Non-Dinky 410 and 412 Releases

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This DINKY 410 Bedford CF van seems to come in several variations - many not listed in the usual references (Dinky Toys by Dr Edward Force, Ramsay's British Diecast Model Toys Catalogue [12th Edition], Hornby Companion Series Vol 4). Manufactured in the 1970s this model has been referenced as still in production when the factory closed.

Correct classification of the model is often difficult due to the casting's popularity with Code 2 and 3 modelers and the fact that some references include Code 1, 2 and 3 models in their listings without identifying which code applies to any given model. Further confusion is generated by various so-called experts who infer their position on a model is correct and that they have the "true" story behind its production.

Please Note: This page states my consideration of a model's status and is no more correct than any other you might come across on the internet — like many other commentators I cannot provide empirical evidence backing my position ☺

A large number of the variations of this van are items produced by John Gay. John Gay was a specialist model dealer in Kent who, when the Dinky factory closed down, purchased several hundred "blanks" and left-over decals. The blanks were then re-liveried with various logos and sold. These are often stated to be re-finished CODE 2 models licensed by MECCANO and distributed by JOHN GAY.

JOHN GAY CODE 2 MODELS are re-finished models of the Dinky 410 and the 412 Bedford vans. There are a number of well known Promotional models issued and some lesser known models and prototypes have made it into the Collectors' Markets. The original boxes used by John Gay are of an older Dinky style, yellow boxes with red and black printing. Two sides carry the legend:

 

Made in England
DINKY TOYS PROMOTIONAL
By MECCANO LTD
Distributed by
JOHN GAY
7 Horsham Lane, Upchurch
Sittingbourne, Kent, England.

 

The other two sides have the Bedford model printed in black and red and black. Many John Gay models are known to have been issued in unmarked standard Dinky cello window boxes and the later pedestal/cello style packaging.

I do not have all of the variations in my collection ... I'm not sure if anyone knows all of the variations that were issued by the recognised Code 2/3 issuers. The list below has details of those identified in "The Great Book of Dinky Toys" by Mike and Sue Richardson [ISBN 1 872727 83 2].

