Maroon Dinky Vanguard Query

[toysnz]

Great idea Hugh,
I'll be more than happy, indeed honoured, to help out with anybody's Dinky questions.
Cheers
Chris Warr.

Well on that note and just to get things ticking along.... I'd like to ask Chris if he knows why the Maroon Vanguard was produced (was it a special like the Black Triumph 1800?) and if he has any idea of the numbers produced. Edward Force doesn't mention it iat all and The Great Book of Dinky and other references only mention the colour was produced.

[Edit] and I've just realised I can't find a "proper" code for it - 40e-G-?? Photo is for those who have never seen one....

Ian

[daz28]

the model collector guide (98) I have says it was renumbered 153. the maroon one has a value 5 times the tan version.

[starni999]

Hi Ian,
That looks familiar!
As far as I know the maroon Vanguard was not a dealer promo like the black 40b, though Dinky had a very close relationship with Standard Triumph, and made many specials for them right up to the Herald and 2000 models.
The maroon is probably an example of a dull colour that was dropped, or using up paint from another model.
I saw a maroon illustrated 153 box with a maroon colour spot once, asking £1500.00, I had it in my hand and am convinced it was 100% fake, but they MAY be out there?
I think a blue illustrated box with a maroon spot more likely though who knows?
Cheers
CW.

PS, I've seen a (Hillman Minx) mint green Vanguard and am convinced it was real.

[toysnz]

That looks familiar!

And so it should! It's the only genuine maroon Vanguard I have managed to buy - I have at least one repaint in maroon that looks to be a very close match paint-wise... and I'm quite happy to have them in my possession.

As far as I know the maroon Vanguard was not a dealer promo like the black 40b, though Dinky had a very close relationship with Standard Triumph, and made many specials for them right up to the Herald and 2000 models.
The maroon is probably an example of a dull colour that was dropped, or using up paint from another model.
I saw a maroon illustrated 153 box with a maroon colour spot once, asking £1500.00, I had it in my hand and am convinced it was 100% fake, but they MAY be out there?
I think a blue illustrated box with a maroon spot more likely though who knows?

Well between daz28 and yourself, we seem to be settling on the 153 code for this particular model - I find it strange "The Great Book of Dinky" chose a format slightly different to all the other books and listed and described the models under the numbers they were originally issued under with only a cross reference to the number they were reassigned - so in this case the Vanguard listing for 40e mentions the maroon model and cross references with 153 and the 153 listing is completely blank except for the cross reference back to the 40e. The same author (Richardson) in an earlier book (Hornby Companion Series - Dinky Toys and Modelled Miniatures) indicates the 40e 1st casting with open rear arches came in tan and maroon... but this must be wrong as all the versions I've seen have closed rear arches - then he only lists blue, tan or cream versions for the 153. To further add to the confusion Force's book (including the 7th Edition updated by Alex Lakhtman) and others don't mention the maroon version at all.

I'd agree the blue illustrated box with maroon spot the most likely box to accompany the model.

PS, I've seen a (Hillman Minx) mint green Vanguard and am convinced it was real.

ooooh! Trial colour scheme perhaps? - Makes no difference, I'll never see or handle one in my part of the world!

I'll code it on my site as a 153 for future reference....

Ian

[nickjones]

I found 3 maroon standard vanguards in the Dinky toy price guide.
two here numbered 40e http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... y40exc.htm
and another one here numbered 153 http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... y153xc.htm

[toysnz]

I found 3 maroon standard vanguards in the Dinky toy price guide.
two here numbered 40e http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... y40exc.htm
and another one here numbered 153 http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... y153xc.htm

Nick - can you be more specific regarding your reference to "The Dinky Toy Price Guide".... who wrote it, where was is published and by whom?

If you are referring to the links you provided then I must point out that Vectis have repeatedly been called out for their mis-descriptions of items in their auctions and this leads me to question the knowledge behind their descriptions. (If this treds on anyone's toes then I'm sorry but them's the breaks when an auction house is repeatedly wrong about the items it is auctioning) At this stage I'd prefer to rely on hard copy from the likes of Richardson who I accept still has made mistakes but he and his co-authors did have access to a lot of Meccano paperwork to base their book(s) on...

In closing - thanks for the links - they provide photographic evidence of variations that should be noted, even if I, personally, am a little dubious about the reference numbers without a shot of the rear of the casting to help identify if they are 1950-53 castings of the second casting (without the line on the boot) or 1954-60 castings (with the line).

Ian

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Ian, I think it will be this Dinky Toy price guide...http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... y40exc.htm

Ghosthunter.

[toysnz]

Ian, I think it will be this Dinky Toy price guide...http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... y40exc.htm

Ghosthunter.

Ah... Thanks Kevin - I had a feeling that might be the case so I hope Nick is not too offended by my comments!

Ian

[nickjones]

No problem Ian. I compiled the Dinky toy price guide from the Vectis back auction catalogue, The descriptions and photographs are by Vectis and the price each item sold for. I agree Vectis do occasionally make a mistake with their description of the model but they are usually very keen to put matters right.
http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk/dinkyindex.htm