December 4, 5, & 6, 2025 General Antiques & Advertising Featuring The Ray Claridge Collection
Lot #3136:
PHENOMENAL TOY STORE DISPLAY FOR DINKY TOY CARS
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2025
Meccano / Dinky Toys Animated “Car Changing” Store Display Automaton, circa 1950s
An exceptional and extremely rare Meccano Dinky Toys mechanical store display, featuring a riveted Meccano-built robot figure atop an illuminated Dinky Toys display base reading “Watch the Car Change!”.
When activated, the robot’s arms lift upward, revealing and rotating a series of three Dinky Toy cars inside the lower showcase — a captivating kinetic feature designed to draw attention in toyshop windows and department store counters during the 1950s.
The automaton is constructed entirely from authentic Meccano parts in blue and yellow enamel finish, with a stylized “robot engineer” design typical of the mid-century fascination with mechanical men. The lower display cabinet bears vibrant MECCANO / DINKY TOYS lettering, framed in a riveted metal housing with a clear viewing panel.
Displays of this type were produced in extremely limited quantities, often by Meccano’s in-house demonstration department or skilled franchise retailers, and very few examples are known to survive — especially in such complete and presentable condition
CONDITION: A completely automatic display, where their is a rotating wheel in the front area with several different Dinky toys attached. The robot in the back lifts the cover, to show one car, puts it down, it rotates, and lifts it up to show another car. It comes with six original Dinky cars. It has a plastic front display and all metal construction. The robot's ears spin, and arms lift-up the cover to the front. It is fully operational, just an amazing automatic toy display.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.
Condition: (Very Good).
Item Dimensions: 14 - 3/4" X 19 - 3/8" X 27"