This collection was oriented to adult collectors rather than to children, this is somehow strange in this brand, since the only try to release a product for adults was the 1:23 line known as “Serie Rally”.
These are completely different miniatures, all based in classic cars from the 30s decade in a 1:43 scale. This collection was made in 1:43 scale and should not be confused with the “Replica Junior” series, which featured (partly) the same models in 1:64 scale, or the “Replica Junior Transportes” series, which featured only classic vans and trucks in 1:64 scale. In the very first days of Guisval (around 1963-64), there were old classic cars from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century made.
Size comparison between a Packard Boattail Speedsteer "Replica" and the same model "Replica Junior"
As we can see in this catalogue picture, there are eight models in this series (these 4 plus 4 more in the next article), and they were sold in individual packages, in packages of 3, or simply in exhibitors in which you could choose one of them (jewel-case or loose).
Special thanks to Speedy, who provided me with this catalogue picture
The most interesting of this cars, is that they are completely different from everything else made by Guisval, with great quality (despite the plastic chassis), new special wheels, chromed parts, two-coloured body (in 6 out of the 8 models), removable rooftops (4/8), and two versions of each car.
Note the following models were available in two colours each:
- MERCEDES 540 K “1939” in silver or light brown.
- LINCOLN M.L. “1928” in metallic blue or yellow.
- PACKARD BOATTAIL SPEEDSTER “1930” in red or silver.
- DELAHAYE 135 M “1935” in blue or red.
UPDATE: Some of these models were "inspired" by Matchbox "Models of Yesteryear", as an evidence, I include two Matchbox catalogue images from 1980-1981 and 1981-1982. Note for example the Mercedes in the lower right corner of the first image, again the Mercedes in the second picture and the MG in the third picture. The MG will be shown in the next entry.
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| Matchbox Models of Yesteryear 1981-1982 |
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| Matchbox Models of Yesteryear 1982-1983 |
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| Matchbox Models of Yesteryear 1982-1983 |
Story continues here.
FACTS AND FIGURES:
- Name: MERCEDES 540 K “1939”, LINCOLN M.L. “1928”, PACKARD BOATTAIL SPEEDSTER “1930” and DELAHAYE 135 M “1935” (Nrs. 17204, 17205, 17207, 17208)
- Scale: 1:43 (estimated)
- Year: 1985 (to 1990?)
- Company: Guisval (Spain)
- Size: approx. 9 cm
Qué bonita era esta colección pero para ser para coleccionistas la calidad dejaba bastante que desear. Recuerdo que tuve en mi niñez el Bugatti y el Mercedes, y los parachoques podían romperse o los cromados desgastarse. También recuerdo que eran bastante frágiles los marcos de las ventanas en los modelos descapotables al ser también de plástico.
ReplyDeleteBueno, al ser un juguete "barato" se nos permitía jugar con ellos, y de chocarlos y jugarlos se le solían romper los parachoques. Yo también tuve algunos bburago 1/18, y jugando también rompí partes de uno (un ferrari 250 GTO del 62) y supuestamente eso era el no va más de la calidad. Los coches más caros están hechos con materiales parecidos, pero esos muchas veces no nos dejaban tocarlos.
ReplyDeleteEso no quiere decir que Guisval no pudiera haber hecho los faros y marcos de las ventanas más resistentes, pero quizá hubiera sido más cara la fabricación.
A ver si encuentro cuál era el precio en tienda de estos juguetes, me interesa mucho después de tu comentario y el mío.
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