Hong Kong 1970's models MOC

[GHOSTHUNTER]

I looked at these cards and I thought the logo was 'ITC', 'Imperial Toy Company' a U.S. distribution company of this range. Mick is saying the logo is 'DTS', somebody I don't know, does 'DTS' stand for 'Diecast Toy Series', don't know, I have models generally marketed with a 'DTC' logo...'Diecast Toy Cars', but these are from a much later period than those shown above.

'WT' catalogued models were re-issued (by 'TIN TOYS' themselves), as 'T' catalogued models with some slight re-tooling on certain cars and the wheels were of a slightly smaller size.

I don't know when the 'WT' catalogue number was dropped in favour of just the 'T' type, but now those pictured are not the 'ITC' blister carded versions, dates of issue is questionable. 'WT' catalogued models from 'TIN TOYS' were marketed right through the 1970's, but models in the early 80's may be un-numbered on the packaging, so these may be the 'T' numbered versions, I have 'TIN TOYS' Rolls-Royce models from this period so can check, but it won't be instantly, remember, I am no longer able to access my collection quickly, its in another Town!!

Ghosty.

[fixer]

Ghosty I think your a forum all on your own
is there a subject you can't advise on

[SMS88]

I looked at these cards and I thought the logo was 'ITC', 'Imperial Toy Company' a U.S. distribution company of this range. Mick is saying the logo is 'DTS', somebody I don't know, does 'DTS' stand for 'Diecast Toy Series', don't know, I have models generally marketed with a 'DTC' logo...'Diecast Toy Cars', but these are from a much later period than those shown above.

'WT' catalogued models were re-issued (by 'TIN TOYS' themselves), as 'T' catalogued models with some slight re-tooling on certain cars and the wheels were of a slightly smaller size.

I don't know when the 'WT' catalogue number was dropped in favour of just the 'T' type, but now those pictured are not the 'ITC' blister carded versions, dates of issue is questionable. 'WT' catalogued models from 'TIN TOYS' were marketed right through the 1970's, but models in the early 80's may be un-numbered on the packaging, so these may be the 'T' numbered versions, I have 'TIN TOYS' Rolls-Royce models from this period so can check, but it won't be instantly, remember, I am no longer able to access my collection quickly, its in another Town!!

Ghosty.

I should have written DTC not DTS. I have an early card from 1970 or 1971 with the same logo and DTC in red letters above the globe.The WT catalogue numbers were introduced circa 1980,about 10 years after the T series with re-issued T series being inferior with cast shut doors and no drivers and poorer wheels

[GHOSTHUNTER]

OK Mick, simple typing error, we all do it. 'DTC' may well be the 'Diecast Toy Cars' I mentioned earlier then and is a generic name or 'Brand' made-up simply to show something on the packaging, that's certainly the case with my 'DTC' models from much later (the mid-90's I think, can't get my books at the moment to check this), but going back to the 'TIN TOYS' I have dug out my notes on this and I have the company starting in 1965 as...Tin's Metal Manufactory Ltd, in Hong Kong and marketing their products with the Spinning-Top logo, overprinted with the Tins' Toys name (Tins' being the founder's name...Tin Pok Sin).

Their first vehicles had MADE IN HONG KONG and the 'WT' catalogue number on the baseplates, I don't have a specific date of issue apart from the Seventies mentioned earlier. During 1977, TINS' TOYS become part of the JETTA GRP and re-tooling of many models allowed them to be marketed by more wholesalers and distributers because the bases were now rather blank, not even the Country of origin is shown, but you can see where blanking plates have been used in the original moulds to cover it over. These models now only show the 'T' catalogue number and the make of car, nothing else. The blister card packaging still shows the Spinning-Top logo and come from the late Seventies into the Eighties.

In 1988, the production moved to China, however, their 'TOY STORY' knock-off models from 1995-96, still have MADE IN HONG KONG printing and the Mountain logo on the blister card

My notes do not give any clearer details about the 'WT' number or the Mountain logo associated with it, but reading between the lines, it does appear to be a logo introduced during the Eighties and they re-introduced the 'WT' number format as this is cast onto the baseplate of a couple of different Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost models.

