Category:Spot-On Models
Toy Brands and Manufacturers |
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Spot-On Models |
1959 - 1967 |
~1960: Front cover of the First Edition colour catalogue [image info]
~1960: Rear cover with Castlereagh identification [image info]
~1965: Clear window packaging [image info]
~1965 catalogue cover, Austin 1800 [image info]
~1967: 7th Edition catalogue, front cover [image info]
~1967: 7th Edition catalogue, back cover [image info]
Spot-On Gift Set 702 [image info]
Front cover "The Ultimate Book of Spot-On Models Ltd", by Nigel Lee, Graham Thompson and Brian Salter (In House, 2013) [image info]
Back cover of "The Ultimate Book of Spot-On Models Ltd", by Nigel Lee, Graham Thompson and Brian Salter [image info]
Front cover of Spot-On Diecast Models by Triang, A Catalogue and Collector's Guide", ISBN 0854293043, by Graham Thompson [image info]
Tri-ang Spot-On (or Spot-On Models) was primarily a range of diecast metal toy vehicles with plastic interiors, produced by toymaking behemoths Lines Brothers (brand-name "Tri-ang") at their Castlereagh site, Belfast, between 1959 and 1967. This was a high-quality range whose production ended shortly after the Lines Brothers' acquisition of Dinky Toys. The Spot-On marque was also used on contemporary building construction sets and roadway sets made at the same factory, for a range of dollhouse furniture made at the same site with the same technologies, and for a range of rubber moulded accessory buildings launched at around the same time, but made in Wimbledon.
Other products
Lines Brothers' range of manufacturing techniques and the plastics and diecasting facilities at the Castlereagh factory made it comparatively easy for the company to support Spot-On with accessories, which included roadside signs and people, garages and petrol stations, and the plastic Arkitex modern building construction sets (which were available in 1:42 and 00-scale). The third major Belfast Spot-On sub-brand (after the vehicles and Arkitex) was a range of 1:16-scale Spot-On dollhouse furniture (later rebranded as "Jenny's Home"), which like the cars, used a mixture of diecast metal and injection-moulded plastic.
An anomaly was the 1:42-scale Spot-On "Cotswold Village" range of moulded rubber buildings, which although designed to work with the new Spot-On vehicle range, and advertised in the vehicles catalogues, were actually made by a rubber moulding company in London that Lines Brothers had recently acquired, rather than in Belfast.
Discontinuation, 1967
Although the Spot-On range must have been quite expensive to design and launch, it wasn't in production for very long because of a restructuring of the Tri-ang product range that took place after Lines Brothers took over their struggling competitor Meccano Ltd in 1964.
Since Meccano Ltd made Dinky Toys, the takeover left Lines Brothers with two competing diecast model car brands, and rather than continue with the premium Spot-On range and kill off the more established Dinky Toys brand (which, after all, they'd just paid to acquire), the company found it easier to discontinue Spot-On (in 1967) and concentrate on Dinky. A few unreleased Spot-On designs then ended up in the Dinky Toys range as "Dinky" pieces.
It would probably have been difficult keeping the Spot-On brand going once the flagship range of products - the cars - had gone, and the initial association between the name and Castlereagh became less of an asset when the company were shutting down Castlereagh production lines and considering moving remaining production elsewhere. The Arkitex range was another casualty of the 1967 rationalisations, with one lone Arkitex-based building appearing in the Triang Railways catalogue, without Spot-On or Arkitex branding.
The dollhouse furniture range survived (as Lines Brothers didn't have another dollhouse furniture range), but underwent two rebrandings in quick succession, becoming Dollies Home, and then Jenny's Home.
In the Museum
The museum's display of Spot-On vehicles was in the dedicated Spot-On cabinet, which held a guest collection of around 250 Spot-On vehicles and perhaps a hundred or more small accessories such as figures and road signs, the largest permanent public display of the range anywhere in the World.
See also:
External links
Further reading
- Graham Thompson, SPOT-ON: Diecast Models by Tri-ang, A Catalogue & Collector's Guide (Haynes/Foulis 1983) ISBN 0854293043
- Nigel Lee, Graham Thompson and Brian Salter, The Ultimate Book of SPOT-ON Models Ltd. (In House Publications, 2013) ISBN ----
Subcategories
This category has the following 9 subcategories, out of 9 total.
