Collecting Dinky Toys

Posted by admin on October 21st, 2009 filed in Auburn Diecast

When I was growing up in the south-east of England, the most desirable toy for most boys and some girls was a Dinky Toy – 1/43rd scale diecast model cars. I started to collect them in the late 1950s. At that time most Dinky Toy cars were 2/6d (Two shillings and six pence – about 25 cents in US money) and they came in a distinctive yellow box.

Compared to today’s top of the range diecast cars, they were, let’s admit, pretty basic. With television in its infancy in the fifties in the UK and much of the programming being bought from America, the appeal of flashy American cars seen in cop shows and films, as opposed to the rather more staid Hillmans and Austins of the UK was reflected in the choice of Dinky Toys I would spend my hard-earned pocket money on.

Gradually Dinky Toys added new features, under competition from other makes, like Corgi Toys. All these new features were seized upon with glee by me and my friends!

Collectors though still seek out the toys and a good mint condition toy, preferably with mint condition box, can change hands for enormous sums. Dinky Toys, even in play-worn condition, are one of the best sellers on eBay.

I will never have a full collection – some are so rare that if one ever surfaces it will be way beyond my pocket, but I will always be on the lookout for a good condition Dinky.

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