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Discover a selection of models that will be on sale this week from tomorrow Monday October 6, 2025 until Thursday October 9 on our website AUTOJAUNE COLLECTION
en vente cette semaine: Dinky Toys Spain – Renault 4L berline 518 – Dinky Toys GB – Garage service station – Corgi Toys – coffret rallye de Monte Carlo 1965 GS38C.I.J. – Renault 5T camion bétaillère
I remember...
…of the Aachen event in Germany, which took place twice a year in the 1980s. Its central location in Europe made it a huge success with enthusiasts from all over the world.
It was organized by the famous local Danhausen shop, run by the Lang brothers. A few years later, these two would create the “Minichamps” brand, which was relocated to China, and go on to revolutionize the miniature car market. At the time, however, the German shop was famous among miniature car enthusiasts for its beautiful catalog and wide range of assembly kits, subcontracted to Western Model in Great Britain and AMR in France.
For a collector of miniature cars, Germany is a must-see country. The reason is simple: its automotive industry holds a major place in Europe and the world for its production of cars, but also trucks, tractors, coaches, and more. It makes sense that German manufacturers have turned to miniature manufacturers, mostly German, to promote their new products or establish their reputation by offering historical ranges retracing their past.
German manufacturers understood this very quickly. So, I enthusiastically participated in this event, looking for products with limited distribution. There, I discovered the immense promotional production of Wiking and Cursor.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Cursor – Mc Cormick 423 tracteur agricole
I thought about this when I saw this week’s lineup.
We have a few Cursor models, including a beautiful McCormick. The American tractor manufacturer seems to have tried to imitate its German competitors by offering this beautiful model.
Deutz, Hanomag, Lanz, Fahr, and other German agricultural equipment manufacturers have regularly used this type of product where the gearbox is important. I appreciate the understated design of the McCormick gearbox.
Cursor has subcontracted a large part of its production. The quality of reproduction, the choice of materials, the different grades of plastic, and also the use of zamac make this brand complex to analyze and catalog.
Some products have been distributed in parallel through the traditional retail network. This is the case with the spectacular Fendt tool carrier.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Cursor – Fendt tracteur porte outils
The model is die-cast from zamac. Here again, the gearbox adds to the pleasure of ownership.
In the early 1970s, Cursor also took over the contract with Volkswagen. We have two products that perfectly illustrate this: the Volkswagen 411 and a rare empty Volkswagen T2 gearbox.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Cursor – Volkswagen 411 868
modèle en vente cette semaine : Cursor – Volkswagen T2 fourgon
These two products meet the quality standards of previous Wiking models. There’s no doubt there’s a strong connection between the two companies. The “411” is splendid…
It was a resounding commercial failure. We still have this splendid miniature… prettier than the real thing? Surely! Another German zamac model company deserves your attention: RW model, also sold under the name Ziss model.
We have two products from this interesting company: a short-chassis glass-fronted Ford Transit and an Opel Ascona.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Ziss – Opel Rekord II berline
modèle en vente cette semaine : Ziss – Ford Transit Kombi 400
There’s no doubt about it, seeing them, that these are models with meticulous workmanship.
On both models, we already appreciate the treatment of the headlights and turn signals: all plastic, attached and tinted. The treatment of the Ford’s front end is splendid, superior to that of the version offered by Dinky Toys. RW would release numerous promotional versions, some of which were not commercially available. I invite you to see the blog dedicated to this series.
The Opel’s color is characteristic of the era, the early 1970s. Two versions, a sedan like the one offered, and a coupe, would be produced by this manufacturer. The biggest criticism that could be made of these models is their distribution, which was rather limited, and especially the lack of a sales strategy.
These models are isolated. RW was primarily seeking contracts with manufacturers (Mercedes would be a major client) or advertisers (see the long list of promotional liveries).
Ford Transit Berliner Morgen Post – Collection AutoJaune :extrait du BLOG LA LECTRICE A LIRE ICI –
RW Models Hanomag – collection AutoJaune Extrait du blog à lire ICI
Apple Green
We have two very interesting model kits from Solido’s “Week-End” range scheduled for release this week.
I find their composition interesting and revealing of Solido’s marketing strategy during the “golden era,” that of Jean De Vazeilles. The first observation is the choice of colors.
Bright green for both miniatures. Nothing extraordinary except that these two models don’t seem, in reality, to have been designed to receive this type of finish.
The Ford Thunderbird is a sporty and luxurious coupe, and the Aston Martin is an elegant and sleek coupe. This color is therefore completely out of place for these two cars. Within the 100 series range, the colors of these two cars were chosen with taste. Nothing exuberant.
Furthermore, Solido didn’t hesitate to add a caravan to them! I doubt that any campsite manager, even in the middle of the “pop” and “flower power” era, would have seen this type of crew arrive at his establishment. Solido was accustomed to this.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – coffret Week End 2
modèle en vente cette semaine : Solido – coffret Week End 1
In a blog post, I highlighted the image discrepancy between the two 100 series sets: the Alfa Romeo Giulietta convertible and its caravan, and the Citroën Ami 6 station wagon towing an outboard motor.
There was clearly a desire to differentiate the image of these products based on their intended purpose. Both cars originally belong to the 100 series and meet specifications where excellence is the guiding principle.
They are also intended for a different clientele. The Weekend set is aimed at a decidedly younger audience, attracted by the fun aspect of assembly. It’s understandable that these sets weren’t initially sought after by collectors. It wasn’t until the mid-1970s wave, to which I belong, that the market became more mainstream.
