dinky toys

The History

In 1931 Meccano Ltd introduced a series of railway station and truckside accessories to accompany their famous “HORNBY” train sets. These “Modelled Miniatures” were in set numbered 1-22 and included railwaymen, station staff, passengers and trains.

Set 22 was comprised of six vehicles: their was the first cars of Meccano manufacture; it was first advertised in the Meccano Magazine od December 1933.

“Modelled Miniatures” therefore became “Meccano Dinky Toys”

and set number 22 the first of “Dinky Cars” consisted of 22a 22b 22c 22d 22e 22f

 The first Dinky Toys” advertisement appeared in the april 1934 edition of “Meccano Magazine”; the first car produced after the change of name was n°23 in April 1934, and was probably based on early MG, with the model 23 the mark was chaged in “Dinky Toys”.

The range of models produced grew quickly,  so that the Meccano Magazine in december 1935 was claiming that were 200 varieties to chose from! Although the phrase “Dinky Toys” became a household name, the actual range was of course far greater  an not limited to the cars.

Indeed, by the time the famous Binns Road factory in Liverpool finally closed its doors  in November 1979 over 1000 different designs had been produced.

In 1987 the Dinky trade name was bought by Matchbox who were at the time part of the “Universal International Co.” Of Hong Kong.

In 1992 “Tyco Toys Inc.” had acquired by merger the “ Universal Matchbox Group” and  whith it the famous “Dinky toys” brand name.

In 1998 Mattel bought the Matchbox brand and in 1999 disclosed that all new car models will be classified as “Dinky Toys”, including those previously included in their Matchbox Models of Yesterday range.

At the beginning of 2001 however both of those famous names have been all but buried in favour of Mattel’s “Hot Wells” brand since most of their products have been aimed at the US toy market.