A
- Arkitex (11 P, 36 F)
B
C
- Cotswold Village Series (15 F)
J
- Jennys Home room box system (4 P, 23 F)
M
- Magicar Motoring (1 P, 1 F)
S
- Spot-On dollhouse fittings (5 P, 8 F)
T
- The Spot-On Collection (display) (8 P, 7 F)
V
Pages in category ‘Spot-On Models’
The following 30 pages are in this category, out of 30 total.
A
B
- Bedford oil tanker truck (Spot-On)
- Block of flats, four storey (Arkitex 00/H0 scale)
- BMW Isetta bubble-car, bright red, LTR 145 (Spot-On 118)
- BMW Isetta bubble-car, dark blue, JPO 113 (Spot-On 118)
- BMW Isetta bubble-car, dark red, LXQ 216 (Spot-On 118)
- BMW Isetta bubble-car, green, JPO 113 (Spot-On 118)
- BMW Isetta bubble-car, light mauve (Spot-On 118)
- BMW Isetta bubble-car, yellow, CMO 118 (Spot-On 118)
C
M
Media in category ‘Spot-On Models’
The following 119 files are in this category, out of 119 total.
- 3-4 Left Hand Shop Window, No 73 (ArkitexCat 1961).jpg 1,177 × 1,445; 140 KB
- 3-4 Right Hand Shop Window, No 73 (ArkitexCat 1961).jpg 1,139 × 1,439; 138 KB
- 9-Hole and 3-Hole Bases (ArkitexCat 1961).jpg 1,669 × 1,553; 203 KB
- AEC Mammoth Major 8, with flat float with sides, Spot-On Models 110-3 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 2,272 × 1,070; 704 KB
- AEC Mammoth Major 8, with flat float, Spot-On Models 110-2 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 2,207 × 1,017; 571 KB
- Always Buy Jennys Home Furniture, side panel, packaging (Tri-ang JR101).jpg 1,200 × 830; 128 KB
- Always Buy Jennys Home Furniture, side panel, packaging (Tri-ang JR102).jpg 1,200 × 638; 120 KB
- Antique Shop, Cotswold Village No5 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 796 × 806; 121 KB
- Arkitex Catalogue and Handbook, front cover, 1-42 and 00 (ArkCat 1961).jpg 3,000 × 1,987; 825 KB
- Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 236, Spot-On Models 101 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 2,277 × 1,213; 743 KB
- Aston Martin DB3, Spot-On Models 113 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 2,123 × 1,029; 549 KB
- Austin Healey 100-Six, Spot-On Models 105 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 1,879 × 940; 440 KB
- Barn, Cotswold Village No8 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 797 × 458; 73 KB
- Bentley Four-Door Sports Saloon, Spot-On Models 102 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 2,506 × 1,191; 857 KB
- Block of Flats (Tri-ang Jennys Home).jpg 2,335 × 1,229; 492 KB
- BMW Isetta, Spot-On Models 118 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 1,271 × 969; 342 KB
- Buy It Room By Room, top panel, packaging (Tri-ang JR101).jpg 2,200 × 1,489; 538 KB
- Buy It Room By Room, top panel, packaging (Tri-ang JR102).jpg 2,200 × 1,622; 638 KB
- Church, Cotswold Village No13 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 948 × 997; 160 KB
- Contemporary Double Door (Tri-ang 1148).jpg 1,640 × 2,000; 517 KB
- Contemporary Front Door, centre (Tri-ang 1147).JPG 2,000 × 1,286; 401 KB
- Contemporary Internal Door (Tri-ang 1149).jpg 1,201 × 2,000; 477 KB
- Contemporary Large Panel Window (Tri-ang 1150).jpg 2,000 × 1,350; 393 KB
- Contemporary Small Two-Light Window (Tri-ang 1153).jpg 2,000 × 783; 150 KB
- Contemporary Three-Light Window with Opening Light (Tri-ang 1152).jpg 2,000 × 1,331; 227 KB
- Contemporary Three-Light Window with Two Opening Lights (Tri-ang 1151).jpg 2,000 × 798; 203 KB
- Contemporary Windows and Doors range (Tri-ang).jpg 2,000 × 1,538; 380 KB
- Cornerstones Cottage, Cotswold Village No3 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 618 × 814; 94 KB
- Dollhouse furniture being sorted, mostly by Spot-On.jpg 2,000 × 1,126; 1.39 MB
- ERF 68G, with brick load, Spot-On Models 109-2B (SpotOn 1959).jpg 2,211 × 1,001; 751 KB
