The French Dinky Talbot-Lago In 1953, long after the Second World War, the French version of the Meccano Magazine was re-introduced. In the October 1953 edition, the magazine announced French Dinky’s newest models. Among them, the Talbot-Lago racing car, 23H/1, which had been trailed in the 1952 French Dinky catalogue, had appeared in September. There is no price listed for the model, but a similar model in the series retailed for 290 old francs, about 6/-, considerably more expensive than the 3/- for the British model.

Noted for its fine detail, the 93mm long model, at a scale of 1:43, was in the blue of the French national racing colour and faithfully replicated France’s first post-war racing car. A British version of the model, 23K, appeared at the same time, but the length of the model was 104mm, reflecting its 1:38 scale. The French car came in a trade box, with the models carrying spirit-based race numbers 1-6; with age, these spirit-based transfers now leave a yellow film, between the numbers. The models had blue, concave wheel hubs and black, 11.190mm tyres on the French version, with grey 20mm and occasionally black tyres on the British version. The relatively larger French tyres for the size of the model result in the front tyres extending beyond the front of the model. The French driver adopts a lower driving position than the more upright position in the British model. The exhaust, bonnet louvres and bonnet badge are different, with the French version more closely reflecting the actual Talbot bonnet badge.

In 1959, French Dinky renumbered the model, 510, and gave it chrome wheel hubs but then, they promptly withdrew the car from their catalogue.

French dinky modelled the Talbot-Lago, 23H, on the company’s T26C, single-seat racing car, which had a box chassis, un-supercharged 4.5 litres straight six engine and a 4-speed, Wilson pre-selector gearbox. The chassis and gearbox were derived from Talbot’s 1930s racing cars. The T26C made its racing debut in the 1948 Monaco Grand Prix, finishing second. Driven by Louis Chiron, further achievements followed, including the 1949 Belgium Grand Prix and in a two-seat version, they won the 1950, Le Mans 24 hour race. Louis Rosier and Jean-Louis Rosier drove the car. Cost 290Fr available in blue finish at 1:38 scale. French Dinky in detail...