Testing Photos

[lionel-honda]

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Hi lional-honda,

Just love your three Hong Kong made Dinky Toy U.S. cars. I don't collect them specifically, but do have one sitting in a box somewhere. Do you have any more of these, as they are facinating models, having been designed at the Spot-On factory, but not used by them, they then appeared as U.K. Dinky Toys in the mid-60's.

I see you also like Ford cars, there are four of them in your picture.

Keep on collecting, regards,
GHOSTHUNTER.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

I have some further information about these Hong kong Dinky Toys, so will put some sort of article together and post it here at some point.

Regards,
GHOSTHUNTER.

[johnboy]

A nice line-up there, especially the Octopus. I must say that I dislike the Ford Escort police car, but only because I sat in one once when I was driven back to school (but that's another story)

[lionel-honda]

Hi Gents...

No, I'm not really a big Ford fan, but I do collect all types of Dinky Toys. These were just a couple of test photos. I did not know that the Hong Kong Dinky's originated from the Spot-On factory & would be interested in learning more about that.

Scott

[starni999]

Hi Mate,
Blue metal hubs on your Commer breakdown are a result.
Very nice!
Chris Warr.

[lionel-honda]

Hi Mate,
Blue metal hubs on your Commer breakdown are a result.
Very nice!
Chris Warr.

Thanks Chris...yes red/grey is a tough variation to begin with, but the blue hubs make it even more special.

Scott

[GHOSTHUNTER]

In early 1964, 'Spot-On' were designing six new models for their range, all based on contemporary U.S. cars, unfortunately at the same time, 'Tri-Ang' the parent company to 'Spot-On', were in negotiations with 'Meccano' for a buy out, the deal was accepted and by the end of February 1964, 'Meccano' was now part of the huge 'Tri-Ang Toys' company and they now have the "Jewel in their crown", 'Dinky Toys'.

The change of ownership from Dinky's point of view was not a problem, they would continue and benefit from a cash injection from their new parent, for Spot-On however, their future was not so clear, but they did continue with their usual production programme by introducing between 10 and 12 new models each year. But they lost the six new U.S. car models to Dinky, who shipped them over to the Tri-Ang facility in Hong Kong, (the same factory that will soon make six British sports cars for 'Scalextric'), for new baseplates and final finishing.

To introduce the new models as 'DINKY TOYS', all six models were shown on a flyer for Canada in 1964, the following year, four models were introduced in Canada and North America and finally in 1966, the last two models were released.

Some of the models came to the U.K. in 1966, but its not clear which models they were.

The models have the distinctive 'Chromed' bumpers and grille components, introduced by 'Spot-On' as their major new feature for 1961, and they also have the 'spun alloy' wheel rims, with large section nylon based tyres, Dinky adopted these for some of their models.

During 1964, 'DINKY' introduced a new 'Visi-Pac' box, it was a double 'window' box, in yellow with red text, for 1965, this was modified by adding some extra red angled stripes each side of the viewing window, but these boxes proved to be too delicate, so a new fully closed picture box was designed for the 1966 season.

The six Hong Kong Dinkies have been found in the 1965 red-striped 'window' box, (and shown in the 1965, U.S. catalogue), and then the 1966, fully closed picture box.

Production did not go into 1968, as Dinky were now promoting their new 'Mini Dinky' range to compete with the "Matchbox" 1-75 series models.

Since then, none of the models have turned up in another company's range and I believe they have been scrapped along with a lot of the original Dinky tools and several sets of Spot-On tools.

In 2002, the French 'NOREV' company re-introduced some of the original 'Spot-On' models, (as 'Spot-On' branded models, in Spot-On boxes), back onto the retail markets, so it will be interesting to see what else they have regards tooling and do they have any of the 'HONG KONG SIX' tools!

GHOSTHUNTER.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Buick Riviera on it's 1966 'CLOSED' Picture box. .jpg (35.1 KiB) Viewed 5067 times

Model number 57/001, the Buick Riviera on it's 1966, fully closed picture box. This is quite a common model within the range, there seem to be a good number of these around. This model was shown in the 1966, U.K. catalogue, so presumably, this is one that was sold in England. The model is based on a 1963 season car.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

c1964, CHEVROLET CORVAIR MONZA and it's 1966 box .jpg (36.47 KiB) Viewed 5066 times

Model number 57/002, in front of it's 1966, fully closed picture box. This is not so common as the Buick and appears not to have come to the U.K. It also shows a little 'artisitic licence' in that it seems to be a cross between a 1963 and a 1964 car. The panel shut lines on this model stand proud from the body surface.