Dinky Toys 263/277; Superior Criterion Ambulance

It took me a while to track down the information but underneath this wonderful 1960's American kitsch bodywork is a Pontiac. A 1961 Bonneville. One of my good friends on a web forum (where I had asked the question - what car is it?) came back with this piece of information: "According to Meccano Magazine the Superior Criterion is based on a Pontiac (1961 model, by the look of it), with bodywork by the Superior Coach Corporation of Lima, Michigan. Meccano Magazine goes on to state that a 289 V8 was fitted (to the real vehicle, not the toy!), giving 281bhp on the manual version and 303bhp on the automatic, and describe the toy as "wonderful" - well they were selling them after all! "

Dinky made the Superior Criterion Ambulance between 1982 and 1968. It was sold under two model numbers; 263 and 277 the difference being that 277 had a working flashing beacon driven by a cam on the rear wheels and was painted metallic blue and white, 263 was either white or cream over dark red and had a patient instead of the battery in the back and came with paramedic figures.

There are no variations listed for 277, but if you find one in a gold see-through box expect to pay a little more for it.

Dinky Toys 263; Superior Criterion Ambulance; Off White, Pale Turquoise Interior	Dinky Toys 263; Superior Criterion Ambulance; Off White, White Interior	Dinky Toys 277; Superior Criterion Ambulance; Blue Metallic And White

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Last Edit: 14/02/2021		Page Added 04/02/2021