The French Dinky Ford Covered Wagon Ford Camion Bache, ’Grands Moulins De Paris’, 25JV.

In 1953, the French Dinky catalogue launched the Ford Camion Bache, ‘Grands Moulins De Paris’, 25JV. The 102mm long truck cost 185 fr., about 3/6. The grey-green model had a black tarpaulin canopy, with beige side panels upon which red lettering, between two red stripes, read ‘Grands Moulins De Paris’ – Large Mills of Paris. The model had red painted ribbed hubs and black ‘M’ type tyres. In 1955, French Dinky withdrew the model.

Based on the pre-war, Ford ‘Poissy’, so-called because of the Paris suburb where they were manufactured, the vehicle was originally produced under the ill-fated ‘Matford’ joint venture, between manufacturers Mathis and Ford.

Situated on the quay of Panhard and Levassor, on the Avenue d’Ivry, adjacent to the site of the former car plant, ‘Grand Moulins De Paris’ built its huge flour mills, on the left bank of The Seine, during the First World War, combining the mills of five companies and built by the famous French architect George Wybro. After their closure in 1996, these huge mills stood derelict for many years, until much of the site was cleared, leaving only buildings around a quadrangle. Opened in 2006, architect Rudy Ricciotti refurbished these buildings, including the vast grain halls, into fashionable lecture theatres, halls, offices and faculty buildings for the Diderot University, one of the Institutes of the University of Paris.

Cost 185 fr. available in grey finish. French Dinky in detail...