Solido Ford Thunderbird démontable Collection AutoJaune extrait du blog à lire ICI
They are of interest to fans of the Solido “brand.”
The one featuring the Aston Martin is rare. Its history is unique. Initially, this set was planned to feature an Alfa Romeo 2600. Here too, we note the inconsistency of the choice of vehicle, luxurious and sporty, with this caravan. Solido signed a contract in Brazil in the late 1960s to lease several molds to Solex. This Alfa Romeo was part of the contract. Solido found a temporary replacement in the Aston Martin while waiting for the mold to return.
The car had a volume equivalent to the Alfa Romeo, which saved Solido from having to modify its sets. However, it did have to modify the chassis. The latter had to be removable. It’s a very interesting piece. The one featuring the Ford is more common. Its composition must be appreciated.
The caravan is too small; the family had to pitch a tent. Three children are shown playing. The parents must be napping in the tent.
I’m having a harder time understanding how they were able to travel and fit all that into the Thunderbird station wagon.
The Citroën Ami 6 station wagon would certainly have been more believable. But we’re in the world of toys, and anything goes.
Times change, the collection evolves
Long gone are the days when Jacques Greilsamer castigated plastic models. In his view, this material was suitable for self-assembly models, but certainly not for collectible miniatures. The latter had to be made of zamac. I remember how he criticized Solido for using overly shiny plastic for the hood of its Hispano Suiza. Rio did the same, but the Italian manufacturer was in his good books. What would Jacques Greilsamer have thought when he saw the fuchsia pink Austin Clubman on the program this week?
We bet this model would never have been featured in Modelisme! Just like the other two Jaguars on sale this week, despite being full of charm and, above all, original. How far we’ve come since the Modelisme articles!
Modèle en vente cette semaine : C.I.J. – Panhard Dyna 54 taxi 3-54 T
What a lot of evolution! What if we tried to project ourselves in 50 years? How will these models be seen? For me, they are part of the history of toys in the same way as Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Majorette or Rio that Mr. Greilsamer was so fond of. As are the models equipped with fast wheels, the vinyl models or the wooden RD Marmande… The years go by and I see how far we have come since the first SR miniatures sold in the 1900s by street vendors to the Majorette made in China and sold in blister packs.
modèle en vente cette semaine : NFIC – Jaguar Mk10
modèle en vente cette semaine : Ideal – Jaguar Type E coupé
They all have a story to tell. The story of Hong Kong toys is unique and interesting. It’s the story of a relocation to Asia. It’s not the first. As early as the 1920s, models heavily inspired by the SR and Tootsietoys were copied in Japan, then sold on the American market at low prices. The plastic models are therefore part of the second wave.
This story is interesting because a clever legal framework was devised to avoid the wrath of the copied manufacturers. Mainly American or British sponsors, who knew their markets well, placed orders with Hong Kong-based companies for copies of models that were successful in their respective markets. To confuse the issue, they chose different scales, larger or sometimes smaller, and didn’t hesitate to assemble two copied parts from two different manufacturers.
I’m not sure that Norev enthusiasts looking for the famous Berliet TBO car transporter manufactured by OK in Hong Kong and inspired by the Norev have noticed that the trailer was inspired by the one produced by Politoys. The manufacturers’ names were OK, Blue Box… these names appear on the chassis, but often another name, that of the sponsor or the distribution network for which it was intended, appears on the cardboard packaging.
These models were sold in outlets dedicated to low-cost items and therefore did not directly compete with the originals. Yet the price difference must have been significant.
A few years would pass, and we would see copies of copies appearing in different countries: Malaysia, Singapore, India… The quality would be lower. It’s a rather fascinating world.
And who thought of acquiring them? They made many enthusiasts laugh. I’ve always sought them out with interest. So you won’t look with detachment at the extraordinary 1/40 Red Midland Motorways Commer coach, heavily inspired by Corgi Toys, offered for sale.
modèle en vente cette semaine : NFIC – Commer car Midland Red Motorway 3038
Now you know the history and the appeal of the product. The two Oldsmobiles produced in 1/43 scale for the American market for Blue Box are splendid.
For me, these are the last beautiful American cars before they lose their cachet. Like the NFIC Commer bus, they have a significant advantage in my eyes: their gearbox.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Blue box – Oldsmobile voiture fire chief 6111
modèle en vente cette semaine : Blue box – Oldsmobile berline police 6111
My favorite is this Honda S800 from Playart.
My favorite is this Honda S800 from Playart. Again, its primary interest is historical. Of course, the car is interesting; it marked an era. Even Bobigny thought of reproducing it. The most interesting part lies elsewhere. This range dates back to the late sixties. It was intended for the American market, its manufacturing was relocated to Hong Kong, and the chosen scale was 1/60. It is equipped with wheels mounted on needle axles. Don’t these elements remind you of something? Playart has chosen to tackle the famous American Hot Wheels. Like the plastic models described above, they were sold mainly in stores dedicated to cheap products.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Playart – Honda S 800 cabriolet 7140
The Playart range is very important and little known in Europe. I made the connection with Hot Wheels, because in American swap meets dedicated to old toys, the same sellers offered both ranges, proving the link between them. The model offered this week is very interesting because it is still equipped with the beautiful wheels with hubcaps. I have personally kept a representative set of these models which also include European cars: BMW 2002, VW 1200, Austin Mini, Alpine A110, Matra Bagheera… but also many Japanese and of course American cars.
Vincent Espinasse
also on sale this week
