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Discover a selection of models that will be on sale this week, from tomorrow, Monday, May 18, 2026, until Thursday, May 21, 2026, on our website. AUTOJAUNE COLLECTION
en vente cette semaine: Norev – Citroën GS 169- Dinky Toys GB – Foden Mk 2 citerne Mobilgas 504 – Dinky Toys GB – AEC Monarch citerne Shell Chemicals Limited 591Norev – Simca 1000 rallye 1 57
I remember...
…during a border crossing at Folkestone on the Channel Tunnel.
I had rented a van to transport a large collection, mostly made up of utility vehicles.
The van was full. The customs officers asked for the invoice and checked the contents of the van. That was to be expected. After stepping over the boxes on the sill, one of the officers lifted the lid of the first cardboard box.
I noticed that the first thing he was trying to do was date these model vehicles: were they recent or of older manufacture, as declared? He simply wanted to know where the product he was holding was made.
Seeing the “made in Nederland” (made in the Netherlands), he realized that the product wasn’t recent! …for over 25 years, almost all model vehicles have been made in China.
He looked at several other models and quickly conceded that they were indeed older and that this matched what had been declared. He then made a remark that made me smile: “You can tell by the weight that it’s quality!”
Did he mean that this type of product was worth a certain price?
The customs officer was right; when these Lion Car, Conrad, or Tekno miniatures came out in the mid-seventies, they weren’t exactly affordable for everyone. However, I explained to him that nowadays, on the secondhand market, one has to be reasonable.
I’ve often heard the correlation between the weight of an object, synonymous with quality, and its high price during my career. When I got home, I amused myself by weighing a Lion Car semi-trailer truck…almost a kilo!
And that’s when I realized that my rental van must be exceeding the maximum authorized weight limit…
The two splendid Scania 76 tarpaulin-covered trucks and their trailer from Tekno were part of the day’s load, like the other scheduled Tekno trucks.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Scania 76 ridelles bâché avec remorque N.C Kloster 450:451
In the mid-1960s, buying this type of product for one’s children was a sign of financial comfort.
The weight, the quality of the paintwork, the assembly, and the finish were enough to convince the buyer of the product’s quality. The selling price was justified.
I think this Scania 76 is the first miniature truck to have an opening part (here, the engine hood, and its reproduction).
These two very beautiful and rare versions are from the beginning of production. They were not intended for export, but for the Scandinavian market. This doesn’t mean, however, that a few examples weren’t sold in French, Belgian, or Swiss shops.
Indeed, I know that some shops, like Modelisme of course, but also Miniatures in Lyon, and a few others, sold this type of product at very high prices, reserved, of course, for collectors.
Shortly after, Solido officially imported these products, but in the classic Scania Vabis livery. The price was so high that Tekno sold the truck and trailer separately.
Towards the end of the story, Tekno printed a large display box and sold both items together.
However, we had moved on to the version with the “110” marking on the hood, and the two variations offered were no longer in the catalog, and had been for a long time. One last point to convince you of the product’s quality.
The “ASG” livery version is equipped with yellow-painted rims. This must have caused problems, because Tekno never offered this “high-end” finish again.
modèle en vente cette semaine :Tekno – Scania 76 ridelles bâché avec remorque ASG 450
We also have a version of the same truck equipped with two slings designed for transporting cement.
My friend Geoff Goodson showed me a whole series of photos of this type of vehicle equipped like this on Scandinavian roads. I didn’t know this type of truck could pull a trailer like that.
Just imagine the size of the convoy. It’s a shame Tekno didn’t think to reproduce this type of trailer.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Scania 76 porteur avec cuves ciment Scania Vabis 453
Finally, we also have a superb Scania 75 flatbed truck with a tarpaulin cover, painted in Firma Transporten’s colors.
I appreciate its understated yet bright finish and the presence of a tailgate. Its design is much more basic than the previous Scania: no interior fittings, no suspension, and no opening hood. I appreciate this simplicity.
This variant was also reserved for the local market. I’ve never seen it anywhere other than Scandinavia.
I can’t prove it, but there’s a good chance this vehicle was initially produced for promotional purposes.
I appreciate one last small detail, found on many Tekno advertising vehicles: the presence, on the specially designed smooth side panels, of two city names with their postal codes, two locations where this transport company had a presence.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Scania 76 ridelles bâché Firma Transporten 450
a daunting dilemma
The Politoys Fiat 682N car transporter semi-trailer is imposing.
It is reproduced at 1/43 scale.
Toy manufacturers have all faced this dilemma: how to include a car transporter in their catalog when the standard scale is 1/43 for cars and 1/50 for trucks?
With its Unic “Boilot,” Dinky Toys cheated…the undersized tractor is 1/50 scale and the trailer is 1/43! The trailer, with its highly original design, is so imposing that one wonders how this frail truck will be able to pull it…and if the child has placed four cars on it, it’s safe to say they won’t be able to manage!
