Another interesting bunch

Bburago, Jaguar E-Type Coupé 1961, No. 3038, Made in Italy, 1993

Bburago, Bugatti EB110 1991, No. 3055, Made in Italy, 1995

 This is an unusual one in red; initial models were produced in the typical French blue.

Solido, Subaru Impreza WRC 2002, No. 9036.01, Made in China

Very nice model representing the Solberg/Mills car from the Rally de France 2002 (Tour of Corsica) in which they finished 5th.

http://www.ewrc-results.com/final.php?e=81&t=Tour-de-Corse-Rallye-de-France-2002

Welly, Alfa Romeo GT, No. 2540, Made in China

Maisto / Shell, Ferrari F50, Made in Thailand

These models were sold by Shell petrol stations in Switzerland; made by Maisto

Bburago, Ferrari 360 Modena, No. 3358, Made in Italy in 1999

Other 1/18 scale models

Hillman Minx 1/18 scale, by Victory Industries

My most unusual 1/18 scale model, in plastic which was made in the mid 1950's by Victory Industries in Guildford, Surrey, England.  It is battery powered, with steering wheels. It was produced and distributed in collaboration with the Rootes Group which was eventually purchased by Chrysler Corporation which in turn sold it on to PSA Peugeot-Citroen.

I bought it in Cyprus in the late 1970's and the original price 1950's price was CY£2.085.  A comparable Schuco, in tin plate from the period, including their clockwork/battery operations (early hybrids LOL), cost about CY£3.500, i.e. more than 50% more...

When one considers that in those days rent cost about CY£20 per month for a house it places the expense of these toys into perspective!

1/18 Scale Die-Cast Cars

I present my collection of 1/18 scale models. As it will become apparent my focus is on Lancia as I have a passion for the brand but some other pieces have filtered into my hands by one way or the other and each has a little story to tell.  Some of the models, although generally considered to be at 1/18 scale are actually at different scales e.g. at 1/16

Purely by chance, the first model presented is from Mercedes' own catalogue.  It was my souvenir from my trip to their Museum in Stuttgart with a bunch of Lancia enthusiasts.

Mercedes Benz 230 SL, bought at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, April 2011.

Solido, Fiat 600, 1/18 scale

Nicely detailed engine and very authentic interior.  Growing up in Cyprus in the 60's my piano teacher used to have one of these...a white one.  I think its Cyprus registration number was BG260  which would place it around 1961.

Burago, Mercedes-Benz 300SL Cabriolet, Made in Italy
Burago, Volkswagen new Beetle, Made in Italy ca 2000
Burago,  Volkswagen new Beetle RSI, Made in Italy ca 2002
This particular model is pretty rare as it was in the catalogue for just one year I believe.

Maisto, Volkswagen Beetle cabrio
Maisto, Porsche Carrera Cabrio

Burago, Fiat Abarth 500, 1965, No. 3334, 1/16 scale, Made in Italy, 2001

A really cute and very detailed model.

I'm not sure how long this was in the catalogue but it's not there now (in 2012)

Burago, Fiat 500L, 1/20 scale, Made in Italy

Burago, Fiat 500L with open sun-roof, 1/21 scale, Made in China

Burago Fiat 500L New York Taxi
Pretty pointless representation but as I collect Taxis 'I had to have it'.  They also make an improbable Carabinieri version...

Burago,  Bugatti 35, Made in Italy
Burago,  Alfa Romeo 8C, Made in Italy
Burago,  Alfa Romeo 2300 Monza, Made in Italy
Burago,  Alfa Romeo 1750, Made in Italy
Burago,  Ferrari Maranello, Made in Italy
Hot Wheels,  Ferrari California, Opening roof
At some point, Ferrari refused to permit any toy manufacturer to produce Ferrari models and sold an exclusive license to Mattell / Hot Wheels.

