Français
It’s back to school time!
Discover a selection of the models that will be available for purchase this week, starting tomorrow, Monday, August 31st, through Thursday, September 3rd, 2026, on our website.
en vente cette semaine: Dinky Toys France – Citroën 2cv fourgonnette Wegenwacht 562H- JRD – Citroën 11cv traction avant noir 112 – JRD – Citroën 11cv traction avant grise 112- JRD – Citroën 1200Kgs fourgon police 106P
I remember...
…during my career, I’ve heard comments that made me jump.
Some time ago, a gentleman, wanting to emphasize his loyalty to the brand, told me he used to go to my father’s stall at the Saint-Ouen flea market… It’s often difficult to deny something without causing offense.
Recently, my son recounted a comment a customer had made about me at the shop: “Anyway, he doesn’t like Dinky Toys…” He’d drawn that conclusion after hearing me explain that I wasn’t a “collector” of Dinky Toys.
That may have shocked some people. But I could just as easily have said I wasn’t a collector of Corgi Toys, Solido, or even Tekno.
By putting it that way, I simply meant that I’m not interested in the entire production of Dinky Toys, or those of these other manufacturers. I develop my collection based on my interests, and I don’t feel obligated to collect everything Dinky Toys ever produced.
During my professional life, I’ve been in contact with people who were selling their collections. The reasons given were numerous: moving, death, job loss, retirement, inheritance, divorce… another reason, cited by a few, profoundly affected me and changed my approach to collecting.
I’m referring to discouragement and a loss of interest in collecting.
I remember that at the very beginning of my career, I bought the collection of a Dinky Toys enthusiast who had taken his research very far, so far that at one point, he found himself unable to acquire everything that came his way, mainly for financial reasons. He experienced such frustration that he lost the desire to continue.
Collecting should be a pleasure. Of course, one can find this pleasure in accumulating models from the same manufacturer.
However, I’ve noticed that this way of collecting often leads to frustration and discouragement.
Learning from this observation, I’ve changed my approach to collecting. I’ve set myself some guidelines, based on my preferences, but these guidelines can evolve over time, with learning and new discoveries.
For example, a few years ago I rediscovered Corgi Toys and its historical significance in the history of miniatures.
This aspect guides my choices for models from this manufacturer.
Thus, the revolutionary “Whizzwheels” have found a place in my display cases, something unthinkable for me 10 years ago. This week we have three catalogs on sale where you can see and appreciate the evolution of the Swansea brand’s products.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Catalogue 1977 COLLECTOR CATALOGUE
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Catalogue 1974
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Catalogue 1963
We also have two beautiful Citroën DS.
Corgi Toys had a special link with the town of Slough, located west of London, where Citroëns were assembled in Great Britain.
The Citroën DS19 will be the first “foreign” car reproduced by Corgi Toys. It therefore has an important place in the history of the brand.
Corgi Toys will continue with “safari” versions, the English name for the station wagon version.
The Swansea firm must have appreciated this French car; she then created a splendid Chapron coupe variation. I appreciate the treatment of the spoked rims and especially that of the headlights equipped with rhinestones.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Citroën DS19 Chapron 259
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Citroën DS19 210S
The Chevrolet Impala, also featured, inaugurated the long line of American cars reproduced by Corgi Toys, the American market being, of course, a priority.
The “fire chief” version is original but not very realistic. Children were likely drawn to the accessories: flashing lights, antenna, decorations, and especially the figure in the front seat.
A nice toy, in a way.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Chevrolet Impala fire chief 439
Finally, what can be said about the Morris Mini Cooper Deluxe and its superb finish?
These toys aren’t rare; they were produced in large quantities and distributed worldwide. They’re beautiful and they left their mark on a generation. They perfectly embody the spirit of Corgi Toys.
That’s also why I’ve kept them. Finding them in excellent condition, with beautiful boxes, is far from easy.
The appeal of these products is multiplied tenfold if these last two conditions are met.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Morris Mini Cooper De-Luxe 249
without opening doors
Blinded by their passion for their favorite brand, some collectors sometimes struggle to hear criticisms leveled against models from that brand.
I appreciate Dinky Toys.
In my exhibition plans, I even intend to dedicate a room solely to this brand.
This shouldn’t prevent me from discussing the brand’s shortcomings, which became apparent, particularly with the Liverpool production, in the late 1950s.
The arrival of Corgi Toys on the market brought these shortcomings to the forefront.
French production is more consistent in terms of quality of execution and choice of scale. Nevertheless, the transition to opening parts was a laborious process.
It’s difficult to get excited about a Ford Taunus 12M or a 1963 Opel Rekord, especially when you see how Solido, with its Lancia Flaminia, solved the equation of efficiency/reliability of opening doors while respecting the car’s lines. This week we have some beautiful Dinky Toys (meaning without opening doors).
The Peugeot 404 is surely one of the most beautiful Dinky Toys France ever produced.
It is far superior to all others that appeared at the same time. The one offered here is from the end of production. This variant dates from 1965. Bobigny designed an opening roof hatch… well executed, but very fragile.
I advise against using it, as it risks detaching from the track. Dinky Toys used its first mold dating from 1961.
Then, for the opening roof hatch, they took inspiration from what Spot On was doing in Great Britain for its Ford Consul and Volvo Amazon models.
They were also inspired by Mercury in Italy for the roof rack and skis. Indeed, as early as 1963, the Turin-based company offered a roof rack and skis on its Lancia Flavia coupé: Bobigny shamelessly copied them.
