Rextoys is a toy manufacturer that is no longer in business. In their day, they made a range of vintage 1:43 scale vehicles in various liveries, including some that were military related. Originally their models came packaged in an attractive maroon outer package containing and acrylic display case with black base. Later packaging just consisted of an acrylic display case and base. A history of the company can be found here as part of my Manufacturer Histories section.
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This model is the RexToys [France] #45 1935 Ford V8 Delivery Van in black Bendix livery with black mudguards and black, simulated fabric, roof panel. The model has no opening features and consists of 4 main casting components (body, wheel arches, baseplate and front and rear bumper casting) and a number of small cast parts such as the horns and grill. The Ford Model 48 was an update on Ford's V8-powered Model 40A, the company's main product. Introduced in 1935, the Model 48 was given a cosmetic refresh annually before being thoroughly redesigned for 1941.
At the front, the grill is represented by a chromed metal casting that is set into the body casting. The headlights are cast into the wheel arches (mudguards) and have a chrome "lens". Below these sit the chrome horns. The bumpers (front and rear) are on a separate chrome casting which doubles as a representation of the chassis, engine sump and gearbox, drive shaft and rear axle and differential. The front windscreen has a chromed surround that also contains a single, top mounted, windscreen wiper. The side bonnet louvres are mask sprayed in silver. At the van sides the doors are cast into the cab area. At the rear the rear door and hinges are cast into the van rear with the rear lights and numberplate being small cast components fitted to the wheel arch casting. The sides of the van rear carry decals with "Bendix, Highway Safety Fleet" in silver lettering on two lines. On each side running board is a black "rubber" pad, part of the model's metal black baseplate.
The interior is all cream plastic, with black plastic, left hand drive, steering wheel. The interior insert is a half casting, i.e. it only comprises the interior of the vehicle from the dash to the back of the front seats. All glazing is clear.
The baseplate on this model is a simple flat casting clearly marked "Ford V8 1935, 1/43" on two lines at the centre top, REXTOYS®" at the centre bottom and "Fabrique en France" on two lines at the bottom rear, just in front of the rear axle.
All wheels are cast metal - one piece cast metal, spoked hub and separate rubber tyre, painted in the body colour and mounted on painted steel axles. A chromed "V8" hub cap finishes off the wheels.
I do not know when this model was first issued.
Item: 1373