Charbens

The 1909 Albion was number 16. Early versions were a one piece casting with a separate steering wheel fitted, Later issues had the steering wheel deleted and the mounting hole filled in, The early issues were dark blue and the later ones light blue which can be found with or without black trim to the wings & mudguards, Early issues also had gold trim to the steering wheel and grille. The seats can be trimmed in light blue or red or be left in body colour. The wheels were yellow metal on the early issues and smaller yellow plastic on the later ones. The final issue in light blue has no additional paint trim applied. The Charbens Vehicles Albion 1909 - Dark Blue made of Lead is Number 16 in the range.

The 1909 Albion was number 16. Early versions were a one piece casting with a separate steering wheel fitted, Later issues had the steering wheel deleted and the mounting hole filled in, The early issues were dark blue and the later ones light blue which can be found with or without black trim to the wings & mudguards, Early issues also had gold trim to the steering wheel and grille. The seats can be trimmed in light blue or red or be left in body colour. The wheels were yellow metal on the early issues and smaller yellow plastic on the later ones. The final issue in light blue has no additional paint trim applied. The Charbens Vehicles Albion 1909 - Dark Blue made of Lead is Number 16 in the range.

The 1914 "Old Bill" London bus was cast in two separate halves which were press fitted together and then painted in either orange or more commonly red. The wheels were also die cast and were painted black and the Grille and the "General" lettering to the sides were trimmed in gold. There were two dies for this model which can most easily be seen in the lettering for "Made in England" on the side of the bus, One casting has "Made in" above "England" written horizontally along the side and the other has diagonal wording. The Charbens Vehicles Bus - No.1 made of Lead is Number 3 in the range.

The second version of the 1914 "Old Bill" London bus body was cast in one piece but the upper deck seats were cast separately, The body can be found painted in either red, orange or maroon and the upper deck seats were painted in light brown. The wheels were spoked black painted metal and only the Grille had gold trim applied. The Charbens Vehicles Bus - No. 2 made of Lead is Number 3 in the range.

Charbens created in the 50's a series they called "Old Crocks" in which antique automobiles were recreated in small scale. The bodies are full metal and painted with bright colours. This example shows a 1902 Wolseley.

Charbens created in the 50's a series they called "Old Crocks" in which antique automobiles were recreated in small scale. The bodies are full metal and painted with bright colours. This example shows a 1905 Napier racing car (L48).

Charbens created in the 50's a series they called "Old Crocks" in which antique automobiles were recreated in small scale. The bodies are full metal and painted with bright colours. This example shows a 1909 Albion.

Number six in the series was the 1906 De Dion Bouton. This was a one piece casting which had a steering wheel and headlights added, the model was usually painted mauve but can also be found in pale green or in a very pinkish brick red. Gold trim was applied to the steering wheel, headlights and to the radiator grille. It had tinplate mudguards which can be chrome plated or painted black and yellow wheels in either metal or plastic. The Charbens Vehicles De Dion Bouton made of Lead is Number 6 in the range.

Number 20 in the series was the 1910 Lanchester, It was a one piece casting incorporating the mudguards and running boards with a separately cast steering wheel, The body was painted light blue with black trim to the folded roof, mudguards and running boards, The seats were trimmed with yellow paint and the model can be found with or without gold trim to the grille and steering wheel. Only plastic wheels are known on this model and usually they are yellow but red has also been seen. The Charbens Vehicles Lanchester 1910 made of Lead is Number 20 in the range.

Number 20 in the series was the 1910 Lanchester, It was a one piece casting incorporating the mudguards and running boards with a separately cast steering wheel, The body was painted light blue with black trim to the folded roof, mudguards and running boards, The seats were trimmed with yellow paint and the model can be found with or without gold trim to the grille and steering wheel. Only plastic wheels are known on this model and usually they are yellow but red has also been seen. The Charbens Vehicles Lanchester 1910 made of Lead is Number 20 in the range.