Everyone has their own commentary

Discover a selection of models that will be on sale this week, from tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2026, until Thursday, March 19, 2026, on our website.  AUTOJAUNE COLLECTION

 

 
Tekno - Scania 110 semi remorque citerne Esso 481Tekno - Tekno - Volvo N88 Titan semi remorque citerne Koppartrans 434 Ford D800 bâché Irma Kaffee - Tekno - Scania 110 semi remorque citerne Gulf 481

en vente cette semaine: Tekno – Scania 110 semi remorque citerne Esso 481Tekno – Tekno – Volvo N88 Titan semi remorque citerne Koppartrans 434 Ford D800 bâché Irma Kaffee – Tekno – Scania 110 semi remorque citerne Gulf 481

I remember...

The astronomical price achieved a few years ago at an auction in France by the Renault 1000Kgs Butcher’s Truck from C-I-J fetched several thousand euros.
 
This kind of result sparks discussion, with everyone offering their own commentary.
 
From experience, I refrain from judging such results immediately. It seems to me that analysis should be done over time. Let me explain.
 
It is the repetition of the result that can confirm the object’s value. Comparisons are not easy because the item sold is in a specific state of preservation, with or without its case… in short, all the factors that must be taken into account make comparison difficult.
 
For some collectors, the desire to possess the coveted object at any cost sometimes leads them to lose their heads and logic. It takes experience and analytical skills to know how to set a price.
 
It’s a difficult art, and every day my daughter and I analyze what we’re selling to refine the right price for future models.
 
So, we had to assign a value to this Butcher’s Van.
 
The purchase price is, of course, important. I prefer to forgo a purchase if it leads to an excessively high resale price.
 
This vehicle has always been a highlight in C-I-J collections. It’s the one most often missing from a 1000kg series, with the exception of the German Post Office version or, even rarer, the Dutch Post Office version.
 
It has another, and significant, advantage: its beauty. It boasts a tricolor finish meticulously applied using stencils, an art the Briare-based company mastered since the pre-war era of wooden toys.
 
The example offered has another important advantage, the presence of the box, which corresponds perfectly to this variant, with the addition of the letter “B” to the stamp on the tabs.
C.I.J. - Renault 1000kg fourgon boucherie 3-60B

modèle en vente cette semaine : C.I.J. – Renault 1000kg fourgon boucherie 3-60B

This model requires a substantial budget; it’s not within everyone’s reach. In our current economic climate, it might seem inappropriate to offer a toy at this price.
 
Throughout my career, I’ve always been aware of this issue. There’s a certain discomfort in setting a price that exceeds the monthly salary of many people.
 
We also have, in the same condition and with its original box, the Belgian Post Office version. While a large number were obviously distributed beyond Quiévrain (Belgium), a small quantity was sold in France. It appears listed in the C-I-J catalogs.
 
I appreciate its beautiful shade of red and the superb emblem on the sides. I remember that in the 1980s, some poorly informed collectors thought it was a fire engine version. Our Belgian friends were very proud that C-I-J had produced this postal version, which circulated in Belgium…and the Netherlands…
C.I.J. - Renault 1000kgs Postes Belge 3-60 PB

modèle en vente cette semaine : C.I.J. – Renault 1000kgs Postes Belge 3-60 PB

More affordable, we also have the charming “SNCF connection” version.
 
It evokes the era when the railway company accompanied travelers to the very end of their journey, organizing connections from train stations to rural destinations. This version is a real gem, well worth a look.
 
The window cutouts on the sides are beautifully executed, and I never tire of admiring the fine craftsmanship of the door hinges and the folding step. Everything works perfectly; C-I-j clearly knew their stuff back then.
C.I.J. - Renault 1000Kgs car correspondance S.N.C.F 3-62

modèle en vente cette semaine : C.I.J. – Renault 1000Kgs car correspondance S.N.C.F 3-62

This is also the case, technically speaking, with the rare Renault 120hp tow truck.
 
