Sherlock Hound by Esci

 

Mike Pigott looks at this unusual range of diecast toys based on an Italian – Japanese animated version of the world’s greatest detective.

 

Those among us who are fans of the works of Arthur Conan Doyle may be surprised to see a line of models cars based on Sherlock Holmes…after all, Holmes’ adventures took place in the 1880s and ’90s, a time when automobiles weren’t exactly common.  In fact, the only Sherlock Holmes story to feature a motor car was the chronologically last tale, His Final Bow, which was set during the First World War and involved an older Holmes coming out of retirement to tackle an agent of the Kaiser.  His old companion Doctor Watson was doing the driving.

As it turns out, this range of toys wasn’t based on the books (well, not directly, anyway).  Instead it was based on an animated version from the 1980s, in which all the characters were anthropomorphic dogs!  This series, which is not very well known in Britain, had very strange pedigree (if you’ll pardon the pun!); it was an Italian / Japanese co-production!

Hot Wheels Steering Rigs

Mike Pigott takes a look at a cool range of articulated trucks produced by Hot Wheels in the early 1980’s.

Steering rigs were steered by turning an oversized translucent wheel plugged into the rear

Trucks were beginning to play a large part in the Hot Wheels Line in the late 1970’s.  Trucks, especially big, shiny American rigs, were starting to become really trendy, due in no small part to the CB radio craze and films such as ‘Convoy’ and ‘Smokey and the Bandit’.

This popularity was reflected in the number of toy and model trucks produced around this time.  In the 1980 Hot Wheels line-up, eight of the seventeen new releases were trucks and commercial vehicles.  Of course, in the regular series, trucks had to fit the normal blister packs, so they had to be short wheelbase models such as cement mixers, tippers and so on.  But it was the big semi-trailers that were really popular, so in 1981 they introduced a new range called ‘Steering Rigs’.

Chopper Squad by Corgi

Mike Pigott looks at the only diecast toys to have been based on an Australian TV programme: Corgi’s models of surf-rescue adventure show Chopper Squad.

 

While I tend to specialise in writing about diecast models, one of my other great interests is the history of Australian television.  It’s a subject I have long wanted to write about, but it’s not something I get to do very often.  In fact, this is my first – and probably only – opportunity to do it…because these Corgi Toys from Chopper Squad are the only examples of diecast models based on an Australian TV programme!

Matchbox Big M-X

Mike Pigott looks at this innovative, action-packed range from the 1970’s that was based on the popular Super Kings model trucks.

 

     In the early 1970’s, Lesney was feeling the threat from the popularity of Hot Wheels, and needed to expand their product ranges, to take on the competition from not just Mattel, but other multi-national toy manufacturers such Kenner and Ideal.  To this end they began diversifying and making more than just diecast vehicles…including games, dolls, construction kits and plastic motorized vehicles.  One of these novelty ranges was the action-oriented line of Big M-X construction vehicles, which were based on the large-size Super Kings castings, but with added features and accessories.

Introduced in 1972, there were six models in the range, all of which had been modified with ‘drive points’ which operated the moving parts when powered by the separate ‘Power Activator’.  The plastic accessory dioramas also had drive points that could be driven by the activator.

Lionel Classic Series Locomotives

Mike Pigott looks at a high quality but little-known range of diecast locomotives from the 1990s, made by the long-established American company Lionel.Although best known for large-scale electric trains, the venerable American company Lionel also ventured into diecast metal train models during the 1990s. This range of six famous locomotives was produced in the once-popular 1/120 scale, or TT gauge.

Chocolate Land Rovers

Mike Pigott looks at this surprising set of model Land Rovers, which are neither diecast models nor toys.

On a recent trip to Antwerp in Belgium, we visited an upmarket, specialist chocolate store located in a former palace just off the central square. The shop, called The Chocolate Line, featured a large range of gourmet chocolates and several large chocolate sculptures on display. One product that caught my eye was a window box containing five model Land Rovers in assorted colours. My first impression was that it contained diecast models, possibly a set of 1/76 scale models by Oxford Diecast or Cararama, both of which use a similar packaging style. Closer inspection revealed them to be one-piece mouldings without separate wheels or interiors. Admittedly I should have realised that as I was in chocolate shop, they must be made of chocolate; but instead of being in the customary brown and cream colours of chocolate novelties, they were in five very unusual shades with a glittery sheen. Anyway, I went ahead and treated myself to a set.

