#1038 PILEN – MASERATI GHIBLI (MOD. 507) (1973)

This model is the original one from 1973 and it looks great, as most models from this manufacturer and that approximate year do. As a matter of fact, the Pilen models from the 70s are comparable in quality to other European brands of the time. This is acknowledged by most collectors, and is reflected on the prices that are paid for models in mint condition.

This model was found in Austria, which also shows that Pilen was also successful beyond the Spanish borders at a time, when other better known players were stronger as they have ever been.

The car is a Maserati Ghibli and it is done out of the Politoys’ cast, as Pilen at some point bought them from the Italian die-cast manufacturer.

This version is painted in burgundy red and as the same detail level as the first Politoys model, although some parts are different (the wheels for example are casted without real radii/radiuses). Looks great with its opening doors!

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: MASERATI GHIBLI (MOD. 507)  
• Scale: 1:43
• Year: 1973
• Company: Pilen (Spain)
• Size: approx. 9 cm

#946 PILEN – MONZA G.T. (Ref. M-301) (1973)

This is a great model by Pilen that resembles quite a lot the Joal version of the same car. I presented the Joal version a long time ago in this blog (see #247)

Remember that Joal and Pilen were both based in Ibi, which is a small town, where also Guisval, Mira and other famous die-cast brands were based. The companies had family relations among them and it was not rare that casts went from one factory to the other.

The differences are clear. This model was simplified in order to produce it cheaper and does not have an opening bonnet. Just the cockpit can be opened. I would say, otherwise Pilen and Joal models are identical.

The cast debuted as Pilen in 1971 is a red and white version. The Joal version was two years older. In the 1973 catalogue it is the first time that this model is pictured, although there were another one with chrome finish. This last one does not appear in the catalogues, but the chromed versions are common for many Pilen models, so this one is no exception.

I like the decoration, which is rather simple. It carries race number 69, the words Escudería Pilen and two crossed flags.

This model is boxed, so we can observe that it came in a jewel box with yellow base, in which a sticker is placed with the reference number and the name of the car. I think I have shown these kind of boxes by Pilen before.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: MONZA G.T. (Ref. M-301) 
• Scale: 1:43
• Year: 1973
• Company: Pilen (Spain)
• Size: approx. 9 cm

#797 PILEN – COCHE FANTÁSTICO KITT (KNIGHT RIDER) (Ref. 343) (1986)

 

MONTH OF THE BOOTLEG AT TOYS FROM THE PAST!

If the last entry dealt with a knock-off of the Knight Rider, why not continue with another bootleg of this same TV icon? This one is completely different: the car is a die-cast model, but its scale is also 1:43 and it was also made in Spain.

The cast of this car may be familiar to people who have been reading my blog since the beginning, because I already mentioned this toy a long time ago. Visit entry #45 now or at the end of this article.

I presented a Indra by Pilen made in the 70s. The cast by 1986 was probably completely outdated and probably kept in some dark room somewhere in the factory, but the airing of Knight Rider in the Spanish television gave it a second life. In order to create a new toy that more or less resembles the car that appeared in the TV series, Pilen recovered this cast and with some modifications, they were able to market a new reference which would be a potential best-seller.

Note the differences between both the old Indra and the new KITT: in the front, that angle to put the red lights that gave kind of “personality” to the car, on both sides, the rear windows have been covered, and also a spoiler has been added at the back. The rest of the cast (except for the base) remains unchanged to my eyes. I would say the guy who modified the cast to create K.I.T.T. did an excellent job, obviously considering the limitations of faking a Pontiac Firebird with an Indra. The rear part is especially different.

UPDATE: Thanks Steve for pointing out the different engine cover, which in the Indra is flat, and in K.I.T.T. it has some kind of bulge. Quite cool!

The base is marked “Coche Fantástico KITT” (Coche Fantástico or lit. Fantastic Car was the name of the TV series in Spain), then “Pilen - Ref 343 - Made in Spain” and finally “Escala 1/43”. Rear lights are painted red from factory.

Although this car is not especially expensive or difficult to find, it is a small treasure for me.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: COCHE FANTÁSTICO KITT (Ref. 343)
• Scale: 1:43
• Year: 1986
• Company: Pilen (Spain)
• Size: approx. 8-9 cm

#625 PILEN "CAR IN CHIC" - SEAT 131 FAMILIAR (Ref.800), SEAT 131 SAFARI (Ref.816), RENAULT 4F (Ref.807), FORD FIESTA (Ref.811) and PORSCHE 917 (Ref.803b) (1978)

Until now, I never talked about Pilen models in 1:64 (3 inches) scale. Pilen is better known for 1:43 scale models, but also had a short line of 1:64 vehicles. These were available in jewel boxes and cardboard displays to hang and were mostly labelled as "Car-in-Chic". There were also a 3 inches series of vans and trucks (scale around 1:55 and 1:100) called "Car-in-Chic Transportes".

