23a Racing Car (2nd Casting) - with driver (1942-45)

There are several variations of this record car....early ones had no driver, and than there were exhaust pipe changes as well. I believe mine is one issued right before the war, with the driver and the late exhaust design. Besides the thinner axles, these pre-war version also had no structural webs running from side to side, as some of the post war designs showed. Best regards, Terry

Talking about castings of the DINKY TOYS 'RACING CAR', here is the true story:The British issue of the DINKY TOYS 23 Racing Car was issued in April 1934, no driver, 4 short exhaust pipes on the left side, first in lead, then Zamac. Modelled after the MX EX127 'Magic Midget' of George Eyston. Abandoned end of 1934.A completely new casting was issued in early 1935, modelled after the MG EX135 'Magic Magnette'or 'Humbug', also made for George Eyston. Rounder front, six-branch exhaust system on the left, driver head. This casting went through several minor changes and adaptations (number circles, structural webs (as you call them) underneath. This new casting had received the model number 23a, changed to 220 in the mid 50ies, abandoned soon afterwards.Hope this helps. Best regards Walter

Walter----Thanks so much for giving us the history of this long produced little record car. It is nice to have it condensed so nicely and simply. Best regards, Terry

My pleasure, Terry.From what I can see and assuming your nice 23a has two raised number circles, it dates from 1935/36. Would it have axles rounded on one end and crimped on the other, it would be earlier, from the first batch of 23a Racing Cars from early 1935. But your axles have crimped ends on both ends, therefore a little later.Should it have only one raised number circle, it would be a little later, around 1936/37, I guess.Regards Walter

Walter....I just like looked, and it does have 2 raised number circles.....one on each side, but only the left side actually has a number in it; the other is painted over, same as the body, so am guessing 1935/36? Thanks!Best regards, Terry

This is how it should be, Terry. 1935/36, for sure. And nice too.Have fun. Walter

Hello all, The 2nd casting was not made from 1942 - 1945. As Walter already wrote the production period is beginning 1935. So the description should be altered and indicate the correct production period. John.

Hello all, In my collection are some special models. For a short time Meccano Ltd. delivered the racers with coloured tyres. You can find red, blue and green tyres. These models are not very common as most models were fitted with black or white tyres. Here some pictures of three models. White/blue with blue tyres. Orange/green with green tyres, racenumber is 4. Cream/green with green tyres, racenumber is 6. There are other colours and numbers with these coloured tyres, so more pictures are welcome. Also has to be mentioned that on many model the racing numbers were handpainted and not done by mask spraying. John.