1950s/1960s Leeway Billy, Triang cart, Dumpy, Mobo Merry-go-Round

A typical collection of toys on the Village Green, c1960

1. Leeway Billy Ride-on Train;

2. Dumpy Rear-steering Pedal Car

3. Triang Costermongers Barrow

4. Mobo Merry-go-Round

In the 1950s and 60s, it was common to see kids playing outside their houses with their riding toys. And when they were called in for tea, the toys would often be abandoned outside.

 

 Leeway Billy Ride-On Train, front-steering

LENGTH: 24″

WIDTH: 13″

HEIGHT: 18″

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dumpy Pedal Car, Rear-steering

LENGTH: 31″

WIDTH: 15″

HEIGHT: 17″

This dumper-truck pedal car is a fabulous toy for a two to four year old child, with two levers: the one on the right operates the tipper at the front, and the upright lever in the centre steers it from the rear.

Because it is rear-steering there is no need for a steering wheel or handlebar, and the child can lean back into the seat to give added impetus to pedalling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Triang Costermonger’s Barrow

LENGTH: 26″

WIDTH: 9.5″

HEIGHT: 14″

A costermonger is a seller of fruit and vegetables, whose barrow laden with produce was once a very common sight in the markets and streets of Britain. They were still prevalent in the late 1950s or early 1960s when this children’s toy barrow came onto the market, though by the 1980s supermarkets had more or less replaced local street markets except in larger cities.

 

 

 

 

Mobo Merry-go-Round

LENGTH: 56″

WIDTH: 48″

HEIGHT: 19″

This Mobo Merry-go-Round could not have seen much use as, like the other toys featured here, it’s in such well-preserved condition. It would be suitable for children around the ages of two to five.