Innocent Times Revisited by Paul Vreede

These little Lego cars are the earliest toys I can distinctly remember having as a child of 3-4 years old. Sometimes when my father came home from work (I presume on payday), I was allowed to search the pockets of his dark grey overcoat, and I would find a little cardboard box with one of these vehicles inside. I also remember a line-up in a glass display cabinet in the back of Mascot toy store (I think it was) in The Hague.

The printed cardboard town plan I had when young didn't survive (I now shudder to remember it was turned into a puppet theatre...) but did get a replacement much later in life when I found one for a nice price at the monthly Brussels swap meet. This prompted the acquisition of a few of the cars and the construction of a few buildings. 

A renewed interest has recently resulted in quite a few more vehicles and buildings being added to an extra couple of shelves in the bookcase where these are on display. Bringing back the same joy as they did during the earliest and most carefree days of my life.

I'm no expert, but I gather Lego started making these vehicles in 1955, initially offering a series of Bedford trucks and VW vans, the latter strangely without any window openings in the original version. VW Beetles were added, which were used by VW as promotional toys next to much larger-sized ones also made by Lego. These were all painted in correct VW colours, and so stand out amongst all the other vehicles which are moulded in standard Lego colours (plus green for the VW vans. Baseplates aside, there was no such thing as a green brick readily available in those days, a few rare exceptions being produced in Norway apparently).

More car models followed, mostly of German cars but also a few from other countries. Then the Bedfords were replaced with Mercedes trucks with a few types of truck disappearing but more types being added. All in all the range lasted until the second half of the 1960s before disappearing from the Lego catalogue.

My photos show what I have - at least one of each model in the range, except for the early VW vans, a short version of the VW Beetle (though I'm restoring one) and a Vauxhall estate. The latter was unique to the UK and Australian markets, like the Jaguar E-Type which I do have. Bedford trucks exist in one colour (combination) only; Mercedes trucks exist in several colours except for the articulated tank trucks. The articulated trailers exist in one more printed design than I have. The scooters and (motor)cyclists were also part of the range, as were the traffic signs and flat trees.

Part Two to follow shortly!