Rare and Desirable Britains

[TheArchitect]

Hi All,

I don't usually post here, just lurk, but I was wondering what Britains models are:

A. Extremely rare (and hence valuable).

B. Desirable (based on individual preferences).

I'm intrigued to see what the community on here thinks. I'm trying to broaden my understanding of Britains so any replies are greatly appreciated!

Edited April 6, 2023 by TheArchitect
Spelling mistake

[TheArchitect]

I'll go first with my own very limited knowledge and thoughts

A. I know the four coloured Valtra are rare and valuable. These were available to dealers or something like that, I think I've read. 

B. I really like the Farm Toy Forums Britains specials. I have two gunmetal Ford 5000's, two of the Ford 7000's with the harrow and also the gunmetal Case. I know there are more of these but its not easy to get holistic information on them. I need to get my hands on the industrial Ford 5000. I never used to like the look if it, but now I kinda want it!

[SPN]

The Britains Fiat 880 was also made as a Hesston 580 for US dealers back in the day.

There is also a Ford 6600 with FIECO cab in the FTF specials series.

[TheArchitect]

2 hours ago, SPN said:

The Britains Fiat 880 was also made as a Hesston 580 for US dealers back in the day.

There is also a Ford 6600 with FIECO cab in the FTF specials series.

I've seen the 6600, have never seen the Fiat 880. Unless its one someone posted recently that they got at spalding. 

[trigger82]

This box set is very rare not to many them around.  

[super6]

My two penny worth,

For me desirable would include the following, Pre-production/sample copy models/toys, they did escape from the manufacturer. Unusual colour variations, probably trial paint/plastic runs, some could be classed as unique. End of line/range produced quite a few of these, post Autoway models/toys gives a few different items in the not so normal colour way of yellow. Britains were quite good at not wasting what they had already manufactured. Trade display and OEM pieces and Point of sale material. Production for overseas clients, as you have mentioned the Valmets there are also blue cabs for the E1A Super Major and 5000 Super Major, only seen one of these!  Some of these items could be classed as rare too.

Rare/rarest item to me is the Ford 5000 Super Major Industrial set, boxed most definitely but also as a loose model/toy. An uncatalogued very limited production run from, I reckon, late 1965. The blue tractor was released in 1965 and with rear dump in 1966. Super Major E1A was deleted at end of 1965 although I suspect they had stopped manufacture earlier, sales possibly dropped off with the release of the 5000, who would want the older tractor? Apart from me!

It's what makes collecting Britains interesting for me, so many variations, a different coloured wheel changes the look of a model/toy, learning all the time..........

Some variations from my small collection, except the last picture. My first Britains items from new in 1969, well played with and running repairs by my dad on trailer hitch

Okay, 2/- worth

Edited April 7, 2023 by super6

[TheArchitect]

8 hours ago, trigger82 said:

This box set is very rare not to many them around.  

Never seen one of them before. How much would it be worth? Does anyone have one?

[TheArchitect]

6 hours ago, super6 said:

My two penny worth,

For me desirable would include the following, Pre-production/sample copy models/toys, they did escape from the manufacturer. Unusual colour variations, probably trial paint/plastic runs, some could be classed as unique. End of line/range produced quite a few of these, post Autoway models/toys gives a few different items in the not so normal colour way of yellow. Britains were quite good at not wasting what they had already manufactured. Trade display and OEM pieces and Point of sale material. Production for overseas clients, as you have mentioned the Valmets there are also blue cabs for the E1A Super Major and 5000 Super Major, only seen one of these!  Some of these items could be classed as rare too.

Rare/rarest item to me is the Ford 5000 Super Major Industrial set, boxed most definitely but also as a loose model/toy. An uncatalogued very limited production run from, I reckon, late 1965. The blue tractor was released in 1965 and with rear dump in 1966. Super Major E1A was deleted at end of 1965 although I suspect they had stopped manufacture earlier, sales possibly dropped off with the release of the 5000, who would want the older tractor? Apart from me!

It's what makes collecting Britains interesting for me, so many variations, a different coloured wheel changes the look of a model/toy, learning all the time..........

Some variations from my small collection, except the last picture. My first Britains items from new in 1969, well played with and running repairs by my dad on trailer hitch

Okay, 2/- worth

That's really interesting thank you, I must admit I don't have a great knowledge on this type of stuff, just trying too learn! I didn't know about the super major industrial set so thank you!

[Tractorman810]

the list is endless , but like paul its more variations on implement for me , most of my collection britains wise is unboxed, but all original, variations in colour shades, all sorts , i do have a topic on here, which shows a lot of different versions  that i have.  

 

[TheArchitect]

49 minutes ago, Tractorman810 said:

the list is endless , but like paul its more variations on implement for me , most of my collection britains wise is unboxed, but all original, variations in colour shades, all sorts , i do have a topic on here, which shows a lot of different versions  that i have.  

 

Thanks for the link to the thread, really really interesting. I never knew there were so many variations of all of these. I had the Bauer tank in white, never knew it also came in yellow. Really interesting. 

[TheArchitect]

I also really want to get this

[trigger82]

38 minutes ago, TheArchitect said:

I also really want to get this

I got few them I seen lads selling them for €200 euros 

[trigger82]

5 hours ago, TheArchitect said:

Never seen one of them before. How much would it be worth? Does anyone have one?

That one was sold for £400 I not seen to many of them 

[NIGEL FORD]

5 hours ago, TheArchitect said:

Never seen one of them before. How much would it be worth? Does anyone have one?

I guess I still have one as I don't remember selling it yet.

[Hajo]

Mint and boxed items usually are worth a lot of money. Gift sets even more, as they come avaliable for sale only once in a while. Also models that have not been presented in the catalogue are scarce and valuable. A few examples of my onw collection :

 

[trigger82]

3 hours ago, Hajo said:

Mint and boxed items usually are worth a lot of money. Gift sets even more, as they come avaliable for sale only once in a while. Also models that have not been presented in the catalogue are scarce and valuable. A few examples of my onw collection :

 

That true about all them sets I have 2 out them 

[ericalee]

Is the green Ford 6600 with (production) holes for roll bar a rarity.

I've just found one and have never seen another

[trigger82]

[trigger82]

[New Hollander]

10 hours ago, ericalee said:

Is the green Ford 6600 with (production) holes for roll bar a rarity.

I've just found one and have never seen another

Not sure if they're rare. I have one here too.

[ericalee]

Thanks for that. I've seen lots of the "coloured" 6600's, especially the green, but this is the first one I've seen with the holes for a rollbar

[smithy]

On 5/4/2023 at 1:19 PM, ericalee said:

Is the green Ford 6600 with (production) holes for roll bar a rarity.

I've just found one and have never seen another

Dont think they are rare ,thought they was done slightly cheaper more for children to play with and used up chassis they had , i got 4or5 about here somewhere used to get them from car-boot sales and then use them for conversions 

[trigger82]

There 3 that I have . 

[ericalee]

You are right about them being cheap (the coloured models) when first put on sale and there are plenty about without the holes.

It's specifically the ones with the holes for a roll bar that I'm asking about

[Hajo]

I have about 50 Britains sets current, they have seriously increased in value over the years. That might make them more desirable, or not? I don't know ... you could start a collection on its own by gathering all variants in colours, wheels, decals, rare boxes (prototypes).