POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Toy truck of a Commer Tanker

Object No. 91/341

Between February 1952 and June 1961 Goodwood (Australia) Productions made range of zinc diecast scale model toy cars. These Micro Models effectively documented the Australian car manufacture industry featuring cars, trucks and specialist vehicles. The Museum has a complete range of the company's products that in effect provides a microcosm of motoring in Australia in the 1950s. Selling for between 55 cents and $1.25, they offered children an opportunity to play with vehicles they saw on the street every day. As John Chittleborough recalled of his own childhood collection of Micro Models, the 'were more desirable than Matchbox as they represented familiar outlines. The articulated Peters Ice Cream truck was of particular interest … as these were a common sight transporting milk from Murray Bridge to Adelaide. I took great pleasure in owning a Micro Holden - just like the neighbour's car.' Production ceased when the company could no longer compete with the popular, and prolific, British Dinky and Corgi toys.