So 'T' and 'WT' catalogue numbers appear to have been used rather in-consistantly by 'TIN TOYS' over the years, making it difficult for us collectors years later in trying to sort out what they made and when they made it...

GHOSTHUNTER.

Shown below is a "Matchbox" inspired model on a blister card with the Spinning-Top logo top left corner. This is the Gruesome Twosome, number T 289. These come from the late Seventies into the Eighties. The baseplate only shows the 'T 289' catalogue number and the make of car.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Here is a later issue with the Mountain logo and the 'WT' catalogue number printed on the blister card.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Here is a 'TOY STORY' knock-off issue, made as a pencil sharpener, also with the Mountain logo at top left corner. I do not know what catalogue number format was used for these but they were issued from 1995 into 1996.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Phew, I need a rest, starting to make mistakes myself now!

See you later for some more...

Ghosty.

[SMS88]

OK Mick, simple typing error, we all do it. 'DTC' may well be the 'Diecast Toy Cars' I mentioned earlier then and is a generic name or 'Brand' made-up simply to show something on the packaging, that's certainly the case with my 'DTC' models from much later (the mid-90's I think, can't get my books at the moment to check this), but going back to the 'TIN TOYS' I have dug out my notes on this and I have the company starting in 1965 as...Tin's Metal Manufactory Ltd, in Hong Kong and marketing their products with the Spinning-Top logo, overprinted with the Tins' Toys name (Tins' being the founder's name...Tin Pok Sin).

Their first vehicles had MADE IN HONG KONG and the 'WT' catalogue number on the baseplates, I don't have a specific date of issue apart from the Seventies mentioned earlier. During 1977, TINS' TOYS become part of the JETTA GRP and re-tooling of many models allowed them to be marketed by more wholesalers and distributers because the bases were now rather blank, not even the Country of origin is shown, but you can see where blanking plates have been used in the original moulds to cover it over. These models now only show the 'T' catalogue number and the make of car, nothing else. The blister card packaging still shows the Spinning-Top logo and come from the late Seventies into the Eighties.

In 1988, the production moved to China, however, their 'TOY STORY' knock-off models from 1995-96, still have MADE IN HONG KONG printing and the Mountain logo on the blister card

My notes do not give any clearer details about the 'WT' number or the Mountain logo associated with it, but reading between the lines, it does appear to be a logo introduced during the Eighties and they re-introduced the 'WT' number format as this is cast onto the baseplate of a couple of different Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost models.

So 'T' and 'WT' catalogue numbers appear to have been used rather in-consistantly by 'TIN TOYS' over the years, making it difficult for us collectors years later in trying to sort out what they made and when they made it...

GHOSTHUNTER.

Shown below is a "Matchbox" inspired model on a blister card with the Spinning-Top logo top left corner. This is the Gruesome Twosome, number T 289. These come from the late Seventies into the Eighties. The baseplate only shows the 'T 289' catalogue number and the make of car.

I didnt know these details about the Tin Toys corporate history so thanks for sharing! But you you still have it the wrong way around with T and WT numbers.Diecast cars using T series were first made around 1970 when T201- T210 were launched , all featured white wall tyres with chrome hubcaps and drivers, clearly inspired by Hotwheels Redline wheels. Here is a photo showing the original design blisterpack only featuring models T201-T210 on the back with first release specification cars -white wall tyres didnt last many years !!! WT numbers were used on much poorer quality cars probably not prior to 1980 with T numbers remaining on the baseplates of older castings still in production.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Hi Mick, the model in your picture on it's blister card is clearly a product launched on the back of the 'Hot Wheels' range, giving us a good dating of late 69 into 1970 under the 'DTC' Branding and yes, I tend to agree with you on the two levels of quality models being introduced with 'T' numbered models looking surprisingly good and 'WT' numbered models not so good and clearly made within a lower budget, but as I have pointed out above, the 'T' number has been applied to models made later than your 'DTC' version, on the lower quality product (those blister carded models with the Spinning-top logo) so I still stand by my statement of in-consistant allocation by Tins' Toys of their 'T' and 'WT' numbers, thanks for showing your 'DTC' example.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[ritchie]

A box version of this Super Wheels.
Lamborghini Marzal
T215
The model is 6.6 cm long.

Cheers,
R

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