| Charbens Miniatures Series or "Old Crocks" 25-28 |
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Number 25 was the 1905 Napier which was a one piece casting fitted with a seperate die cast steering wheel, It was painted purple or violet with a black seat and gold trim to the steering wheel and around the perimiter of the bonnet (hood) which I believe was the radiator on this model. The wheels were yellow painted die cast metal on the early issues and yellow plastic on the later ones. Value approximately £12-£18 Top left, A Napier in a "showcase" which was a clear plastic case with a yellow plastic base, The model details are printed on a paper label which was glued to the case. |
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 photo courtesy Norman Johnston |
Next at number 26 came another 1-75 type vehicle, The Fire Engine & Escape which was painted red or orange, It was a one piece casting without a steering wheel fitted, It had two large yellow painted spoked wheels fitted to the escape ladder and four unpainted road wheels, It had gold trim to the radiator grille and to the sides of the ladder and sometimes the running boards are picked out in silver. This one is quite hard to find. Value approximately £30-£50 |
| new picture coming soon | At number 27 came a third 1-75 type vehicle, This time it was an articulated breakdown lorry which usually has an orange tractor unit and crane and a green trailer, It had six unpainted metal road wheels and no gold trim. This one is very hard to find and is seldom seen and is probably the rarest of the range. Value approximately £40-£60 |
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Number 28 was the Mercer Runabout. It was a one piece casting with running boards and mudguards cast in and it had a seperate die cast steering wheel fitted, It was painted either green or blue with the seat trimmed in red, orange or in body colour. A diecast twin headlight unit was fitted to the front which was trimmed in gold along with the steering wheel and it had black mudguards and running boards. The wheels were yellow painted metal on the early issues and yellow plastic on the later ones. Value approximately £12-£18 |
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Japanese copies circa 1960/65 made by AHI. |
