Condon Catalogue Query

[Idris]

Does anyone know of a website similar in format to Matchbox memories but covering Condon products? (There is quite a lot of useful information here, but it is obviously incomplete since the bus is missing.)

[Moyboy]

If you look at the bottom on the Tin Toys site where a pallet of bits are shown I think there is a Condon ? train shown in 2 of the pics in green. I have never seen the bus before anywhere. Do you have a pic of it at all.

[Idris]

The Condon bus is exceptionally crude. It is also claimed to be extremely rare, possibly due to the fact that it is unmarked, meaning that it is not readily identifiable as a Condon product. In addition, there seems to be an issue with the rivetting, and all the examples I have seen so far have disassembled themselves into the upper- and lower-deck castings, suggesting that many of them probably ended up broken and in the bin.
Personally, I believe that Don Rix's bus was the inspiration behind the 5a bus (the only one of the first eight 1-75 models without an obvious back story). Although Jack Odell chose to copy the Dinky model, I think the decision to include it in the range was influenced by the Condon bus.
Here is a photograph of my example (obtained from Tim several years ago).

[MOKOSEX]

This bus has always reminded me of the 5a,when i first started to collect i remembered to count the windows on the upper deck,loads of sellers claimed to have the first bus but they had a 5b,so when i saw this bus i thought it could be the grandad of the lesney bus,personally i can,t see anything i would say links it to condon,their models were high class,this like you say is crude,the assembly is like some lone star models,and i also have a vague memory that robert newson thought this was a london maker something like isacc something but again i may be totally wrong ,and if i see one i do tend to try to get it because i do like the bus,so any concrete info like idis is looking for would be most welcome,and a proven link to condon would be even better lol.
dave

[Idris]

I agree with you, Dave. Although this model is ascribed to Condon, I have no idea why. (Does any Member know?)
Compared to the site dumper and the narrow gauge mine train it is very crude indeed, and the absence of the Condon name on the baseplate definitely gives food for thought.

[misterpop]

The way the axle is located and the wheel shapes is saying Timpo to me.....I will follow this one with interest as its a new one on me....Also Timpo have been the roughest castings I have restored so far.....

[Idris]

T...there seems to be an issue with the rivetting...

Having rechceked my example, I find that it's not rivetted. Instead the two castings are joined using metal pegs/dowels, in much the same way that plastic 'snap together' kits work.

Bus-4(s).jpg (37.57 KiB) Viewed 1747 times

Peg.jpg (4.28 KiB) Viewed 1747 times

I cannot think of any other manufacturer who used this technique.

[Moyboy]

I also think the wheels very Timpo looking. The pegs are the same as used on the Lesney Coronation coach to join the 2 halves together although their ones are punched to hold the pin in place.

[misterpop]

Very early LEGO perhaps--

[Idris]

Does Ramsey's list the bus as a Condon product?