Bristol man selling £20,000 toy truck collection after 70-year passion for vintage models
A lifelong passion that began with a shop window discovery aged eight has turned into an incredible collection of more than 100 vintage toy trucks – and now one lucky buyer could snap them up for £20,000.
A man who has spent SEVEN decades collecting miniature trucks is preparing to cash in his incredible toy collection – with the haul expected to fetch a staggering £20,000.
Phil Smart, from Bristol, first fell in love with the mechanical models when he was just eight years old after spotting a James Shackleton & Sons lorry in a London toy shop window during a family trip in the 1950s.
But with the impressive model carrying a hefty price tag, young Phil had to settle for saving his pocket money until he could afford a second-hand version. That childhood purchase sparked an obsession which has lasted 70 years – and now he is ready to part with more than 100 treasured models.
The remarkable collection spans everything from early tinplate toys to limited editions and custom-built creations, many of which can be dismantled and rebuilt using tiny tools. Unlike familiar brands such as Dinky and Corgi, Shackleton models featured intricate mechanical workings, making them a dream for budding engineers. Phil said that being able to take the models apart, replace components and put them back together was "all part of the fun".
Among the standout pieces is a rare early 1930s clockwork Alfa Romeo P2, made by French manufacturer CIJ. Measuring more than half a metre long, the impressive model boasts rack-and-pinion steering, rubber tyres and even a removable driver. Its real-life racing counterpart won the 1925 French Grand Prix, and the miniature version is expected to sell for more than £3,000.
Other highlights include Phil's custom-built Shackleton Foden lorry, converted into a recovery truck, estimated to fetch more than £100, while another model could make over £200.
Auctioneer Andrew Stowe, of Auctioneum in Bristol, described the collection as a "life-long passion project", adding that the models offer a fascinating glimpse into the luxury toy market of their era.
The collection will go under the hammer in an online auction ending on Monday, November 30, with the entire haul expected to raise around £20,000. After 70 years of collecting, Phil's childhood obsession could soon become someone else's treasured find.