Hence Burago stopped producing Ferrari models as did all other toy manufacturers. As Hot wheels had a monopoly they charged rather mode for their models than equivalent Maisto or Burago.  Although I'm a fan of ferrari cars, I limit my collection of Ferrari models as they are too profuse, and this is the only 1/18 scale model that I have produced by Hot Wheels - I loved the way the roof flipped back to fit flush over the engine cover, just like the real thing! A Fioravanti patent displayed on their Vola concept at several Geneva Auto shown in the past decade..

Tonka Polistil, Ferrari F40, Made in Italy
Burago,  Ferrari F40, Made in Italy
Shell, Ferrari F1, 2003
Tecno GIODI,  Ferrari Daytona, Made in Italy
Jouef,  Ferrari P4, Made in France
Jouef didn't produce too many 1/18 scale models but this is a lovely representation of the P4 which is rare in this scale.  I was lucky to find this at a flea market in Singapore around 2003.

La Mini Miniera,  Lancia-Ferrari D50, Made in Italy
A stunning model of the Lancia-Ferrari D50.  The detailing is incredible.

Kyosho, Lancia Delta Integrale, Made in China
Rikko,  Lancia Delta Integrale, Made in China
Kyosho, Lancia Stratos, Made in Japan
Kyosho,  Lancia Stratos, Made in Japan
Solido,  Lancia Stratos, Made in France
Burago,  Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, with hardtop, Made in Italy
The hardtop version of this model was only marketed as a kit in either red with a beige top or white with a black top.

Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, Carrera Panamericana, Burago, Made in Italy
The Carrera Panamericana version was not on the shelves for very long so hard to find.

Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, with No 18, Burago, Made in Italy
This was was in a slightly deeper sky blue.

Burago,  Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, Mille Miglia, Made in Italy
Burago, Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, Made in Italy
The following models are in various colour and interior colour variations.  All Made in Italy.  Now, Burago has been taken over by Maisto and all models are produced in China.





The second issue and easier to find; cream with red interior

This was the first version of the model issued by Bburago - darker blue metallic, red interior

 

Burago,  Ferrari Testarossa 1984, Made in Italy

 Jaguar E-Type, Bburago No. 3016 from 1993, Made in Italy

Porsche 356, 1961. Bburago, Made in Italy - I suspect that this model was profesionally repainted as this colour does not appear in any catalogue (the person I bought it from told me that his ex wife had some models repainted)

This is a rare and unusual model.  Made all in plastic it is a perfect rendering of the fist series fo the Lancia Delta.  The Delta became famous in the 1980s for incredible rally successes in its various 4 wheel drive Integrale versions.  A little known part of the Delta's history is that it was partly co-developed with SAAB, the swedes playing a significant role in its heating and ventilation systems.  One wonders why so? Well, at that time, the Fiat group came into an arrangement whereby SAAB would be distributing its cars in Scandinavia, and not only that, SAAB not having any car in the lower middle class available below its successful 900 model, came into an arrangement in badging the Delta as the SAAB Lancia 600!

 As one can see from a brochure of the time they also distributed the Autobianchi A112 which would eventually also be rebranded as a Lancia in all European markets whee it was sold!

This model was produced in Finland at roughly 1/18 scale and it was available in several colours.

 The proportions and detailing are excellent.

 600 GLS

 SAAB Lancia

 Very authentic interior

 Tonka Polistil, Lamborghini Countach, Made in Italy

I am not certain who produced the following model as its not marked on the baseplate. It simply states 'Made in Thailand'

Bauer, Porsche 911 Speedster, 1989, Made in Thailand

Tonka Polistil, No. 01686, BMW 328, 1/16 scale, Made in Italy

 A very nice model partly made in plastic materials - base and wings.

Burago, 1957 Corvette, Made in Italy

Burago, No. 3035, Bugatti EB110, Made in Italy

Solido, No. 8011, 1/21.5 scale, Cadillac Eldorado 1955, Made in France

Tonka Polistil, No. 01867, 1/16 scale, Ferrari California 1960, Made in Italy