Start Collecting Dinky Toys

The most highly collectible versions of Dinky Toys are the unusual small production lines, for example the Avro Vulcan of which only approximately 500 were released, all in Canada, the South African models, or the pre war versions of the toys (1933-1943), especially the small runs of branded delivery vans. Dinky toys ceased production of toys between 1943 and 1946 to aid the war effort.

Production changes:

• Rubber tires introduced circa 1936
• Metal wheels or white rubber tires on cars before WWII, Black rubber tires after WWII
• Plain, non ridged wheel hubs 1933-1943
• Ridged die cast hubs, 1946-1959
• Individual illustrated packaging introduced circa 1954
• Windows introduced 1958 on
• Spun metal hubs 1959 on.
• 1961 all tires changed from plain to a treaded design.
• 1964, Lines Brothers (makers of Tri –Ang Toys) take over Dinky Toys from Meccano
• 1962 on, models exported in bare metal finish to South Africa to be finished in local colors which make them far more valuable than similar models finished in other factories.
• 1967 Television related Thunderbird models released.
• 1969 Triang changes scale of some Dinky Toy cars to 1:42 launches Speedwheels range.
• 1971 Lines Brothers goes into liquidation, Dinky toys part of Meccano line sold to Airfix Industries. Cars begin to be lighter with more plastic parts. 1972 French Dinky production ceases
• 1979 Dinky Toys Binn's Road factory closes. Dinky toy name ends up as part of Matchbox International
• 1997 Matchbox International bought by Mattel. No new Dinky models have been produced since 2000.

Highest paid price to date for a Dinky toy was approx. $19, 355 for a 1937 Bentall's store delivery van sold at auction in 1994 by Christie's.

Good Reference Books for Dinky Toys

The Great Book of Dinky Toys by Mark Richardson, New Cavendish Books,2006 # ISBN-10: 1872727832 ISBN-13: 978-1872727837

Dinky Toys and Modelled Miniatures Pei Intl; by Mike and Sue Richardson ISBN-10: 0904568334, ISBN-13: 978-0904568332