Superfast: super prices achieved

September saw some real rarities go under the hammer at Vectis. Anyone reading this who pooh-poohs the company’s Superfast range might like to know that a whopping £6,240 was paid for a Matchbox Superfast No.12 Land Rover Safari. This pre-production model boasted a mid-blue body, brown luggage, clear windows, a white interior without transmission tunnel cast, five-spoke wheels with tread pattern cast and was fitted with trial ivory plastic axle clips. In excellent plus condition, it suffered chrome loss to one rear wheel, and bore a tiny scratch to the passenger front door and a faint scratch to rear passenger door.

Other interesting (and costly) departures from the norm included the Regular Wheels No.15d, the VW Beetle Rally Car pre-production trial model. This was dark yellow with clear windows, an ivory interior, a bare metal base and chromed hubs with black plastic tyres. With a different baseplate and other casting aberrations, this excited bidders all the way to £960; whilst a Superfast No.68 Porsche 910 pre-production colour trial was equipped with five-spoke narrow wheels and raced off to achieve £744.

Still not convinced about Superfast? The Long Haul TP900 Series Articulated Horse Transporter pre-production example featured a mock-up Leyland Tractor Unit in metallic emerald green, with amber windows. The trailer sported a cream plastic body and was complete with horses. The tractor unit was a reworked body casting and whilst the model was never released, the trailer did appear. This unique lot made £1,140 against an estimate of just £100…

And what about Models of Yesteryear? Unloved by many collectors, the oddballs still make good money. A rare maroon Y16 Spyker Veteran Automobile, fitted with the earlier type wheels from the Y6 Bugatti, was a prime example. Aside from a glue repair to the top part of the windscreen, it was excellent. Estimated at £600, it realised £1,080. Equally popular was the Y7 1912 Rolls Royce pre-production colour trial, with a green body, bright red seats and  yellow wings. This colourful creation purred off to make £744; while a Y4 Duesenberg Model J Town Car, finished with a white body with open roof cross, a yellow plastic roof and interior, attracted plenty of attention and finally went under the hammer for £1,440.