Pre-War Dinky Toys 25a Lorry 1st Type Tinplate Grille 1934 Maroon Yellow Bed

This pre-war Dinky Toys 25 Series Wagon (25a) is a genuine 1st Series / Type 1 model produced by Meccano between 1934 and 1935. Styled after typical 1930s British commercial vehicles, this early issue features the desirable folded tinplate washboard radiator grille, smooth metal hubs, thin axles, and a planked-dropside body. Offered in unrestored condition with paint wear, some surface tarnishing, and aged tyres, it remains a rare, complete example—ideal as a filler piece or an ideal candidate for a sympathetic restoration project.

Confirming it is a True Type 1:

Headlights: Unlike the later Type 2, the front mudguards/fenders are completely smooth and do not have cast-in headlamps.

Pear-Shaped Holes: If you turn the truck over, the open cast chassis features three distinct pear-shaped holes.

Stamped Tinplate Grille: The radiator grille is a silver-colored piece of stamped tin slotted into the diecast body, not part of the main metal mold.

Wheels and Tires: It should feature small black or colored metal hubs fitted with smooth white or cream rubber tyres.

ITEM SPECIFICS

Brand: Dinky Toys (Meccano)

Model: 25a Wagon / Open Lorry (1st Type)

Features: Separate clip-in tinplate radiator grille, removable bed

Era: 1934–1935 (1st Series Pre-War)

Country Of Manufacture: United Kingdom

Condition: Used / Play-worn with zinc fatigue to bed

ITEM DESCRIPTION

Rare Pre-War Dinky Toys No. 25a Wagon / Lorry — 1st Type Tinplate Grille (1934–1935)

Scarce 1st Series example of the Dinky 25a Open Lorry in original maroon cab, black open chassis, and yellow bed.

Key Variant Feature: Features the desirable 1st Type clip-in tinplate radiator grille used exclusively during the initial 1934–1935 production run, prior to Meccano switching to an integrated cast grille in 1935/36.

Details: Removable slotted yellow drop-side bed, smooth black hub wheels, and original 1930s white rubber tyres.

CONDITION: Worn condition with paint chipping throughout. Casting Note: The cab and open chassis remain solid. The underside of the detachable yellow bed shows webbed surface cracking characteristic of zinc fatigue/pest, though the piece remains complete and intact.

A hard-to-find early variant for the pre-war Dinky specialist.

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CONDITION: Please review all high-resolution photos for full condition details prior to purchasing.

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