Selection of Spot-on models excel at Wallis & Wallis

Yes, if you were after a top of the range, almost mint, Dinky breakfast cereal van, then the December Wallis & Wallis auction served up the goods. The Supertoys Guy Van, which showed only minor chips to the rear door handles, was a first type cab model and such was the interest shown that it was finally knocked down for a cool £1,100.

Although there were many elements to this sale, it was the vehicle side that really stood out, with some astonishing prices chalked up on the day. Amongst the tinplate was an attractive Tri-ang Army Breakdown Lorry. A post-war example, it was fitted with a clockwork crane and was in a camouflaged paint scheme. This realised £130.

The Spot-on section, though, really excelled, with ten models up for grabs. The Jaguar XKSS in light metallic blue was simply divine and came boxed, and this quickly sped off to achieve £240. But that was small beer, for a Sunbeam Alpine in light blue with a white hardtop was deemed more desirable, this making £280 against a guideline of £120. The big money, though, went on the commercials. An Austin Type 503 normal control flatbed lorry eclipsed the Sunbeam: a dark blue example with a cream crate emblazoned with the BMC script and logo, containing a light (mint) green MGA was feverishly bid to £380. This is a seldom seen, therefore very popular, model. But even that took third place, beaten by the ERF 68G that was finished in pale green. Again, this one was boxed and bidding took this mint example to £420. Top of the pops on the day, though, was the Ford Thames Trader with an articulated flat float and garage kit. The bee’s knees, this was painted orange and came with all the requisite paperwork. A lucky bidder took it home for a hefty £650.

Corgi wasn’t overlooked either, and a good selection of cars, lorries and gift sets went under the hammer. A lovely Ecurie Ecosse car transporter with a trio of boxed cars (Gift Set 16), was overall very nearly mint and, even though the cars had been added separately, this combination was taken all the way to £380, exceeding the estimate. Mention ought also to be made of the Morris Mini Cooper Competition model, which was fetching in yellow, with a white roof and bonnet, and with all the necessary decals. Mint, the auctioneers reckoned that it would peak at £200 but this marvellous Mini raced on to achieve a creditable £360.