Brussels at the end of the seventies

…of a large store stock, consisting solely of C-I-J models, which had appeared at one of the first Brussels fairs organized by the ECMA at the Woluwe shopping center in the late seventies. It consisted of a sample of models from the Briare firm: Saviem JL20 transformer holder, electric red lights, but also trailers with sailboats and caravans like those on offer today, in large quantities. I can see the piles of boxes again. I remember that despite their very low prices, there were still a number left when it came time to repackage. I made this observation because the table was in front of one of the conveyor belts leading to the underground parking lot. For nearly thirty years I looked at these products with a certain detachment.

It has an awning, a particularity of German caravan manufacturers. Its shape perfectly captures the caravans of the 70s. It is balanced and elegant. Seeing the unsold stock of these caravans at the time, I wonder if they were very successful. As a child, I preferred to buy another vehicle than an accessory like a caravan or a trailer, often offered at the same price. When I see that Mr. De Vazeilles, during his time at the head of the Solido company, only designed one caravan, which, moreover, shared its chassis with the trailer and its outboard, I wonder. He understood that this sale was limited. And yet, he had them designed to complement his assembly kits. The second caravan, created for the kit with the CX, was a decision made by his successors. When I see all the variations offered subsequently, I understand that it had to be written off.

Let’s stay in Brussels. In the same 1980s, the German brand Märklin enjoyed an exceptional aura among collectors. It epitomized excellence and quality. All its products benefited from this image, initially acquired with railway toys in the mid-19th century. However, the Göppingen brand never managed to establish its miniatures in the 43rd century in the face of stiff competition. In Nazi Germany, it offered a first series, superior to contemporary Dinky Toys. But during this period, it was unable to use quality zamac. It had to be limited. Fortunately, a few examples remain that survived these quality concerns. After the war, the second series never succeeded in establishing itself despite its obvious qualities. A form of conservatism prevented any innovation (glazing, suspension, etc.), and these models quickly seemed outdated compared to foreign competition. Märklin was content to sell its “name” with these 1/45 miniatures, too busy with model railroading. It’s a shame, because these models benefited from an unequaled engraving finesse at the time, a legacy of model railroading. In the 1980s, enthusiasts devoted a veritable cult to Märklin. The brand’s vehicles never stayed long on a swap meet table. Prices soared. Those days are over. There are still these beautiful toys that you should know how to rediscover, with prices falling sharply. It’s the opportunity to start a collection. This week, we have a few trucks including the splendid Magirus Jupiter large scale fire engine, which is for me the archetype of large scale.

Let’s draw a parallel with Siku, who also recouped the cost of his beautiful double-cab Mercedes, originally designed to accommodate a large ladder, by equipping it with a telescopic crane. But Siku created his telescopic boom from scratch and adapted it to his truck. The result is superb. This truck is also on the menu this week.

By offering this toy, Märklin demonstrated that it did not have a very high regard for its range of miniatures. The Mercedes Aral tractor-trailer truck is a success. The version offered this week is interesting. It is at the beginning of production. The tanker is still silver. Soon, it will adopt the new colors of the German oil tanker, white and blue.

The Kaeble construction dump truck is a close call to excellence. The radiator and two steel guides at the ends of the bumper are details that demonstrate the expertise in the fine execution of even the smallest details. The dump truck’s stocky appearance is perfectly captured.

Finally, we have a Fuchs shovel mounted on tires. This model is also very fine. It is interesting to compare its fine engraving and the operation of the articulated arm with another similar model for sale, the Akerman shovel from Tekno. The latter is more rustic and less fine. However, sixty years after its creation, when you have it in your hand, you can’t help but turn the wheels driving the brass-colored chains, operating the articulated arms. A beautiful toy.

Before the arrival of the internet, international events like the Brussels Exchange allowed enthusiasts from all over Europe to meet and bring their local products to showcase them. Many collectors came from neighboring Netherlands. They brought their Lion Car miniatures. I’ve always loved this original brand. It quickly became dedicated to reproducing DAF vehicles, both cars and utility vehicles. This week we have two beautiful examples, including the first DAF that Lion Car has reproduced.

The enthusiast can trace a large part of the history of this Dutch car company. The variants are numerous. These miniatures are reproduced with taste. They are quality products. Dutch collectors also brought Tekno vehicles, which they are fond of. The Danish manufacturer designed many variations for this market (see blog “An Opel in the land of tulips”). The Dutch importer went so far as to have cardboard boxes printed for the 1958 Opel Rekord, judging that the transparent plastic case designed by Tekno was not suitable for this Opel miniature, a popular brand in the land of tulips. This week we have a Volkswagen Kombi Leeuwen Zegel that Tekno supplied to this Dutch margarine manufacturer. The consumer could obtain it in exchange for coupons cut out of margarine packaging. It’s a real promotional offer.

The Citroën 2CV van from the Dutch Wegenwacht roadside assistance service is another model that Dutch enthusiasts brought along in their luggage. Knowing that there would also be many French people coming as neighbors, its sale was guaranteed. We have a beautiful example without a box and therefore at a moderate sale price. This miniature seems to have been very successful in the Netherlands at the time when this model was part of the road landscape. The large number of variants proves that there were several restocking orders. Each variant corresponds to a limited quantity, produced by contract with the importer.

One detail is worth highlighting. In two period advertisements published in the Dutch press, we see that the Wegenwacht model, although produced in a limited edition, was sold for less, 2.75 fl, than the widely distributed 25 D firefighter version, 2.95 fl, thus proving that the importer Haussemann & Hötte N.V had been able to negotiate good prices in Bobigny!

Vincent Espinasse