These few models are classic Pilen casts of popular cars from the the 80s. Some include very nice decorations, and these are much rarer than the standard versions in plain colours, and much more attractive. Some models have two-coloured decorations, and great decals: some are more common, like the classic police car, but other are quite exotic, like the "Safari" version of the Seat 131 or a Peugeot 504 decorated as a Taxi from Barcelona. Each model has either metallic or plastic bases, where the models with metallic bases are older than the ones with plastic bases. Some models have painted head or rear lights.

The complete list (see below)  includes 10 different models in many different decorations. The reference numbering system is quite complicated, since many references appear several times for different models. The "b", "c" and even "d" models are not ordered by appearance, I gave those letters randomly. Some models seem to me like "copies" of other die-cast brands. For example, the Porsche 917, Range Rover and Ford Torino look very similar to Corgi Juniors' models, the Seat Ritmo and the Peugeot 504 are very similar to Norev´s.

If you take a look at the list models, you´ll see that the Porsche 917 does not really match with the rest of the models. Curious decision to include such a race car among all the others.

• M-800 Seat 131 Familiar
• M-801 Seat 131 Ambulancia (White)
• M-802 Seat 131 G.C.Tráfico (Green with white doors)
• M-803 Seat 131 Policia 091 (White)
• M-803b Porsche 917
• M-803c Porsche 917 Martini (White)
• M-803d Seat Ritmo Policia 091 (White)
• M-804 Chrysler 150
• M-805 Chrysler 150 Policia (Black/White)
• M-805b Peugeot 504 Taxi
• M-806 Chrysler 150 Rallye
• M-806b Ford Fiesta
• M-807 Renault 4F
• M-807b Reanult 4F Bomberos
• M-807c Ford Fiesta Rallye
• M-808 Renault 4F Teléfonos (Dark blue)
• M-808b Seat 131 Safari
• M-809 Seat 131 G.C.Tráfico (same as 802)
• M-809b Peugeot 504
• M-810 Chrysler 150 Taxi (Black/Yellow)
• M-810b Porsche 917 (White)
• M-810c Seat Ritmo
• M-811 Ford Fiesta
• M-811b Chrysler 150 Rallye
• M-812 Ford Fiesta Iberia (Grey)
• M-813 Ford Fiesta Policia Municipal (Blue/White)
• M-814 Seat 131 Bomberos (Red)
• M-814 Range Rover
• M-815 Ford Fiesta Rallye
• M-815b Range Rover Bomberos (Red)
• M-816 Range Rover Safari (Brown)
• M-816 Seat 131 Safari (Brown)
• M-817 Ford Torino
• M-817b Fiat 132
• M-818 Ford Torino Policia (Black/White)
• M-818b Fiat 132 Rallye
• M-819 Starsky & Hutch (Red with white stripe)

 

 

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: SEAT 131 FAMILIAR (Ref.800), SEAT 131 SAFARI (Ref.816), RENAULT 4F (Ref.807), FORD FIESTA (Ref.811) and PORSCHE 917 (Ref.803b)
• Scale: 1:64
• Year: 1978
• Company: Pilen (Spain)
• Size: approx. 7 cm

#597 PILEN - ZERO "MARINA", LEAR JET 36, BOEING 747 "IBERIA", CESSNA 404 and CESSNA 210 (Refs. 703, 704, 706, 708 and 710) (Around 1981)

Pilen manufactured a few planes in approximately 7 or 8 centimeters (length) size. These were similar to other existing foreign toys, for example Matchbox or Zylmex.

In Spain, the main competitors to this type of toy were Mira (#377) and PlayMe (#378), although in my opinion, none is better than the other. PlayMe probably had the broadest collection, and the most interesting package, but Mira and Pilen also had good models with nice decorations.

In the case of Pilen there were the following models made:

• 700 / 701 - Messerschmitt BF 109 / Messerschmitt BF 109 Afrika Corps
• 702 / 703 - Zero / Zero Marina
• 704 / 705 - Lear Jet 36 Aero Taxi / Lear Jet 36
• 706 / 707 - Boeing 747 Iberia / Boeing 747 Lufthansa
• 708 / 709 - Cessna 402 / Cessna 402 Foto-Cine
• 710 / 711 - Cessna 210 / Cessna 210 Icona

Later, the series was expanded with 4 more models, again in two decorations each:

• Mirage 4000 (grey or white)
• Fokker VFW F-27 (red or dessert camo)
• C-101 Aviojet / C-101 Aviojet Marines
• C-212 Aviocar / C-212 Aviocar Icona

Each model was available in different colour variations, or different stickers, for example, the Learjet 36 with either blue tail or orange tail, or Cessna with red wings or yellow wings. The decals usually varied from one version to the other.

