sunny-day rooftop escapade: exploring miniature convertible toy vehicles
New England's Reluctant Farewell to Winter
Winter clings stubbornly in New England, often lingering well into April. So when I learned that my old pal and Tri-Ang Minics collector, Alan Lee, was putting his collection up for sale with Vectis Auctions in the UK, visions of summer adventures were the last thing on my mind. Instead, I was puzzled by Lee's decision to part with his prized collection he had meticulously amassed over the years. So, I gave him a call.
Lee had amassed two collections of Minics over the years. He sold the first in 1988-1989 to individual collectors via collectors' magazines. "It was Gates Willard's passing that sparked my second phase of collecting Minics," Lee shared. "He talked about it while he was still well... he asked if I could take his toys back to the U.K. for auction if anything happened. So that started me off again with Minics."
Lee explained that recent years had seen a decline in the value of Minics, both pre- and post-war models. Collectors have been passing on or moving on to new interests, which has led to a dip in values across the board for Minics, Dinkys, and Hornby trains.
Lee's decision to sell his collection was prompted by his family, who felt that their large house was filling up with things they weren't interested in or didn't know how to dispose of. Lee decided to handle the disposal himself while he still could.
I managed to win several of Lee's pre- and post-war Minics in the March and April auctions that Vectis held, and he tells me there will be five auctions in total over the next few months. You can learn more at www.vectis.co.uk.
As I unpacked my new acquisitions, the weather began to turn Spring-like. The realization that about half of my new purchases were convertibles got me reminiscing about summer fun and toy convertibles. This Summer-focused edition of the Journal was born from that reminiscence.
Convertibles, like their full-sized counterparts, have been a symbol of "Summer Fun in the Sun" since their inception. Early convertibles like the Benz Patent-Motorwagen didn't convert from a closed to an open configuration, but open vehicles were highly popular, even in the infamous English weather.
Toy manufacturers like Tippco, Tootsietoy, JEP, CR, and Lines Bros. all produced convertible toys as part of their product lines. When Lines Bros. introduced the Tri-Ang Minic line in 1935, they included convertibles to appeal to British children who saw them on their roads.
Over the years, convertibles have graced my display shelves in various forms: tinplate, die-cast metal, and plastic. One of my favorites is the Nu-Style Sportster, an 10-inch plastic convertible produced by Saunders in the late 1940s. I later discovered a nearly identical version at a toy show in the fall. Upon closer inspection, it was a Hong Kong knock-off, even though it lacked any identifying marks.
The beach-worthy Products Company's simple, one-piece convertible is another favorite. Produced during the early to mid-1950s, it's a great-looking model of a late 1940s Cadillac convertible, but the plastic often warps, making a well-preserved example a challenge to find.
The legendary American toy maker Hubley produced several convertibles during the mid-1950s, including a 6-inch MG, a 7-inch Jaguar XK120, a 9-inch Ford Thunderbird, a 9-inch MG, and a 13-inch Chevrolet Corvette, all in die-cast metal. The Jaguar is emblematic of Hubley's offerings of the period, capturing the flowing lines of the XK120 well, despite the front grille being too upright.
In the realm of the quirky, the 6-inch Cadillac and Buick convertibles produced by Manoil from the 1930s to the 1950s are worth mentioning. Their unusual appearance certainly catches the eye, with a long, narrow body and oversized windshields.
Allied of New York and Cheerio of England produced marvelous little plastic convertibles in the 1950s. Despite being one-piece bodies, they exuded charm, making them sought-after collectibles.
If you're a fan of the Chrysler convertible, Cragstan's offering during the late 1960s as part of its Detroit Senior series is a must-have. Measuring 1:43 scale and made in Israel, these die-cast models competed well with established names such as Corgi and Dinky, featuring suspension and, in some cases, opening doors or trunks.
In 1960-'61, Revell and Chrysler partnered to produce a series of seven pre-built models based on Chrysler's upcoming 1961 models. The '61 Chrysler convertible is a standout, reminiscent of the car driven by Milton Berle in the 1963 cinema classic, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
If you're pining for sunnier days, consider adding a bicycle to your collection and pedal down to that ice cream stand on Route 1 when the mood strikes you.
As summer draws near, Lee's decision to sell his vintage Minic collection, which includes convertibles, reminds me of the diversity and appeal of collectible toys. This extends beyond just cars, as fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts might seek vintage beachwear or home-and-garden enthusiasts could collect quaint items for summer entertaining. For those yearning for travel experiences, researching the next destination or planning a road trip with a classic car could be part of a vibrant summer lifestyle. Furthermore, the rhythm of the seasons complements the rhythm of life, and as winter slowly lets go, the anticipation for al fresco dining and dining experiences become more tangible, making food-and-drink a key part of our summer plans.
