Here’s some photos of the Sixteen 12 ‘Retro UFO Interceptor’ which appeared in 2020, naturally, taking it’s inspiration from the 1971 Green Dinky version.
Certainly a controversial and divisive decision for some, who still hark back to why Dinky finally chose a metallic green over a possible prototype metallic blue, or the more accurate white colour.
When I bought my first Dinky UFO Interceptor back in 1971, the box art showed a white Interceptor, and inside a disappointingly green example.
While there’s no definitive answer to the “why green” question, it doesn’t stop a plethora of differing opinions explaining the reason why.
Some offer the fact that Dinky felt some white toys didn’t sell, to youngsters as well as those in more attractive bright colours.
There’s the perineal story that Dinky had an excess of green metallic paint left over from their Johnston Road Sweeper model, and decided to use it for the Interceptor, and later for the Space: 1999 Eagle Transporter.
One person even suggested that Mattel’s Hot Wheels 1968-69 range with their gaudy candy colouring and metallic paint colour schemes might be to blame, prompting Dinky to follow the suite.
All, in part could well be be true, and frankly your guess is as good as mine. Anyway, I think I’m over it now, and very glad to own both a Dinky and Sixteen 12 green UFO Interceptor.
Glorious pictures Scoop and interesting insights about the colour. Ed Straker will be calling you soon!
ReplyDeleteCheers Woodsy. Yep, as we've found over the years the green colour certainly does irk a few people, same thing applies to the Dinky Eagles, and the blue Thunderbird 2.
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