History
This model was first released in 1961 and had a seven year production history.
There were at least five colour variations and there may be others I have not discovered which were distributed in two box styles.
All models had a blue metal driver. The wheels were smaller plastic in the front and larger metal at the two rear axles. The front shovel was silver facing and red behind. It had two hydraulic rams to lift the tipper and a further one to operate the front shovel.
These are the colour variations;
- Red cab and tipper back, silver chassis and pale lemon wheels.
- Red cab with silver tipper back, graphite/black chassis and red wheels.
- Red cab and red tipper back, silver chassis and red wheels.
- Red cab and silver tipper back, silver chassis and red wheels.
- Red cab and tipper back, graphite/black chassis and red wheels.
Box
The first type, and more common box, was the yellow box with lift off lid, advertising Dinky Supertoy and showing a red bodied model on the top.
The scarce and more fragile 2nd type box came later and was the end flap style, which was not strong enough for such a heavy model, resulting in flaps being easily damaged and lost.
This box showed a bright red model, with a pictorial scene of construction taking place.
Statistics
I researched sales over the last 15 years of a well known auction house. What was important to identify were the different variations and how many of each type were sold.
A total of 75 models have been sold.
- Red cab and tipper back, silver chassis and pale lemon wheels. 29 sales 38%+
- Red cab with silver tipper back, graphite/black chassis and red wheels. 7 sales 9%+
- Red cab and red tipper back, silver chassis and red wheels. 30 sales 40%
- Red cab and silver tipper back, silver chassis and red wheels. 4 sales 5%+
- Red cab and tipper back, graphite/black chassis and red wheels. 5 sales 5%+
Valuations
It can become quite confusing when away from a catalogue or an article like this to remember what is scarce and what is more regularly seen.
In this models’ case I would say a golden rule is, if it has a silver shovel back or a graphite/black chassis it is scarce.
With this table the important points were condition, whether boxed and the final sale price. I have then based my valuation estimate on this information.
- Red cab and tipper back, silver chassis and pale lemon wheels. £175-£250
- Red cab with silver tipper back, graphite/black chassis and red wheels. £400-£600
- Red cab and red tipper back, silver chassis and red wheels. £175-£250
- Red cab and silver tipper back, silver chassis and red wheels. £400-£600
- Red cab and tipper back, graphite/black chassis and red wheels. £400-£600
The above valuations may raise a few eyebrows.
However I would add that there have been sales recorded for the 3rd type red/red/silver and red wheels of £220, £260 and £360. By the time you add another minimum 20% commission on top this makes around £300-£400, but would this be a fair valuation, I think not.
Type 4 red/silver/black with red wheels had one model sold for £580 that would be about £700. There are always examples that move outside of a fair valuation.
The idea with any valuation is to give both seller and buyer a place to start from in regards a mint model and box example, you then go from there.
Summary
As always, I would add these are my own investigations, knowledge and experience. Should any reader have any further knowledge or opinions they are always gratefully received.
I would appreciate any confirmation with photos as a first instance for any further un-recorded colour variations.
The idea of every article is to provide as much knowledge of the release and the colour and material changes and to provide stimulation with an updated valuation, as I see it. I hope you have enjoyed it.