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In the 1930s, Meccano Ltd's American Dinky Toys series, particularly the **39 series**, left a significant mark on the history of die-cast toy collecting. Although detailed documentation about the 39 series specifically is limited, the broader context provides valuable insights into the era.
Launched in the early 1930s, Dinky Toys quickly gained popularity for their detailed die-cast toy vehicles. Meccano, a pioneer in the industry, offered a variety of cars, trucks, and military vehicles in their product lines. The American Dinky Toys series, including the 39 series, was designed to appeal to the U.S. market, reflecting popular vehicles and styles that resonated with American consumers.
The 39 series and related Dinky Toys from the 1930s became highly collectible due to their pioneering manufacturing techniques and iconic designs. During that period, die-cast toys were relatively new products, and their realism and durability made them prized among collectors. Today, collectors value these early Dinky Toys for their historical significance as well as their design quality, often seeking well-preserved examples from the 1930s.
Meccano initially used lead alloy to make Dinkys but later switched to a higher-quality zinc alloy called mazac, which seemed to have solved the metal impurities problem by the time the 39 series was introduced. Each model in the 39 series came with a tinplate baseplate bearing the name of the car.
The 39 series was not primarily aimed at the home market in the U.K., but were shipped to the U.S. for American children. The Meccano Dinky Airflow, an accurate replica of the Chrysler Airflow, was introduced in 1934 and was part of the 39 series.
Collectors today, such as New York's Gates Willard, with a passion for American, British, and European toy cars, continue to value these early Dinky Toys. Specialists like Douglas R. Kelly, editor of Marine Technology magazine and a writer for Antiques Roadshow Insider, Back Issue, Diecast Collector, RetroFan, and Buildings magazines, often highlight the Dinky series alongside other die-cast giants like Corgi, indicating their lasting legacy and impact on the toy industry and collectors.
If you want more detailed specifics, consulting dedicated Dinky Toy collectors’ archives or specialist historical toy publications may provide further granular information on the 39 series in particular. Reproductions of the Packard and Studebaker models from the 39 series have been produced by Atlas Editions. Battered pre-war Dinky models with chipping paint can be found at lower prices ($50-$75), while original near mint or better examples can sell for $200-$500. However, it is important to note that impurities in the mazac can lead to severe deterioration of the toy cars, causing warped body panels, cracks in roofs and running boards, and in advanced cases, the toy literally crumbling away.
In summary, the 39 series was part of Meccano’s strategic American-themed Dinky Toys in the 1930s, created to captivate the U.S. market. These models contributed to establishing the die-cast toy as a durable, detailed collectible from the era. The series impacted collectors by marking an early wave of collectible die-cast toys, prized for quality and realism, helping Meccano maintain a leadership role in toy manufacturing during that decade.
Home-and-garden enthusiasts might find interest in the intricate die-cast toy baseplates that came with each model in the 39 series Dinky Toys, which could serve as miniature decor pieces collecting dust in a collector's home today. Upon closer examination, these baseplates reflect the design aesthetics of popular vehicles and styles prevalent in the 1930s, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of that era.