Model No. Advertising Colour Issued By   Model No. Advertising Colour Issued By
410 Jimmy Carter Cream J-M Roulet   410 Opel Grey J-M Roulet
410 Parlophone Dark Green J-M Roulet   410 AA Service Yellow John Gay
410 Air Canada White John Gay   410 Air France White/Blue John Gay
410 Air Wingate White John Gay   410 Aral White John Gay
410 Aral White/Blue John Gay   410 Avis Truck Rental Red John Gay
410 Beefy Oxo Blue John Gay   410 Birds Eye White John Gay
410 British Airways White John Gay   410 Brooke Bond Red John Gay
410 Burmah White John Gay   410 Calberson Yellow/Black John Gay
410 Cheverton White John Gay   410 City Fire Brigade Red John Gay
410 Co-op White John Gay   410 Collectors Gazette White John Gay
410 Deutsche Bundespost Yellow John Gay   410 DFDS Seaways Yellow John Gay
410 Dunlop Yellow/Red John Gay   410 Esso White John Gay
410 Europcar Orange John Gay   410 Findlaters Brown John Gay
410 Firestone Cream John Gay   410 Godfrey Davis Blue John Gay
410 Hertz Self Drive Yellow John Gay   410 Hertz Truck Rental Yellow John Gay
410 Hine Brown John Gay   410 Hovis Yellow John Gay
410 Hymo Red John Gay   410 Hymo Lift Red John Gay
410 Japan Air Lines White John Gay   410 Jimmy Carter Cream John Gay
410 John Gay Black John Gay   410 Johnny Walker Grey John Gay
410 KLG Spark Plugs Red John Gay   410 KLG Spark Plugs Red John Gay
410 Kodak Yellow John Gay   410 London Fire Brigade Red John Gay
410 London Transport 'Bullseye' Red John Gay   410 Manchester Fire Brigade Red John Gay
410 Metropolitan Fire Brigade Red John Gay   410 Mobil White John Gay
410 National White John Gay   410 Nestle - Gold decal Red John Gay
410 Nestle - White decal Red John Gay   410 Nord Auto Mini Club Pink John Gay
410 Opel Grey John Gay   410 Oxo Red John Gay
410 Parlophone Dark Green John Gay   410 Phonix Blue/Red John Gay
410 Pickfords Blue John Gay   410 Rank Xerox White John Gay
410 Sanyo Lime Green/Blue John Gay   410 Shell Yellow John Gay
410 Shell Yellow/Red John Gay   410 Silver Jubilee - Blue decal Silver John Gay
410 Silver Jubilee - Blue/Yellow/Red decal Silver John Gay   410 Swiss PTT Yellow John Gay
410 Tate & Lyle Blue John Gay   410 The Daily Telegraph Black John Gay
410 Tiatsa Motor Museum Orange John Gay   410 Tiatsa Motor Museum Silver John Gay
410 Tiatsa Motor Museum White John Gay   410 Tiatsa Motor Museum Yellow John Gay
410 TWA Red John Gay   410 Unigate-Farmers Wife White John Gay
410 Whitbread -1742 Brown John Gay   410 Whites, Camberley White John Gay
410 Wimpey Orange John Gay   410 Wimpey Yellow John Gay
412 Harrods Dark Green John Gay   412 Martini Light Blue John Gay
412 RAC Dark Blue John Gay   Convoy Harrods Green John Gay
Convoy Hertz Self Drive Yellow John Gay          
The following vans were all completely finished in the factory
410 AA Service Yellow John Gay   410 Army Olive Green John Gay
410 Godfrey Davis Blue John Gay   410 Godfrey Davis Silver John Gay
410 Godfrey Davis White John Gay   410 Kennings Blue John Gay
410 Kennings White John Gay   410 London Transport Gold John Gay
410 London Transport Green John Gay   410 London Transport Red John Gay
410 Los Angeles Fire Department Red John Gay   410 National Bus Company White John Gay
410 National Carriers Yellow John Gay   410 Olympus Cameras Pink John Gay
410 Olympus Cameras Yellow John Gay   410 Police - Blue lettering Blue John Gay
410 Police - White lettering Blue John Gay   410 Royal Mail 1979 - new logo Red John Gay
410   Black John Gay   410   Blue John Gay
410   Brown John Gay   410   Cream John Gay
410   Gold John Gay   410   Grey John Gay
410   Lime Green John Gay   410   Olive Green John Gay
410   Orange John Gay   410   Pink John Gay
410   Red John Gay   410   Silver John Gay
410   White John Gay   410   Yellow John Gay
The following vans were are not listed but have been found in original John Gay boxes
410 Falck Red John Gay   410 Wall's Ice Cream Cream John Gay
The following #417 TRANSIT vans were all completely finished in the factory
417 AA Motorway Services Yellow John Gay          
The following #412 BEDFORD vans were all completely finished in the factory
412 AA Service Yellow John Gay   412 Fire Service Red John Gay
412 Los Angeles Fire Dept. Red John Gay   412 Police Dark Blue John Gay
412 Police Light Blue John Gay   412 Police White John Gay
412   Dark Blue John Gay   412   Dark Green John Gay
412   Light Blue John Gay   412   Red John Gay
412   White John Gay   412   Yellow John Gay
The following #289 ROUTEMASTER BUSES were all completely finished in the factory
289 Esso Gold John Gay   289 Esso Silver John Gay
289 Woolworth/London Transport Silver John Gay   289 Woolworth/Woolworth Silver John Gay
The following #291 ATLANTEAN BUSES were all completely finished in the factory
291 Kennings Light Blue John Gay   291 Kennings White John Gay
291 London Transport/Esso Red John Gay   291 London Transport/Esso Silver John Gay
291 London Transport/Kennings Red John Gay   291 London Transport/Kennings Silver John Gay
The following CORGI #469 ROUTEMASTER BUSES were all ISSUED by John Gay but I am uncertain as to whether they were factory finished models
469 John Gay Dark Blue John Gay   469 John Gay Black John Gay