- ERF 68G, with flat float with sides, Spot-On Models 109-3 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 2,245 × 991; 643 KB
- ERF 68G, with flat float, Spot-On Models 109-2 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 2,264 × 1,019; 545 KB
- Farmhouse, Cotswold Village No10 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 838 × 706; 119 KB
- Ford Zodiac, Spot-On Models 100 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 2,248 × 1,021; 565 KB
- Fourways Cottage, Cotswold Village No4A (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 700 × 661; 90 KB
- Garage (Tri-ang Spot-On Models).jpg 800 × 534; 345 KB
- General Store, Cotswold Village No6 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 746 × 805; 120 KB
- Glass Double Unit Shop Window, Nos 65 69 (ArkitexCat 1961).jpg 1,680 × 1,301; 194 KB
- Glass Swing Door Set, No 53 (ArkitexCat 1961).jpg 993 × 1,253; 131 KB
- Jaguar XK SS sports car, Spot-On Models 107 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 1,852 × 871; 432 KB
- Jennys Home - Build it Room by Room.jpg 2,400 × 1,694; 669 KB
- Jennys Home - frame logo.jpg 2,400 × 1,311; 256 KB
- Jennys Home contents, side panel, packaging (Tri-ang JR101).jpg 2,200 × 1,509; 475 KB
- Jennys Home contents, side panel, packaging (Tri-ang JR102).jpg 2,200 × 1,164; 486 KB
- Jennys Home, 1of2 (RovexTrade 1970).jpg 1,132 × 1,600; 483 KB
- Jennys Home, 2of2 (RovexTrade 1970).jpg 1,132 × 1,600; 441 KB
- Jennys Home, by Rovex Industries (Hobbies 1967).jpg 1,600 × 876; 300 KB
- Jennys Home, curtains and carpets, Set JH9.jpg 2,211 × 2,400; 638 KB
- Jennys Home, end panels, packaging (Tri-ang JR101).jpg 1,200 × 1,186; 152 KB
- Jennys Home, end panels, packaging (Tri-ang JR102).jpg 1,200 × 853; 142 KB
- Jennys Home, Large Room, diagram (JH102).jpg 2,298 × 1,492; 595 KB
- Jennys Home, Small Room, diagram (JH101).jpg 1,572 × 1,368; 367 KB
- Landmarks, Cotswold Village No2 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 1,168 × 1,007; 140 KB
- Left Hand Panel, Nos 47 48 49 (ArkitexCat 1961).jpg 965 × 1,521; 160 KB
- Lorries (Tri-ang Spot-On Models).jpg 800 × 534; 297 KB
- Magicar Motoring, logo.jpg 943 × 272; 35 KB
- Manor House, Cotswold Village No11 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 866 × 813; 147 KB
- Massey-Ferguson 65 Tractor, red mudguards (Tri-ang Spot-On 137).jpg 2,200 × 1,467; 452 KB
- MGA Sports Car, Spot-On Models 104 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 1,933 × 872; 455 KB
- One-room Bungalow (Tri-ang Jennys Home).jpg 1,487 × 1,001; 258 KB
- Only Spot-On models have All these features (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 1,200 × 957; 152 KB
- Ovaltine bus (Tri-ang Spot-On Models).jpg 800 × 534; 274 KB
- Page 01, front cover (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,461; 545 KB
- Page 02, Introduction (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,464; 442 KB
- Page 03, Building simple cube structures (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,458; 389 KB
- Page 04, Windows Type A (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,475; 372 KB
- Page 05, Wall and Door Panels (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,463; 346 KB
- Page 06, Corners (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,476; 406 KB
- Page 07, Roof Corners and Edges (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,458; 356 KB
- Page 08, Increasing Height (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,446; 444 KB
- Page 09, Adding Penthouse or Tower (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,478; 426 KB
- Page 10, Building with Overhang (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,463; 454 KB
