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Benbros Zebra Toys

(52) RAC Motorcycle Patrol

Variation 1: Sidecar with metal wheel, Qualitoys box

For Zebra Toys, Benbros created new versions of the popular Qualitoys AA (Automobile Association) and RAC (Royal Automobile Club) Motorcycle Patrols. Both used a new motorcycle casting with steering forks which was based on a Triumph bike.

 

Several features of the motorcycle are interesting. It was painted gloss or semi-gloss black without any silver trim. On each side of the fuel tank 'Triumph' was cast and on the number-plates 'ENT 303' was added front and rear. The detachable metal screen was off-white or cream and it fitted over the headlight. The rider was the usual Zebra Toys plastic figure, in this case bright blue with pink face and black goggles. The moulding of the rider's legs had two 'pegs' on the inside to secure him to the motorcycle.

 

The all-new streamlined sidecar was blue with blue top bars and an opening lid. 'RAC' logo decals were added to the front and rear. It was secured to the bike by giving the rear motorcycle wheel a long axle and adding a front pin, both of them inside blue coupling rods. Because the sidecar wheel was small it had a separate axle. Underneath 'RAC Patrol', 'Zebra Toys' and 'Made in England' were cast. There was no number.

 

The Motorcycle had unpainted spoked wheels with black tyres, and the sidecar at first had a small metal wheel with a large hub, later a dark blue or pale blue plastic 'six-bolt' wheel, all variations fitted with a black treaded tyre. The little axle also secured the seperately cast mudguard onto the sidecar.

 

The RAC Patrol was mostly sold in the Qualitoys box from the earlier RAC Patrol and this is the most common one. However, Benbros did issue a black & white striped Zebra Toys box which included the number '52' on the end flaps, but it is very rare.

Although is had three variations, the Zebra Toys RAC Motorcycle appeared not long before Benbros ceased trading and had only a short run. It is now quite scarce.

Benbros Zebra Toys RAC Motorcycle Patrol

Variation 2: Sidecar with dark blue plastic wheel

Benbros Zebra Toys RAC Motorcycle Patrol

 

BLACK motorcycle with spoked umw

WHITE or pale CREAM plastic screen

BLUE sidecar & mudguard

RAC decals

BLUE plastic rider

Zebra Toys or Qualitoys box

Sidecar wheel variations

(1) UNPAINTED METAL

(2) DARK BLUE PLASTIC

(3) PALE BLUE PLASTIC

Benbros Zebra Toys RAC Motorcycle Patrol
Benbros Zebra Toys RAC Motorcycle Patrol

Variation 3: Sidecar with pale blue plastic wheel

Benbros Zebra Toys RAC Motorcycle Patrol
Benbros Zebra Toys RAC Motorcycle Patrol

photo Vectis Auctions

The Zebra Toys box

Nicholas Martin Diecast
Benbros, Morestone & Budgie Vintage Toys
Britains Lilliput Vehicles   Kemlows Sentry Box   Dublo Dinky Toys

Abbreviations used on Nicholas Martin Diecast

   

  • umw - unpainted metal wheels

  • pmw - painted metal wheels

  • pw    - plastic wheels

  • gpw  - grey plastic wheels

  • spw  - silver plastic wheels

  • bpw  - black plastic wheels

  • sp     - silver plastic

  • um    - unpainted metal

  • id.     - maker's identification

  • w/wo - with or without

 

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