Solido and the Cold War - Univers Autojaune

Discover a selection of models that will be on sale this week from tomorrow Monday, April 21, 2025 until Thursday, April 24 on our website. AUTOJAUNE COLLECTION

Solido - coffret montage Berliet Stradair PL3 - Dinky Toys France - Buick 24V -Roadmaster-Dinky Toys France - Buick Roadmaster 24V- Dinky Toys France - coffret 1960

en vente cette semaine: Solido – coffret montage Berliet Stradair PL3 – Dinky Toys France – Buick 24V -Roadmaster-Dinky Toys France – Buick Roadmaster 24V- Dinky Toys France – coffret 1960

I remember...

…of my childhood fascination with the BTR40 from Solido in the early seventies: its unique shape, angular at the rear and streamlined at the front, its amphibious functions, its retractable wheels, its opening casemate revealing four missiles, and especially its two large red stars on the sides. I did not yet know the symbolism of these red stars and I simply found this decoration composed of a red star attached to the three white numbers “416” very successful.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Engin BTR 40 Lance Rockets russe 225

It was a bit like the decoration of a racing car. Time passed, and I learned the symbolism of this red star, loaded with history. I have since wondered about Solido’s motivation to reproduce this type of machine in the sixties, in the middle of the Cold War. First there was the PT76, available in two versions, with casemate and missile launcher, the SU100 and of course this BTR40. I would have liked to know the sales figures of these models compared to models reproducing French, American or German tanks. Given the presence in the catalogs for many years of the first two, one can indeed doubt the commercial success. The BTR40 will have a short career. This explains a certain rarity. If the presence of the red star could have been a factor of rejection for some buyers, it had not upset my father in the least to offer me these Russian machines. It is probably the desire to offer customers vehicles from a variety of sources that seems to be behind the creation of these Russian vehicles. We also saw this with the reproduction of Russian Mig aircraft. At the time of the release of the BTR40, my father also gave me the AMX 1O VCI (medical vehicle).

modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – AMX VCI 13T (version sans galet de remplacement) 227

The two models share a white and red livery, which gives them a dynamic appeal not found in the other tank for sale, the AMX 13 90mm.

I remember finding the version of the AMX 13 offered by Dinky Toys, although much older, outdated. The turret of the Solido version was adjustable and hinged up and down. And what about the fantastic and unrivaled Solido patented zamac tracks? We always talk about the innovations of the 100 series, the opening doors and suspensions, but those of the military series are also exceptional. We also appreciate the opening rear doors of the IFV.

These three models offered for sale come in their original illustrated cardboard slipcase. It’s clear that Solido asked the printer to provide high-quality slipcases, because despite the weight of the models contained, they stand the test of time very well. Few toy manufacturers have provided their customers with boxes of this quality. Liverpool did not give the same instructions to its printer for its export boxes. They are fragile and do not withstand the test of time.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – AMX 13T canon de 90 230

We have an Austin Champ UN (United Nations) for sale in a rare export case. This model is very interesting. It seems to have been made, initially at the request of the German importer. For a long time I could only find this model in this country. After the Second World War, there was a movement in certain Scandinavian countries but also in Germany, which limited the distribution of toys recalling the war. This white Austin symbol of peace is proof of this. It is rare.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Austin Champ UN 674

solido junior

Solido already had a rich history when, under the direction of Jean de Vazeilles, it began producing its 100 series and its military series. Jean’s father, Ferdinand, had been the originator of these playfully designed, take-apart toys distributed under the names Major, Junior, and Baby, each corresponding to a price range and a reproduction scale: approximately 1/38, 1/43, and 1/50.

When Jean took over the family business with his two sisters in the mid-1950s, he focused on offering faithfully reproduced miniatures. He later explained that his father, who was afraid of being attacked by car manufacturers, offered miniatures that children could certainly recognize, but without much concern for faithful reproduction.

ensemble de coffrets Junior avec caravane Collection AutoJaune

ensemble de coffrets Junior avec caravane Collection AutoJaune 4

ensemble de coffrets Junior avec caravane Collection AutoJaune 2

This week we have a sample of the last Juniors built under the direction of Jean, the son, before the launch of the famous 100 series.

They are now faithfully reproduced, despite the constraint for this disassembled range to use a common chassis for all models.

The Ford Fairlane tow truck is an excellent example of the above. The car is both faithful and fun, with its hoist. Using the same body, thanks to the accessories in the assembly kits, children could build a station wagon, ambulance, covered pickup truck, or tow truck version, each one more successful than the last.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Ford Fairlane pick up dépanneuse Junior

This version rarely comes up for sale. The two trailers offered are superb. Note that they were also distributed in cardboard boxes, tied to a base. The coral-colored Simca Versailles with its gray roof towing an outboard motor seems to have been created for a trip to the beach at Saint-Tropez, while the Peugeot 403, very credible with its Notin caravan, is rather intended for the municipal campsite in Clermont-Ferrand.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Simca Versailles avec remorque et bateau Junior

modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Peugeot 403 avec caravane

Both sets are in perfect condition, as is the programmed Citroën DS19, in its beautiful chick yellow livery. Bright colors were a favorite back then.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Citroën DS19 Junior

The two Rolls Royces, also on the menu, are very interesting. They belong to the demountable Junior series. I remain convinced that Jean de Vazeilles, when it was created, knew that this Rolls Royce would later join the 100 series. The reproduction scale is 1/43, unlike the aforementioned models. The single-color version, very successful, only exists in the Junior series, unlike the two-tone version common to both ranges. The modest prices, observed today, are real advantages that he knows how to take advantage of. These models are fragile and difficult to obtain in the condition of those offered this week.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Rolls Royce Silver Cloud mécanique Junior

modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Rolls Royce Silver cloud Junior

Please note that we also have an impressive metal display stand in the brand’s colors, the kind of item that rarely comes up for sale, much rarer than those in Dinky Toys colors. It just needs a little space to accommodate it!