- Page 11, Building a Porch (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,462; 445 KB
- Page 12, Shops or Showrooms (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,453; 482 KB
- Page 13, Increasing Height (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,474; 498 KB
- Page 14, Multi Purpose Stairway Kit (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,460; 468 KB
- Page 15, Spares and Accessories (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,468; 471 KB
- Page 16, Lighting Set (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,467; 426 KB
- Page 17, Lighting, Floors or Ceilings (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,467; 431 KB
- Page 18, Bridge Building Set D (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,472; 453 KB
- Page 19, Bridge Ramps (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,465; 425 KB
- Page 20, back cover, contents of sets (Arkitex Handbook and Catalogue, 00 scale).jpg 2,200 × 1,475; 450 KB
- Penthouse Bungalow (Tri-ang Jennys Home).jpg 1,637 × 1,256; 289 KB
- Plain Swing Door Set, Nos 10 81 82 (ArkitexCat 1961).jpg 1,009 × 1,495; 191 KB
- Post Office, Cotswold Village No12 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 699 × 836; 110 KB
- Public House, Cotswold Village No9 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 850 × 744; 117 KB
- Retail display stand (Tri-ang Spot-On Models).jpg 800 × 458; 277 KB
- Right Hand Panel, Nos 50 51 52 (ArkitexCat 1961).jpg 923 × 1,510; 114 KB
- Rolls Royce Silver Wraith, Spot-On Models 103 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 2,581 × 1,179; 768 KB
- Royal Occasion with Tommy Spot, Spot-On 806, (SpotOnCat 7thEd).jpg 1,600 × 1,001; 385 KB
- School, Cotswold Village No1 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 837 × 665; 105 KB
- Short Glass Swing Door Set, No 55 (ArkitexCat 1961).jpg 905 × 1,149; 127 KB
- Short Plain Swing Door Set, Nos 57 83 84 (ArkitexCat 1961).jpg 999 × 1,429; 171 KB
- Six-Room Bungalow (Tri-ang Jennys Home).jpg 1,911 × 1,307; 412 KB
- Small and Large Rooms, JR101 and JR102, Jennys Home (Hobbies 1967).jpg 1,600 × 1,012; 293 KB
- Smithy, Cotswold Village No14 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 865 × 643; 85 KB
- Spot-On Diecast Models by Triang, ISBN 0854293043, front over.jpg 880 × 1,200; 259 KB
- Spot-On Models by Tri-ang, catalogue cover, First Edition (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 1,600 × 1,272; 397 KB
- Spot-On Models display area.jpg 1,600 × 1,067; 1.4 MB
- Spot-On Models, An Introduction (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 862 × 683; 123 KB
- Spot-On Models, catalogue rear cover, First Edition (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 1,200 × 944; 250 KB
- Spot-On models, clear window packaging (SpotOnCat 5thEd).jpg 1,384 × 1,600; 320 KB
- Spot-On, catalogue cover, 7th Edition, ~1967 (SpotOnCat 7thEd).jpg 1,600 × 993; 297 KB
- Spot-On, catalogue cover, rear (SpotOnCat 7thEd).jpg 1,600 × 991; 315 KB
- The Cot Cottage, Cotswold Village No4B (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 723 × 802; 101 KB
- The Ultimate Book of Spot-On Models Ltd, front cover.jpg 1,200 × 1,109; 230 KB
- The Ultimate Book of Spot-On Models Ltd, rear cover.jpg 1,200 × 1,097; 326 KB
- Three-room Bungalow (Tri-ang Jennys Home).jpg 1,741 × 1,004; 305 KB
- Town Hall, Cotswold Village No7 (SpotOnCat 1stEd).jpg 886 × 817; 110 KB
- Triang Arkitex, Apartment Set NoE, leaflet.jpg 1,530 × 2,245; 497 KB
- Triumph TR3 sports car, Spot-On Models 108 (SpotOn 1959).jpg 1,836 × 872; 466 KB
- Two-Room Bedsitter (Tri-ang Jennys Home).jpg 1,712 × 992; 289 KB
- Ultra-Modern Station Construction Set R589 (THCat 1966).jpg 2,326 × 3,000; 1.61 MB