Richard--Since you started a new forum topic, I will re-post my earlier Simca Ariane Taxi photos here also.  The only differences I can easily discern between the earlier and later versions, are the convex vs concave wheels and the slight painting of the badges on the front and rear of the model in silver, and the slight difference in roof color....that badge painting appears to be a carryover from the Simca Versailles, which also had it done.  I am guessing that a little later, Meccano was trying to save cost, and simplified the painting slightly.  Even though my model is the first type, it still came in the second type box, with box reference numbers showing.  I am also including a picture of the baseplate.....I am assuming that no changes were made their, although one of my French Dinky reference books, "Miniatures Dinky Toys serie 24 Francaise", seems to mention that the first type had "Ariane" stamped on it, but I am assuming that all came that way.  That book also states that the first type was made in 1959 only, with the second type made through 1962.

                Regards,  Terry

I am now guessing that mine must have been kind of a transition model, as it has the convex wheels, but the later style box and shiny baseplate. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of this Dinky!
Regards, Terry

Hi Richard, I do not want to spoil the party but - as no one seems to be moderating here - I think it's advisable to adopt the correct structure for this topic's name, conform the already existing ones (although not quite correct all of them).

I think it should read: -24zt and 542 Simca Ariane Taxi (1959-1962).

Sorry for my meddlesomeness and kind regards, Jan

Jan---I agree and thought about that when I saw the original post; we need to be consistent when posting new topics, so they will conform and can be easily found.
Regards, Terry

Dear Richard, I would if I could. I don't know how this is organized.

I hope Dave Kaun or Al Keeling can shed some light on this. Kind regards, Jan

Jan and Richard---I believe that whomever created the topic has the ability to edit and change it, and likely an administrator or moderator also.  But since we do not seem to have one of those overseeing things, I would suggest that Richard go in and do an edit, and re-list the topic in the correct manner, so that it fits correctly in the listings.

        Regards,  Terry

A fine Simca Ariane taxi arrived from Contigny, France, today. It is the younger brother of the regular Simca Versailles, no. 24z. On the box and in the first (1959) catalogue illustration the colour scheme is mirrorred, red with black roof, and the plastic windows are wanting, as on the prototype. On the back cover of the 1959 Meccano catalogue (laying in the foreground) and the next edition (1960) of the Dinky Toys catalogue this is corrected. Kind regards, Jan 

Jan,

Congratulations, this is an other MIB ++ model in your collection.

There are two more mistakes in the 1959 catalogue :

The taxi meter is on the right hand side, on the Dinky model it is correctly placed on the driver's side.

The reference number is not 512 but 542.

What next ?

All the best.

Some more pictures:

Jan - they are beautiful models. Congratulations. What is very nice to see in the black taxi is the beautiful silver painted grille, bumper, headlights and hood badge. Very good job from the ladies of the mask spraying.

Kind regards,Jan O