Benbros Mighty Midgets
No.27 1906 Rolls-Royce
The third vintage model in the Mighty Midget Series was based on a 1906 Rolls-Royce Light 20hp Tourer, not to be confused with the much larger Silver Ghost which also first appeared in 1906.
The Benbros model was made in a single caasting rivetted onto a simple base which included the mudguards. Two headlights were attached at the front and the wheels, which were shared with the other vintage models, were spoked metal on nail-head & crimped axles to start with, later round-head & crimped ones. Underneath 'Benbros' and 'Qualitoy' were cast on the base and 'Made in England' inside the body. The steering column (which was nothing like the delicate steering design of the real car) was fixed onto the base through a hole in the body. The model measured 45mm.
The Rolls-Royce was given a wider range of colours that the other two vintage models. The first issue was painted a turquoise-blue with black base and mudguards, red wheels and gold headlights.
Next there was possibly a metallic blue version before a darkish-blue one appeared, both with similar black bases, red wheels and gold headlights.
The final Rolls-Royce was chrome-plated, including the steering column, again with black base, red wheels and gold headlights.
This last Rolls-Royce is fairly easy to find in good condition but the earlier colours are more scarce and the metallic blue variation, if it exists, is very rare.
Variation 1 : turquoise-blue
Benbros No.27 Rolls-Royce
Variations
All models had Mighty Midget boxes
(1) TURQUOISE-BLUE, BLACK base/mudguards, RED pmw
(2) METALLIC BLUE, BLACK base/mudguards, RED pmw
(3) BLUE, BLACK base/mudguards, RED pmw
(4) CHROME, BLACK base/mudguards, RED pmw
Variation 3 : blue
Variation 4 : chrome-plated
Benbros No.27 1906 Rolls-Royce colours