c.1955 Sanei Gangu, MG Midget Sports Car In Original Box
The Sanei Gangu Toy Company produced this unlicensed version of the popular MG Midget. It's nearly identical to some of the licensed cars produced by Bandai except for one thing. Instead of it reading "MG" on the wheel centers and radiator, it has "SM". Even the style of the SM logo is identical to the MG. I purchased this car from Bill Gallagher, co-author of The Big Book of Tin Toy Cars. It's the only one that either of us have seen. This vehicle is all tin litho and has a friction drive motor. It features the "MG trademarks" of a low flat hood, round headlights, running boards with wide fenders, and a trunk mounted spare tire. It has twin bucket seats, a detailed dashboard, metal steering wheel, embossed hood divider, polished tin bumpers and windshield frame, a one piece chassis base plate, solid black rubber tires, and celluloid windshield. The windshield folds down to a nearly flat position. The friction motor works great! It's marked with Sanei's triple "A" trademark and "Japan" just above the spare tire. Sanei is the Japanese word for three "A's". The original box has an accurate illustration of the actual toy. It's a colorful, yet simple design of a red SM Sports Car against a blue background. The triple "A" logo is in the lower right cover corner. The box aprons repeat the SM toy name. Size: 6¾". Date Sold: Jun. 2010
Price Sold: $ 43
