Richard----The 403 is a very handsome car, and Dinky made a pretty good model of it.  I only have one, and it is the blue version.  Do you also have the companion 403 station wagon?

      Best regards,  Terry

This makes me think of two models I bought early this year. I really love both the saloon and the station wagon, especially some of those nice colours. They were advertised as 'as new mint and boxed', which seemed to be confirmed by the accompanying photos on eBay. If you are continuously upgrading the quality of your collection - as I do - it is a disappointment and contrary to your collecting policy if they definitely are not mint - even if accepting some minor pin points or flaws. So I returned them and got my money back. Still, they remain lovely models. So here are two photos that I took before returning them, really beautiful, but not mint. Well, enjoy the models!

The wooden prototype still exists, I took this photograph in 2006, Collection Dujardin (who is still ill in hospital). Kind regards, Jan 

I was struck by the free interpretation of the 403's base plate on the rear cover of the September 1956 French Dinky Toys catalogue. Shape, text contents and direction are completely different! Kind regards, Jan