As you can see, my five planes are still in their original packages, which consist of a cardboard with shrinkable plastic on top. I just checked Google and could find any pictures of this type of package, so mine are the first. They seem to be quite rare. Note that the plane depicted in the card is the Mirage, so this was actually the later design for the "Aviones" made by Pilen. Earlier designs showed a Boeing 747 "Jumbo" Jet from Iberia.

The most interesting thing from the package, however, is on the backcard. The cardboard has three holes to fix the planes all in the same position and a lot of information about the plane, all models available in the collection and other types of toys made by Pilen. Earlier blister packs had a much simpler backcard, with a listing of the first 10 available models.

You can learn more about these planes in this book: #376.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: ZERO "MARINA", LEAR JET 36, BOEING 747 "IBERIA", CESSNA 404 and CESSNA 210 (Refs. 703, 704, 706, 708 and 710)
• Scale: Unknown
• Year: Around 1981
• Company: Pilen (Spain)
• Size: approx. 9-10 cm

#417 PILEN – RENAULT 12-S (1972)

This toy car was designed in August 1972, and manufactured from that moment on. The real car was the familiar car by Renault from 1969 to around 1980, so it was a car you could usually see on the Spanish roads during the 70s. That’s probably why Pilen decided to make and release it as a toy.

Pilen always took much care in its reproductions, and this car is a toy. It has practicable doors, a decent interior and some chromed plastic details (bumpers, fuel compartment interior) and also metallic hubcaps that perfectly imitate those of the real model. To increase realism, rear lights were painted red, and the license plates were also decorated with a sticker “P-503” (reference number of the toy).

In the base it is marked Auto Pilen, which is the name of the die-cast model line by Pilen. You can find more information about Pilen in previous entries dealing with this brand.

Another version was available with the reference number 504 in chromed silver. It was usual for Pilen to release some models in some colour as reference X and in chromed silver as reference X+1. The Renault 12-S was no exception.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: RENAULT 12-S (Ref. 503)
• Scale: 1:43
• Year: 1972
• Company: Pilen (Spain)
• Size: approx. 10 cm

#293 PILEN/ ARTEC – SEAT 600 and SEAT 131E (Refs. M-335 and M-521) (1974 and 1975)

PILEN AND ARTEC

  

These two cars are special for me, as I already explained in entries #226 (Seat 600) and  #207 (Seat 131). Curiously, these two models have the exact colours of the cars I knew as a kid.

Being Pilen a Spanish company, it manufactured many reproductions of Seat models in 1:43, some of them in several colours and with different decals. It is common for Pilen, that one single model in two different decorations has two different reference numbers.

Seat models by Pilen in 1:43: 600, 1600, 124, 127, 131 and 1200.

Seat models by Pilen in 1:64: 131 “familiar” and Ritmo.

SEAT 600 (M-335) from 1974:

It is interesting to note, that the 1:43 series was a nice mixture of sport cars, prototypes and “normal” cars you could see on the streets, with several decorations each. Specially eye-catching are the “rally” versions, with colourful decals.

On the other side, the 1:64 series was based almost exclusively in ordinary cars, like Seat, Ford or Peugeot, with very few sport or prototype vehicles. A notable exception is this series of F1 that came later (based on Polistil models).

SEAT 131E (M-521) from 1975:

A last comment on these car models is that, as you can see in the pictures, the Seat 600 comes in a jewel box with a black base instead of the “classic” orange one. This is so, because the model is not the original one from 1974, but a later reedition from the late 80s. Pilen ceased its production in 1983, but only 5 years later, in 1988, the company was reborn with the new name Artec. In the first catalogues from Artec, there is still place for the Pilen logo, meaning that both companies are really the same one, or at least, that Artec is the successor of Pilen.

Artec made many of the older Pilen models, and sold them in black plastic cases, instead of the orange ones. The black colour was associated to the idea of high quality and luxe, because Artec’s 1:43 series was renamed “Serie Oro” (“Gold Series”). Some models were also released as “Serie Oro Luxe”. (“Gold Series DeLuxe”).

The first of these two was sold in jewel cases like the ones you’re watching here, and often included a golden sticker with the name of the series “serie Oro”. The name of the car also appeared in one long sticker applied in the black part of the box. Together with the reference number and ARTEC.

The "Serie Oro Luxe" was sold in black cardboard boxes with windows decorated with golden stripes and golden logos.

After this series, quality decreased very notably, as we will see some other time.

Despite the black base, logo on sticker, and so on, Pilen logo appears on the box of the Seat 600.

If you want to read more about the history of Pilen, please visit this entry.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Name: SEAT 600 and SEAT 131E (Ref. M-335 and M-521)
• Scale: 1:43
• Year: 1974 and 1975
• Company: Pilen / Artec (Spain)
• Size: approx. approx. 8 to 11 cm