Superfast: super money...

Vectis’ Specialist Sale on 21 February was one for the lovers of small scale diecast – although deep pockets were also required…

The Superfast No.11a Mercedes Scaffolding Truck was a rare Dutch promotional issue (Matab Stapelsteiger) and was complete with six pale grey scaffold sections of a different design from the standard yellow scaffold sections from the UK production model. Running on 5-spoke narrow wheels without tread pattern, it was mint in a near mint, new type G box. Estimated at £400-500, it finally parked up at £696.

Not far behind was the Superfast No.33a Lamborghini Miura with yellow body, clear windows and an ivory interior. This delight had a bare metal base and 5-spoke narrow wheels, without a tread pattern cast. It was only described as good plus but came in a good type F transitional box with minor ink graffiti to one striker side and puncture holes to the picture faces. Estimated at £60-80, its rarity enabled the fabled supercar to whizz away to £408.

A third big hitter was the Superfast No.75a Ferrari Berlinetta in metallic green with headlamp cowls, but without silver trim to the grille and headlamps; it had clear windows, an ivory interior and bare metal base. This version ran on 5-spoke narrow wheels, two of which had a tread pattern. Described as near mint in a near mint, new type G box, here was a superb example of a rare transitional issue. Its new owner paid £600 for the privilege of taking it home.

And in case you thought it was all about Superfast, here’s something different. An unloved (to some, at any rate) Matchbox Speedkings K50 Street Rod pre-production colour trial model surfaced at the sale. With a lighter shade red body and a darker shade red chassis, it was fitted with a black plastic roof, seats and grille, and carried factory un-spun base rivets. An oddity, but near mint albeit unboxed, its upper estimate of £100 was easily passed, the hammer falling on £408.