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Discover a selection of models that will be on sale this week, starting tomorrow, Monday, July 13th, and running until Thursday, July 16th, 2026, on our website. AUTOJAUNE COLLECTION
en vente cette semaine: Tekno – Volvo Express semi remorque Carlsberg 458 – Dinky Toys GB – British Salmson torpédo 2 places 36G – Dinky Toys GB – Rover coupé aérodynamique 36D – Tekno – Volkswagen Kombi Lommeromanen 405
I remember...
…from the catalog published by Danhausen, the model car shop located in Aachen.
The renowned shop began developing this specialty in the early 1970s.
Founded in 1921 by the Danhausen family, it was the arrival of the founder’s grandsons, the two Lang brothers, at the helm that led the family business in this new direction. Their real advantage over competitors at the time was their rapid and efficient development of mail-order sales.
To this end, they published a superb catalog in 1971 featuring hundreds of items. This continued until 1993.
These catalogs are a bible for enthusiasts.
Japanese models, industrial models, cars, trucks, construction equipment, as well as the first white metal kits, from English, French, Italian, and German manufacturers, were all offered.
Long lists, photos: a perfect tool for developing the business. Then, very quickly, Danhausen created its own product lines. In touch with the market, the Lang brothers knew what needed to be reproduced to meet their customers’ expectations.
To achieve this, they called upon the best, those who had innovated and distinguished themselves from the competition through the quality of their products: Western Models in Great Britain, and of course, AMR in France. Growth was meteoric despite high selling prices. This was still the era of the Deutsche Mark. This commitment to quality remained throughout the adventure that led them to the famous Minichamps. The Minichamps brand was initially one of Danhausen’s product lines: high-quality white metal kits. Later, it was under this name that the famous products made in China would be manufactured, achieving worldwide success and renown.
A number of collectors may not know the origin of these Minichamps. The Lang brothers understood this and made the right choices before others. Few enthusiasts had the talent, time, and space to assemble these kits. Moreover, the increasingly complex assembly was starting to discourage enthusiasts, and some were accumulating boxes of unassembled kits. I remember my father being worried about this and discussing it with the BAM executives in France. The Lang brothers, however, took action. Very quickly, alongside the models sold as kits, they had fully assembled series produced, similar to what Western Models was already doing.
These latter models, less sophisticated than the AMRs, also had the advantage of being sold at a lower price.
Seeing the models offered this week reminded me of this. In fact, we discovered Danhausen through their 1977 catalog. A friend had lent it to us so we could order Porsche kits that were impossible to find where we lived… and we ordered some Tekno models! The Danhausen catalog had a wide selection, and we were quite surprised to see Tekno vehicles “made in Denmark” listed.
Alongside our racing car collection, we were starting a tanker truck collection… When the Danish factory closed, the Lang brothers had unearthed a large batch of models still in their boxes. I remember we had to go through the bank to make the payment. Europe was slowly taking shape.
What I remember most is our disappointment when the large package arrived. Due to their weight, the Volvo and Scania trucks had become detached from their cardboard bases during transport, and the display cases arrived damaged. I recall that the order also included a Scania 110 large-scale truck and a Volvo F88. Surprised to see these products available in a “shop,” we placed a large order. I thought about it again when I saw the photos of these beautiful models for sale.
The “Newexco” was part of the order.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo F88 ridelles bâché Newexco 425
This Volvo F88 curtain-sided truck with its trailer is rare in this harmonious and original livery.
It always has been, and still is. My perspective on this Volvo truck, as well as others of the same generation, has evolved considerably. For a long time, I somewhat neglected them. We acquired them easily in the 1980s. They seemed modern compared to the Volvo N88 Titan with its hood.
Then, time began to take its toll. I realized they weren’t so common, and one day I decided I had to start looking for variations before it was too late. I did the same with the Ford D800 trucks. This way, you can assemble some beautiful combinations.
This week, we also featured a rare color combination of the Scania 76 curtain-sided truck: orange and putty, Scania’s official colors in the 1960s. These two trucks encapsulate the end of the Tekno adventure.
However, it was still the mid-sixties when they first appeared in the catalog. I smiled when I saw them listed, as I had just carefully packed them up for my move. Handling them and putting them back in their boxes allowed me to rediscover them and appreciate them even more.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Scania 76 ridelles bâché avec remorque Scania Vabis 450-451
Finally, also from Tekno, we have this week a Scania LB140 curtain-sided truck with its trailer.
This very interesting truck doesn’t seem to be attracting the attention of collectors. Yet, it’s the first version of the famous cab-over-engine design, which would go on to achieve considerable commercial success in 1:1 scale. The front end and headlight placement would soon be modified.
The Dutch company that took over the business would be responsible for these changes. This truck seems essential in any Tekno collection. It also marks the end of the adventure.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Scania LB 140 porteur bâché avec remorque Scania 420
fire trucks
Let’s stay with Tekno.
Seeing the fire trucks offered this week, I’m reminded of the brand’s history and also my own.
This category of vehicles was the common thread for the Danish brand. No other manufacturer offered so many reproductions of vehicles dedicated to emergency services in its catalog. At the beginning, Tekno even produced only reproductions of emergency vehicles, made of folded sheet metal, and fire stations.
Tekno drew its inspiration from the two Danish private companies dedicated to this sector: Falck and Zonen. They covered a wide range of emergency services. Tekno is the only toy manufacturer to have reproduced a two-wheeled trailer designed to transport an injured horse…before rendering.
