The Simply Dinky Auction, held earlier this week (3rd June) at Vectis Auctions, saw some eye-watering hammer prices for rare Dinky models, including a 1960s Thunderbird 2 toy inspired by the TV series, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
As usual, of course, it’s boxed toys that fetched the highest amounts, so if you’ve got a battered Gerry Anderson SPV sans missile in a draw somewhere, you’re not sitting on a nest egg!

The auction achieved an impressive £87,520, and featured an exceptional selection of Dinky models, including pre- and post-war issues, French Dinky, and Type 1 and Type 2 vans and trucks – the auction attracted strong worldwide interest, with competitive bidding online and via telephone.
Vectis says demand for the lots far exceeded expectations thanks to the outstanding quality of the items on offer. High levels of interest and a higher than usual number of registered bidders contributed to the auction’s success.
Several lots delivered remarkable results, even surprising the company’s specialists. A standard rear-loading Dinky Toys glass cabinet, for example, fetched £1,041, whilst aircraft models such as the Hawk Harrier and “Battle Of Britain” 719 Spitfire drew strong bids.

A Dinky Toys “Fun Ahoy” set realised £710, and a Space: 1999 Eagle Freighter reached £490. Pre-war buses and coaches also commanded consistently high prices.

A standout item was a Dinky Toys 101 Thunderbirds Thunderbird 2, which achieved a phenomenal £2570 — possibly a world record for this particular model. Other toys based on the Supermarionation series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson did well, too.
Some of the items which were expected to do well, but also achieved over specialists’ estimates, were a Type 1 Weetabix van, which sold for £3300, and a 505 Foden flat truck, which achieved £3185.


Another notable item was a French Dinky pre-war 21 Train set with box. While this rare set is listed in reference materials, it is rarely seen or pictured, and an example has never before been sold through Vectis Auctions. It achieved £3,185.


“This Simply Dinky Auction once again proved that quality, rarity, and condition continue to drive exceptional results in the collector’s market,” say Vectis.
More Thunderbirds and Gerry Anderson-related memorabilia feature in upcoming Vectis auctions, such as this battery operated remote control issue Century 21 Toys Thunderbird 1, coming up for auction next Tuesday, 10th June, as part of the Vectis Kits, Aviation & Nautical Models Including Airfix Auction.
I well recall my dismay when a similar Thunderbird 3 model in a similar range made a disastrous crash landing 60 years ago, to the equal despair of parents who’d just bought it. If only I’d kept it in the box, eh?
Based on the Isle of Wight, Vectis is the largest Specialist Collectables Auction House in the world, processing over 70,000 lots per year. With over 50 members of staff they process, pack and ship items all over the world. Their team of collectable toy experts have a wealth of knowledge in all genres of collectables from Star Wars to Barbie, Trains to Military Figures, Matchbox to Vinyl, Sports Memorabilia to Pokemon and a whole lot more.
• Check out upcoming auctions at vectis.co.uk
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