South African Dinky 194 Bentley

[Bako]

Thanks for the advice on the images, I'll resize next time. The box on the eBay listing does say "Printed in South Africa" (1st picture)?

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Did not see that on my screen so went into the ebay listing you linked us to and sure enough it does, so this is more confirmation of the model's origin.

The Bentley you show is from the Second of Two batches of castings sent out to South Africa for local assembley in 1963. It shows all the normal specification details such as the gloss black baseplate, the spun Alloy wheels with large brake drums and open base fixing rivets. The Black folded hood is the regular colour for this late version, as are the separate Four Red rear lamps which on UK market models are painted as aTwo single lamp units.

Ghosthunter.

[Bako]

Thanks for your expert input on this, until I saw the detailed pictures I had assumed the South African models were of similar quality to the British ones, however this one looks somewhere between Nicky and Dinky quality.

Had production of this model ceased in Britain at the time these castings were exported, and would the castings have been pre-painted in the UK? Even on the first picture it does look like a trace of bronze around the front wheel arch lip.

[Fox]

I confirm what Kevin said.
And having seen all the rivets I'm sure it's a SAF one.

I manage to picture the poor two ones I have.

The SAF Phantom V I have are in a far better condition.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

The UK #194 was introduced during 1961 in Grey and retired during 1963.
The UK #194 in 'Copper' used in the #123 'Mayfair' Gift Set was introduced in 1963 and retired during 1966.
The SA #194 was introduced during 1963, but retired in 1964.

There is confusion among some collectors about the actual dates all this SA activity took place. My research shows a batch of castings went at the end of 1962 for assembly and packing which included the Bentley (large brake drums and no Red band around the box), but was not assemled until 1963.

The SA Phantom V (#198) is always found in a box with the Red band which Dinky UK introduced in 1962.

Large brake drums on a SA Bentley means 1961-62 components, with a box (printed in SA by a company called Swan Press), without the Red band also being a pre-62 feature. Put this altogether for shipping to SA at the end of 1962 (the first batch I mentioned), once assembled, packed and marketed by A E Harris (Pty) Ltd, we are looking at a very late 1962 introduction date for the Bentley or more likely an early 1963 introduction date.

Dinky may well have sent some 'Copper' painted castings to SA as this was the only colour they were using for the Bentley at the time of the model being assembled in South Africa, another detail making the Bentley a 1963 introduced model.

Ghosthunter.

[Fox]

I think you're right about the copper bodies. Some parts could have been sent to SA already painted.

[Bako]

Below are some variations on this SA model from the Christies "Remy-Meeus Collection" catalogue from June 2002:

[Fox]

Mines.

The one below has been touched but still looks pretty and is still riveted.

The front one is untouched and only costed me £10.



And here are the rivets.

[Bako]

Amazing to have two of these incredibly rare Dinkys but to then find one for £10.00, I must be looking in the wrong places!!

They both look very nice and although the photos are not as close appear to have a better finish than the one on eBay.

[Fox]

I found both ones on ebay. But to me they aren't better finished than the one you have shown.