The range extended from an air ambulance to a tow truck, including a vehicle equipped with a large searchlight. Throughout its history, Tekno has always featured numerous vehicles from Falck-Zonen (the two companies having merged) in its catalog. When we started in the mid-seventies, this theme was popular with collectors. Proof of this lies in the fact that several authors dedicated sections of their books to it. Dr. Force even published an excellent and very comprehensive book on the subject, “Miniature Emergency Vehicles.”
Later, Mick Duprat produced another, covering all scales of reproduction. Then, the trend faded, and new collectors didn’t feel the same attraction to these types of models as their predecessors. For my part, starting in the 1980s, I took advantage of my many frequent trips to Scandinavia to collect various versions of the large-scale Scania 76 and the Volvo N88 Titan recovery truck.
I thought about this again when I saw the models scheduled for release this week. The large-scale Scania 76 “Felix Capri” is rare. This is a model made for the Swedish market. This advertisement might look familiar…it appears on a Volvo N88 tanker semi-trailer.
modèle en vente cette semaine: Tekno – Scania 75 camion grande échelle pompier 445
The Tekno Volvo N88 tow truck is a splendid creation. This truck remained in the catalog until the end, in 1972. In its final version, it was equipped with raw zamac wheels, simple rhinestone headlights without brackets, a conical rotating beacon without a base, an interior fitting, tampo-printed decoration, and it lacked the metal emblem in the grille.
These six elements evolved throughout the model’s production run.
As you can see, there are many variations. I had fun assembling a dozen of them, knowing that by combining these elements you can create even more.
The example offered here is from the very beginning of production. Appreciate its flanged wheels, its beautiful decoration on the doors, its logo, and its metal headlights. It lacks the interior fittings and the rotating beacon. In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful version. I recommend it to collectors.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo N88 dépanneuse Falck Redningskorps 436
For this model, Tekno designed a flatbed trailer, sold separately. A display case containing both products will have to wait until the end of production.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Remorque plateau porte auto pour Volvo N88 437
This week we also have a Mercedes 220se fire chief’s model.
Tekno didn’t just paint its beautiful 220se in two tones. The Danish company created two small additional headlights mounted on the front of the roof and added a pennant.
It’s a superb model that deserves to be appreciated. A final testament to Tekno’s passion for emergency vehicles is this splendid Mercedes 220 station wagon ambulance.
Tekno didn’t even bother designing a mold that could have been used to create a station wagon version of this Mercedes. Its two-part design allowed Tekno to produce sumptuous color variations. You almost forget that these are ambulances.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Mercedes 220se pompier 725
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Mercedes 220s break ambulance Falck 732
A quick word about the police models. This theme hasn’t been as successful with Tekno.
I appreciate the different paint schemes and markings.
The Volvo in Danish police colors offered this week (politi) is a success.
One last unusual detail: note the color of the flashing light; it’s yellow. This model is more commonly seen with a blue flashing light.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo 122 S politi 810
The beginning of my career.
The two Corgi Toys sets on the program took me back to the beginning of my career.
For 42 years, I often heard collectors rave, and rightly so, about the originality of the dioramas designed in Swansea.
The “Riviera Gift Set” is truly unique. Its two-tiered design, with the Buick Riviera and its trailer on the raised dock, and the boat positioned below on a surface resembling water, must have captivated many a child.
But it’s the figures themselves—the man in the cap at the helm and the young girl on her water skis—that truly draw the eye. The diorama, full of life, is quite large.
It’s difficult to find in the condition shown here. The case is fragile. Moreover, one can imagine that children must have quickly discarded it to test the boat in the bathtub.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – coffret The Riviera gift set GS 31
The other set, featuring the Lamborghini Miura, perfectly encapsulates Corgi Toys’ approach in my opinion. It’s not the best reproduction of this splendid car. Far from it. I could make the same comment about the previous model: the Buick Riviera from Dinky Toys Hong Kong seems far superior.
But here’s the thing: the presentation of the Corgi Toys Miura is certainly the most original and humorous. It took a certain imagination to think of presenting it with a bull figurine.
This car does indeed take its name from one of the most famous Spanish bull breeders, “Miura.”
This box is also fragile, and it’s difficult to find one in this condition.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Lamborghini 342
Finally, the figures behind the wheel of the two Mercedes 300SLs also scheduled for release this week lend a touch of class to the models.
They are high-quality and fit perfectly into the interior. They enhance the miniature and make you forget that they are somewhat undersized.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Mercedes 300sl open roadster 303S
modèle en vente cette semaine : Corgi Toys – Mercedes 300sl open roadster 303 S
My favorites are the two MAN trucks made in 1/50 scale by Conrad
My favorite is the two MAN trucks produced in 1/50 scale by Conrad.
These two trucks are the result of commercial and technical agreements between the German company MAN and the French company Saviem, which borrowed the engine from MAN. As a child, I grew up surrounded by these two trucks, proudly displaying the Saviem logo.
The cab with its hood on the tipper body is an aesthetic triumph. The whole thing exudes ruggedness.
In France, this truck was most often finished in “Saviem blue,” aptly named. Conrad even released a series featuring the French manufacturer’s name in the center of the radiator. The one offered here is yellow. It’s a real success.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Conrad – Man Diesel benne de chantier
The other MAN for sale is a tractor unit coupled to a low-loader semi-trailer in Liebherr livery. We bought a large batch of models from Conrad and NZG. I confess I kept a few, on a whim. My selection was guided by one detail: the presence of a special case with a photo or drawing of the vehicle. The advertising aspect of this type of product is what I notice first. You have to set some limits.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Conrad – Man tracteur semi remorque plateau porte engins Liebherr
also on sale this week
