Discover a selection of models that will be on sale this week from tomorrow Monday, August 4, 2025 until Thursday, August 7 on our website. AUTOJAUNE COLLECTION
en vente cette semaine: Dinky Toys France – Buick Roadmaster 24V – Dinky Toys GB – Engin Spectrum Pursuit Captain Scarlet 104 – Dinky Toys GB – Austin Mini Stripey the magic Mini 107 – Dinky Toys France – Citroën DS19 avec vitre 24CP
i remember
…of the emotion felt at the last Epoqu’Auto Lyon show in 2025.
Part of the show was dedicated to the productions of the Italian coachbuilder Bertone. It’s always a shock for the collector of scale models to be able to contemplate life-size these models that they constantly encounter on a reduced scale. We are moved by these rare cars, gathered in a small space, like our miniatures in our display cases.
I thought of this when I saw the Alfa Romeo 33 Carabo Bertone reproduced by Solido and offered this week.
Dinky Toys maquette bois, maquette de présentation 1:43 et projet 1:60 Collection AutoJaune
Solido maquette de la Carabo Solido et gouache originale de Jean Blanche Collection AutoJaune
What a car! What a miniature! Especially for people of my generation. It epitomizes an era dominated by Italian coachbuilders. A healthy rivalry reigned among them, giving rise to the most beautiful show car bodies. It was the 1973 oil crisis that put an end to this period of brilliant creation. I was a humble witness to it.
How these cars made us dream! Solido’s reproduction of the Carabo is sublime, clearly superior to Dinky Toys. Bobigny has captured the car’s lines well, but Solido has gone much further. The Oulins-based firm also created two inseparable elements of this car, which bears the name of an insect, the Carabe, a green and orange beetle.
The first element is the orange-colored windows. Dinky Toys made them blue. The second is the famous opening doors in the shape of elitres. Solido has therefore paid particular attention to the elements that justify the model’s name.
We always talk, and rightly so, about the Flaminia’s opening doors, but we often forget the technical feat of creating these insect-wing-shaped opening doors. The execution is faithful and the articulation reliable. A very large model in the Solido range, not well-known enough in my opinion. As I wrote these lines, however, I had a doubt. Was this car present at the show?
I then watched a video offered by the newspaper L’Argus about these 24 Bertonne-badged cars on display at the show. Antonio Traversa, an elegant member of the ASI, the association of Italian vintage vehicle collectors, explained that this Bertone collection helped promote the genius of Italian style throughout the world. I liked the idea of promoting this heritage and showing that, when it comes to design, Italy was truly the leader.
He then describes some cars, highlighting their interest and innovations. The first to appear is the Runabout, designed on the basis of the Autobianchi A112, whose engine was moved to the rear.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Mebetoys – Bertone Runabout A44
In addition to its sharp angles and sloping hood reminiscent of the Carabo, its appeal lies in the headlights located on the roll bar. This was the first time this had been done. This concept was also found on the Chrysler Buggy, which was also exhibited in Lyon and was reproduced in its time by Solido. On the program, we have this revolutionary Runabout reproduced by Mebetoys. The model is faithful. Let’s stick with Mebetoys. The coachbuilder Italdesign will have a different interpretation of the Alfa Romeo 33 than Bertone and its Carabo.
It will be the Iguana. We have a faithful reproduction in metallic red.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Mebetoys – Alfa Romeo Iguana A45
Finally, contemporary with these miniatures is also the De Tomaso Pantera, also from Mebetoys. The aggressive line is nicely rendered. I remember very well these Mebetoys miniatures, distributed in France for a while by… Solido! What an era. The various miniature manufacturers tried to keep up with the fast pace of creations from Italian design offices. It’s a joyful collection theme, full of color and originality.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Mebetoys – De Tomaso Pantera 6627
the good father of the family in Maranello
Exciting isn’t the word I would use to describe the three Peugeot 404 variants from Dinky Toys, available this week.
I like the Peugeot 404, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s original and revolutionary. However, I recently changed my mind after watching a fantastic video dedicated to the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans.
No, there wasn’t a 404 entered in the Le Mans race that year. The film opened at Marenello, at the Ferrari headquarters. The camera showed us Phil Hill pushing open the doors of his hotel, then briskly crossing the street and getting into his gray Peugeot 404.
The latter started cautiously, like a good father. What a pleasure to see this great champion in his wise 404. Another era.
This week, we’ve showcased three 404 models in the same color. Identical? Not quite, but there are details that differentiate them: the rims and tires, the interior color, and the hood badge. By combining them, you can display multiple models in your windows.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys France – Peugeot 404 553 interieur rouge
I quite like this type of easily visible variants, especially on a model that is close to my heart. And I’m not talking about the type of glazing (hollow or not), or the treatment of the frame…you get the idea, if you like this model you can line up a certain number of them.
modèle en vente cette semaine :Dinky Toys France – Peugeot 553
Analyzing these different elements is instructive, because it allows us to understand the history of the miniature and to chronologically classify the models in the display case. It is always very interesting and often fun to try to understand the genesis of a miniature. With experience and a spirit of analysis, we can determine the rarity of certain variants.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys France – Peugeot 404 553 O carré
mercury en cuisne
Do you love Mercury? Do you love Italy? You’ll love displaying this “Torchietto Per Pasta” featuring the Mercury logo!
modèle en vente cette semaine :Mercury – Accessoire machine à faire les pates Art 160
This is an essential piece in a Mercury display case. It dates back to the post-war period, when Mercury realized it needed to diversify its production and no longer be dependent on Fiat. The Turin-based company was searching for its niche. Kitchen utensils? Toys? This was the branch that would be chosen. We still have a few examples from this period of doubt, including this pasta-making machine. I can assure you, it’s not bulky. And it has its place in the display case. I brought two of them in. And of course, I kept one!
modèle en vente cette semaine : Mercury Tritatutto Art161 Collection AutoJaune
Mercury Torchietto per pasta Art 160Collection AutoJaune
My favorite for the beautiful Solido Junior series from before and after the war on this week's program.
My favorite is this beautiful pre- and post-war Solido Junior series on this week’s program.
We’re in history. Solido and Tootsietoys were the first to use die-cast zamac in the toy industry. This is before the first Dinky Toys.
Ferdinand de Vazeilles’s idea, which must always be remembered, was to offer fun, take-apart, quality toys.
This would be the DNA of Solido during the de Vazeilles family’s time at the helm of the company until the mid-1970s. After that, it would be a different story. These Junior models in chrome-plated zamac are superb.
We know that the zamac used wasn’t perfect. We have to accept flaws and reliability issues over time. They are much better preserved than the Dinky Toys that followed. Each toy enthusiast must set their own criteria for their condition.
We can’t have the same high standards as with Series 100 models. Therefore, despite their historical interest and undeniable rarity, prices must be reasonable.
We have taken all this into account in our quotations and price proposals. The idea is to encourage enthusiasts to immerse themselves in these series with pleasure thanks to moderate prices. I note with some sadness that enthusiasts have also forgotten the post-war Junior series. These products are difficult to obtain. Much rarer than the Series 24 from Dinky Toys. Low prices are a tremendous asset. Take advantage of them.
en vente cette semaine : Solido – Auto coupé chauffeur Junior
en vente cette semaine : Solido – Camion fourgon ambulance
en vente cette semaine : Solido – Auto pointe course
Vincent Espinasse
also on sale this week
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