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It’s back to school time ! We’re excited to see you again.
Discover a selection of the models that will be on sale this week, starting tomorrow, Monday, September 1st, 2025, through Thursday, September 4th, on our website.
en vente cette semaine: Dinky Toys France – Peugeot J7 autoroutes Dinky Toys France – Dinky Toys GB – Austin Champ UN – Dinky Toys GB – Austin Moke the prisoner – Saviem SB2 Goélette avec sulky-
I remember...
…from Walt Disney’s animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” based on a tale by the Brothers Grimm. I especially remember the dwarf, “Grumpy.” Each dwarf represented a character trait. As a child, it was “Teacher” who impressed me with his wisdom and common sense, and I also had a soft spot for “Bashful.”
Catalogue Bon Marché 1938 et les petits nains
… I thought of Grumpy again while reading the messages and listening to the speeches of certain Dinky Toys enthusiasts who, like him, seem never to be happy and never know how to be satisfied with what they have. Never a thank you, a kind word, a word of encouragement… always reproaches and animosity.
Conversely, in the Brothers Grimm tale, there is the “Merry” dwarf.
I see the collector who knows how to treat himself, and who sees, in the falling prices of Dinky Toys, a great opportunity to expand his collection. Perhaps the “Prof” dwarf explained to him that the value of a Dinky Toys collection lies not in its fluctuating market value, but rather in the pleasure of finding a new model, information, or simply the satisfaction of looking at the miniature models in the display case, or even in cardboard boxes, for those who don’t have the space to display everything.
What a pleasure to open the box and rediscover its treasures! I know something about that. I thought of this when I saw the beautiful set of English Dinky Toys trucks dating from the mid-sixties. Nearly sixty years after their release, these vehicles still give me real pleasure.
Dinky Toys AEC Hoynor rares versions Collection AutoJaune.
For long-term depreciation reasons, these products remained in the catalog for a long time and therefore had numerous variations… searching for them is a true collector’s pleasure.
These models were released at a time when younger customers no longer had much interest in this type of product. Heavy goods vehicles no longer held much interest for buyers in the sixties. These AEC Hoynors, Ford D800s, and other Merryweathers that I already saw in the catalogs are, as you can see, vehicles of my generation.
As the years went by, I enjoyed searching for the many variations of these models, which aged at the same rate as me. However, I limited the variations to colors, as these are often linked to those of the mold variants.
Dinky Toys déclinaisons de Ford D800 Collection AutoJaune
Dinky Toys déclinaisons de Ford D800 Collection AutoJaune.
This week, we have two rare AEC flatbed semi-trailers.
The first is a true promotional one. It’s in the colors of “Thames Board Paper Mill.”
This model was discovered 25 years ago. It remained unknown to the general public for a long time, until one appeared at auction. Its high price led to a few other examples being sold. It is unique, with its paper reels bearing the company’s name, positioned on the trailer bed.
The truck is all white, and the advertisements on a black background are a visual success.
It’s a rare product, rarer than “our” Baroclem! This AEC is my favorite English truck from this period, the mid-1960s. I like the tractor’s design, its short wheelbase, its front end with its panoramic windshield, and of course, its huge radiator. On the first examples of the “British Road Service” version, the grille is even made of chrome paper, which is very effective.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – AEC Hoynor tracteur semi remorque plateau Thames Board Paper Mills 915
The other AEC on the program is also very interesting. This time, it’s its color combination that makes it rare. It borrows the blue tractor unit, intended for the car transporter, but retains the orange chassis of the classic flatbed semi-trailer version. It’s easy to imagine that Liverpool assembled a remaining stock of unused blue cabs. This is the first one I have for sale. There are at least two other rare combinations of this version. This very successful truck, with its flatbed trailer, is often seen with an orange cab.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – AEC Hoynor tracteur semi plateau 915
We also have two interesting Ford D800s. A snowplow version, late in production. It is of course its color scheme, metallic blue and pale blue truck with its yellow bow that makes it interesting. The sweeper version bearing the inscription “Vacu-Sweep” seems to be a promotional version made for Johnston, the firm that actually manufactured these sweepers. The model is very well done, very faithful.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Ford D800 Johnston balayeuse
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Ford D800 chasse neige 439
It seems logical that promotional versions were created to boost sales of these road cleaning vehicles, which often inspired English manufacturers… yet I have the feeling that at the time, the younger clientele wasn’t really there…
Finally, I must present a rare product intended for the Danish importer of Dinky Toys: the Falck Merryweather first aid van. It began the series of English fire truck versions produced by “Falck,” a private Danish emergency vehicle company, with the Ford Transit. It is much rarer than the latter. Its very high selling price must have slowed sales. The kind of variant that puts a smile on your face.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Merryweather Marquis premier secours FALCK 285
plastic beauty
My job as a dealer leads me to analyze the model car market to try to predict its evolution. I see changes, inevitable, but now very rapid. It’s one of the characteristics of our society today.
Thirty years ago, changes were noticed over ten years.
Now, things change in less time than it takes to say it.
