Benbros Mighty Midgets
No.26 1904 5 HP Vauxhall
Second of the vintage models in the Mighty Midgets, No.26 was based on a Vauxhall vehicle called 'The Light Car' with a 5 horsepower engine which first went on sale in 1903. Interestingly, it had tiller steering but this was replaced by a steering wheel in 1904 and this version was the one Benbros re-created.
Like the Spyker, the model was cast in one piece onto which the tinplate base, including mudguards, was riveted. The metal spoked wheels were fixed directly onto the body with round-head & crimped axles. The Steering wheel coloumn slotted through the body and into the base. 'Benbros' and 'Qualitoy' were cast on the base and 'Made in England' under the body. The model measured 45 mm.
The first 1904 Vauxhall was painted yellow with a black base and mudguards, red painted metal wheels including a spare at the back, and two gold headlights.
The second version had a chrome-plated body including the steering column but was otherwise the same as the yellow one. There were no casting changes to the model.
Fairly easy to find, the 1904 Vauxhall is more common in the chrome version.
Variation 1 : yellow
Benbros No.26 1904 5HP Vauxhall
Variations
All models had Mighty Midget boxes
(1) YELLOW, BLACK base/mudguards, RED pmw
(2) CHROME, BLACK base/mudguards, RED pmw
Variation 2 : chrome-plated
Benbros No.26 colours
Benbros No.26 base detail