Grace Brothers Aussie Centenary Models

Mike Pigott looks at these rare examples of original Australian promotional model vehicles, as made for the Sydney-based department store Grace Brothers. 

One of the most famous retailers in New South Wales, Australia, during the 20^th Century was the department store chain of Grace Brothers. The first store was established by English immigrants Albert and Joseph Grace in 1885. Their business proved a success, and by 1906 they were able to open a massive five-story building in central Sydney. Grace Brothers was one of the first retailers to open a chain of suburban outlets, starting in 1933. Throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s they continued opening branches in the suburbs of Sydney, and in regional towns in New South Wales. In 1983, the company was taken over by Melbourne-based department store Myer. They continued trading under the Grace Bros name until 2004 when, sadly, the venerable name was phased out in favour of Myer branding.

Aoshima V.I.P. Cars

Mike looks at this rare range of Japanese custom cars that was only sold in Far Eastern markets.

Aoshima is a long-established and very well respected hobby firm from Japan.  The company was formed in 1929 in Shizuoka City, and initially manufactured wooden aeroplane kits.  In 1961 they began producing plastic construction kits, which soon became the main product line.  There was a wide range of kits, including cars, ships, planes and military subjects, plus a number of licensed character kits based on Japanese TV shows and movies.

Aoshima later entered the diecast market, and one of its earliest ranges was the VIP Car series, first produced in 2007. This was a small line of luxury cars and people carriers based on customized cars, rather than being stock-standard models. They were decked out in the popular Japanese ‘VIP Style’.

VIP STYLE

Mattel – Mebetoys Trucks

Mike Pigott looks at this rare and little-known range of futuristic trucks made by Mattel’s Italian subsidiary, Mebetoys.

The Mebetoys company was set up in 1959 by the Besana brothers in a small town near Milan. Initially they manufactured toy guns and miniature household appliances, but in 1966 they began producing diecast model cars. The model cars were in 1/43, and were quite good quality, competing in the market with similar items from Mercury and Politoys (later Polistil). By 1969 there were around 40 models in the range, mostly Italian sports and saloon cars, but with some international cars in the line too.

In 1969 Mebetoys was acquired by major American toy company Mattel, probably as a way of getting a foot into the European Common Market. The Mebetoys company was renamed Mattel SpA, although in Europe the products were still sold under the Mebetoys brand until 1980. As could be expected, Mattel made changes to the Mebetoys line. The cars were fitted with plastic wheels and low-friction axles, and were painted in bright metallic colours, while American style hot rods and custom cars were introduced. There was even a range of 1/43 plastic track and accessories to race the models on. The American Hot Wheels line was sold in Italy in Mebetoys packaging. They were issued in cardboard picture boxes, similar to Matchbox toys.

The Besana brothers left the company and a few years later set up Martoys, later re-named Bburago, to produce budget-priced diecast cars in 1/43 and 1/25 scales.

Mattel began importing the new-look Mebetoys cars to the USA, where they were sold as Hot Wheels Gran Toros. Although well regarded by collectors, the Gran Toros line did not sell well in the USA, and when the diecast toy market slumped in 1972, the range was dropped. Mebetoys continued to be manufactured in Italy, but the quality dropped as models were produced with plastic bases and cheap speedwheels. Later, a range of sparsely detailed 1/25 vehicles was added.

MOTORIZED TRUCKS

In the 1979 Mebetoys catalogue, a new range of diecast model trucks were announced, although the illustrations were ‘artist impressions’, so the trucks were clearly only at the prototype stage. There were six vehicles in the range, three rigid trucks and three articulated semi-trailers.

Trux CMP Lorries

Mike Pigott looks at this small range of diecast military lorries by Australian manufacturer Trux.

With the threat of war looming 1937, Britain found itself with a dire shortage of military multi-purpose trucks. The British government approached Canada to design and produce a line of light infantry trucks, as Canada had a modern and under-used auto manufacturing industry. The result was the Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) lorry, which was designed by Ford of Canada. Most of he vehicles were manufactured by the Canadian divisions of Ford and General Motors. When war broke out, Canada went into full production of CMP lorries, and over 500,000 of them were shipped to allied armies in battle zones around the world. Thousands more were built or assembled in other Commonwealth countries including Britain and Australia.