#499 BBURAGO – VARIOUS FERRARI MODELS (1982, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1996)

Bburago is a company that has been quite related to Ferrari throughout its history. Both are Italian companies, that´s clear, and Bburago was the leader manufacturer of miniatures in scales bigger than 1:43 during many years. The headquarters of Bburago was located in Burago di Molgora, very close to the racing circuit of Monza. The name of the company Bburago is actually the name of the village with an extra “B” from Besana, the family that founded the company.

Since the earliest years Bburago had a preference for Ferrari models, and reproduced much more cars from this Italian brand as from any other Brand.

REF: 4106 FERRARI BB 512 DAYTONA in red (1982)

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REF. 4108 FERRARI F40 in red (1989)

REF. 4128 FERRARI F40 in gold/yellow (1996)

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REF. 4136 FERRARI 456 GT in red (1995)
REF. 4146 FERRARI 456 GT in dark blue (1995)

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REF: 4104 FERRARI TESTA ROSSA in red (1987)

REF. 4157 FERRARI TESTA ROSSA in yellow (1993)

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REF. 4117 FERRARI 308 GTB “SABA” in grey (1991)

NOTE: Another Ferrari 308 GTB Rally was shown in this entry.

REF. 4175 FERRARI GTO in yellow (1991)

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: FERRARI BB 512 DAYTONA (4106), FERRARI F40 (4108 and 4128), FERRARI 456 GT  (4136 and 4146), FERRARI TESTA ROSSA (4104 and 4157) FERRARI 308 GTB “SABA” (4117) and FERRARI GTO (4175) 
• Scale: 1:43
• Year: 1982, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1996
• Company: Bburago (Italy)
• Size: approx. 9 cm

#498 CORGI JUNIORS – FERRARI TESTAROSSA and FORD TRANSIT VAN (1984 and 1985)

This entry continues with the same topic of the previous one. I am showing two more models I own, just to illustrate variants and show some promotional ítems.

The first model is the Ferrari Testarossa, here in two different versions from the normal line (one of them is already marked "Made in China"), and then a Kellogg's promotional car in white with tiger stripes (J77). My guess is that the promotion was focused on Frosties. There was at least three cars in this promotion, the other two were a Porsche 911 Cabrio in black and a Jaguar XJS in grey, all with the same tampographies.

The second model is the Ford Transit Van from 1985, first in an ordinary version (J4 ver. 05 “Fire Chief”) which is not even marked on the base, and then the promotional model from “Batchelors Peas” (J51 ver. 02). In this case, the complete series comprised four vehicles: a London Bus (double deck), a truck, a Porsche 911 and this Ford Transit, all in white/red/green colours.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: FERRARI TESTAROSSA (J77) and FORD TRANSIT VAN (J4 and J51)
• Scale: 1:64 (approx.)
• Year: 1984 and 1985
• Company: Corgi (G. Britain)
• Size: approx. 3’’ or 7 cm

#497 CORGI JUNIORS – SEVERAL MODELS FROM 1984 TO 1990 (Around 1984)

Corgi entered receivership in 1983, but in 1984, the Company was re-formed as Corgi Toys Limited and continued producing toys. The competition with new Asian manufacturers was very high, so Corgi also sent the moulds to China to produce there in association with a Hongkongese company called Flying Dragon. These miniatures are not as good as those done before 1983, and sometimes they do not appear in catalogues or are not mentioned in specialized books.

Some models still share casts with older (made before 1983) toys, but colours are usually plain or with rather poor tampographies, and sometimes, windows are dark to hide the lack of interiors.

In this entry, all models shown should be relatively recent after the refoundation of the company, since all models are still marked “Made in Gt. Britain” (in the next entry some will be marked Made in China).

The models made between the years 1984 and 1990 have a reference number starting with J, maybe an indication of the old series name “Juniors”.

Ford Escort (J25)
BMW M3 Racing Car (J50)
Zakspeed Capri 3.0S (J57)

Ford Sierra 2.3 Ghia (J31)
Pontiac Firebird S/E (J46)
Mercedes 2.3/16 (J90)

Note that the casts are quite rough, and the only one model (the Ford Sierra) has practicable doors. Even the tampographies are poor, most of them in only one colour.

It is also interesting to point out that all models except one have the classic Corgi Juniors wheels. The Mercedes already have the wheels that would come next, and that in my opinion are much uglier than the original model.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: FORD ESCORT (J25), FORD SIERRA 2.3 GHIA (J31), PONTIAC FIREBIRD S/E (J46), BMW M3 RACING CAR (J50), ZAKSPEED CAPRI 3.0S (J57) and MERCEDES 190 2.3/16 (J90)
• Scale: 1:64 (approx.)
• Year: Around 1984
• Company: Corgi (G. Britain)
• Size: approx. 3’’ or 7 cm