Dinky Toys were first manufactured in the early 1930s by Meccano Ltd. in Liverpool, England. The original Dinky Toys were made of lead and later zinc alloy die-castings and painted with enamel colours. They were produced until 1979 when Dinky Toys was bought by Mattel and the production moved to France.
What is a Dinky Toy?
A Dinky Toy is a small, collectible toy car that was manufactured by the British company Meccano Ltd. from 1934 to 1979. Dinky Toys were originally made of metal, but later versions were made of plastic. They were popular in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
Dinky Toys were originally designed to be used with Meccano construction sets. They were available in a variety of sizes and styles, and many had working features such as moving parts or lights. Some Dinky Toys were model cars of real-life vehicles, while others were designed to be fantasy cars or trucks.
Today, Dinky Toys are highly collectible items. They are often sought after by toy car collectors and can be worth a significant amount of money.
The History of Dinky Toys
Dinky Toys were first created in the early 1930s by British toy company Meccano Ltd. The name “Dinky” was derived from the sound that the toys made when they were played with. The original Dinky Toys were metal cars and trucks that were designed to be used with Meccano construction sets.
In 1934, Dinky Toys introduced its first aircraft, the Supermarine Spitfire. This was followed by a series of other military vehicles.
During the Second World War, Dinky Toys production was focused on military vehicles. After the war, Dinky Toys resumed production of civilian vehicles. In 1947, Dinky Toys introduced its first post-war car, the Austin Seven Saloon.
By the early 1950s, Dinky Toys had become very popular in Britain and other European countries. In 1955, Meccano Ltd was bought by Lesney Products, which would go on to become one of the most successful toy companies in history.
Under Lesney’s ownership, Dinky Toys continued to be produced until 1979 when the company went into receivership. The Dinky Toy brand was then bought by Mattel.
How to Determine the Value of a Dinky Toy
When it comes to vintage toys, collectors always want to know what their prized possessions are worth. This can be difficult to determine, as there are many factors that can affect the value of a toy. However, when it comes to Dinky Toys, there are a few general guidelines you can follow to get an idea of how much your toy is worth.
First, you need to determine the condition of the toy. Toys that are in mint condition will obviously be worth more than those that are not. If the toy is missing any parts or has any damage, this will also affect the value.
Next, you need to look at the rarity of the toy. If the Dinky toy is a common model, it will not be worth as much as a rarer one. The more unique the toy, the more valuable it will be.
Finally, you need to consider the demand for the toy. If there are many collectors interested in owning a particular Dinky Toy, it will be worth more than one that is not in high demand.
By taking all of these factors into account, you should be able to get a general idea of how much your Dinky Toy is worth.
The Most Valuable Dinky Toys
One of the most valuable Dinky Toys is the Auburn 851 Speedster. This car was produced between 1935 and 1937 and is one of the rarest Dinky Toys out there. Only around 500 were ever made, and fewer than 200 are thought to still exist today. One example sold at auction for $150,000 in 2010!
Another valuable Dinky Toy is the Porsche 917 Racing Car. This car was produced between 1968 and 1970 and is one of the few Dinky Toys that was actually made in Germany. Porsche 917s are highly collectible cars anyway, but the fact that this one is a Dinky Toy makes it even more special.
Where to Find Rare Dinky Toys
If you’re a fan of Dinky Toys, then you know that they can be hard to find. And if you’re looking for a rare Dinky Toy, then you know that the value can be even higher. But where do you find these rare Dinky Toys? Here are some tips:
1. Check online auction sites. You might be able to find a rare Dinky Toy that someone is selling. Be sure to check the seller’s feedback to make sure they’re reputable.
2. Check online message boards and forums. There might be a discussion about where to find rare Dinky Toys. You can also post a question about it and see if anyone has any leads.
3. Check with local toy stores. They might not have the exact Dinky Toy you’re looking for, but they might know where you can find it.
4. Check with online retailers who sell vintage toys. They might have a rare Dinky Toy in stock or they might know where you can find one.
5. Try searching for “rare Dinky Toys” on Google or another search engine. You might be surprised at what you find!
Conclusion
If you are the owner of a rare Dinky Toy, then you may be wondering about its value. Unfortunately, there is no sure fire answer when it comes to pricing these toys. However, by taking into account factors such as condition, age, and rarity, you can get a general idea of how much your Dinky Toy is worth. Of course, the best way to ensure that you get the most money for your toy is to find a reputable buyer who is willing to pay top dollar for your rare item.