Dinky Toys

Dinky Toys is a historic British brand of diecast miniature models. According to present brand owner Mattel, Dinky originated in England in 1934 under the Meccano toy company. Cars, commercial vehicles and other miniatures became familiar to generations of collectors.

Identification

A model number is a useful starting point. Inspect the baseplate, country, wheels, colour, decoration and moving parts. Small differences may distinguish an early issue from a later reproduction or collector edition; the brand name alone does not establish age.

Condition and collector interest

An original box may add interest, but model and box should be assessed separately. Look for repainting, replacement wheels, missing components, corrosion and repairs. Model, variant, originality, condition, completeness and provenance influence demand.