgi Major toys become even more ingenious; lucky indeed are the youngsters of today ! Following the Corgi Major scale Bedford Carrimore low-loader lorry with ramp and winch and the Corgi Toys car servicing ramp conies a fire-escape with rotatable and extendable ladder. This is Dinky Supertoys No. 956, and a fine present it will make for any boy; although it does not appear to represent an actual make, there is a deal of Bedford about it. Lesney have brought out No. 8 in their splendid “Models of Yester Year” series a fine little reproduction of a 1926 bullnose Morris-Cowley fixed-head coupe, to 50 : 1 scale. Although only 2½ in. long it has a dickey lid that opens to reveal a seat, springs, spare wheel and ‘spare petrol tin; those who drove these cars in the past will find the scuttle ventilator and bonnet lifting handles nostalgic as typical of the Morris of this period. More’s the pity that the model is devoid of lamps, which the fine glossy finish and retail price of only 9d. somewhat excuses. Get one without delay from your local toyshop or sports outfitter. Its a winner !"
From July 1956
"Those readers who collect new Dinky miniatures as they come out are accustomed to keeping a close watch on the toyshops, but they should remember that the French branch of Meccano Ltd. makes a range of Dinky toys which are not available in England but which are just the thing on which to expend surplus French currency on the way home from holiday, for instance.
These French Dinky miniatures are sold in toyshops both in Paris and in quite small French towns. The latest additions comprise a very imposing Autocar Chausson, the typical high-speed single-decker inter-town French ‘bus, fully six inches long, and a big Berliet platform camion, complete with twin rear wheels, spare tyre, towing hook, and a load container, which although shorter than the Autobus towers above it, being 2 1/2 in. high and weighing 8 oz., so that it typifies those huge lorries that are part of the French scene. Private cars in this latest range are a handsome Simca Versailles saloon in light blue with white roof and “whitewall” tyres, a Peugeot 403 saloon, and taxi versions of Ford Vedette and Simca 9 Aronde complete with “taxi” signs and taximeters. Be sure to collar some of these as you return from Le Mans! – W.B"
From March 1955
"Meccano, Ltd. have brought out one of their best Dinky Toy miniatures to date, in the form of an open-bodied Cunningham C-5R sports/racing two-seater. Rather larger than previous Dinkys, this Cunningham is nearly 4 in. long and has an open cockpit with I.h. drive and blue-overalled driver. The finish, of a high standard, faithfully reproduces the white body with its dual banks of blue and the car has a full-width Perspex screen and carries the racing No. 31. Anyone who has seen the big Cunninghams upholding U.S. honour in modern sports-car races will want this model. Ask for it at any good toyshop or sports dealer.—W. B."
From June 1958 (this article reflects the growing influence of Corgi and Matchbox on the hobby)
"The number of actual makes of car now represented in miniature is certainly legion ! Meccano Limited have added many attractive examples to their popular Dinky Toy range. These include a Nash Rambler station wagon (No. 173) with whitewall tyres and roof-rack and a very nice Austin A105 saloon (No. 176), both having neat ” flashes ” correctly along the body sides, while both have transparent windows and screens, an innovation Dinky Toys have copied from Corgi. Then there is a Dinky minature (No.239) of the Grand Prix Vanwall, with driver in white overalls and carrying the racing number 35, and a Fiat 600 (No. 183). Those who are limited for space or whose collection of miniatures is becoming so large as to be difficult to accommodate will find the smaller Dinky miniature to 00 and HO gauge of interest. These include Singer Roadster, Ford Prefect and Commer van.
The larger Dinky Supertoys and Corgi Major toys become even more ingenious; lucky indeed are the youngsters of today ! Following the Corgi Major scale Bedford Carrimore low-loader lorry with ramp and winch and the Corgi Toys car servicing ramp conies a fire-escape with rotatable and extendable ladder. This is Dinky Supertoys No. 956, and a fine present it will make for any boy; although it does not appear to represent an actual make, there is a deal of Bedford about it. Lesney have brought out No. 8 in their splendid “Models of Yester Year” series a fine little reproduction of a 1926 bullnose Morris-Cowley fixed-head coupe, to 50 : 1 scale. Although only 2½ in. long it has a dickey lid that opens to reveal a seat, springs, spare wheel and ‘spare petrol tin; those who drove these cars in the past will find the scuttle ventilator and bonnet lifting handles nostalgic as typical of the Morris of this period. More’s the pity that the model is devoid of lamps, which the fine glossy finish and retail price of only 9d. somewhat excuses. Get one without delay from your local toyshop or sports outfitter. Its a winner !"