Just five years ago, Chausson Solido coaches were popular and their prices were high. Perhaps too high. Yet, in 2025, even if they interest fewer enthusiasts, their aesthetic beauty hasn’t aged a bit.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Chausson AP52 trolleybus
Furthermore, this series of Solido coaches has a unique history. It was created following a request from Citram de Bordeaux, a regional passenger transport company operating in the Gironde region.
I don’t know the financial agreements or even those related to the use of the tools once the order was fulfilled. And above all, what could have prompted this company to order and have Solido produce a model from scratch, in its colors? Couldn’t it have asked Dinky Toys for a special edition of its Chausson coach?
They are contemporary. I would have liked to know more.
But it’s a fact. An order was placed. The reproduction scale is close to 1:60. It may have been chosen for cost reasons. This coach never really found its place in the Solido catalogs.
Mr. de Vazeilles, however, incorporated it into his 100 series, reserved for cars and racing cars. A strange fate. In its first version, it borrowed the rims and tires from the Baby series models. Analyzing the model, we find the Solido DNA: fun, disassemblable, and sturdy toys. The design office, unique for a zamak bus, developed several versions, all realistic, thanks to its clever design. A perforation in the center of the roof allows for the attachment of a roof rack or a support for trolleybus poles.
Solido even created a set with three bodies and accessories. Superb. It’s my favorite Solido set.
We have three superb examples for sale. Two from the first generation, which are disassemblable.
The cream and green trolleybus is splendid. Finding it in this state of preservation is difficult. It’s hard to wince at this harmony of colors.
I like the Air France version and its “Orly” decal on the weather vane, which takes us back to another era.
Modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Chausson AP52 car Air France
Finally, we have a later version that belongs to the 100 series. It has glazing, suspensions, and a riveted frame. Note that there are many color variations. Smile again with the prices, which have dropped significantly. This should attract new enthusiasts. I especially hope to have convinced a few enthusiasts to take an interest in these objects.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Chausson AP52 trolleybus 120
the new model makers
This week we also have some Siku cars, made of zamac, contemporary with the famous Hot Wheels, with which they share a reproduction scale.
The fidelity of the reproduction of Siku cars from this period seems to me to be more approximate than that observed in previous series.
One can guess that the design office has integrated new modelers. This gives them a certain charm. They still have their beautiful manufacturing quality. Compared to the American models from Hot Wheels, they seem to be the guardians of good taste…no extravagant decorations or flashy paint jobs.
Yet we are in the period 1968-1972. These 1:60 scale models appeal to young collectors. One of the reasons given to explain this popularity is their smaller size compared to 1:43 scale models. Collectors are often faced with a lack of space. They are also a good compromise between 1:87 (HO) and 1:43 (O).
Siku has been a leader in this market since the mid-1950s. In 2025, the company is still there.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Siku – Lamborghini Espada 400 GT V317
modèle en vente cette semaine : Siku – Jaguar Type E V294
modèle en vente cette semaine : Siku – Alfa Romeo Montreal V321
Personally, I’ve long since fallen under the spell of plastic models. I took advantage of purchasing a large batch 20 years ago to start the series of zamac models. I stopped at the models from the mid-1970s.
Due to lack of space, my purchase remained in its box.
But when I have to check out models or boxes and I open that box, it’s always a rediscovery and an immense pleasure that brightens my day. I hope you’ll feel the same joy when you see these three models, their bright colors, and their beautiful box.
My favorite is Dan Gurney's Ford Fairlane NASCAR winner at Riverside in 1968, made by Raymond Daffaure (RD Marmande).
My absolute favorite is Dan Gurney’s Ford Fairlane NASCAR, winner at Riverside in 1968, built by Raymond Daffaure (RD Marmande).
The model’s primary appeal is its design.
I’m very sensitive to the aesthetics of American racing cars from the 1960s, especially if they’re based on peaceful, oversized coupes aimed at the general public.
This is the case with this Ford Fairlane. I’ll let you imagine the size of the car, which wasn’t originally designed to travel at nearly 300 km/h on an oval track…the second appeal is its presence in the RD Marmande range. The story is interesting, and we know it’s been repeated several times. It’s part of the history of this extraordinary craftsman.
A Normandy collector, a client of Raymond Daffaure, had asked him to create some famous cars from the most popular motor racing event on the other side of the Atlantic, NASCAR. The latter must have provided the famous model maker from Marmande with the documentation, as it was rare at the time, especially for this type of model.
en vente cette semaine : RD Marmande – Ford Fairlane D.Gurney 1er Riverside 1968
The latter would go on to create seven cars that competed gloriously in this championship between 1966 and 1968.
The seller who offered me this series was surprised when I told him I already owned Dan Gurney’s Ford Fairlane. As is often the case with Raymond Daffaure, he had taken advantage of the creation of this small series to offer other clients the opportunity to duplicate the car originally created for his Normandy enthusiast. After acquiring the lot, I found myself with a duplicate Ford Fairlane… I hope it gave you as much pleasure as it did me.
Collection AutoJaune
Vincent Espinasse
also on sale this week
