Hi David,

I have just a few of these, also currently in storage.  I seem to recall they are the early 50s Packard convertible in beige,  the Wolseley police car and a late 50s Austin Estate in orange.  I really must get them and my Matchbox collection out again soon; they have been packed away for many years.

@jack-dodds 

Here is the Packard Jack. No 14 by Morestone continued by Budgie. Note that the brand is not on the base.

I must have one of the later Packards produced because it is still in its blister pack.

Your last pic has reminded me that I also have the green Rover.

All, thanks for sharing pictures and history. This is the first I have heard of these models.

Posted by: @ed-davis

All, thanks for sharing pictures and history. This is the first I have heard of these models.

Ed;

Back in the day I thought that the Budgie Toys were "pretty good" but that their quality didn't compare to Moko-Lesney-Matchbox generally.

Same goes for Dinky Toys vs. Corgi; similar quality but Corgi struck me then as kind of gimmicky with their TV related themes (Man From Uncle for one), etc.  Just one kid's opinion of course....lol.

  I like all of these comments.  It just re-enforces my opinion that this forum is an open group, not just a specialized tunnel vision discussion.  I picked up this little Budgie with little knowledge and posted it as a curiosity.  Look what resulted: Good, solid, and broadening information.  Well done, gentlemen.  I appreciate your involvement in our broadening hobby.

  And now here's a .............. David H

Here's a larger 1/43-ish Budgie like David's Police Car.   Even marked Budgie on the baseplate!  😀 With opening rear doors...

@david-green  If the black Wolseley 6-80 police car is 64th scale,  Budgie also did a 43rd scale one which I have.   Very similar to the Tintin Morris Six.

Here is another version of the Wolseley 6-80 Police car in 1/43 version that John refers to. Like the smaller version, it went through several modifications over the years.

Budgie Toys had the strap line "They speak for themselves" with a budgerigar face as a symbol. In the UK budgerigars were, and still are, popular pets so Budgie Toys were homing in on this aspect.

Sales wise in the UK they were never sold in mainstream toys shops, or at least I never saw them there, but on market stores, newsagents, gift shops and even hardware stores. Being sold in these places they lacked the market penetration needed to be high on kids lists for Birthday's and Christmas presents.

The small scale as in David's green Wolseley were competing against Matchbox and the larger size, doubt that any were actually 1:43rd scale, had the likes of Dinky Toys and Corgi Toys as competitors. BTW the green Wolseley represents a 'Squad Car', in black a 'Police Car' and it was also available in red as a 'Fire Car'.Budgie Toys also produced TV related items long before Corgi Toys got in on the act. 

Link here https://diecast.org/community/supercar/this-is-the-only-real-supercar-ever/#post-57484 shows the Supercar Budgie Toys modelled as a kids toy. Note these images show a modern model. 

Posted by: @david-green

1960s Morestone Budgie Die cast Models – Video

This dealer just found a group of Morestone/Budgie toys sold through Esso. He does not seem to know much about them but lots to see here.

 

 

3 over 6 d = 3/6d 17.5p