Hi Bruce, this is an 'ethical problem'. My policy is that I will not remove bad tyres from an excellent to mint model unless I have found authentic replacements (see the example above). I have exactly the same sealed box with engraved white tyres but in unworn condition. I would never open that one. Yours seems to be in a slightly more worn condition, so, less 'scarce'. This may be a consideration to break the seal and use them. Still, the condition of the contents may be a surprise, they can very well have hardened too and break when you try to fit them (which is always the risk, the present quality of the rubber is always unpredictable). In that case you have broken the seal without the result desired. Therefore, you might also try to find such a box with original tyres, but opened and perhaps with incomplete contents. They are not hard to find. Of course these authentic tyres tend to be more expensive than cheap modern replacements, but I have no problem spending a few dollars/ euros/pounds on an original tyre for a fully authentic and sometimes expensive model. If your model is less than excellent, more or less play-worn, however, I would use modern replacements, not just to save your box's virginity, but also because these impeccable looking new tyres would seem a misfit on the visibly less impeccable model. It would be a pity if you were to give the original tyres from your box a worn appearance, That's a minor problem with modern replacements and you can even buy these in a less bright, discoloured shade of white. This is my view, which is personal, as in all 'ethical matters'. 

By the way, this reminds me of my intention to upload my factory lists to the website! Kind regards, Jan 

Thanks very much for this welcome and practical tip, Kevin. It will make future replacing of original, vintage tyres less tricky! Kind regards, Jan 

Hello Ron. I'm not very familiar with this kind of box with the 097 Dinky Toys tyres, but I find in Ramsay's that a box of 097 (or 7383) should contain solid rubber spare wheels, 12 mm dia each (for the motor cycles and related, I presume). Kind regards, Jan 

Hello, could anybody help me, please, with the dating of the HEAVY DUTY tyres, as shown below? They are fitted on one of my grey Large Trailers, and may be of help dating that example (assuming they have been on that example right from the start). They are different from the later plastic tyres, always seen fitted on the final red Large Trailer.  Kind regards, Jan 

It may be useful to re-post the picture here which I took of the early post-war small white treaded tyres in the 161b thread. As far as I can see they seem to have been fitted on Dinky Toys with the 1945-1946 smooth hubs only. And I suspect them to have been destined for the US market, as the Reconnaissance Car, this example with the gloss green base plate, seems to confirm - at least not contradict. Any comment on this very welcome! Kind regards, Jan