Club News

 

User login

New Comments

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

3 days 3 hours ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

3 days 5 hours ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

3 days 7 hours ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

3 days 8 hours ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

4 days 3 hours ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

4 days 9 hours ago

-508 DAF

4 days 10 hours ago

--14c and 401Coventry Climax Fork Lift Truck (1949-64)

4 days 10 hours ago

FRENCH DINKY TALBOT LAGO

4 days 10 hours ago

-Boxes General Discussions including end flaps, both British and French

4 days 10 hours ago

--14c and 401Coventry Climax Fork Lift Truck (1949-64)

2 weeks 5 days ago

--14c and 401Coventry Climax Fork Lift Truck (1949-64)

2 weeks 6 days ago

-508 DAF

1 month 1 week ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 2 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 2 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 2 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 2 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 2 weeks ago

-508 DAF

1 month 3 weeks ago

-508 DAF

1 month 3 weeks ago

-508 DAF

1 month 3 weeks ago

New arrivals

1 month 3 weeks ago

New arrivals

1 month 3 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 3 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 3 weeks ago

ORIGINAL MECCANO DINKY TOYS FACTORY BOX ART 175 HILLMAN MINX SALOON + DRAWING

1 month 3 weeks ago

--29c and 290 Double Decker Bus (1938-63)

1 month 3 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 3 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 3 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 3 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 3 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 3 weeks ago

--29c and 290 Double Decker Bus (1938-63)

1 month 3 weeks ago

--29c and 290 Double Decker Bus (1938-63)

1 month 3 weeks ago

DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023

1 month 3 weeks ago

Visitors

  • Total Visitors: 1639947
  • Registered Users: 388
  • Published Nodes: 1681
  • Since: 03/22/2024 - 00:57
6 posts / 0 new
Last post

janwerner's picture
janwerner
Offline
DTCA MemberNetherlands

-108 MG Midget Sports (Competition Finish) (1955-59)

The no. 108 M.G. Midget Sports (Competition) was introduced in April 1955, as the first of five British Sports Cars, successors of the pre-/early post-war series 38 sports cars. It was introduced in Meccano Magazine of that month and shown in the first full colour duo-presentation back cover, together with the no. 133 Cunningham C-5R Road Racer (the latter was the first single Dinky model to partly fill a colour back cover in the previous month). As announced the model was available in red or white with the respective racing numbers 24 and 28.

The chronological order of introduction:

108 M.G. Midget Sports, introduced April 1955.

109 Austin Healey Sports 100, introduced May 1955.

107 Sunbeam Alpine Sports, introduced November 1955.

111 Triumph TR2 Sports, introduced February 1956.

110 Aston Martin DB3S Sports, introduced March 1956.

 

Many drawings of the MG Midget are known to be still in existence.

Job nos. 7683 & 7682, MG Midget (including 7682 the 129 version) (assy) d.d. 03-03-1954 (shown below, auctioned at Christie’s South Kensington, Sept 1995, detail illustrated in DT&MM p. 131).

Job no. 7684, Body – MG Midget (large) d.d. 16-02-1954.

Job no. 7685, Base – MG Midget (small) d.d. 17-02-1954.

Job no. 7686, Windscreen – MG Midget (small) d.d. 19-02-1954.

Job no. 13995, Car Driver – Competition (small) d.d. 14-01-1954 (shown below, from the DTCA website, also illustrated in the GBofDT p. 187 ).

The touring version was introduced two years after, in 1957 as no. 102. Therefore it is remarkable to note that no. 129, the USA version of no. 108, referred to on the assembly drawing 7683 in 1954 already (as job no. 7682) and introduced in 1955 as well, was in fact a premature touring version without racing numbers, albeit also without (civilian) driver.

Why this deviating version was decided to be produced for the U.S. market (added as late as one year after the assembly design was completed, 22 March 1955) is not known to me. The U.S.A. catalogue of 1955 shows this model in the unique companionship with the previous generation, the pre- and early post-war 38 series cars, now renumbered in the lower 100 numbers, preceding the 106 etc. new sports cars range. Was the introduction of the exceptional driver-less and racenumber-less 129 done in order to match the former, still available 38 series sports cars in general appearance?  

The no. 129 U.S. counterpart has the same white and red colour choices as the regular 108. By the way, a special U.S. issue for the Austin Healey, no. 128, was conceptualized too, but not realized (see the Dinky Toys list of steel bases, which was brought up to date up to 13 February 1962).

Like the other models in competition finish two colours were available, as referred to above already. The auction catalogue for the Remy-Meeùs collection (24/25 September 2001) mentions a white (cream) one with the racing number 26 instead of the regular 28. In fact 26 was the number for the light blue no. 107 Sunbeam Alpine.

As soon as the touring version was introduced there was a short time of overlap. In that period the no. 108 lost its reference number, embossed previously into the base plate (perhaps others can supply pictures of that, I haven’t). Contrary to the touring version the competition counterpart was never fitted with spun hubs, simply because is was discontinued before the introduction of the spun hubs. The brand name on the boxes was always printed in upright lettering and not many are found with treaded tyres, again, both contrary to the touring finish.

Finally a Wikipedia quote about the real 1:1 MG TF:

“The MG T series is a range of body-on-frame convertible sports cars that were produced by MG from 1936 to 1955. The series included the MG TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, and MG TF Midget models. The last of these models, the TF, was replaced by the MGA.

