Spot-on at Wallis & Wallis
The Lewesbased auction house reported plenty of interest in its last sale, with the most notable items coming from the short-lived Tri-ang diecast range of Spot On. These have long been a niche area, since the production span was short and their scale different from rivals Corgi and Dinky. However, subject matter and colour variations continue to attract the enthusiast.
A Shell/BP Bedford Tanker, in mid-green and red and in a solid box, realised £380, despite some chipping to the paintwork; but equally impressive was the £300 bid on an Ovaltine themed Routemaster bus, one of the more difficult models to find. Elsewhere, a joint lot, comprising a green E-type Jaguar coupe, a grey Lambretta scooter and a chipped Thames Trader in claret raised a total of £150.
It wasn’t all about Spot On, though: the yellow and grey Dinky Mighty Antar with transformer load sold well at £360 (for reasons I’ve never understood, the companion piece, the Antar with propeller, is always cheaper – one sold at Wallis and Wallis in the same sale for just £85).
Lovers of older Dinky would have doubtless bid on the Royal Tank Corps - Light Tank set (No 152). Comprising a light tank, Austin 7 and a reconnaissance car in a drop-down grey/blue blue box, together with a separate Dragon tractor, limber and gun, the lot (evidently showing some repainting) made a reasonable £110. As for Corgi, how about the Major Toys Carrimore Car Transporter (No 1101)? This was in excellent condition, boxed and ready to display. For £45, it was a bargain for someone.
One or two interesting railway models cropped up: a Hornby O gauge clockwork Metropolitan Railway Vickers electric locomotive sold for £130 (with a companion clockwork version making £65); and a O gauge Minerva 0-6-0 shunter in understated black BR livery went to £140. ■
All you need to know about Tri-ang Minic models.