The first thing of note about 1973, is that the Sindy references change slightly and the prefix of 12S was dropped. Pedigree cataloguing was based on the nominal size (in inches) of all the Pedigree dolls (and not just Sindy).  Thus there was Sindy at 12 inches – 12GSS, Paul at 13 inches – 13MPS and Patch at 9 inches – 9GPS, hence different references for their outfits 12SXX for Sindy, 13MXX for Paul and 9PXX for Patch.  But with Paul and Patch now dropped there was no need to distinguish the different Sindy products and the 12S system changed to simply “S”.  Whether this was Dunbee Combex now making its mark following the Tri-ang acquisition (see also 1972 Scenesetters) or just a product management initiative we cannot say.

For some of the existing boxed outfits, a “2” was added after the “S” and with the separates a “1” was added. These additions does make some of the referencing quite confusing because at first glance earlier outfits and separates now appear to look like later releases if you rely upon the referencing alone.

You can see this reference change most clearly when you look closely at some of the boxed outfits. In the photo above you can see the top of two boxed outfits which are both shown in the Pedigree trade catalogue and Sindy style leaflet produced for 1973. ‘Zing-A-Ding’ (aka ‘Zinga-Ding’ see below) which was a new 1973 release has the old 12S style reference and ‘Red Hot’ (a 1972 release) has the new style reference. This probably points to some of the 1973 outfits already in production (and perhaps available for sale) prior to the reference change. But in addition, once you remove the “12S” prefix and add the new “S2” prefix, ‘Zing-A-Ding’ with the reference S210 would appear to be earlier than ‘Red Hot’ with a reference of S248.

Despite the references being changed, perhaps pointing to earlier releases, we will show all the outfits that were shown in the 1973 literature as we have done for other years. To avoid further confusion we will show the new dolls and then the new outfits in ascending numerical reference order, and we will continue to show the boxed outfits before the separates. Seven new boxed restyled or updated dolls were available for sale in 1973 and included:

• A new restyled Walker with a less clumsy body and long slim legs (often colloquially known as a “skinny leg (legged) walker”). The catalogue appears to show a doll with gauntlet arms but that is not correct, this doll has Trendy arms.

• Lovely Lively Sindys dressed in either a restyled jumpsuit or dress.

• ‘Sindy Apple’ a Trendy dressed in a restyled top and trousers (these dolls have remodelled rounder “apple” faces).

• ‘Sindy Funtime’, normally called a “Funtime Sindy” by collectors, which was a brand new restyled basic doll for beginners. There are two types of Funtime – a full size doll and a miniature which has the same head and body but which has smaller arms and legs.

Finally two new themed dolls based on the growing popularity of pop music and programmes such as “Top of the Pops”:

• ‘Top Pop Sindy’ another remodelled Sindy. By moving her arm, she would turn her head , swing her long hair, twist her hips and legs. She could also “walk”.

• ‘Sindy Super Sound’ a Gauntlet Sindy who came with a guitar, microphone and amplifier with two records which could be played.

Apart from the Funtime doll all the Trendy and Gauntlet dolls still came with the gold coloured medallion charm bracelet.

A number of these dolls also came with printed instructions on a separate piece of paper or card to tell you how to care for Sindy’s hair and the best way to dress her (see below).