Friday, August 23, 2019

#932 ZISS-MODELL/ EURO-MODELL - OPEL STADTCOUPE 1908 (Around 1983)


I found this car by chance at a flea market. I saw it is was old, complete, in a relatively good condition, and I bought it. The model has no brand on the base (we will come to this later), so it was also some kind of challenge to me.

Ziss-Modell was a subbrand of Mini-Auto, also proprietary of R. W. Modell and Wittek Modell. Mini-Auto was active during the 60s and the 70s, but at some point during the late 70s, that name was swiftly replaced, probably due to the similarity with other die-cast brands, first by R.W. and then, again gradually by Ziss, although these two were active simultaneously under Mini-Auto or Wittek appelation, as some brochures showed both logos. Interestingly, no R.W. model was sold as Ziss (with Ziss marking in the base).


The company was founded in the 60s in Lintorf (West-Germany). According to David Sinclair was a relatively small family operation. Wittek was the family name of the founder, and Ziss also seems to be a family name.

Although Ziss had contemporary models, they are best known for their classic vehicles, like the one shown in this entry. Classic models also included vans and trucks and consisted basically of German carmakers. There are also some promotional models.

Matchbox had the famous Models of Yesteryear series, but there were many other manufacturers following that trend especially in the 70s and the early 80s.

Ziss stopped producing toys in 1978, but the same models were then sold under the Euro-Modell brand, with Ziss removed in the base, like this model. Euro-Modell should not be confused with Euro Modell.



The models are in general well casted, with several excellent models. The wheels in this model are made of plastic, which are not especially good looking or durable. They are not very expensive at this point in time.


FACTS AND FIGURES:
  • Name: OPEL STADTCOUPÉ 1908
  • Scale: Approx. 1:32
  • Year: 1983
  • Company: Ziss-Modell / Euro-Modell (West-Germany)
  • Size: approx. 8 cm

Monday, August 12, 2019

#931 MAJORETTE – CITROËN VISA CHRONO (Nº 201) (1984)


This model has had several decorations while it was available, as every other Majorette model, but, for some reason, all decorations except the one shown in these pictures are quite rare and difficult to find.

The model was introduced in 1984 with number 201 (the first reference in the 200 series) and carried this “Chrono” tampographies.


In 1986 it was updated by replacing the tampographies by some rally decoration, although the base colour remained white. This version was available until 1988

And finally, during the mid to late 90s, the car was brought back to life in yellow with the previous rally tampographies and the iconic wheel type from these years.

By searching the Internet, it is also possible to find several promotional Citroën Visa “MajoPub” with the most different tampographies, but all of them in white. Wouldn't it have been nice to hace other colours as well?



Some nice details I can highlight: It came with practicable trunk, the headlights are clear (part of the windshield piece), suspension is great (the usual one) and although the scale is smaller than for other models (the scale in this Series 200 is 1:box, so being the Visa a rather small car, the toy model is bigger than some of its partners...) it looks great even when placed near other models.

Currently, this is the only model in my collection among all mentioned above.


I would say the model is very interesting for collectors because the real Citroën was very popular at the time in France, Spain and other countries as well.

FACTS AND FIGURES:
  • Name: CITROËN VISA CHRONO (Nº 201)
  • Year: 1984
  • Company: Majorette (France)
  • Size: Around 7 cm.
  • Scale: 1:52