Austin Mini Police Van(1:18, Kyosho)
- Austin Mini Police Van (from 1963)
- Kyosho
- 1:18
- Showcase model / No engine
- mixed
- hellblau
- 80193B
- Not specified
- Not specified
- Not for sale
Historical inspiration: The Austin Mini Van in police service
The model shown here is based on the Austin Mini Van, the commercial version of the classic Mini that was used by many British police forces as a compact service vehicle. The Austin Mini Van belongs to the 1st generation of Minis and was produced from 1960 to 1982, initially by the British Motor Corporation and later under British Leyland. Chief designer was Sir Alec Issigonis, who created the transverse engine layout and the space-saving front-wheel drive. The rubber springing for ride comfort came from Alex Moulton. Predecessors in the light van segment include the Austin A35 Van and the Morris Minor 1000 Van, which still used rear-wheel drive and a more conventional layout. To place it in time: in 1960 John Fitzgerald Kennedy won the US presidential election, the first TV debate between presidential candidates took place, and the Beatles were getting started in Liverpool/Hamburg — examples that help show the era of the Austin Mini Van and its historical context.
Technology and specs of the Austin Mini Van
The Austin Mini Van uses the car’s mechanicals in a box‑van body with double rear doors. The wheelbase is about 2036 mm (80.2 inches), and the overall length is roughly 3.37 m (11.06 ft). Under the short bonnet sits the trusty A‑Series four‑cylinder with 848 cm³ (51.7 cubic inches) displacement. Depending on year it made roughly 25–28 kW (33.5–37.5 hp; 34–38 PS), paired with a four‑speed manual gearbox. The front‑wheel drive, combined with the compact, diagonally arranged wheels, creates a flat load floor over the gearbox and a very efficient use of exterior space. Drum brakes front and rear and the rubber‑cone suspension with swing arms are typical features of this series. The kerb weight is around 600 kg (1,323 lb), the permitted payload of the commercial version about 250 kg (551 lb). Police versions were fitted as needed with radio gear, a roof‑mounted blue light, extra wiring and sometimes a bulkhead behind the seats. Top speed for the standard version was roughly 115 km/h (71.5 mph), good enough for city and suburban duties, which is why the Austin Mini Van was often bought for police use.
The Kyosho 1/18 model from Phat-T’s collection
The pictured model is a 1/18 scale police van by Kyosho from collector “Phat‑T”. It’s made from a mix of materials, typically die‑cast zinc with plastic parts, which is a nice balance of toughness and fine detail. You can see the proportions of the Austin Mini Van with its extended box rear and narrow wings. The paint job is two‑tone: a light blue body with a white right door and a black POLICE decal. On the roof there’s a rectangular base with a blue light on top — the base also repeats the “POLICE” marking on the sides. The photos show a right‑hand drive interior, matching British originals: a black dash, a classic three‑spoke wheel and low‑set seats. Exterior mirrors, door handles, headlight bezels and bumpers are separately fitted, and the taillights are multi‑piece. The steel wheels with chrome hubcaps are narrow and authentic; the exact maker of the prototype wheels isn’t clear from the photos, so I won’t guess. The model highlights the utilitarian look of the Van‑Policing role by showing the smooth side panels without windows, and the rear double doors are suggested on the model. Overall the Kyosho 1/18 captures the functional vibe of the real thing.
Colors, details and collector relevance
The model’s paint references a common British police scheme from the 1960s: a subtle light blue for body and roof, with white accents on the door and roof unit. The “POLICE” lettering is clear and centered on the door; panel lines between door, wing and sill are crisply defined. The blue light is made from a translucent blue lens on a white base, giving the silhouette of historic service vehicles. Tires with a narrow sidewall and small hubcaps complete the period look; no specific tire brand or wheel model is visible in the photos. No tuning bits are obvious; there’s no sign of aftermarket names like Cooper on this particular van model. For collectors it’s interesting that the Kyosho miniature includes signature details of the prototype such as short overhangs, simple bumpers and compact headlights. In a display it looks balanced, door gaps are even and the light lenses sit cleanly. That makes it a solid addition to a display of urban service vehicles or to a Mini‑themed collection around the Austin Mini Van. The Kyosho 1/18 police van is a faithful nod to the historical service role of the Mini‑based van and, thanks to the material mix, sturdy enough for long‑term display in Phat‑T’s collection.
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