Oxford Diecast 76MV034

Mini Van West Mercia Police Panda

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation

Manufacturer description

The Mini Van was a really useful vehicle in its day and highly popular following its launch in the 1960s. With a ¼ ton load capacity, it had been built on the longer Mini Traveller chassis and came without rear side windows. Providing a cheap alternative to a car, its load capacity made it a favourite for private owners in need of a ‘bigger boot’ and being classed as a small commercial vehicle, it carried no sales tax which was another attraction. Compromises to the van versus car also included a simplified steel grille which kept the costs down.

Our latest 1:76 scale Mini Van appears in the guise of a pale blue and white ‘Panda’ Police Car with the addition of a Police roof bar topped with a blue beacon. The Police used it extensively and period TV dramas have often featured the robust little Mini Van chasing the villains. Our model features a white roof and white doors which have the black printed Police graphics on both sides. The rear double doors each have a small window too, while to the front, the Austin badge sits proudly on the edge of the bonnet.  Registered HWP 355K, our model dates from 1971 and represents a marque that lasted many years after that with a couple of upgrades but with well over half a million coming off the production line.

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Mini Van West Mercia Police Panda – Manufacturer Part Number 76MV034. The model represents the British Rail Blue (pre‑TOPS) period and is registered HWP 355K, dating from 1971.

The original Mini Van, launched in the 1960s, was built on the longer Mini Traveller chassis and offered a ¼‑ton load capacity. It lacked rear side windows, featured a simplified steel grille and was classified as a small commercial vehicle, which exempted it from sales tax. These attributes made it a popular, inexpensive alternative to a car for private owners needing extra boot space.

The 1:76 scale die‑cast model depicts the vehicle in the pale blue and white ‘Panda’ police livery used by West Mercia Police. It includes a police roof bar with a blue beacon, white roof and doors bearing black printed police graphics on both sides, rear double doors each with a small window, and an Austin badge on the bonnet edge. The model reflects a vehicle type that continued in production for many years, with over half a million units built.