I won this Dinky Commer Breakdown Lorry Number 430 the other week came with replacement hook and string.



Bit rough around the edges but it will do.

 

I don't remember if I ever shared this, one of the absolute cornerstones and gems of my collection...



I found it on my danish auction site late last year with a very low starting price. At that time, I didn't know anything about the model, just liked the condition and thought I'd do a bit of research. I soon learned that (according to Vectis) this is a really, really scarce version (light blue interior) and the few ones that are sold go for megabucks!

I did face some competion for this, but (or so I believe) only because of the condition, not for the color version, so although I paid a relatively high sum for it, it was really peanuts compared to the value. The paint has very few tiny chips, the baseplate is mint and although the box has a bit of wear to the corners, it's complete and solid/sturdy.

 

Sometimes it amazes me when items like above the Number 197 Morris Mini-traveller surface. Were they put aside in the box by the owner or did Mum put it aside when the child started to grow up and follow other interest. There must be some real good stories around about the history of some of these diecast toys. Well any toy would be more appropriate I suppose.

 

 

I never knew that dinkycollect thanks for that i'll look for a correct one, i bought the bedford wrecker at the thornycroft society classic auto show they hold every year in my home town, infact its this weekend so cant wait to see what bargains i can pick up.

Teebodk,

I have never seen this Morris Mini before. Is the body light blue or is that the light ?

When you have time, could you please provide a picture of this model in daylight for the Dinky Toys encyclopaedia.

Thanks.

next some supertoys.

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the boxed supertoys are now unboxed as i sold the boxes, stupid no not really as the models were playworn and did not suit the boxes.

The Mini (#197) is actually the standard color sometimes described as 'cream', other times as 'off-white'. The unusual part is the pale blue interior. Just performed a search on Vectis and the last one sold there dates back to january 2009...

http://vectis.co.uk/Page/ViewLot.aspx?LotId=18007

The last one before that was in 2005...

http://vectis.co.uk/Page/ViewLot.aspx?LotId=125045

And that's it. Unfortunately all the photos I have (including the ones from the original auction) suffer from poor lighting. I'll try to get a few daylight shots this coming weekend. If nothing happens, you're welcome to remind me.

As to where such toys have been 'hibernating' for so long, it's really a good question. Back then (the Dinky-days), I don't think many people considered them collectables, but merely toys, meant to play with (and ravage). So what kid would not only keep the box, but also refrain from turning it into a beater? Certainly not me, that much I know! Although I still have a few of my childhood cars, they all look really horrible and disgusting

It's amazing how many gems are presented in this tread, truly awesome! I won't even begin to comment on individual photos - it would take ages, but all I can say is: wow!

As promised I've taken some outdoor shots of the Mini today. Pick whatever you want to use from the thumbnails provided - I can't decide on a personal favorite, sorry... and I'm not going to post 38 photos in a row of the same model

Thanks Mate as I cannot decide either, so I'll leave them all in the 7th dimensional parallel universe until someone votes the best picture.

Thanks for the thumbnails, could you please post a large DSC 7662 or send it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Best regards.

Jacques D.

Here you go...

My Big Question? What is the difference between the 1960-61 Austin Seven Countryman and the Morris Minor Traveller 3 door Estates. Both have the 848 cc engine and the chassis length is the same 84 inch while the saloon is 80.25 inches long. Both Estates have the barn style rear doors and wood stuck on them to make out that they are Woodies. From January 1962 all former Austin Sevens were officially to be called Austin Mini in this range of the Estate car.

Dinky produced the Morris Mini Traveller Number 197 and Austin Seven Countryman Number 199. Apart from the wording on the base, as these two different named toys that have the tin base chassis of similarity. Is there any casting differences between the two Dinkies.

Open for discussion.

I think I read somewhere, that the only difference is the grille(!)

The Countryman: http://www.chezbois.com/non_corgi/dinky_toys/Model_574.htm

Compare this to the Morris:



If this is really true, I don't know... maybe somebody else does?

I think you may be correct as the grill looks different having prominent bars with deeper recess in the casting also a little wider extending to the parking lights or blinkers on the front of the fenders. Another I notice the Morris Mini Traveller has little wings on each side of the badge on the front bonnet compared to the small one on the Austin Seven Countryman.  



Not a very good depiction although there is a strong difference with the Mini Minor Saloon on the right compared with the Austin on the left. Then again Number 181 is really no comparison to the Morris Mini Traveller