Upto 1960, the 'Models of Yesteryear' range did not go past 14 different models in the range, but during this Year, Lesney became a Public Limited Company and to help cement the occasion, they introduced a brand new model to add to the range but gave it the number 15, thereby taking the range past the 'Set in Stone' 14 models range.
This new model was made with the full co-operation of the Rolls-Royce Company and the model was based on probably the most famous Rolls-Royce car, a 40-50 H.P. open tourer affectionatly known as "The Silver Ghost", bourn out by the special name-plate fixed to the fire wall just below the windscreen.
Children saw their first incarnation of this new model in a pocket catalogue as a line drawing (shown below), looking very grand indeed!
- 1960, Ist ''AX 201'' IMAGE..jpg (30.98 KiB) Viewed 3220 times
When the actual model was introduced, it was a revelation in metal casting finness, it really was a superb representation of the real car. Apart from the aforementioned name plate, every other detail seemed to have been put on this model and even today, it is still the best replica around considering it's market target and original price point.
The earliest photo of the actual model I have found comes from an issue of a model railway magazine from 1960 (shown below).
- 1960, ADVERT MODEL.jpg (25.16 KiB) Viewed 3220 times
Despite the advert above, the first versions released onto the retail markets have Grey tyres.
- Very First Issue..JPG (73.25 KiB) Viewed 3220 times
The catalogue line drawing for this model suggests it is in 'O' scale, this clearly is not the case because the model measures close to 1/55 scale, if it were designed to complement an 'O' scale model railway system, it would be in 1/43 scale (7mm to the foot).
GHOSTHUNTER.