The cut and folded sheet metal part is perfectly executed, no doubt about it.
 
However, this version cannot mask the fact that the Briare company was in dire straits at the time of its creation.
 
This model is a toy far removed from reality, a rare object that seems to have been made with the energy of desperation. What clientele was it targeting? A rural clientele, which C-I-J wrongly considered less demanding?
 
The rather low selling price must have been the argument put forward by management. The existence of a special box made of thin cardboard, printed in red and black, indicates that it had a unique place in the product line. It was never produced again.
 
I can offer no other explanation. Now, it is a coveted piece. It is also the one that is often missing from a Renault 120hp display case, a truck highly prized by collectors.
C.I.J. - Renault 120cv dépanneuse 3-81

modèle en vente cette semaine  : C.I.J. – Renault 120cv dépanneuse 3-81

strong recognition

JRD is a brand that has always enjoyed strong recognition among enthusiasts. I’ve always known this enthusiasm, ever since the mid-seventies. As for the prices of JRD models, they have remained stable compared to those of other brands.
 
There hasn’t been a price drop like with Dinky Toys. It must be said that this type of equipment has always been relatively rare. This has been enough to stabilize prices.
 
The brand also appeals to new collectors, which isn’t the case for all toy manufacturers who were fashionable thirty years ago, like Märklin, for example.
 
Demand remains strong. A banker might call it a safe investment… however, I remain convinced that we must forget the notion of investment in the world of miniature collecting. We should simply focus on building a collection that reflects our tastes and is consistent with our personal history. We should collect for ourselves, not for the approval of others.
 
This week we have two superb Unic Lautaret van trucks, the “Transports Internationaux” and the “Hafa”.
JRD - Unic Lautaret fourgon tôlé Hafa 126

modèle en vente cette semaine : JRD – Unic Lautaret fourgon tôlé Hafa 126

This is the kind of model every collector loves to display in their cabinet.
 
Their harmonious colors and striking presence make these pieces truly essential.
 
Both models are unboxed. This isn’t a drawback, considering it allows you to acquire them at a significantly lower price, say half the price of boxed models.
 
This price difference seems logical and consistent with the market. Both approaches to collecting, with or without a box, have their merits. What you should avoid is paying only 20% less for this type of unboxed model compared to a boxed one.
 
It’s the dealer’s responsibility to explain this.
JRD - Unic Lautaret tracteur porteur Transports Internationaux 127

modèle en vente cette semaine : JRD – Unic Lautaret tracteur porteur Transports Internationaux 127

The third JRD model for sale is a true classic.
 
The Berliet TLR semi-van Kronenbourg is less spectacular, but I like the idea that this brewery owned a fleet of identical trucks, Berliet vans with the same type of single-axle trailer.
JRD - Berliet TLR semi fourgonKronenbourg 120

modèle en vente cette semaine : JRD – Berliet TLR semi fourgon Kronenbourg 120

rescue assistance

One theme has remained constant throughout the history of the Danish firm Tekno.
 
It could be said that it served as a guiding thread, right up to its last catalog.
 
This theme concerns vehicles designed for emergency assistance, a field developed since the late 19th century by two companies, Falck and Zonen. They merged in 1963 (see the blog “noir c’est noir” HERE).
The companies were responsible for not only vehicles but also buildings, fire stations, and hangars for air ambulances…
 
These two companies aimed to provide all types of assistance to the public in case of fire, of course, but also for transporting the injured, towing vehicles, shoring up structures, and even resolving road maintenance issues.
Tekno bimoteur sanitaire et hangar Tekno conçu pour cet avion Collection AutoJaune 2

Tekno bimoteur sanitaire et hangar Tekno conçu pour cet avion Collection AutoJaune 

Tekno bimoteur sanitaire et hangar Tekno conçu pour cet avion Collection AutoJaune

Tekno bimoteur sanitaire et hangar Tekno conçu pour cet avion Collection AutoJaune

Tekno caserne pompier avec véhicules Collection AutoJaune

Tekno caserne pompier avec véhicules Collection AutoJaune

Today, alarm management is also part of its expertise. This diversity of tasks has allowed Tekno to offer a wide range of vehicles, sometimes quite different from the typical image of a fire truck we might have in our culture.
 
