Benbros Qualitoys

Solo Motorcycles

Benbros issued two series of Solo Motorcycles, the first with fixed forks and the second with moveable forks and other changes. Both types were issued in different colours but later the second type was switched to chrome-plated bikes which were used for all four versions.

 

Metal riders were used for the coloured models and some of the chrome-plated ones but Benbros gradually replaced these with plastic riders in various colours.

 

Much of the detail of both types of motorcycle remained the same. Both were immediately identifiable by having 'TTC 147' cast on the front and rear number-plates and 'Made in England' cast underneath. However, neither issue carried the Benbros name.

 

The Series 1 bikes had the front forks fixed to the fuel tank and the mudguard sealed to the frame in the casting which prevented the forks from turning.

 

On the Series 2 bikes the front of the fuel tank was adapted to accomodate a hinge and there was a longer rake to the steering forks creating a clear gap between the mudguard and the bike. There was also a hole added through the engine at the front to accomodate the sidecar linkage pin for the AA and RAC Motorcycle Patrol versions. The wheels were unpainted metal spokes with black rubber tyres. 

 

The four Solo Motorcycle models each had their own colour and were finished with silver trim on engine parts, exhaust, fuel tank, number plates, headlight, and usually on the handlebars Each version had their own coloured riders as listed below. There were two castings of the metal rider, the first and most common having a round helmet, and the second a peaked helmet. When Benbros switched to using plastic for the riders, the molding copied the second type.

 

Each of the four Solo Motorcycles had their own illustrated Qualitoy box. They were uniform in size but had different pictures and wording although the end-flaps always had 'Qualitoy Benbros' on them. There was no change to the boxes for the Series 2 models except a small alteration to the wording on the sides when 'Front Wheel Steering' was added alongside 'Made in England'.

 

Although they must have been popular, the Solo Motorcycles are quite hard to find in good condition and the boxes are becoming very scarce. The plastic riders have not aged well and are rare.

Series 1

 

• Cast m'cycle, FIXED FORKS, 'TTC 147' number-plates, 'Made in England' underneath

 

• RED bike, silver trim (handlebars, headlight, front & rear number-plates, engine parts, exhaust), spoked unpainted metal wheels, black rubber tyres

 

• Rider: RED painted metal with TAN or PINK face, BLACK boots/gloves/goggles, GREEN scarf

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• Illustrated type 1 box showing red bike & blue rider with 'Made in England' on sides

 

Series 2

 

• Cast m'cycle, STEERING FORKS, 'TTC 147' number-plates, 'Made in England' underneath, casting included engine 'hole'

 

• RED bike (trim as Series 1), or CHROME bike (no trim), spoked um wheels, black rubber tyres

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• Rider: RED painted metal (trim as Series 1), or RED plastic with TAN or PINK face & BLACK goggles

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• Illustrated type 2 box, as type 1 but with 'Front Wheel Steering - Made in England' on sides

Series 1

 

• Cast m'cycle, FIXED FORKS, 'TTC 147' number-plates, 'Made in England' underneath

 

• OLIVE-GREEN or KHAKI bike, silver trim (handlebars, headlight, number-plates, fuel tank, engine parts, exhaust), spoked unpainted metal wheels, black rubber tyres

 

• Rider: OLIVE-GREEN or KHAKI painted metal, TAN or PINK face, BLACK boots, gloves & goggles, GREEN scarf 

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• Illustrated type 1 box showing khaki bike and rider, and 'Made in England' on sides

 

Series 2

 

• Cast m'cycle, STEERING FORKS, 'TTC 147' number-plates, 'Made in England' underneath, casting with engine 'hole'

 

• OLIVE-GREEN bike (trim as Series 1), or CHROME bike (no trim), spoked um wheels, black rubber tyres

 

• Rider: OLIVE-GREEN painted metal (trim as Series 1), or DARK-GREEN plastic with TAN or PINK face & BLACK goggles

​

• Illustrated type 2 box, as type 1 but with 'Front Wheel Steering - Made in England' on sides

Series 1

 

• Cast m'cycle, FIXED FORKS, 'TTC 147' number-plates, 'Made in England' underneath

 

• GREEN, YELLOW or RED bike, silver trim (handlebars, headlight, number-plates, fuel tank, engine parts, exhaust), spoked unpainted metal wheels, black rubber tyres

 

• Rider: BLUE or RED painted metal, TAN or PINK face, BLACK boots/gloves/goggles, GREEN or YELLOW scarf, some with a number painted on their backs

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• Illustrated type 1 box showing yellow bike & blue rider and 'Made in England' on side​s

 

Series 2

 

• Cast m'cycle, STEERING FORKS, 'TTC 147' number-plates, 'Made in England' underneath, casting with engine 'hole'

 

• GREEN or RED bike (trim as Series 1), or CHROME bike (no trim), spoked um wheels, black rubber tyres

 

• Rider: BLUE or RED painted metal (trim as Series 1), or METALLIC-BLUE plastic with TAN or PINK face & BLACK goggles

​

• Illustrated type 2 box, as type 1 but with 'Front Wheel Steering - Made in England' on sides

Series 1

 

• Cast m'cycle, FIXED FORKS, 'TTC 147' number-plates, 'Made in England' underneath

 

• MAROON bike, silver trim (handlebars, headlight, number-plates, fuel tank, engine parts, exhaust), spoked unpainted metal wheels, black rubber tyres

 

• Rider: DARK-BLUE painted metal, WHITE gloves, BLACK boots, TAN or PINK face, BLACK goggles

​

• Illustrated type 1 box showing red bike & blue rider, and 'Made in England' on sides

 

Series 2 

 

• Cast m'cycle, STEERING FORKS, 'TTC 147' number-plates, 'Made in England' underneath, engine hole

 

• MAROON bike (trim as Series 1), or CHROME bike (no trim), spoked um wheels, black rubber tyres

 

• Rider: DARK-BLUE painted metal (trim as Series 1), or DARK-BLUE plastic with TAN or PINK face & BLACK goggles

​

• Illustrated type 2 box, as type 1 but with 'Front Wheel Steering - Made in England' on sides