Spectrum Patrol Car thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Spectrum Patrol Car

Toy Car
1968 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Toy car, with original box, instructions and two leaflets. The die-cast metal car is a futuristic automobile with a pointed bonnet and windscreen, and a central spine straight down its middle, from front to back. There is a large roof fin at the rear. The body is painted metallic red, with the underside painted white. The driver/passenger compartment windows are clear and are tinted slightly blue. The windows at the back of the vehicle are more opaque. On top of the roof is a white plastic aerial. The car runs on four wheels, each has a die-cast metal hub and a black rubber tyre. The wheels have a sprung suspension, when the rear of the car is pressed down and the car moved forwards, a 'jet sound' is produced.

With the car is a sheet of paper instructions, printed in English, Norwegian, Dutch, German, French and Italian. There are also two identical paper leaflets which advertise Meccano Magazine. All is contained within a colour-printed card box.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Automobile
  • Box
  • Instructions
  • Leaflet
  • Leaflet
TitleSpectrum Patrol Car (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Die-cast metal, painted; plastic; printed card and paper
Brief description
Boxed toy car, Captain Scarlet Spectrum Patrol Car; Metal, die cast, English, Dinky Toys, 1968
Physical description
Toy car, with original box, instructions and two leaflets. The die-cast metal car is a futuristic automobile with a pointed bonnet and windscreen, and a central spine straight down its middle, from front to back. There is a large roof fin at the rear. The body is painted metallic red, with the underside painted white. The driver/passenger compartment windows are clear and are tinted slightly blue. The windows at the back of the vehicle are more opaque. On top of the roof is a white plastic aerial. The car runs on four wheels, each has a die-cast metal hub and a black rubber tyre. The wheels have a sprung suspension, when the rear of the car is pressed down and the car moved forwards, a 'jet sound' is produced.

With the car is a sheet of paper instructions, printed in English, Norwegian, Dutch, German, French and Italian. There are also two identical paper leaflets which advertise Meccano Magazine. All is contained within a colour-printed card box.
Dimensions
  • Car length: 12cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'MECCANO LTD / MADE IN ENGLAND / DINKY TOYS / SPECTRUM PATROL CAR / MADE UNDER LICENCE FOR CENTURY 21 TOYS LTD' (On base of vehicle)
  • '103' (On base of vehicle)
  • 'THE MODEL SHOP MAIDSTONE 51719 / 99p' (On a small yellow paper sticker adhered to the box)
Object history
Part of the Edward Castle collection.
Production
Several versions of Captain Scarlet's Spectrum Patrol Car were manufactured under the 'Dinky' trademark between 1968 and 1975.
Subjects depicted
Other number
103 - Model number
Collection
Accession number
B.207:1 to 5-2016

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Record createdNovember 4, 2016
Record URL
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