Budgie Miniatures
No.57 REA Express Parcel Delivery Truck
Another model based on an American vehicle was No.57 REA Express Parcel Van. This was probably based on a Dodge vehicle which was marketed in the UK under the Commer name.
The Parcel Van was manufactured by Modern Products to a high standard and in an era of innovation by rival toy makers, it was the first Budgie Miniature to have an opening sliding side door. This was on the right side which was the driver's side in the UK.
No.57 was painted green including the sliding door and this was the only colour used. There was no trim. On each side the van carried large 'REA Express' decals.
The base was gloss-black and held in place by two tabs, one front and one rear. On the base, 'Budgie Models', 'R-E-A Express Parcels Delivery Van', 'Made in England', and 'No.57' were cast. The wheels were black plastic.
Sold in blue blister-packs, the Parcel Van was also included in Budgie triple pack No.97 Truck Set. In the US it was available in Toy House blister-packs.
Still widely found in good condition, No.57 is an easy one to collect.
No.57 REA Express Delivery Truck
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GREEN including sliding door REA Express decals GLOSS-BLACK base bpw
Packs
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1966 Blue Budgie blister-packs (Guiterman)
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1966-70 Blue Budgie blister-packs (Budgie Models)
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1967-70 Budgie No.97B Truck Set triple blister-pack
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1968-70 Toy House blister-packs (US)
No.57 REA Express Delivery Truck : Budgie and Toy House blister-packs
The real Commer 'Walk-Thru' van