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.
