CORGI - AA MINI VAN

Die-cast Corgi No.06002 – AA Mini Van, it was produced by Corgi Classic Ltd. In China, 1998. It is 7.8 cm. long.

This die-cast AA Mini Van was produced by a license from Austin Mini and Automobile Assosiation (AA) dark yellow body, silver handle of the black door, clear windows, black interior, removable tire, “Patrol Service” tempa. The underneath is metal, casting bulge as an engine and exhausted pipe.

The Automobile Association (AA), founded in 1905, is a theme chosen by many collectors. The first aiming that time is to help its member who was arrested by police for driving over the speed limit. Later on, it had expanded more activities such as in 1908 arranging hand books for members including a representative branch with the names of the auto repaired workers. In 1914 it had 83,000 members until 1939 the member had increased to be 725,000 members. Several of toy ranges included the AA Patrol or Scout on his motorcycle with side car, plus the AA telephone boxes, while vans as used by the organization have been offered in the familiar yellow livery. Perhaps the most interesting, however, was produced by Budgie Toys, of an AA Mobile Control Office.

THORNYCRAFT "J" TYPE BUS

The origins of John I. Thornycroft & Co.Ltd. can be traced back to 1864 in Chiswick, London. In 1871 they produced a steam powered launch which reached an unprecedented speed of 18 knots. From their experience with further vessels, they decided to apply this to a vehicle and in 1896 emerged van number 1. In 1901 there was a steam powered double decker working in London. In 1904 they made their first petrol engined car and lorries came two years later.

The ‘J’ type was introduced in 1912 as a 4½ tonner having a 30 h.p. 4 cylinder engine, cone clutch and 4 speed gearbox. It was the first Thornycraft to have a ‘live’ rear axle – previous models were chain driven. Like its competitors a straight chassis frame was used and both goods and passenger bodies were fitted. In 1918 a more powerful. 40 h.p. engine was introduced and in the following year, a longer wheelbase was offered increasing the variety of bodywork that could be fitted.

In 1919, Portsmouth Corporation bought 10 ‘J’-type chassis and had them equipped with 36 seat double deck bodies. These were typical of the period and followed horse bus design down to the narrower lower deck to allow the front wheels to turn! This resulted in having 8 inward facing seats on each side but allowed 9 pairs of forward facing seats in the wider upper deck. In addition 2 more passengers could be accommodated alongside the driver. This was an exposed position as there were no windscreens but very often the driver had a tarpaulin which he could tie round his neck in wet weather, similar protection was provides in the upper deck, for the passengers. A porch was built over part of the platform to give the conductor shelter.

The Portsmouth buses had their original bodies replaced in 1925 by ones removed from London General ‘B’ type buses, giving them another 3 years life. Upon withdrawal, one of these was fortunately preserved by the Corporation and still appears on the road occasionally.

MODELS OF YESTERYEAR Y14-1935 E.R.A.

English Automobiles built 17 of these “Old English Uprights” from 1934-37, using Riley-derived engines. The famous Romulus which was raced by Prince Bira winning in 1936 both the Prince Rainier Cup at Monaco and the JCC International trophy at Brooklands. Engine 1488cc.

Y14 - 1935 E.R.A. 'R.1.B'

Models of Yesteryear Y14 - 1935 E.R.A. 'R.1.B'

English Automobiles built 17 of these “Old English Uprights” from 1934-37, using Riley derived engines. This famous Dick Seaman car, now owned and raced by Patrick Marsch, won in 1935 both the Swiss Grand Prix in Berne and Pescara , Italy, Engine 1980cc 6 cylinder – 320 bhp –145 mph (232 km/h).

THE FOWLER STEAM LORRY 60th ANNIVERSARY HALLS MENTHO LYTUS

Hall Bros (Whitefield) Ltd have commissioned this unique, limited edition, die-cast model of the Fowler Steam Lorry to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of their brand-Halls Mentho-Lyptus.

The Fowler Steam Lorry was produced in Leeds from 1924 to 1932. 127 were built during this period but only one survives. It was originally supplied to Leeds City Council but now carries the Halls Mentho-Lyptus livery.

The Fowler operates at a working pressure of 225 p.s.i. and develops 55 b.h.p. providing a maximum speed of 28 m.p.h. (unladen weight of 8 tons) Steam Lorries in the 1920’s were cheaper to buy 50% cheaper to run, and lasted 30% longer than the petrol driven lorries of the day.

HOT WHEELS 1/18 ELITE FERRARI 250 GTO LTD EDITION

This is Hot Wheels 1/18 Elite Ferrari 250 GTO Ltd Edition die-cast model car. A special model to celebrate Ferrari's 60th Anninversary Finished in a Matt Yellow individually numbered on a black base.

FORD CONSUL BROWN 50th ANNIVERSARY MODEL

This model is probably the closest to the original that Corgi chose for their first model in July 1956. The Ford Consul was by then six years old and very popular. Within three months the initial production run in 1956 of 100,000 pieces had sold out and the Swansea factory had to produce a further 250,000 models to meet demand. Corgi had to create a new casting to release this model in our Anniversary Series. This special limited edition model is made in exactly the same way as the 1956 original, with a metal chassis, turned wheels, and of course, windows. See more.