The Dinky Racing Car. Introduced in 1933, this model, which is also known as ‘the small racing car’, holds Dinky toys production record for a period of 22 years. Issued in 1933 as a lead model, the car’s original reference number, ‘23’, had the suffix ‘a’ added in 1935. In 1934, the lead model, 23a/1, did not have a driver and the manifold was set for a four-cylinder engine and a fishtail exhaust pipe. Dinky modified the die and during December 1934, the driver’s head was added along with a manifold to reflect the car’s six-cylinder engine. On each side of this version race numbers were on raised bosses. Later, the number bosses disappear and the bonnet shape was modified. There were two styles of decoration and several colours were applied: red, blue, white and silver. Advertised in the November and December 1934 editions of the Meccano Magazine, these early versions had small white tyres and cost 6d. From late 1934 onwards, the model also appeared in French Dinky catalogues, with the same reference number 23a. In 1936, the cost of the model fell from 3.50 old francs to 2.00fr.

In 1937, Dinky replaced the lead with Zamak. The new model, 23a/2, 90mm long was issued with a range of race numbers, from 1-6. In 1939, the model was withdrawn and replaced by 23a/3, which was renumbered 220, before its final deletion in 1956. After the Second World War, the model failed to appear in any further French catalogues.

The real-life origins of this model appear to be unknown, although the model’s styling sets it in the era of racing at the Brooklands circuit. Indeed, the model bares a close resemblance to the 2.4 litre Napier Railton in which John Cobb set a circuit record of 143.44mph in 1935. However the ‘History of British Dinky Toys 1934-1964’ by Cecil Gibson on p.13 states: ‘In shape it is very reminiscent of the record-breaking M.G. EX-127 used by Eyston in 1933. This was a blown 4-cylinder 750 cc with no external exhaust I think (which would fit in with my first variant). The later six-exhaust versions I take to represent an M.G. Magnette which had a very similar body originally to its 4-cylinder predecessor.

Introduced in 1933, deleted in 1956. Sold in the USA for 20 cents. The original price was 6d . It was available in silver & red, red & silver, blue & silver finish. Released as Dinky 23a in 1933 withdrawn as Dinky 23a in 1956.