Miniatures News, March 1969

The real N.S.U. Ro80 still eludes us but a Dinky Toys miniature of this Wankel-engined German car is now available. Like the real car it is revolutionary, having not only Dinky’s Prestomatic steering and suspension but moulded screen-wipers and rear-view mirror and, an innovation in the model field, a fully-luminous interior, and battery operated head and tail lamps which light up as the front or back of the car is pressed down—although we hope that on the full-sized N.S.U. all the lamps stay on over the bumps!. This new model is No. 176 in the Dinky series and costs 10s. 6d.

Children’s pedal-driven cars modelled on real racing cars have appeared from time to time down the years. There were those 200-Mile Race Alvis sponsored by Leslie Wilson of Shelsley Walsh fame and Lines Bros.’ 4-litre Sunbeam, in Southport trim. But Ettore Bugatti’s beautiful electrically-driven miniature G.P. cars made the pedal cars look rather ordinary. Now Lines Bros. have brought out a Tri-ang F.1 kid’s car, in British racing green, with wire wheels (shades of Ferrari) and a dummy V8 engine protruding front the tail.

This is available in both pedal and electrically-powered forms. We have not been told the price but if these cars are less expensive than the new Bugatti replicas they could have considerable appeal. We have long felt that there is sufficient fascination in road-going miniatures which really can be driven, whether realistic racing cars or just simple tractors, for them to be a commercial proposition, selling to those who feel like a dice about the garden or estate.—W. B.