#515 EDOCAR – BUICK LESARRE STOCK CAR (Nr. 14), CHEVROLET’57 (Nr. 17), JAGUAR XJ-S V12 (Nr. 28) and PORSCHE 365A (Nr. 33) (1986 and 1990)

Here are my four Edocar models. These are all I own. They are quite rare (at least were I lived) and I cannot remember where my father bought them for me.

In any case, Edocar was trademark property of two companies: Edor Benelux NL BV and Fred Beherr BV that offered die-cast models between 1986 and 2007. They did not manufacture the models themselves, but bought to other Asian companies and sold them in Europe under their own brand.

According to Wikipedia, Edocar was the distributor of Matchbox-Lesney toys until 1985, and from 1986, they changed to distribute several Asian brands in Europe. Why, we don’t know.

The most important supplier of miniatures was MC Toy (later Maisto), but other companies also produced toys for Edocar: Yat Ming (mostly in the very early years), Hartoy, Real Toy, Tiger Wheels and Golden Wheels (all these in the later years). Apparently, there is only one model designed and produced exclusively by Edocar, and it is a Lancia 037 Rally.

Three out of four models shown here are actually early models, from the first series that Edocar marketed, at that was called Edocar Mini Series (short EM Series). The EM-Series comprised 50 models, numbered 1 to 50. Mine are numbers 14, 17 and 28. Numbers 14 and 28 are original MC Toy/ Maisto models, and they are marked “Macau” in the (plastic) baseplate, while number 17 is a Yat Ming manufacture, is marked “Hong Kong” and the baseplate is metallic.

The fourth model is also early, but a few years newer. It has a copyright from 1990, and it is also a MC Toy cast.

It is important to mention that Edocar models were made in exclusive colours, different to their Asian counterparts. For example, that Porsche made by MC Toy was metallic grey, while for Edocar, it was made in red.

But that was not their only series. Also from those first years, are the EA (Edocar Ancient, in 1:43 Scale), EC (Edocar-Color, with temperature-changing paint). This are actually lines from MC Toy, as I explained in entry #391. In that same entry I already showed the same Porsche 365A (Nr. 33).

Other lines were EB (with pull-back motors), AK (Alfred J. Kwack-Series), AS (Alarm-Series), TP (Trailer-Pack), ST (Super-Trailer), GS (Gift-Set), VC (Vehicle-Collection), AC (Accessories) and CC or CM (Coca-Cola).

In 1999, the series range was expanded with several new ones, and the numbering system was also changed.

In 1999, Edocar models were available in 13 European countries, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Edor Benelux NL BV declared insolvency in 2007, but there was a last batch of cars models that reached the markets distributed by Loyal Bright from Hong Kong.

*The name "Buick Lesarre" is actually a spelling error on the plastic base, it should say "Buick LeSabre".

UPDATE: I bought on May 2015 one more Edocar model, although this one is much more modern, probably from the early 2000s or maybe late 90s. It has reference number 0124-5, but I don't know exactly which model it is, some kind of big van with the Sheriff star on the doors and blue sirens. Cool model.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: BUICK LESARRE STOCK CAR (Nr. 14), CHEVROLET’57 (Nr. 17), JAGUAR XJ-S V12 (Nr. 28) and PORSCHE 365A (Nr. 33)
• Scale: 1:64 (approx.)
• Year: 1986 and 1990
• Company: Edocar (Netherlands) / MC Toy, Maisto (Macau, China) / Yat Ming (Hong-Kong)
• Size: approx. 3’’ or 7 cm