The French Dinky Peugeot 402 saloon. In 1939, French Dinky launched the Peugeot 402 taxi, 24L. Without a baseplate, the first issue of the model provided details of its manufacture on the ceiling, “Dinky Toys, Peugeot 402, Fabrique En France, Par MECCANO”. During the immediate post-war era, the model relied upon metal wheels, although from 1947, the model had 17mm diameter rubber tyres. From 1947, the model also had a baseplate, a sheet-metal floor. The fine casting of the 94mm long, Peugeot 402 taxi, allowed the headlights, mounted behind the radiator grille on the actual vehicle, to be identifiable on the model; the taxi being 1mm long than 24K, the sedan. The model’s colour range included yellow, blue, red and brown, with the two colour models only appearing in brown and cream or royal blue and yellow. The taximeter attached through a hole on the right side of the model was in black, with white and red markings. The front bumper was similarly fixed through a hole at the front. Rear axles have reinforced mountings and above them on each side of the model, Peugeot’s Lion, with its flowing mane, is on each wing. Pre-war versions had white tyres marked, ‘Dunlop’. Boxes for this model remain rare, with many disappearing during the war years. In 1939, the model cost 6.25 old francs, which reduced to 5, 50 fr. in the post-war years, 13/6 reducing to 11/6.

Launched at the Paris Motor Show, in 1935, Peugeot manufactured the actual vehicle at their Sochaux plant, near the Swiss border. Peugeot produced approximately 75,000 of these large family cars, which were well-suited to their use as a taxi. Between 1935 -38, the 4-door sedan had a straight-4, 1991 cc engine, which Peugeot up-graded to 2142 cc engine, between 1938-42. The car’s all steel body and stream-lined design made the model a popular family car. Production ceased in 1942.

Replica models can be distinguished by the lack of a spare wheel cover; replicas have a boot, which existed on later models of the actual vehicle, but not on the French Dinky model. The original price was 6.25Fr. . It was available in yellow, blue, red, brown, brown & cream, royal blue & yellow finish. Released as French Dinky 24L in 1939 withdrawn as French Dinky 24L in 1948.