24o / 39f Citroen SM

This Atlas 'Dinky' Citroen SM has been showing up on eBay, both in this police version and in gold and green colours. It appears to be their first release that is not copied from an actual Dinky Toy, and bears the usual Norev, Mattel, and Atlas trademarks plus a 2015 copyright date. Many of us have wished that -- if Atlas Dinky Toys had to exist in the first place -- they would have issued 'Dinky Toys that never were' instead of copying actual Dinky Toys. But, this is a strange effort. As my pictures show, the box (but not the model) bears fictitious, anachronistic model numbers of both 24O and 39F, and the vehicle is referred to as a 'Citroe SM'!!

As far as I can discover, the Citron SM indeed has never been an existing Dinky Toys model. Sales number 39f was used by Meccano Liverpool for the Studebaker State Commander Coupe (1939-1950); number 240.1 for Cooper Racing Car (1963-1970) and number 240.2 for Dinky Way Gift Set (1978). Meccano France used only model number 24O (not 240) for the Sudebaker State Commander coup (1949-1951). In this case, this so-called 'Dinky Toys' edition of Edition Atlas is highly misleading and should in fact be banned. Apart from that, it's sure a very beautiful model and it's sure a pity that Dinky Toys France never made it. Kind regards, Jan Oldenhuis 2-10-2017.

I believe the second number on this Atlas model is supposed to be 24o, not 240 -- but in any case, applying either number to this model is ridiculous. The box does not simulate anything from the right period, either. If they had an ounce of wit and are trying to create a series of models that should have been issued by Dinky France but weren't, then they should have assigned this SM an unused number in the 1400 range and given a suitable late-period box. Of course if Dinky France had issued a Citroen SM when the car was current, their model would probably have been manufactured by Pilen, and based on the Citroen SM that Pilen issued in its own range.

This is a 'legal' Citron SM model 339 made by Auto Pilen in Spain. This is also clearly visible on the base plate. Jan Oldenhuis 2-10-2017

Yes, that is the same Pilen model I pictured in the previous post. If it had been issued as a Dinky Toy, we would have had much the same baseplate with the DInky name substituted -- as with the Ford Fiesta, VW Scirocco, and other Pilen Dinky Toys. As to this Atlas model, it is interesting that they tried to put Dinky-like wheels on it, although ironically these are not of the type the Dinky/Pilen models featured. In my oft-stated opinion, it was a sad day when Mattel and then Atlas got hold of the DInky trademark! Regards, J

I completely agree with you. it's an annoyance if you're searching on Ebay after Dinky Toys and there are pages full of Atlas editions between it. And it's getting more and more. For me it's just ballast. Regards, Jan O This is what we are looking for. ,

Completely agree with you guys ! The ATLAS range should be confiscated by the customs as pirated edition and fraudulent imitation. Not only it makes troubles in the ebay auctions but some malevolents are mixing parts of Dinky and atlas ! Collectors, my brothers, we have to be very, very careful and it becomes difficult. Or, we have to stop buying on the net !!! Kind regards Richard

I also agree.....trying to find and buy nice Dinky Toys on eBay has gotten much more difficult, with many sellers not properly disclosing these Atlas models.....basically just saying they are Dinky's. I have also noticed, the past several years, an increasing amount of restored Dinky's and others that are in just poor condition. Trying to find excellent or mint Dinky Toys is, to me, much more difficult than it was 10-15 years ago. You do indeed have to be very careful! Shipping costs have also increased dramatically from some countries..... Best regards, Terry

This threadis poluting this web site. It stinks of bull s.... just as the self nominated expert who runs all this Atlas c..p.

This SM may be a mistake for the Citron CX which was made by Auto Pilen. There is such a mess at Atlas.There is no communication about this model. Atlas could at least say what it is and to which of their numerous collections it belongs but these crooks never write or communiquate on their roten products and Roulet has not said anything either.

Well, Jacques, I do resent your comment about 'this thread ... polluting the web site' and 'stinking of bull ... ' though perhaps there is a language barrier at work. I have made my negative feelings about the Atlas Dinky Toys and Mr. Roulet (a traitor to the collecting community) crystal clear in the past, and I disapprove of this 'Citroe' SM model on almost every level. But, there is an Atlas Dinky Toys area on the DTCA forum and I thought it was important for members to be aware of this model and its strange numbering -- precisely because Roulet and Atlas do not provide information on their models.

Wondering what was happening with my subscription to Atlas British Dinkys, I logged on to their site to find my collection is now complete, having last received that well known British car the Renault Floride numbered 32 (the last two digits in the item number). As they come in a random order I have received overall numbers 1 to 54, but never received number 16 or 36, which I think might be the Austin Healey civilian, the Porsche 356 or possibly the Simca Versailles if anyone knows? Of the 52 I received I recycled from Kazakhstan to Timbuctoo 27 as duplicating originals l had or just naff like the Triporter. Of the 25 I kept, 14 duplicate originals so just 11 new to me out of 52. On the truck front so far I have received 20 and recycled 10, although how many Guy Vans does one really need? Now the ouvrants are being touted here but I have already cherry picked these on eBay or have originals, so no way Jose. On a positive note it has revived my interest in real Dinkys causing me to upgrade by condition and seek out some rarer variations over the last year or so!