MORE MINI METRO MODELS

THERE have recently been two articles on Metro models in Diecast Collector, one by Paul Lumsdon in December’s edition and one by Roger Bailey in May’s. As somebody who has also collected Metros, I would like to share some more, rather unusual ones.

There is an interesting story regarding my acquisition of these models. I work as a town planner and one day a model of a new housing development appeared in the office I then worked in. This had models of cars on it and these included some Metros. As I collect models of Metros, I had to have some so I wrote to the modelmaker and asked where they got the models so I could acquire some and they very kindly sent me two complimentaryexamples. Just to make things totally clear, I was in no way involved in dealing with the planning application the model related to, so I am not under any suspicion of bribery! The model is 1.8 cm long, so presumably intended to complement models of 1/200 scale. They comprise a one-piece metal casting with a prong underneath to hold it on a board. Thus, the wheels do not go round, but as the cars are intended to remain stationary on architectural models, this does not matter. My two examples are mustard and blue, but it is possible other colours were produced. The windows, bumpers and tyres are picked out in black and the headlights and wheel hubs in silver. I am not sure what process would have been used to achieve this. Given the model’s small size, I doubt this would have been done by hand. Anyway, on one of my models the rear window is not painted. The model is not very accurate, but given the small size and it no doubt having been produced in limited numbers, this is perhaps not surprising.

There is a model by P & D Marsh Models that is still available. It is a model with an identity crisis, however. If you go onto the P & D Marsh website, the model is described as “Rover Metro (intro. 1980)”. It was the Austin Metro that was introduced in 1980 and it was not until 1987 that it was rebadged as a Rover. Until 1990 the Rover Metro was identical to the Austin, so this could pass as either, I suppose. Unusually this is a model one can order in any colour one chooses, so there is no point in my saying what colours it is available in. The wheels, including the hubs are picked out in black. It is a white metal model produced in one piece and “open underneath” (to best explain this I would say it is similar in construction to the Dinky loudspeaker van, though the loudspeaker van did have separate wheels and axles). The windows are cut out so if one looks through them into the car, one can see the ‘road’ underneath. The model is N-gauge so about 1/150. P & D Marsh specialise in making accessories for model railway enthusiasts and this model is intended to augment N-scale railway layouts. It is rather crude and I would say, if you are wanting a small Metro model, opt for the previous example, provided you can accept it having a prong underneath, as that is definitely a better representation.

A white metal kit manufactured by Hartsmith Models, but marketed by Roxley Models whose name appears on the base, is advertised as a Rover Metrovan, but as it is the same shape as the Austin Metrovan it could be passed off as an Austin. It was produced to be made up in various Royal Mail and British Telecom liveries. It is 1/48 scale, so is of similar size to the Corgi Junior Metro. To a degree the quality of a kit-made model depends on the skill of the kit maker, but subject to that proviso I would say that it is a very good representation of the prototype with the shape and proportions well represented. The kit is still available from Roxley Models if you fancy assembling your own Metrovan.

The range of Metro models in the Corgi range has generally been well described in the previous two articles, so I do not intend to repeat what has been said in these. One model has not been mentioned, however, probably because it is not the sort of model Diecast Collector normally covers. In fact, it is not the sort of model one would associate with the Corgi name. the model is a plastic radio-controlled one of scale around 1/13. It is basically in the same livery as the 1/32 and Corgi Juniors blue and white Datapost cars, but it does not have the “77” number on the side. Although Diecast Collector does not normally ‘do’ plastic, I think it is worth mentioning this for the sake of completeness.

Thinking of the 1/32 Datapost “77” model, I in fact have three different varieties of it - one has no advertising on the roof (I wonder if this was a factory error) and the other two a slightly different style of advertising on the bonnet and roof. This is better illustrated by a photo than described in words. Also, I have two different versions of the Corgi Juniors white model with the number “5” on the bonnet. On these the number and striping are in somewhat different positions. Again a photo illustrates this best. Roger Bailey reported the different interior colours of the Corgi models, but I presume he was not aware of these differences in livery. Finally, in writing about the Corgi models, I would point out that the introduction of the Corgi Metro coincided with the introduction of the actual car in October 1980. Initially, the Metro was only produced in two-door form – a five-door model was introduced in October 1980. Thus, both the 1/32 and Corgi Junior castings were of the two-door car. Roger Bailey mentions the white taxi/minicab Corgi Junior Metro –a two-door taxi/ minicab would be somewhat impractical!

There is an oddity in my Metro collection. It is a ‘standard’ 1/32 red Corgi Metro mounted on a plinth. The plinth has a simulated road on it and a “PLEASE DON’T PUT THIS THROUGH A CAR WASH!” label has been added to the front. Two modifications have been made to the Corgi model – a piece of perspex has been set into the roof to simulate a sunroof, quite skillfully, and it has been given a number plate, MPB 909W. The assembly of this has clearly required some effort. There is significance in the MPB 909W registration. When Prince Charles started courting Lady Diana, he gave her a red Metro and this was its registration – the car has been preserved and is on display at the Coventry Museum of Transport. There was an incident when she took it through a carwash and forgot to close the sunroof and clearly this model has some relationship to this. I have no idea what the provenance of this model is. I bought it about 30 years ago at a toyfair and the dealer I got it from told me he bought it at a car boot sale. Who made this model and why I have no idea. I suppose it just might have belonged to her ladyship, but I consider that highly unlikely. Though I think I will probably never find this out, I would love to know the story behind its production.

More plastic models - it is worth mentioning that Scalextric has modelled the Metro, both in basic and in 6R4 rally car forms. Finally, I would mention one more plastic model, made by Sharma Toys at a scale of 1/7.5 (no – that is not a printing mistake!). It is a thwacking big lump, but I feel obliged to refer to it as it is a very unusual item and seemingly quite rare (one can hardly fail to notice it on a toyfair table!).

John Harrison, email

ED Wow, thanks for that John – it certainly adds to the two articles by Paul and Roger, and it’s always interesting to hear about models that we wouldn’t normally cover. There is certainly quite a bit there that will prompt further discussion, I’m sure. Thank you so much for taking the time to put all that together.