I even met a very proud enthusiast who showed me his “rare” version of the Peugeot 404 with skis… a less-than-scrupulous seller had fitted it with roof racks and Mercury skis.
Be aware that Bobigny will produce yellow or black roof racks, while the skis themselves come in contrasting colors. You can find both versions, which stand out nicely in a display case; they’re interesting and aesthetically pleasing. In my opinion, they are equally rare.
modèle en vente cette semaine: Dinky Toys France – Peugeot 404 avec remorque monoroue et galeries 536
The other model on the schedule is a beautiful and very well-reproduced Ford Taunus 17M.
I would also say that this reproduction seems to me the most faithful and aesthetically pleasing of all those produced at the time.
The Tekno is less refined and its design is heavier.
The Ferrari 250GT 2+2, also on the schedule, is also beautifully crafted. Without wanting to sound like I’m trying to win over Dinky Toys enthusiasts, its reproduction is superior to the Solido version, which is too wide and not long enough.
On the other hand, Solido kept this model in its catalog for so long that collectors can choose from more than twenty different color variations…
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys France – Ferrari 250 GT coupé 515
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys France – Ford 17M 559
We also have some Liverpool models dating from the transitional period, the early 1960s.
A collection of police cars that breaks up the monotony of a display case. The accessories, flashing lights, antennas, decorations, and figures bring these models to life, models which were initially just variations for the manufacturer, used to expand the catalog and recoup the cost of the mold.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Humber Hawk police 256
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Jaguar 3,4 police 269
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Ford Fairlane R.C.M.P 264
The rare Morris 1100 and the Volkswagen 1500, both on the program, perfectly illustrate the wanderings of Liverpool in the early sixties. The engraving is heavy-handed and the opening parts are imprecise; the gap between the opening section and the body is too large.
Yet, I have these models in my collection. They are part of the brand’s history, like the Whizzwheels from Corgi Toys.
As with the Corgi Toys described above, it seems to me that you have to find them in perfect condition with beautiful boxes. That’s essential for me. This is the case with the two models described.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Volkswagen1500 144
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Morris 1100 140
The photos speak for themselves.
If you’d like a beautiful replica of the Volkswagen 1500 for your display case, we have just the one for you.
It’s made by Tekno. It’s worth comparing it to the Dinky Toys model described earlier.
As the slogan says, the pictures speak for themselves. However, like the real car, this Tekno model doesn’t seem to have been very successful at the time. Its high price probably limited its distribution. The color of the model is less common than burgundy or petrol blue. It was imported into France by Solido.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volkswagen 1500
This is the case for most of the Tekno models featured this week.
When they flipped through the pages of the Solido catalog, people of my generation dreamed over the photos of the Volvo F88, the Volkswagen fire truck pickup with its towed ladder, the Volvo N88 tow truck, and other Scania 76 trucks with tarpaulin-covered sides.
I remember that the last page of the catalog, the one with the prices, dampened my enthusiasm.
It would take time for me to become an “adult” and a collector before I could own them. I thought about that when I saw them listed.
They are high-quality items.
Today, and thankfully so, the prices have become much more reasonable. They are within reach of many enthusiasts. We mustn’t forget that this wasn’t the case when they were first released.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo F88 ridelles bâché transport spedition 425
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volkswagen Kombi pompier premier secours avec échélle 408-409
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo N88 dépanneuse Falck Zonen 436
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Scania 76 ridelles bâché N.C Kloster 450
Also from Tekno, a superb Scania 110 Gulf tanker semi-trailer truck is on the way.
I smiled when I saw it, for a very personal reason. Over the past few days, I’ve been repacking them all for my move.
I was able to appreciate the many variations, documented in the blog post “A Pleasant Surprise.”
In a few months, when I unpack them, I’ll have a second chance to hold them and appreciate them.
Also from Tekno, a superb Scania 110 Gulf tanker semi-trailer truck is on the way.
I smiled when I saw it, for a very personal reason. Over the past few days, I’ve been repacking them all for my move.
I was able to appreciate the many variations, documented in the blog post “A Pleasant Surprise.”
In a few months, when I unpack them, I’ll have a second chance to hold them and appreciate them.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Scania 110 semi remorque citerne Gulf 481
My favorites are two Dinky Toys, produced during Liverpool's golden age.
The era when the company reigned supreme in the world of miniature automobiles.
This period spans from the immediate post-war period to the late 1950s. The Bedford Heinz van featured here is not a rare model.
However, finding one in such excellent condition as the one offered is quite difficult. I appreciate this truck for two reasons.
The first is the perfect balance between its rounded cab and its boxy van body. The height of the latter is ideal.
The lower body used on the later version of the Heinz van, which borrowed its cab from the Guy Warrior, is less successful.
The second reason is the vibrant color combination. Perched on its large-diameter knobby tires, this truck is one of Liverpool’s greatest achievements.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Bedford Big fourgon Heinz 57 varieties 923
The second model that’s particularly dear to me is the Guy Otter flatbed truck in its rare reversed color combination: red cab, blue flatbed.
One detail deserves mention. The shades of red and blue are different from those of previous versions. I appreciate these vibrant, somewhat unrealistic colors, confirming that we are in the world of toys, not reality.
One of Liverpool’s strengths during this period was its consummate skill in using and blending bright colors. I’m thinking of the entire series of two-tone cars.
This Guy truck, in this harmonious color scheme, is part of Liverpool’s rich history.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Guy Otter plateau 512
also on sale this week