I had the opportunity to see a period photograph of this original trailer being pulled by a Renault 2.5T, which is not exactly a “big” truck.
In reality, it’s much less bulky than it appears as a toy. Politoys certainly didn’t skimp.
You can easily fit five 1/43 scale sedans from the brand without any problem. The truck is indeed 1/43 scale. Unlike the items described previously, this toy feels incredibly light in your hand! It’s injection-molded plastic.
Throughout my professional life, I’ve met many enthusiasts quick to criticize plastic models.
For them, the lack of density in the hand of this type of miniature is a flaw. Yet, I’m not sure this Politoys model would be any more charming if it were made of die-cast metal… I even doubt it.
modèle en vente cette semaine: Politoys – Fiat 682N tracteur semi porte auto 221
The rare Mercury 682N car transporter with its ramp, also available as a model, is made of die-cast metal (zamac). Mercury adapted the model to the scale of its miniatures of the time, which ranged from 1/45 to 1/48.
It’s a success, and you can fill it with miniatures…of the Mercury brand, of course.
The conditions are perfect for recreating one of the scenes from Fellini’s Italian film, La Dolce Vita, when the hero leaves Rome and, in his convertible, passes a superb Fiat car transporter, loaded with cars, from a low angle.
It’s perhaps this scene that inspired me to collect the variations of this beautiful toy, which hasn’t aged a day.
This miniature is also quite lightweight, even though the cab, the bodywork, and the ramp are die-cast in die-cast metal (zamac).
modèle en vente cette semaine : Mercury – Fiat 682N porte auto solo
I could make the same comment about the elegant Lancia Essagamma car transporter semi-trailer from Polistil.
It is indeed a 1/60 scale model. This version dates back to the mid-1970s. Plastic played a significant role in its construction. It was intended to be sold at a low price.
This type of product did not appeal to collectors at the time of its release due to its basic appearance. Now, it is difficult to find in good condition.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Polistil-LanciaEsadelta-semi-porte-autos-TJ119
in bad faith
I remember a salesman at the Auto Moto shop, Jacques Ribière, who liked to make fun of customers who collected Brooklyn models.
We were at the very beginning of this English manufacturer’s journey, and the models lacked the finesse and finish they later acquired.
Their selling price was very reasonable, by the way. The value for money was exceptional, as we were dealing with a product that was practically handcrafted. The weight in hand and the feeling of value for money were the main arguments put forward by customers to justify their attachment to this range, which Jacques Ribière mocked.
It’s true that the early models were quite heavy, to the point that Brooklyn experienced tire deformation issues, which were quickly resolved.
While Jacques Ribière had a deep knowledge of automobiles and motorsport, he was sometimes disingenuous.
I must admit that I was surprised to see how this manufacturer’s products evolved. The prices have logically doubled and even tripled…there’s no getting around it, quality comes at a price.
The manufacturer has a wide range, and the choice of models is very well thought out. It’s a superb collection. This week we have Lansdowne Models for sale…what’s the connection, you might ask?
Well, these models are made in the same place as Brooklin Models, by the same people.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Lansdowne Models – Vauxhall Ventora MkII 1972 32
This range is dedicated to British-designed models.
It’s superb, and I must admit I enjoy seeing, with modern manufacturing standards, the models that Dinky Toys or Corgi Toys produced in their day. I also love finding station wagon or convertible versions of cars I knew in their classic forms.
It’s a superb series, much less well-known than the Brooklyn Models, which also deserves your attention.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Lansdowne Models – Vauxhall PC Viscount 1971 38
modèle en vente cette semaine : Lansdowne Models – Hillman Minx 1956 10
My favorite is the three beautiful Cherryca Phenix on the program.
It’s easy to understand the admiration of collectors in the early 1960s for these models from Japan.
The quality of execution of these chromed and then stenciled painted bodies must have impressed the lucky collectors who managed to acquire them.
You had to be on good terms with the dealer to get your hands on them. A few shops in Europe imported these models sparingly, including, of course, the Modelisme shop in Paris. And then, you needed a well-lined wallet because the prices were astronomical.
In 2026, prices have stabilized. Thank goodness. This week we have a rare and harmonious color combination for the Chevrolet Impala. A real success.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Cherryca Phenix – Chevrolet Impala Berline 5
The Cadillac, also on the program, has always been difficult to obtain (see the “card” blog). It’s “small” because the Japanese company only had one box size. The Cadillac had to fit inside. There was only one solution: reduce it to approximately 1/50 scale!
modèle en vente cette semaine : Cherryca Phenix – Cadillac 62 special 20
The third model, the Citroën DS19 convertible, was the stuff of dreams for many enthusiasts in the 1980s.
The miniature is beautiful, its lines faithfully reproduced. I appreciate the color combination. One last detail, and a very important one at that: all three models come in their individual cases. A real bonus.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Cherryca Phenix – Citroën DS19 Cabriolet 19
also on sale this week
