A Brief History
First released as no ’25V’ in a trade box of 4 models in 1948, the early model was produced, I believe, in just one colour scheme, a tan body with green shutters and red ridged metal wheels with no glazing.
In 1953-1954 the re-launch of the Bedford Refuse Wagon took place and, as in most model cases, an early dual numbered box was issued showing both catalogue numbers. By the end of 1954 the model became ‘252’ and remained until the model was withdrawn from their range in 1965 providing a successful distribution of 13 years.
There were three main colour launches but with new materials being used, several variations can be found. Earlier models continued without windows. Glazing was then introduced and metal wheels became plastic wheels. Shutters had been metal and later versions became plastic. Radiators were generally black but the later orange cab became a silver radiator. Tyres were initially the smooth type and became bobbly grip tyres.
Finally, a few models again, the orange cab version as the last main colour, had a matt black base plate rather than the normal black gloss plate. The conclusion is that at least 13 variations occur and 10 of these are shown here from my own collection.
What follows is a listing of these variations. I also have provided model sales from three recognised sales outlets, including my own, to produce sales and the distribution of each variation. The sales do not reflect condition but are all sales. I have given my own assessment of value based on rarity and past results where a mint or near mint boxed example exists, otherwise my own estimate.
Dinky 25V. 1948-54
All early models had a tan cab and body with green metal shutters and red ridged metal wheels with smooth tyres. The early models have the mottled press metal base plate. No numbering ever occurred on the base plate through the life of the model. They were sold in a shop keepers trade box of 4 models under code ’25V’.
Early Mottled Base & Smooth black tyres.
Variation 1A (Trade Box)
Tan body, green metal shutters, red metal wheels, no glazing. This was a box of 4, for around £250-£350.
Variation 1B (Individual Model)
This is also the first variation but sold individually unboxed in mint condition from an original trade box of four models, for around £50-£80.
Variation 1C (Individually Boxed)
Tan body, green metal shutters, red metal ridged wheels, no windows and smooth tyres. Boxed for around £125-£175.
Variation 2 – Discovered in 2019
Tan body, green metal shutters and cream metal wheels, no glazing. This may have been sold from a trade box or individual early box. Rare for around £650-£700.
Dinky 252. 194-65 - Price Guide
Note; Price guide for mint boxed examples.
- All following models have a black gloss base, no windows and bobbly tyres.
Variation 3 (£550-£700)
Tan body – green metal shutters – green metal ridged wheels – no windows. Rare.
Variation 4 (£350-£475)
Olive green body – black metal shutters – cream metal ridged wheels. Scarce.
Variation 5 (£700-£800) – Discovered in 2019
Olive green body – black metal shutters – red metal ridged wheels. Very Rare.
- All following models have a black gloss base, windows and bobbly tyres.
Variation 6 (£150-£200)
Tan body – green metal shutters – red metal ridged wheels.
Variation 7 (£550-£700)
Tan body – green metal shutters – green metal ridged wheels. Rare.
Variation 8 (£400-£500)
Olive green body – black metal shutters – cream metal ridged wheels. Scarce.
Variation 9 (£450-£600)
Orange body/grey back – green metal shutters – green metal ridged wheels – full Silver radiator & front bumper. Very Scarce.
- All following models have a black gloss base, windows and bobbly tyres and plastic shutters.
Variation 10 (£600-£750)
Orange body/grey back-green plastic shutters – cream metal ridged wheels – full Silver radiator & front bumper. Rare.
Variation 11 (£550-£700)
Orange body/grey back – green plastic shutters – red metal ridged wheels – full Silver radiator & front bumper. Very Scarce.
Variation 12 (£450-£600)
Orange body/grey back-green plastic shutters – red plastic wheels – Full silver radiator & front bumper. Not easy to find.
- Final version with Matt black base, Silver radiator only, windows and bobbly tyres and plastic shutters
Variation 13 (£500-£600)
Orange body/grey back-green plastic shutters – red plastic wheels. Very Scarce.
Boxes
- Trade Box for 4 models issued in Type 2, 3 & 4 trade boxes, as described in ‘Ramsay’s British Diecast’.
- Yellow dual numbered picture box, ‘252’ on end flaps with white writing in black ovals. To each side ’25v’ in red writing. No oval and numbering on picture side.
- Yellow picture box with ‘252’ in white writing in black ovals at end flaps. White numbering on red oval on picture side.
- Light yellow picture box with ‘252’ in white writing in black ovals at end flaps. White numbering on red oval on picture side.
- Red and yellow non picture box with white writing in red ovals on end flaps.
Sales
Sales to May 2017. The total sales recorded for this survey since August 2000 are 218 models. The distribution is as follows.
Variation 1. 106 48.5%
Variation 2. 1 0.5%
Variation 3. 2 1%
Variation 4. 15 7%
Variation 5. 1 0.5%
Variation 6. 28 12.8%
Variation 7. 4 1.8%
Variation 8. 10 4.6%
Variation 9. 11 5%
Variation 10. 2 1%
Variation 11. 4 1.8%
Variation 12. 32 14.5%
Variation 13. 2 1%
Total 218 100%
If you are aware of any genuine variations not listed above please feel free to email me with details and pictures and I will always consider adding to the above article, or follow with a blog.
Look out for non-recorded variations with the late matt black base plate.
I hope you enjoyed this article. Any comments you may have will be gratefully received.
This article was updated 1st November 2019