A RARE toy car has raced away at auction in Wokingham, selling for thousands of pounds.
The C.I.J. clockwork Alfa Romeo P2 racing car finished in yellow was sold at auction on Wednesday, November 22 for £14,000.
The model was made by the French company, Compagnie Industrielle du Jouet, and was one of a series made following the success of the Grand Prix car designed by Vittorio Jano, which went on to win the inaugural Automobile World Championship in 1925.
C.I.J. produced these models in the national racing colours of teams competing at that time.
The example offered to auction by Martin & Pole belonged to the vendor’s father, who was born in 1916 in Brighton, and was presented with the toy at 14-years-old in 1930.
Other items at the sale, held by auctioneers Martin & Pole, included a pair of Lalique glass swans with a mirrored base which sold for £3,000, and a print of ‘Crime Lake’ by L.S. Lowry signed by the artist in pencil, which went for £2,200.
Auctioneer Matthew Coles said: “We were very pleased with the result, and is probably a world record at auction for this model car.
“The condition was exceptional, even down to some of the original straw packing in the box, but clearly the yellow colour was exceptionally rare, as it was causing a lot of questions.
“So to have a rare car with its box and key must have been a collector’s dream.”
