Greetings and welcome to Forty 3rd which focuses on models within the 1/43 - 1/50 scale.
With that slogan, Austin dealers were reminded that a well designed service vehicle will have a long term impact in the public.
From the Czech Republic across the English channel towards the United Kingdom where we will look at the Austin K8 Threeway Van by Oxford.
Work on the K8 as it was called in its prototype form, started in early 1946. But it soon became known as the ‘Three-Way’ van owing to its arrangement of double doors on both the nearside and offside, as well as at the rear, providing excellent access to the loading bay.
Production commenced early in 1947 at a cost of £535. Various changes had been made from the prototypes, which included the radiator grille, front bumper, access steps along with the wheels. It had a very small wheelbase considering that it had a pay load of 25 cwt, and this made it very nimble. It was powered by the Austin 2,199cc engine OHV petrol engine.
This Austin comes with the Eric Oliver racing team livery. So who is Eric Oliver? From what I gathered, Eric Staines Oliver (13 April 1911 – 1 March 1980) was an English motorcycle racer best remembered as four time FIM (Federation of International Motorcycling) Sidecar World Champion, riding a Norton. His passenger in 1949 was Denis Jenkinson. He is also remembered for his innovation, being the first sidecar competitor to use a dustbin fairing, rear suspension and the first to adopt the kneeling riding position.
This model is the Eric Oliver/Denis Jenkinson K8 which the pair used for their 1949 FIM Sidecar World Championship-winning season. They travelled around Europe covering around 15,000 miles. This vehicle averaging around 25mph, fully laden with Norton sidecar combination, their solo bikes and their camping kit.
If you’re not familiar with Oxford Diecast, it is a leading British Company that supplies diecast vehicle to the collector, gift and promotional markets. Started in 1993 Oxford has a collectors club with worldwide membership. Besides 1/43 it also comes in smaller size like 1:76.
This model also comes in other liveries but I got this one not only for the affordable price but due to the graphics and artwork on this model. Being that this is a collectible I understand the lack of opening parts but seeing the actual features in an illustration above, I do wish that it did come with opening parts. I believe this would have been possible if it were made with companies like Corgi or Dinky during the old days.
This also has a more solid body than Ixo due to more metal parts. Ace on the details as well. Except for the headlights the rest of the lights are painted on including the door handles.
I gave it 4.5 out of 5 in detail, 5 out of 5 in quality control and 4.0 out of 5 for playable. Till my next model, cheerio.