  Dinky
produced the #289 Routemaster between 1964 and 1979, when Dinky ceased
operations. It came in a variety of packaging with three types of wheels,
or hubs: spun (smooth), cast (5-bolt), and the dreaded "Speedwheels".
Prices range all over the place, depending on rarity. |
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Page last updated Sunday, August 7, 2005
 "Tern Shirts", my personal favorite in the Dinky range, was produced between 1964 and 1965. |
 Scanned this from a mid-70's Dinky catalogue...it would have made a great model (update: see below). |
 "Visit Blackpool Zoo", Blackpool Transport. Scarce issue, only a very limited number produced and factory finished. |
 "Fordath", came in plain white box |
 Dinky 289 "Esso" with spun wheels |
 "Esso" with cast wheels |
 "Esso" with Speedwheels |
 1974 Dinky US Catalog showing the 289 model |
 Blue variant, advertised as a Code 3 |
 Gold "Esso" variant |
 "Golden Jubilee" London Transport 1933-1983 (paper labels) |
 "TDK" - extremely rare variant |
 Rare "Meccano" variant, apparently only issued to the press |
 Offside of "Meccano", showing the different decals |
 A fairly rare variant, "Thollembeek & Fils", regular Speedwheels |
 "Thollembeek & Fils" variant, dark wheels |
 Another gold DInky, this one a pre-production sample for "Belaco" - it's estimated that only a dozen or so exist. Photo courtesy of Diecast Collector magazine. |
 An interesting variant for the LT 50th Anniversary seen on Ebay, assumed to be Code 3 |
 Unopened Dinky Trade Pack |
 A very nicely done Code 3 variant that was listed on Ebay |
 "Madame Tussauds" |
 "Madame Tussauds", later variant |
 "Madame Tussauds", Speedwheels. Photo courtesy of "Dinky Toys" by Dr. Edward Force. |
 Dinky Gift set which included a 289 RM as well as London Taxi |
 An even rarer variant, "Green Line" |
 Build your own Dinky RM with this 1017 kit. |
 Silver "Woolworth" variant, photo courtesy of Diecast Collector magazine |
 1956 Meccano Magazine showing the first prototype Routemaster bus. |
 "Green Line" variant with different arrangement and font on advert. |
No
pictures available for these two rare variants: Jackson's the Tailors Ingersoll-Rand |
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 Silver "EverReady Batteries" variant, New Zealand Jubilee Issue, photo courtesy of "Dinky Toys" by Dr. Edward Force. |
 "Schweppes" |
 Cover art for the "Schweppes" model |
 "Festival of London Stores", has "Schweppes" ad on nearside. Photo courtesy of "Dinky Toys" by Dr. Edward Force. |
 "The Queen Mother's 80th Birthday" |
 "Shoplinker" |
 Preproduction "Yellow Pages" prototype; photo courtesy of Diecast Collector magazine |
 Silver with no decals |
 "10th Anniversary of the Model Car Collectors Club of New Zealand", "Auckland 1979". Scarce limited issue. Photo courtesy of "Dinky Toys" by Dr. Edward Force. |
 This very unusual variant (Code 3?) appeared in a Vectis auction. |
 This unusual variant appears to have been fitted with plastic wheels! |
 A spectacular code 3 model found on Ebay |
 Another incredible code 3 model found on ebay. This is one based on the old Dinky Toys catalogue shown above. |
 This very unusual variant for Ardrox appeared in a Vectis auction. |
 This unusual variant for the EverReady model appeared in a Vectis auction. |
 Another unusual variant for the EverReady model from a Vectis auction. |
 This unusual variant for the Madame Tussaud's model appeared in a Vectis auction. |
 This unusual variant for a Yellow Pages prototype model appeared in a Vectis auction. |
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