VBD2 is closed. Please go to https://vbd3.co.uk instead.

Thanks for this great thread Chris! I have a few 40 series, although nothing like the selection of colours you have. One small point, the Riley is an RMA or RMB rather than a Pathfinder (originally designated RMH, and modelled by Corgi of course). I'm not sure whether the Dinky is an A or a B (or even a mixture, as someone once suggested). They had different wheelbases, so a little measuring should show which is more likely. If Dinky had troubled to paint the radiator badge, the shade of blue could have shown us!

I'm sure I've shown this before, but here is Honest John's used car lot of ageing 40-series saloons. That bunting was fun to make!

Thanks Fred!
You're right of course! I love your used car lot! Reminds me of many a bomb site lot when I was a boy. Most of the real 40's were still around then.
Cheers
Chris Warr.

Really enjoying this thread Chris

(and Honest John's is great Fred, I think you should expand it)

Nice one Fred, I do like dioramas and I love the hint of a shady car sales Man coming across from yours.

Ghosty.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:...a shady car sales Man...

Is there any other kind?

Idris wrote:

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:...a shady car sales Man...

Is there any other kind?

Idris wrote:

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:...a shady car sales Man...

Is there any other kind?

Mmmmmn The dodgy one.

Here are my three Rileys, all earlier ones with small text on the baseplate and black wheels. This toy would have suited two-toning better than some of the others in this series, although considering the bizarre tasteless combinations Meccano went for, perhaps it's just as well it wasn't subjected to the "gayer than ever" paint jobs!

Thanks for the kind words Gents,
Here we go again with the next three, starting with:

40e Standard Vanguard.
Introduced 1948.
Deleted 1959 / 60.
Re numbered 153 in 1954.
Trade boxes to 1953/ish, then individual boxes.

Main variations are :
Cast open rear wheel arches on first issues, cast closed on later issues.
Small letter base plate to about 1953 then large letters.
Tin clips holding rear axle on early issues.
"Tow guide" appears below boot about mid run.
Casting line appears across boot on later issues, (This is not really a variation, just die wear.)

Fawn / Fawn Hubs / Open Arches.


Fawn / Red Hubs / Open Arches.


Fawn / Fawn Hubs / Closed Arches.


Maroon / Maroon Hubs.


Cream / Cream Hubs.


Light Blue / Light Blue Hubs.


Light Blue / Fawn Hubs.


Light Blue / Cream Hubs.


Casting line across boot (left).


Tow Guide (Left) No Tow Guide (Right).


Large Letter Base (Below) Small Letter Base (Top).


Tinplate Clip to Axle (Left).


Not Shown:

Maroon / Fawn Hubs.
Dark Blue / Fawn Hubs.
Fawn / Maroon Hubs.
Light Green, (as Hillman Minx).
White, (In fact very light cream).

Cheers
Chris Warr.

PS...Hey M,Box fans, I got to use the words "Tow guide" in a Dinky thread!

40f Hillman Minx.

Introduced 1950.
Deleted 1958 /59.
Re Numbered 154 in 1954.
Trade boxes to 53 / ish, then individual boxes.

Main Variations are :
Small Letter Base plate to 53 / 54, then Large Letter.
Two Tone colours introduced 1956.

Dark Tan / Green Hubs.


Dark Tan / Grey Hubs.


Dark Tan / Cream Hubs.


Dark Green / Mid Green Hubs.


Light Green / Mid Green Hubs.


Two Tone / Pink & Blue.


Two Tone / Lime Green & Cream.


Small Letter Base.


Large Letter Base.


Not Shown :

Dark Tan / Blue Hubs.
Light Tan / Cream Hubs.
Two Tone Olive Green & Cream.
Light Green / Fawn Hubs.
Light Green / Light Green Hubs.

Cheers
CW.