The R16 was presented at the Geneva auto show in March 1965. In June the miniature version appeared in France at the same time as the real car under reference 537. It was followed by the same model in the United Kingdom under reference 166. From its founding in the thirties the English and French Dinky Toys exchanged their moulds according to good custom.
Ingenious
On a scale of 1:43, the body shape, drawn by the designers Gaston Juchet and Philippe Charbonneaux, is faithfully reproduced. The details are precise, with a grille with no logo in the middle, elongated rear lights and parking lights on the front wings. The presence of the lid under the windscreen is already in line with the first changes made to the car after the presentation.
Transparent headlights
The miniature cast in zamac benefits from all the refinements of that era. The windows and interior, the bonnet and tailgate that can be opened, the reproduction of the engine and spare wheel, the transparent headlights. But there are also ingenious mechanical features, such as suspension, steering by pressing left or right on the front wings and a sliding rear seat by means of a button underneath the chassis. On the slider is the year 1965. The concave wheels are made of polished steel with grooved nylon tyres and are mounted on transverse axles.
The British version (order number 166) was only available in the original hard blue. The grille, the bumpers and the gutters are executed in silver paint. The miniature is packed in a special cardboard box printed in England and illustrated with a yellow R16 that never existed in miniature. The chassis is marked Made in England. But the steering wheel remains on the left and the rear license plate is painted yellow. A both French and British trademark!
Spain
From 1974 the R16 is made in Spain by Dinky Toys, still under the reference 537.
(Text & pictures: Alain le Bars)
