Friday, April 12, 2013

#269 MIRA – VESPA 200 DN (ref. 809) (Around 1984)





This is a rare toy made by Mira in the early to mid-80s. I received it as a gift at that time, and I have kept it ever since. There are just a few pictures of it in the internet, but all of them come from auction sites, where by the way, they’re selling quite high. I think it is a nice toy, and since it is a Vespa, I guess many Vespa owners would like to one also one of these.

Although Mira made some motorbike models in a smaller scale, this Vespa is somehow a rare item. To my knowledge, it is the only motorbike in this scale ever made by Mira. The scale should be around 1:12 and 1:20.
It is important to mention, that Vespa (and this model in particular) was a very popular model at the time and many children would recognise it from their families or friends.




This Vespa was made in white, red, blue and yellow, and each model included a driver. I have seen red and yellow drivers that were probably applied randomly to each motorbike. The red driver wears a white helmet, while the yellow one wears a blue one. The overall has some details in the colour of the helmet, like a stripe at each side. I remember I “restored” that line, since the paint was partially worn off.

The motorbike itself was decorated with nice colour stripes, the seat was a black plastic piece, and had some chromed parts. Unfortunately those parts have some playwear and do not shine like they used to… The plates are A-7005-JM, where A is Alicante, the province in which Mira had its factory. The handles were finished with some plastic/gum pieces, that are currently missing, but that can be replaced very easily.





Among the most fragile parts, are the brake bars. In this model one is missing completely, and the other one is broken. The rims and the gum tyres are also very nice details. The gum tyres are necessary because this model is equipped with a pull-back motor.




If you want to know more about the company, check this entry.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

  • Name: VESPA 200 DN (Ref. 809)
  • Scale: Around 1:12
  • Year: Around 1984
  • Company: Mira (Spain)
  • Size: approx. 13 cm

2 comments:

  1. I have a black one just bought recently with white rider and red stripe and helmet can’t find any info on this colour in black is it rarer one

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    1. Hi, yes, the black model is an ordinary one. It was available in the following colours: white, black, yellow, red and dark blue. I haven't investigated the combination vespa colour - driver colour. Thanks for the comment!

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