The Corgi Proteus Campbell Bluebird Record Car Early versions had rubber tyres on spun metal wheels. Later versions had black plastic wheels (153A) from about 1961. There are several other changes. Models with 2 Union Jacks is harder to find than with UK and US flags.Cost 3/11 available in blue finish at 1:63 scale. Corgi in detail...

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 In 1939, the model was withdrawn and replaced by 23a/3, which was renumbered 220, before its final deletion in 1956.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.Cost 6d available in silver & red, red & silver, blue & silver finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Speed of the Wind Record Car During the 1930s, Dinky Toys occupied a relative low profile within the Meccano Magazine. The extent of their advertisements varied significantly, from occasional double page spreads, through single pages to, in some editions, nothing at all. With colour printing being expensive and limited to front covers, the blue tinted back pages of the July 1936 magazine, which illustrated the 'Speed of the Wind', 23e, model was rare and denoting importance, supporting the launch of the model, which first appeared in the May edition.

In May 1936, Dinky Toys announced the introduction of 'Speed of the Wind', 23e, an endurance record winning car. The 3 7/8th inch (100mm) long model cost 8d (old pence) and came in a range of colours. The car's casting included a driver, wearing helmet and overall painted russet brown. Despite being advertised as in assorted colours, most frequently, the model was painted silver, with either red or black painted ribbed wheel hubs. Early models had grey or black herring-bone tyres, which were later replaced by the more familiar 20mm, grey or black round treaded tyres. Over the models long production run, three different types of baseplate were used. Pre-1947 had the silver etched plates, rather than the stamped tinplate versions that followed. The model was issued as part of a set of three high performance cars, which included models 23c and 23d as well and cost 1/11. In 1952, when the model, 23e, was re-issued, the cost set was 1/3d. Eventually, the model was deleted in 1957, making this car one of Dinky's longest production runs.

Designed by Captain GET Eyston and EAD Eldridge, Tom Delaney built the car around a Rolls-Royce, Kestrel aero engine, which was cooled by a surface radiator. Too heavy for circuit racing and underpowered for speed record breaking, the car focused on breaking endurance records, which took place at Bonneville Salt Flats, in Utah. Captain Eyston broke the world 24 hour speed record, raising it to 140.52 mph. During World War 2, the car was put in store at a workshops in London. Unfortunately, during the Blitz, bombs fell on the workshop, destroying the car.

Introduced in 1936, re-issued in 1952, the model was deleted in 1957. available in green, red, silver, blue, yellow finish at 1:75 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Thunderbolt speed car Exhaust stubs and rear vents same color as grille (1938 - 1940). There is some confusion about the differences between 23m and 23s and 222.

The Thunderbolt was released in April 1938, for the first time with its own box. The identical 'Streamlined Racing Car' appeared 1939, in different colours, without Union Jack transfers used on the tail fin of “Thunderbolt” and without a box. available in silver, light green finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Gardners MG Record car Major ATG Gardiners 1939 world record car. The record of over 200 mph was set in Germany with this car for the class of up to 1100cc.

Announced in September 1939 but launched only in December 1939, right after the outbreak of war.Cost 10d available in green finish. Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Speed of the Wind Record Car . available in silver finish at 1:75 scale. French Dinky in detail...

The Johillco Golden Arrow . available in gold finish. Johillco in detail...