The history of Dinky Collection

  1. History of the Dinky Collection models
  2. Literature
  3. List of code-1 models
  4. List of code-2 models

 

1. History of the Dinky Collection models

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General Information

Matchbox (Universal International, from Hong Kong) bought the Dinky trade mark in 1987 and at the Earls Court toy fair of 1988 the company announced that Dinky was to return to the international diecast market. The official press release read: In 1988 one of the greatest names in the history of diecast is to return. Matchbox Toys will restore Dinky to its original glory. Matchbox had acquired the rights to this famous trade mark in order to reinforce its leading position in the global diecast market. Research had proved that the Dinky brand was still foremost in the minds of toy collectors in England.

Since Matchbox had bought the rights to the Dinky name, during the last eight years no new Dinky casts had been produced. Matchbox therefore had to begin by investing into research and development and start all over again. The idea was to introduce a line of models of an era relevant to the Dinky name. Not only would beginning collectors be tempted to buy these models; likewise people who had grown up in the 50s and 60s would be attracted to these models, as they appreciated their nostalgic value.

The first Matchbox Dinkys were marketed towards the end of 1987. They were packaged in blister packs featuring the name Dinky Toys in yellow on a red background. The six models in the 1:75 scale were: Citroën 15 CV, Toyota Supra, Fiat Abarth, Volkswagen Golf, Chevrolet Corvette, and Pontiac Firebird. The reviews upon the marketing of these models were not overly enthousiasic. The critics were not yet aware that Matchbox was to market Dinkys in a scale of 1:43 a year later under the heading of "Dinky Collection".

The Harrods department store was the first to sell the new Dinky Collection models towards the Christmas season of 1988. The first three models to appear were: a Jaguar E-type, a Chevrolet Bel Air, and an MG B. The Dinky Collection series runs from numbers DY-01 to DY-36. Initially, the models were for sale in many different shops and outlets. They were even sold at some petrol stations.

In October of 1992, Matchbox was sold to TYCO for a total amount of 106 million dollars. In 1993, "Matchbox Collectibles" was registered as an independent company, its main objective being mail order sales. From that moment on, new models no longer appeared in the shops and direct purchase was limited to the "Collectibles Centers". This sales policy was frowned upon by many collectors, as it made it impossible for them to go to their local toy shop to view the model before deciding to buy it. On top of this, the price of the models was raised considerably.

We may deduce from the added term "Collection" that the current Dinky models are destined for the collectors' market. The old Dinky Toys used to be bought for children and were thus forthwith removed from their boxes to be played with on the carpet or the floorboards. Naturally, this included many simulated collisions and various irrevocable alterations to the model. Eventually the models wound up in a shoe box in the attic, or worse, in the dustbin. This is why today the number of remaining mint and boxed models is limited. Another aspect is, that just around the time when Dinky went bankrupt, collecting model cars started to become popular again. The demand for old models increased and so did prices. In recent years, it has looked as if prices were stabilizing. But at the latest Vectis auction a remarkable phenomenon occurred: a Weetabix truck was offered for sale at the incredible price range of £ 1.800 to £ 2.200. During the auction, the price steadily rose to a staggering £ 3.600. Does this mean that our former toys are really worth that much money or have things grown completely out of proportion? At any rate, it is certain that collectors themselves are primarily to blame for the steep rise in price levels by entering ever higher bids for these more or less rare items.

The Dinky Collection, however, was aimed at collectors from the moment of its conception. The models were carefully selected for the collectors' market and most often produced in fairly limited numbers. Most collectors are aware of the old problem of boxes being discarded, so nowadays the great majority of collectors are very mindful to preserve the packaging of their models. For this reason, the increase in value over the years which was realised for the old Dinky Toys is most likely not to occur in the case of the Dinky Collection models, with the possible exception of models showing specific manufacturing faults or variations, rare colour schemes and pre-production models.

Sources of information

We distinguish a certain order in the relevance of information from different sources; we are inclined to do so because contradictions exist which have been prompted by the manufacturers themselves. The picking order in authenticity of information provided is as follows:

Only when it concerns the numbering of a model the information provided by the packaging is more relevant than that of the scale model, as the B- and C-variations are usually not indicated on the model itself. When the box mentions a different production year of the model's original than the base plate, it is the information on the base plate that is more relevant. When the brochures mentions a certain colour as the C-variation while the box shows B, the information on the box is regarded decisive. Just how ambiguous the information provided can be, is exemplified by the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing. This model carries the number DY-12 on its base plate; the box shows the number DY-12B; and the "Dreammachines" brochure which appeared in 1992 mentions number DY-12C. This picking order offers a possible solution to confusion such as this. As far as packaging is concerned, up to now a total of seven different type boxes have been used. The first models could still be bought in the shops and could be inspected on the spot. When Matchbox started its mail order scheme the model was no longer visible in its box.

Numbers and codes

Considering numbers and codes, we mark the following:

    • an "S" added to the number indicates that it is a special edition of a model;
    • a giftset has a three-digit number starting with "90";
    • a pewter model has a three-digit number starting with "92";
    • the addition of "B" or "C" indicates a 2nd or 3rd colour or print variation; this does not include gift sets.

Colour variations and numbering

At the introduction of the Dinky Collection the manufacturer pledged that no more than three colour/print variations would be issued per model. If the model was to reappear in an adapted version, no more than two colour variations would be released. The question which arises is: what exactly is an adapted version? The manufacturer posits that when any kind of change is made to the original model, this constitutes a new model with a different number. Examples of this are the E-type Jaguars DY-1 and DY-18 and the Chevrolets DY-2 and DY-27. In other words, if a basic model is slightly changed and carries a different number it is regarded as a new model. Does that make the Citroën DY-22B a different model from the Citroën DY-22 ? No, that is not what is meant in this respect - for more information about the development of this particular model we refer you to the DDS Bulletin issue number 28.

Particularly in recent years, after Matchbox was incorporated by Mattel, much has been said about the models which Matchbox issues under the trade name of Dinky. Their policy in issueing models has not always been clear from the point of view of the collector. Dinky models were issued as Yesteryear and vice versa. It is significant that the trade name Dinky is no longer cast into the base plate; it is now applied by tampo printing. As from the year 2000, Matchbox is also introducing an extensive series of cheaper models by the name of "Platinum". Another change is that Dinky models are now indicated by a DYM number code (M stands for mail order packaging). This five-digit number is not related to the cast itself. And ever since the models have been on sale through Collectibles Centers the packaging carries an additional code relating to the manufacturing location and the day of production. An example of this is the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air "Coca Cola" carrying the number 125 9 ME. This means the model has been produced on May 5th, 1999 (the 125th day of the year ending with 9) in the production facility coded ME.

Code-1, code-2 and code-3

Code-1: Every model which has, in its entirity, been produced by the manufacturer. These models may have been produced and/or adapted in different production facilities.

Code-2: Every model which, with explicit permission of the manufacturer, has entirely or partly been adapted from the original model by applying decorations, logos or alternative colour schemes. Examples of DDS code-2 models are the 1968 VW Karmann Ghia Convertible, the 1950 Ford E83W "I’m a Dinky" and the 1956 Chevrolet Corvette. These models are usually issued by the various collectors' clubs.

Code-3: Every model which has in any way been adapted from the original model without permission of the manufacturer. Without this explicit permission, the model will be nothing more or less than a private issue. Examples of DDS code-3 models are the 1958 Porsche 356 A, the 1951 Volkswagen Beetle and the 1949 Ford V8 Pilot.

2. Literature