Made and distributed in collaboration with The Austin Motor Company Ltd, this is one of a series of accurate 1:18 models of British cars produced by Victory Industries during the 1950s. The body is grey plastic, with pressed tinplate grille, bumpers and other chrome trim, 'glazed' lights and 'AUS 40' number plates. The windows are flexible clear plastic, and the tinplate seats and dashboard are light tan with plastic steering wheel. Wheels are matching grey plastic with chrome hubcaps and black rubber tyres. The black plastic chassis incorporates a 'Mighty Midget' electric motor which drives the rear wheels, powered by 3 'C' batteries and controlled by a forward-stop-reverse switch on one side of the chassis. The front wheels are steerable (manually positioned).
This example has excellent bodywork, with all trim parts present and correct. The steering wheel has one broken spoke. The motor has been tested and runs when power is applied directly to it, but the contacts and switch may need some cleaning/adjustment to get it to run on batteries. A small nut and bolt are missing from the motor mounting, as are 3 small self-tapping screws that secured the base to the body; these are unnecessary as the base fits tightly due to the body having shrunk very slightly with age.
The box is original; it has some age wear, with a small tear on one side of the lid and a surface tear on top. The lid has an illustration of the real car on one side, with details of some if its features on the other. Included is a copy of the original instruction leaflet and guarantee, which is marked 19/11/53 - presumably the original date of purchase.
Scale: 1:18
Length: 241mm.
Approx Years: 1953 - 1959
Condition: Excellent, box Excellent
Shipping Weight: 610g
The old toys in this shop are offered as collectors' items only, and may not conform to modern toy safety standards.