Dinky Toys “Modeled Miniatures” were first manufactured in 1932. Later in 1934, the name was changed to Meccano Miniatures. These miniatures were dubbed “Dinky” which means “fetching” in England. The name ‘Dinky’ was even used to label the toys on the bottom, translating to ‘Dinky Toys’.

These toys were very well made and by comparison to other metal ‘miniature’ car toys, i.e, Hot Wheels and Matchbox, are quite heavy. With the exception of the wheels this car is completely metal. You’ll note that the steering wheel along with the driver – which cannot be removed from the vehicle – is on the right side of the car which is common to England and Europe.

The Land Rover pictured above was manufactured in England after the name change of 1934 and as such is marked on the bottom Meccano Ltd. ” Dinky Toys”.

The following features for this civilian style Land Rover are:

3 1/2 inches long

Painted green exterior & hub caps 

Painted tan interior 

Driver “right side” also painted tan 

Spare tire mounted in rear cargo area 

Diecast construction 

Rubber tires 

Black trailer hitch 

Black metal framed windshield 

Front bumper and headlights painted silver

These toys were well marked and on the bottom of the chassis you find the following embossed:

Land Rover

Made in England

Dinky Toys

Meccano LTD. 

Remember when collecting Dinky’s or any other toy, look for those toys that come in a box. Toys having the original box will always have a premium value, not only in the price guides but also if and when you decide to sell.

Without a doubt, the Camaro Z-28 was one of the Hot Wheels cars with the most variations ever manufactured by Mattel. The different variations of this car included not only different body colors, assorted tampos, wheel variations, different colored tinted windshields, and different chassis colors but also Mattel went so far at to use combinations of these features. With all the different combinations out there, it would be quite a feat to find all of these cars today.

The Z-28 pictured has the following features.

Red body with black, yellow, blue side stripes

Blackened windows

UH (Ultra-Hot) wheels

Silver bottom chassis

Z-28 and Camaro on both sides

Black grill

Hot Wheel logo embossed on chassis

Produced in 1991

Made in Malaysia

Copyright 1982

The number of Hot Wheels that are up for sale in the ‘Hot Wheel’ market of today is quickly becoming over loaded. For those who are still collecting, be careful what you buy. Shop around for the best – preferably MINT – car, at the best price. You’ll be glad you did.

Some of my favorite toys are the pieces included in the circus set manufactured by Corgi in the 1960′s.  The Chipperfields Circus  crane truck pictured here is only one  piece of the set and what I’ll cover today.  Other pieces (which I wish I had) include : 

1.  Circus animal cage with animals

2.  Platform trailer with elephant cage and elephant

3.   Bedford tractor unit (truck with cargo case), animal cage with lion

4.  Articulated truck and trailer with horse box and horses

5.   Scammell Highwayman crane truck

Our truck today is described as having a chassis-cab with the rear body resting on a base that extends off the bottom of the cab.  The rear body section contains a working crane with a yellow base.  The crane actually works by way of manual crank.

Other features of this truck are clear windows, silver grill, headlights, case wheels (rubber with light blue metal hubs), ‘silver’ sheet metal boom, raised lettering on either side (Chipperfields Circus).  The truck also came with a die cast hook attached to the cord on the crane, however, it is missing off this truck. 

The bottom of this toy is marked:  International, 6 x 6 Truck, Corgi Major Toys, Made in GT Britain.  According to my reference book – The Unauthorized Encyclopedia, Corgi Toys – this particular style of truck has the designation 1121 A1…. meaning the wheels are free on the axle. 

Overall length (including crane) is 8-1/2″; truck length is 5-1/2″.