A LOOK AT THE CENTURY 21 SPECTRUM PATROL CAR

Another favourite Anderson toy of mine, the Century 21 Spectrum Patrol Car, or Spectrum Saloon Car if you prefer.

Like the C21 SPV, this is another fairly accurate looking model, and, again a good size, about 10” long. I’d estimate it’s around the 1:25 scale.

Like the C21 SPV it’s a friction drive toy, but, in my opinion not as robust as the SPV toy. 

All the doors on it open. Both the driver and passenger doors are attached using a curved metal spring strip which helps hold the doors in place. Unfortunately, this system means the doors are prone not to shut correctly. They can also be easily removed.

Inside Captain Scarlet is driving, while Captain Blue sits on the passenger side. The description on the box reckons the driver is removable, but I think the manufacturers had a rethink as both the figures in mine are firmly glued in place.

The gull wing doors on each side are hinged in place by plastic stubs moulded as part of the clear plastic. They only just fit and are prone to falling out.

The rear compartment can be filled with the extras that come with the toy; Dummy luggage, a radio receiver and the all-important Mysteron Detector, which looks bang on to me. Although two are shown, mine actually came with four missiles, but I imagine originally it came with maybe half a dozen. Mine’s also missing the little paper note that the completest likes to see.

“Important – Exclusive to SPECTRUM personnel, the SPECTRUM PATROL CAR is a precision built, high performance vehicle. To ensure maximum efficiency and long life, TAKE EXTRA SPECIAL CARE OF THIS MODEL.”

This is followed by;

“Read the adventures of CAPTAIN SCARLET every week – only in TV21. BUY YOUR COPY TODAY!”

I’m not sure if it came with additional instructions like the SPV toy

The front headlights fold down and house the spring-loaded missiles. They are fired by releasing the stubby ‘wing mirrors’ either side of the bonnet.

The original box isn’t perfect but it’s in much better condition than my SPV one.  It would have originally had a plain cardboard insert too.

The Century 21 SPC, is by no means common, but nonetheless turns up much more frequently than the SPV toy does, and is generally less expensive.

However, being a plastic toy it isn’t that durable. Surprisingly, many have survived. Others won’t have fared so well, and it’s fair to say that most will be missing the removable roof fin or the doors. Most of the additional bits will be missing, especially the Mysteron Detector, but I imagine, like the C21 SPV there’ll be some limited replica parts available.