Dinky Police mini 250

[Foxy]

I have just aquired a decent example of a 250 police mini. The rear boot transfer is of course yellow, but mainly intact and I think adds a ceratin patina. However I have a question.
I know there were two versions with original cast wheels and the more recent 'whizzwheels' (I know thats corgi!!!)
The version I have has spun wheels (no axle coming through). I cant see that style listed at all so I'm wondering, have I got hold of a restored model or something quite rare.
Also it has no aerial and I'd like to get one. Cant see listed as a repro option to that specific model so wonder if it a universal or multi-purpose part that I can use from another dinky model
Thanks

[Foxy]

I've attached a picture for further clarification. (I think)

[misterpop]

Hi.That looks like a set of Spot-On wheels off the Morris 1100 which would be about the right size....There where 1000s of these floating about in the 90s and if you had the forthought would have been a good investment for the future.I myself bought a whole box and there slowly going down...They suit a lot of old British diecast and never look out of place...

mmbluewheel.jpg (89.14 KiB) Viewed 4545 times

[Fred7A]

Those wheels were fitted to some of the Police Minis, and are pretty rare. You can also sometimes find this style of wheel on the metallic blue Mini.

The Dinky Minis went through lots of variations, including 5 types of wheel (spun hubs, Spot-On-style hubs, cast hubs with 5 slots and 2 subtly different speedwheels) and several casting changes.

[Diecastmolester]

The aerials were not model specific, although 3 different shapes exist, in either Silver, Grey, Black, or White plastic.
Steve Flowers makes a 'set', which is a sprue with all the various types and you can specify which colour you want it in. You will find them towards the bottom of the Dinky Parts list, among the generic items.

I doubt the wheels were fitted to the Mini by the factory, then again, stranger things have happend.
They were initially standard fitment on the Mini Moke, though, which makes me believe that this was one of the models Spot On had in their pipeline at the time of the takeover.
I may or may not know, through personal experience or otherwise, that Mokes may or may not have been wheel robbed to restore Spot Ons, or pimp Dinky Minis and Clubmans with "Speedwheels".

[misterpop]

Sorry I cant see Dinky using Spot-on cast offs...There is a similarity I will grant you but look at the close up[We can do this stuff now].....Spot on looked like a hub cap and a chrome trim ring and the Dinky had a look if a straight wheel and hubcap albeit fully alloy turned..Just ripe for a bit of steel wheel detail eh?...

[GHOSTHUNTER]

When Tri-ang (owner of Spot-on) purchased Meccano (owner of Dinky Toys) in August 1964, the Spot-on style of spun alluminium wheels were adopted for use on many Dinky Toys.

Ghosthunter.

[misterpop]

When Tri-ang (owner of Spot-on) purchased Meccano (owner of Dinky Toys) in August 1964, the Spot-on style of spun alluminium wheels were adopted for use on many Dinky Toys.

Ghosthunter.

Ah yes adopted but surly not using parts left over from the Irish factory..That stuff must have been disposed of hence why all those wheels turned up at toyfairs in the 80s.....Heres mine .Sorry about the lose Yesteryear spokes.

[Fred7A]

Yes, the Dinky press-on hubs are similar to Spot On but not identical. They are a known variation on the Police Mini, so I see no reason to think that they are not original.

The slightly strange thing is that some later Spot-Ons had Dinky-style spun hubs with protruding axle heads - some of these wheels were also sold off in job lots - I bought a small quantity a few years ago.

[misterpop]

And there are some just above your head..

To reiterate then I now would say the wheels on the Police van are Dinky and the same as on the Moke..I was mistaken thinking they where Spot on..As I said the Dinky are a more realistic wheel and would really benefit from a touch up on the steel wheel bit BUT we cant do that without distroying the value unless its a rebuild.....

Been an interesting subject this one...