Rare toy car sold for £14,000 at Wokingham auction
CIJ produced these models in the national racing colours of teams competing at that time
A rare Compagnie Industrielle du Jouet (CIJ) clockwork Alfa Romeo P2 racing car finished in yellow sold at auction by Martin & Pole in Wokingham for £14,000 on Wednesday, November 22.
The model was made by the French company CIJ and was one of a series made following the success of the Grand Prix car designed by Vittorio Jano which went on to win the inaugural Automobile World Championship in 1925.
A history
CIJ produced these models in the national racing colours of teams competing at that time. The example offered at Martin & Pole belonged to the vendor’s father who was presented with the toy at 14 years old in 1930.
Finished in yellow, the racing colour for Belgium the paintwork is in excellent condition and has the original key and box. Auctioneer Matthew Coles said: “We were very pleased with the result that is probably a world record at auction for this model car.
"The condition was exceptional, even down to some of the original straw packing in the box, but clearly the yellow colour was exceptionally rare, as it was causing a lot of questions. So to have a rare car with its box and key must have been a collector’s dream.”
Also offered in the auction was a pair of Lalique glass swans with a mirrored base, sold for £3,000 and a print of ‘Crime Lake’ by L.S. Lowry signed by the artist in pencil, sold for £2,200.
