The Dinky Mercedes Racing Car. In July 1936, The Meccano Magazine announced the launch of the Dinky Toy's Mercedes-Benz racing car, 23c. The magazine advertised the racing car for the nine months following in the Dinky Toys spread. The 93mm long Mercedes-Benz model came in a range of colours: red, blue, yellow, light green, silver and a light blue. Originally and with smooth hubs and a clipped baseplate, the model cost 8 old pence. In 1939, the price increased to 10 old pence and by the last time the model was advertised in the magazine, in December 1947, the model cost 1/8. The baseplate was only riveted after 1938. The model's tyres also changed over the years, with pre-war models having black round treaded tyres on smooth hubs, while in post-war times, black herringbone tyres were mounted on black ridged hubs. A variety of race numbers were applied to the model, from 1-6. In 1950, the model's die was in France and the model was produced for the export market only. In 1952, the die was due to return to the UK from France, but it did not and therefore, the model was effectively withdrawn from 1950.

In reality, the Daimler-Benz designed the car for racing in the 1934 Grand Prix season. The team behind the design were Hans Nibel, Max Sailer, Albert Heess and Max Wagner and included several revolutionary and weight lightening features, such as the 'U'-shaped pressed steel chassis and double wishbone suspension. In 1934, the car, a Mercedes-Benz W25, won its first outing at the Nurburgring, Nordschiefe. The 3.4 litre W25, with its 5-speed gearbox, won four other major races, the Eifelrennen, the Coppa Acerbo, and the Spanish and Italian Grand Prixs. The Mercedes W25, even with its later and larger 4.3 litre engine, suitably replaced its predecessor, a heavier 7 litre car designed by Ferdinand Porsche. Driven by Tazio Nuvolari, Rudolf Caracciola, Manfred von Brauchitsch and Luigi Fagioli. 1935, was a good season for the Mercedes W25 and the car achieved nine Grand Prix wins. Success came to an end, when Mercedes fitted the car with the larger 4.3 litre engine, which proved unreliable.

Introduced in 1936, the model was withdrawn in 1950. The original price was -/8 . It was available in blue, silver finish. Released as Dinky 23c in 1936 withdrawn as Dinky 23c in 1950.