The TF Midget, launched 15 October 1953, was a facelifted TD, fitted with the TD Mark II engine, headlights faired into the fenders, a sloping radiator grille concealing a separate radiator, and a new pressurized cooling system along with a simulated external radiator cap. This XPAG engine's compression ratio had been increased to 8.1:1 and extra-large valves with stronger valve springs and larger carburettors increased output to 57.5 bhp at 5,500 rpm.

In mid-1954 the engine capacity was increased by 17 per cent to 1466 cc and designated XPEG. The bore was increased to 72 mm (2.8 in) and compression raised to 8.3:1 giving 63 bhp (47 kW) at 5,000 rpm and a 17 per cent increase in torque. The car was now designated TF1500, and externally distinguished by a cream background enamel nameplate on both sides of the bonnet, placed just to the rear of the forward bonnet-release buttons.

Production ended at chassis number TF10100 on 4 April 1955 after 9,602 TFs had been manufactured, including two prototypes and 3,400 TF1500s. The TF was superseded by the MGA.”

Well, these were just some gathered notes in connection with two recent lovely acquisitions. Comments, additions and corrections much appreciated! Kind regards, Jan 

Jan Oldenhuis's picture
Jan Oldenhuis
Offline
DTCA MemberNetherlands

Jan-a brilliant collection of sports cars, all in mint condition.

You could now show this complete collection in mint condition now you just had changed the lesser 108 (24 red) for a mint 108 (24 red). A very nice upgrade and a beautiful picture to see. A nice  picture for your next calendar smiley.

I find the Midget one of the nicest of all.  I add a scan of a Dutch DT leaflet of June 1957 with the same Sports Cars in non-competition finish. Also in beautiful (other) colours.

Kind regards,

Jan Oldenhuis 15-5-2017.

Dinky Toys leaflet Dutch June 1957 with 102 M.G. Midget Sports Car.

 

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
Offline
AustraliaDTCA Member

Jan - Fully concur with Jan O's Post in regard to your opening Post on the MG MIDGET SPORTS.  At this point in time, I have nothing extra-ordinary to add, except the following:

I received both the 108 MG Midget Sports and the 111 Triumph TR2 Sports for Christmas, possibly at Christmas 1956.  As these models came together, there is every possibility that they came from the same batch during production, and boxed then crated during the same period of time. The interesting point is that neither of these models arrived with their competition numbers as a transfer already applied in the factory.  Instead, the numbers were on a sheet, from memory the sheet being a form of glossy paper, which I then peeled off the circular numbers and stuck on each car in the position shown on the box.  I have never heard of anyone mentioning something similar happening with their models.

Please excuse the quality of my MG Midget - I can only repeat what I have written in another topic - most if not all my Dinky Toys were subjected to severe abuse at the hands of kids that were allowed to "play" with them after I left home in 1964. In the case of my MG it also lost its windscreen.

But what I want to display now is the car that does not show any trace of a water-slide transfer that was used by Meccano. I have seen many examples of racing cars with their competition numbers that are badly damaged some with just the traces of the numbers remaining. One can see with the pictures below that is not the case with my MG which supports my statement that water-slide transfers were never applied to it in the factory, or for that matter with my Triumph TR2.  I can recall that the glossy paper transfers I applied that were included inside the box, parted company less than three years after receiving them. I am posting images of the car as well as one taken around January 1960, with enlarged images after this Post.

Is it possible that Meccano had exhausted their supply of water-slide transfer racing numbers at one point in time, and the set of numbers I received in both racing cars was a temporary solution. Hopefully some other collector will be able to confirm all that I have stated in this Post!

As seen with the above image the MG (with its original smooth tyres and windscreen!) does not have any racing numbers. The TR2 unfortunately was positioned in the "Used Car Lot" behind the Fordson Thames Flat Truck. Also included in this picture was my reasonably new 174 Hudson Hornet (without any discernible chips!) Apologies for the quality of the picture as it has been cropped from a larger photograph, not to mention the distance had to be judged by the cameraman (me) as I was using Dad's Kodak "bellows" camera. However, the photograph does show the lack of racing numbers on the MG which at that time was still in near mint condition.

The following are recent images taken of the MG.  The box is a replacement I obtained through eBay a number of years ago.

Of course there will be those who consider that I did remove the original water-slide transfers and that I have simply forgotten all about it, so I guess they are welcome to hold those beliefs - but I know for a fact this was NOT the case.

Kind regards

Bruce H.   (150)

20172605/1111/0237

 

 

janwerner's picture
janwerner
Offline
DTCA MemberNetherlands

Remarkable story, Bruce, never seen or heard of.

However, I DID experience the same fate of many Dinky Toys and other toys after they escaped my attention. I presume many mothers were very generous towards other children after we left home. But I must confess that I was rather destructive too every now and then. Fortunately still, some were too beautiful to be neglected and were well hidden, and survived. Kind regards, Jan W.

dinkyfan's picture
dinkyfan
Offline
DTCA MemberUSA

Jan---Another Dinky Toys collector asked me a question about the sports or racing version of the MG Midget.  He noticed that his box shows the white colored version with yellow wheels, then showed another photo with an actual model with those yellow wheels atop a similar box.  I didn't see any mention of the yellow wheels version in your always nice writeup, nor any mention in the GBDT.  Do you have any further knowledge of it or comment on it?  Thanks and hope you are well!
    Best regards,  Terry

janwerner's picture
janwerner
Offline
DTCA MemberNetherlands

Yes, Terry, it's the rarer white sports version with exceptional yellow hubs, as illustrated on the regular box.

I happened to take pictures of Rob van de Hoort's model, for his article in The Journal, about his Guys and the Williams collection models he acquired then. See the illustration below. Kind regards, Jan