You can display the rare metallic dark blue shade on it, very different from the metallic light blue version of the Renault 17TS, also for sale.

en vente cette semaine : Présentoir merveilleuses Solido

modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – Renault 17TS 196

serie 25

I can’t help it. When I see Dinky Toys’ Series 25 trucks from Liverpool on the schedule, I get excited about sharing the variations of this series with others. Take the two green 25D tanker trucks. Classic, you might say?

Look closely at the subtle light green shade of the Type IV equipped with its bumpers. The shade is important, and in the display case, it’s immediately obvious.

The second is a “normal” Type 3 in dark green. This is surely the most classic variation. One detail, however, should catch your eye: the absence of the “petrol” inscription! This rare model was created at the request of the importer Hudson Dobson. For the simple reason that in the USA, gasoline is called “gas,” the importer requested that we send him models without markings.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Camion citerne type 3 25D

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Camion citerne type 3 (USA) 25D

It’s also found in the rare box set for this market, dedicated to light vehicles. It’s a model I particularly like. It’s hard to find.

Dinky Toys coffret export USA avec camion 25 sans marquage pétrol Collection AutoJaune

There are three other 25s on the program. The 25 B, equipped with a tarpaulin, finished in two shades of gray, is sublime. What a successful harmony. The prices have become very reasonable. Scrolling through the photos of the scheduled English Dinky Toys models, I made another observation.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Camion type3 benne basculante 25E

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Camion type 3 ridelles bâché 25B

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Camion type 3 ridelles 25A

We have a very fine series of models made in the early 1960s in rare colors. Fans of this type of product are on their own, unlike those who collect Dinky Toys France. They don’t have a detailed book available. They must therefore educate themselves at fairs, in discussions with other enthusiasts, and analyze what they have seen. This takes more time than opening Jean-Michel Roulet’s book.

Thus, on the 500 series sedans on sale this week (Simca 1000, Renault 8, and BMW 1500), all equipped with aluminum wheels and Dunlop tires, the enthusiast will note in the book that these are later, and often less common, variants. These wheel variants are often accompanied by different color shades than those of the models equipped with the first steel wheels.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys France – Simca 1000 519

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys France – Renault R8 517

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys France – BMW 1500 534

But for the Liverpool models on offer this week, he’ll have to use his analytical skills. This week we have a series of color variations: a metallic blue Hillman Imp, a light gray Rolls-Royce Phantom V, a bronze Bentley S, and a turquoise Holden. In a showcase dedicated to this type of product, these are “the” less common variations.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Hillman Imp berline 138

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Rolls Royce Phantom V 198

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Bentley S cabriolet 194

Dinky Toys GB - Holden Special sedan 196

A title

Image Box text

We also have a Triumph Vitesse and a Daimler, which, while not rare, are significantly less common than the versions from which they are derived: Triumph Herald and Jaguar 3,4. Note that there are two interior color variants: white or red.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Triumph Vitesse 134

modèle en vente cette semaine: Dinky Toys GB – Daimler V8 2,5L 146

My favorites of the week for three Jouets Citroën

I’m sixty-two years old. So, I didn’t know the lead or plasticine models of the 1930s. These aren’t the toys of my generation. We often tend to believe that miniature enthusiasts remain attached to the products they knew during their youth and that, as a result, they have little or no interest in the productions that preceded or followed them. With this in mind, some people don’t hesitate to predict the end of collectors. Yet, I’ve always been fascinated by these toys from another era. Perhaps you have to be attached to “history” to marvel at these products. By comparing them with the aforementioned models, the Dinky Toys Series 25 trucks, and the Solido Junior, we can see and understand the progress made in the reproduction of miniature cars.

We can also go back to the 1930s and marvel at the feat that made it possible to offer this little Citroën C4 tanker, easily identifiable by the child who had it in his hand.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Jouets Citroën – Citroën C4 camion citerne

We must remember André Citroën’s words when he explained, when launching his toy range, that the first three words a child should say were “dad, mom, Citroën”! The three “Citroën Toys” offered sum up these words. The B14 with its drop sides was the first utility vehicle created in the range. It is cast in lead. It cleverly shares its chassis and hood with the five other “B14” automobiles that form a series of six models.

modèle en vente cette semaine : Jouets Citroën – Citroën B14 plateau ridelles

modèle en vente cette semaine : Jouets Citroën – Citroën Rosalie plateau

We have gone from the small and rather simplistic “SR” (Simon Rivolet) distributed on the Grands Boulevards, to these more substantial Citroën B14s. The progress is considerable. They are almost a hundred years old, that’s enough to enter history. We must know how to appreciate them, put them in our windows and give them to the youngest to discover. There is a kind of duty to pass them on.

Collection AutoJaune l’évolution des SR aux Jouets Citroën

Vincent Espinasse

also on sale this week

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