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Discover a selection of models that will be on sale this week, from tomorrow, Monday, February 16, 2026, until Thursday, February 19, 2026, on our website. AUTOJAUNE COLLECTION
en vente cette semaine: Mercury – Volkswagen 1200 PTT Suisse 15 – Cherryca Phenix – Mercedes 300sl cabriolet 3 – Solido – Ford Thunderbird coupé 128 – Mercury – Lancia Aprilia 3
I remember...
…that, arriving from Copenhagen late Saturday morning to attend the Gothenburg trade fair, which started at 4 p.m., I invariably passed by an impressive depot belonging to the Swedish transport company ASG, north of Gothenburg.
It was located a stone’s throw from my friend Gunnar’s shop (see my friend Gunnar’s blog by clicking here). I can still picture those dozens of blue and yellow trucks, impeccably lined up in the warehouse alongside the highway off-ramp. Not a single hood was sticking out.
Their vibrant colors echoed those of the Swedish flag: blue and yellow. I loved seeing this collection; contemplating it was a ritual that celebrated my arrival.
This company had the honor of having its colors featured on miniature trucks reproduced by Tekno, Vilmer, Lion Car, Solido, Wiking… and many others. In the short-lived magazine “Toycar,” my friend Bent Danielsen even dedicated an article to this collecting theme.
Then one day, I saw trucks in different colors in the warehouse. The company had been bought by Deutsche Post through Danzas, and little by little, the trucks were repainted in the new owner’s colors. Two or three years later, there wasn’t a single yellow and blue truck left in the warehouse parking lot. One of the effects of globalization in the world of transportation.
Today, all we have left as souvenirs are these miniatures decorated in ASG colors. This week, we have a beautiful and rare example of a Volvo truck with tarpaulin-covered sideboards in ASG colors, made by the Danish firm Vilmer.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Vilmer – Volvo N88 ridelles bâché ASG
This brand is unfairly overlooked by collectors. This “tarpaulin-covered truck” version is a success. I appreciate its radiator, made of separate yellow plastic, which provides a very clear color contrast.
It’s a beautiful miniature that I highly recommend.
We also have a tanker version of this Volvo in BP colors this week. A superb product. Unfortunately, Tekno only produced tractors coupled to semi-tankers. It’s fortunate that Vilmer offered a truck version. Admit it, it looks great.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Vilmer – Volvo N88 camion citerne BP
From Tekno, we have a rare canvas-covered Volvo Express in Cherry Heering livery. Rare is no exaggeration.
It’s a promotional model.
I appreciate the original color scheme. Tekno offered several promotional versions of this Volvo Express.
There are many more than for the Volvo N88 Viking. Collecting them all would take several years. With its numerous production facilities, Tekno had the ability to produce small quantities of special decorations for promotional purposes without disrupting production, much like Dinky Toys. That’s one of the charms of this manufacturer. I sometimes envy collectors who only collect Dinky Toys… true promotional models are few and far between.
modèle en vente cette semaine Tekno – Volvo Express ridelles bâchéCherry Heering 450
We do, however, have one for sale: the Henry Johnson Mercedes LP1920 with canvas top. This particular model has a unique history. It’s clear that part of the production run, perhaps even all of the models, were never delivered to the client. The undistributed stock found in Calais at Meccano France (!) proves this. A number of examples hadn’t even received their livery. It’s a genuine Code 1 model; the khaki-colored injection-molded plastic hatch on the roof confirms it. It’s a beautiful and unusual Dinky Toys model, and at a reasonable price.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Mercedes LP1920 ridelles bâchéHenry Johnson 940
Like Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys produced few promotional models for companies. The Swansea-based firm manufactured versions with specific decorations for importers, primarily those in the Netherlands, which resonated with local customers.
However, as with Dinky Toys, it seems this disrupted production too much, and the quantities requested were too small to justify interfering with normal production.
Nevertheless, the Bedford “S” semi-trailer tanker for Shell Chemicals is an exception. Shell had to dig deep into its pockets. It was intended for the Dutch petrochemical division (see the blog “Shell’s Heir”). I don’t know the production run. What I do know is that I’ve rarely seen one in my entire life as a collector and dealer, and I waited a long time before finding one! The appeal of this type of product is that it has a history. The model’s unconventional purpose—a toy transformed into an advertising tool for a multinational corporation—gives it an extraordinary dimension. It’s the kind of product that adds another dimension to your collection. I truly believe that.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Bedford TypeS tracteur semi remorque citerneBenzeen Tolueen Xyleen
Corgi Toys Bedford type S tracteur semi remorque citerne »Shell chemicals » Collection AutoJaune
a single theme
If I had to choose just one theme to keep in my collection, what would it be? I sometimes ask myself this kind of question. Pre-war French toys? Racing cars from the 1950s? Tekno advertising vans? Coaches with hoods?
