A Magic Mini Merry Christmas
/It all began with a dialogue I had a couple of months ago with a wonderful group of Dinky toy car enthusiasts on Facebook, which inspired me to create a 'Dinky themed' Christmas painting.
Initial suggestions and searches brought the Dinky 485 "Merry Christmas" Ford T Model to my attention. Whilst undoubtedly Christmassy in theme, for some strange reason I just couldn’t connect with it on an aesthetic level so I went looking for something more quirky!
Cue 'Stripey,' Dinky’s magic mini (model no.107), produced for a short 2 year window between 1967-69, based on the 183 Morris Mini Minor (first produced in 1966). With such a short production run it is now one of the rarest and most expensive Dinky cars to find today.
It also has an eccentric backstory, featuring in a series of rather bazaar comics/ books called Candy & Andy created by Gerry Anderson (of ‘Thunderbirds’ & ‘Captain Scarlett’ fame). Candy & Andy were children (made of plastic) who lived with two panda bears called Mr & Mrs. Bearanda. Their main activity was to drive around in this magic mini, helping people with various things - so all in keeping with a sense of Christmas spirit!
Backstory aside, I’m a big fan of the mini in general, there is something so personable about its shape and size. So finding this jazzy version of it, instantly appealed … it is a car that seems to sing celebrations, and what better occasion than Christmas!
🔔You come and get a closer look at this painting on Saturday at
⚡The famous Sandown Park Toy Fair,13th November, 10.30am-3pm! ⚡
I will be sharing more details about this shortly, so keep an eye out!
