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18/04/2022 1:54 pm
Vanwall was a motor racing team and racing car constructor that was active in Formula One during the 1950s. Founded by Tony Vandervell, the Vanwall name was derived by combining the name of the team owner with that of his Thinwall bearings produced at the Vandervell Products factory at Acton, London. Originally entering modified Ferraris in non-championship races, Vanwall constructed their first cars to race in the 1954 Formula One season. The team achieved their first race win in the 1957 British Grand Prix, with Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks sharing a VW 5, earning the team the distinction of constructing the first British-built car to win a World Championship race. Vanwall won the inaugural Constructors' Championship in Formula One in 1958, in the process allowing Moss and Brooks to finish second and third in the Drivers' Championship standings, winning three races each. Vandervell's failing health meant 1958 would be the last full season; the squad ran cars in a handful of races in the following years, but finished racing in 1961.
In 1958, and Stirling Moss (wins in the Netherlands, Portugal and Morocco) and Tony Brooks (wins in Belgium, Germany and Italy) each won three championship races that season. Vanwall became the first team to win the Constructors' Championship, held for the first time that season. However, Moss lost out to Mike Hawthorn in the Drivers' Championship by a single point to finish second, with Brooks ending the season in third. Their triumph at the end of the season was sadly marred when, during the final race of the year in Morocco, Lewis-Evans was fatally injured in an accident.
I've had these Dinky and Corgi models since the late 1950s. I lost the boxes long ago but they are still part of my collection. They are very similar, yet different, as you will see.
Dinky Toys No.239 Vanwall Diecast Racing Car No 35
Dinky Toys Vanwall Racing Car No 239 that was first released in 1958, discontinued in 1964.
Corgi Toys No.150 Vanwall Diecast Racing Car No 3
Corgi Toys Vanwall Racing Car, various numbers that was first released in 1957, discontinued in 1960.
Together for comparison.
18/04/2022 8:26 pm
Another nice history David! I have the Dinky and two Corgis (one being the strange red one). The Dinky is in perfect shape since I bought it from the original retailer in the 1960s. I also have the Solido in the appropriate dark shade of green, but no pic yet. The rare Crescent has thus far eluded me.
19/04/2022 12:35 am
I have the Dinky in MB and the red Corgi unboxed but not the green one.