It would be one of those four, without hesitation.
I thought of this when I saw the program. We happen to have a Volkswagen panel van, reference 413, in “Tekno” colors.
This model was mainly used for export. The importers had to explain to the Danish company’s management that advertising a Danish company like Hellesens (batteries) or Lykkeberg (sardines) on the van wasn’t ideal for their local markets.
While they were certainly graphically successful, they didn’t resonate with a young New Yorker or a young Milanese child. On the other hand, a Volkswagen van in the colors of Tekno, BP, Philips, and Bosch was, on the contrary, much more impactful due to the international renown of these companies.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volkswagen Kombi Tekno Legetoj 413
Some enthusiasts are shunning the “413” in favor of the “405,” the second version, closer to 1/43 scale and equipped with windows and a rear bumper.
The first model, like the one offered here, is closer to 1/50 scale and lacks windows. This model is more rustic, but it has a certain charm. Personally, I like both. The most important thing is the van’s appearance.
The “Tekno” paint scheme is harmonious.
We also have a rare and splendid car equipped with a hood for sale this week. I did say rare. Note two details: the color of its rims, black, and its “board of education” marking.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Real Type – GMC car scolaire Board of education
This isn’t the Hubley-produced model, but the rare Canadian version that preceded it.
This model was produced by Real Type. It clearly bears the engraved mark, as well as the “Made in Canada” inscription on the chassis. This is the second one I’ve seen. Moreover, it’s in perfect condition.
We also have two other Real Type models scheduled for this week: a red Studebaker Golden Hawk and a superb Chevrolet Station Wagon, both equipped with one-piece zamac wheels. The very first version.
In both cases, these colors were never used by Hubley in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I have a soft spot for this charming and hard-to-find series. Managing to display the pair—that is, the Canadian model and its American counterpart—in a showcase might be quite a challenge.
But when you finally succeed, what a satisfaction! I’ve learned that a book has just been published on the subject.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Real Type – Studebaker Golden Hawk
modèle en vente cette semaine : Real Type – Chevrolet station wagon
In my list of preferences, I mentioned earlier the racing cars of the 1950s.
I didn’t experience that era. Yet I have a passion for post-war motorsport. Everything started again, with whatever resources were available. The enthusiasm and passion were there. It was a time when human skill still held its own against technology. It’s well-documented. The writings of people like Etienne Moity have given it its due recognition.
The yellow, programmed Porsche 550 is part of this period.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido Brosol – Porsche 550 101
It was produced by Brosol in São Paulo, who had leased the tooling from Solido in the late sixties and early seventies.
I imagine that Solido didn’t lease the tooling for this simple, twelve-year-old model at the same price as that for the more recent and much more sophisticated Chaparal 2D or 2F, with all its opening parts. I still wonder about the Brazilian management’s choice.
Why choose this type of car, like the Porsche 550, the Ferrari Testa Rosa, or the Maserati 250F, which were already in museums and probably meant nothing to children?
Perhaps to quickly expand their catalog and offer a wide selection of models. Is it really believable to list a Lola T70 and a Porsche 550 side-by-side in the same catalog in 1970? Now we look at this model with the eyes of a collector. This Porsche 550 looks fantastic in yellow, and the “Brosol” models are of very high quality, far superior to the Dalia, for example.
Finally, the car actually participated in the 1957 Le Mans race in this yellow livery and bore the number 60.
If you prefer road-going “Brosol” models, we have a green Fiat 2300S Ghia and the famous Chevrolet Opala, which is a completely original creation. We imagine the tooling was developed in France.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido Brosol – Chevrolet Opala 9
modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido Brosol – Fiat 2300s Ghia 133
This is a very original Solido model that will appeal to both Solido collectors and fans of American cars. This Brosol collection is charming and allows a Solido enthusiast like myself to add a splash of color to my display cases.
My absolute favorite is the Willys Jeep station wagon from Mercury.
Analyzing my selection described above, I was surprised to find I had excluded the Mercury models. I could make the same comment about Solido, C-I-J, and Dinky Toys, where only the advertising vans would be kept. Making choices is difficult.
But upon reflection, I understand that the motivation for these choices stems from the rarity of the model and the difficulty of finding another one.
It is indeed the early Mercury models that I will prioritize. Finding them in excellent original condition is very difficult.
Within this range, the Willys is by far the rarest. It is an elegant road-going version of a model originally designed for a different purpose.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Mercury – Willys Station wagon 8
It’s not a faithful reproduction. Its scale is unusual, around 1/32. But when I say elegant, I inevitably think of Italy. Only Mercury could bring such poetry to this toy. I appreciate the figure at the wheel and the color combination. My only regret is already having it in my collection in this color, because it’s the kind of vehicle I love to have in all its variations!
also on sale this week
