The Brucer
Dinky Toys - 1948-58 Austin FX3 taxi (#254, originally #40H)
The "40" series of Dinkys was the first completely new series introduced by Meccano after production resumed following the end of WWII. This series -- all British saloon cars (i.e., sedans) -- included the Riley RMA (#40A), this Triumph 1800 (#40B), the Austin Devon (#40D), the Standard Vanguard (#40E), the Hillman Minx (#40F), the Morris Oxford (#40G), the Austin FX3 taxi (#40H), and the Austin Somerset (#40J). These eight models were introduced at various times between 1947 and 1953.
This diecast Austin taxi was the seventh car in the eight-car "40" series, introduced by Meccano in 1951 as #40H and produced through 1962. In 1954, when Meccano changed its numbering system, the model number was changed to #254. The particular toy pictured here -- which I purchased new in the U.S. in the 1950's -- has #254 stamped on its baseplate, confirming that it was manufactured after the 1954 renumbering. In addition to this yellow-and-green two-tone color, the taxi also came in yellow, blue, and the more traditional black.
This toy represents the Austin FX3, produced by the Austin Motor Co./British Motor Corp. between 1948 and 1958 for taxi service in the UK. (The FX3 was preceded by the Austin FX2, and succeeded in 1958 by the FX4.) Although these cabs were used throughout the UK, the large majority were used in London, and they were commonly known as the ubiquitous "London cab". They were customarily painted black; I question whether ANY Austin FX3 was painted a two-tone yellow and green, except this model made by Meccano.
Dinky Toys - 1948-58 Austin FX3 taxi (#254, originally #40H)
The "40" series of Dinkys was the first completely new series introduced by Meccano after production resumed following the end of WWII. This series -- all British saloon cars (i.e., sedans) -- included the Riley RMA (#40A), this Triumph 1800 (#40B), the Austin Devon (#40D), the Standard Vanguard (#40E), the Hillman Minx (#40F), the Morris Oxford (#40G), the Austin FX3 taxi (#40H), and the Austin Somerset (#40J). These eight models were introduced at various times between 1947 and 1953.
This diecast Austin taxi was the seventh car in the eight-car "40" series, introduced by Meccano in 1951 as #40H and produced through 1962. In 1954, when Meccano changed its numbering system, the model number was changed to #254. The particular toy pictured here -- which I purchased new in the U.S. in the 1950's -- has #254 stamped on its baseplate, confirming that it was manufactured after the 1954 renumbering. In addition to this yellow-and-green two-tone color, the taxi also came in yellow, blue, and the more traditional black.
This toy represents the Austin FX3, produced by the Austin Motor Co./British Motor Corp. between 1948 and 1958 for taxi service in the UK. (The FX3 was preceded by the Austin FX2, and succeeded in 1958 by the FX4.) Although these cabs were used throughout the UK, the large majority were used in London, and they were commonly known as the ubiquitous "London cab". They were customarily painted black; I question whether ANY Austin FX3 was painted a two-tone yellow and green, except this model made by Meccano.