Thus, the Tekno catalog includes “Zonen” dump trucks, “Zonen” tow trucks, and even a “Zonen” airplane…
 
This week we have a sheet metal truck whose origins date back to before World War II, equipped with a toolbox.
Tekno - Camion premier secours

modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Camion premier secours

This series is full of charm, and its modest price makes it an attractive purchase.
 
The Ford Transit van, also included, perfectly illustrates the points made earlier. It’s not an ambulance, but a van designed for urban maintenance and roadside assistance. A plastic bag contains several accessories: a shovel, brooms, and even tires…
 
This model is much less common than the ambulance version.
Tekno - Ford Taunus transit Falck Zonen 415

Modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Ford Taunus transit Falck Zonen 415

The Volvo N88 tow truck is a flagship model for the brand. This version is a success. No other manufacturer has produced a tow truck of this type. Tekno will even create a flatbed trailer that attaches to this truck.

Tekno - Volvo N88 Titan dépanneuse Falck 436

modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo N88 Titan dépanneuse Falck 436

We also have its successor in our catalog, the Ford D800 equipped with a flatbed.
 
We often forget that when it was released, this vehicle, sold at a very (too?) high price, was revolutionary. Again, no toy manufacturer had thought to reproduce this type of vehicle, which is now very common on our roads.
Tekno - Ford D800 plateau Falck Zonen 920

modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Ford D800 plateau Falck Zonen 920

Siku will be the second manufacturer to register one.
 
The folding ramps, the functional winch, and the tilting cab are features that explain its high price. It is also available in 1/43 scale.
 
Finally, how could we overlook the majestic Scania 76 double cab high-scale truck?
 
This vehicle was intended for use only in major cities, like our Berliet GBK, which was also equipped with a double cab.
 
The specially created mold certainly strained Tekno’s finances. As a result, the Danish company had to develop two rather unbelievable models based on this double cab truck: one equipped with an Ackerman excavator and the other with a US Army missile launcher.
 
This high-scale truck is superb. I’m surprised it’s now being shunned by collectors. I’d like to draw your attention to one detail: the version offered is the most beautiful; it’s the first one. It can be identified by its 76 marking, not 110.
 
The rims are painted silver, as is the ladder support. Later, these two elements would remain in raw zamac. Finally, the decal on the doors is magnificent.
 
If you’re going to get one, get this one! I personally declined the variations…
Tekno - Scania 75 camion grande échelle pompier 445

modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Scania 75 camion grande échelle pompier 445

My favorite is this splendid Volvo Express Leo.

This is an original promotional model.
 
The advertising agency that managed this project for Leo was tasked with explaining to clients that this Danish company, operating in the medical field, had a global presence.
 
They therefore came up with the idea of ​​commissioning a truck symbolizing transportation and mobility.
 
The truck is equipped with a bag containing four wooden crates in Leo’s colors. A printed cardboard insert, the size of the tailgate, explains to clients the company’s international reach.
 
The tailgate, fitted with a backrest, serves as the backdrop for a humorous illustration. It’s a true promotional piece that conveys an advertising message. The toy’s primary function is repurposed. It’s an exceptional product.
Tekno - Volvo Express Leo Pharmaceutical products

modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo Express Leo Pharmaceutical products

Since my cycling accident, this model has held a special significance.
 
After the operation, the surgeon gave me a file concerning the prosthesis I had fitted, which was a Leo brand: the logo on the truck doors is still the same!
 
The Italian company took the plunge very early, in 1965. Norev took almost six years longer to do so, in 1971!

also on sale this week