O F F - T H E - S H E L F

The following editorial reflects the personal thoughts of Doug Breithaupt relating to our common hobby of miniature cars. It is intended to generate discussion relating to 'Tales of Toy Cars'. Your letters are welcome and may be submitted via the 'Guest Book'.


Corgi, 1964 - #1-A, Jaguar Mark X, under the Husky label

Lone Star Impy, 1966 - #10, Jaguar Mark X

Guisval, 1967 - #1 Chaparral GT

Buby, 1967 - #1A Ford Falcon Policia
(I do not have the police version)

Hot Wheels, 1968 - #6208 Custom Camaro

Schuco, 1969 - #805, Mercedes-Benz 200

Tomica, 1970 - #1-1, Nissan New Bluebird SSS Coupe


The First 1:64 Scale Diecast
by Doug Breithaupt

In 2003, diecast toy car will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the production of the first Matchbox vehicle. In 1953, Matchbox produced #1-A, the Diesel Road Roller. While some might protest that Tootsietoy and others had done small-scale diecast before this date, few can challenge the fact that the first Matchbox launched one of the most popular and prolific lines of all toy cars.

If we can accept 1953 as the practical beginning for our hobby, the 50th anniversary of that date deserves recognition. In preparation, I thought it might be appropriate to produce a list of as many 1:64 scale producers as possible. WI have then tried to identify the first production dates and models for each manufacturers. The first list is my best effort to identify the initial car for produced by small-scale manufacturers. The second list is where I need some help. Let me know if you can fill-in some blanks.

Matchbox, 1953 - #1-A, Diesel Road Roller
Budgie, 1959 - #101, Austin FX4 Taxi
Majorette, 1961 - #101, B.R.M. Formula 1
Siku, 1963 - #V201, Fiat 1800
Corgi, 1964 - #1-A, Jaguar Mark X, under the Husky label
Lone Star Impy, 1966 - #10, Jaguar Mark X
Polistil Penny, 1966 - #1, B.R.M. V8 Formula 1
Guisval, 1967 - #1 Chaparral
Buby, 1967 - #1A Ford Falcon Policia
Hot Wheels, 1968 - #6208 Custom Camaro
Johnny Lightning (Topper), 1969 - #1 Custom Eldorado
Schuco, 1969 - #805, Mercedes-Benz 200
Tomica, 1970 - #1-1, Nissan New Bluebird SSS Coupe
Efsi, 1971 - #1010, Ford Model T Truck
Playart, 1971 - #7100, Batmobile
Yat Ming, 1972 - #1001, Lamborghini Miura
Ertl, 1972 - #1601, Fiat Abarth
Norev Mini-Jets, 1975 - #400, Citroen BX
Pilen, 1978 - #800, Fiat 131
Kidco, 1980 - #15000-1, Pacer Cabover Truck
Maisto, 1985 - #8441, Ford Sierra XR4Ti
Johnny Lightning (Playing Mantis), 1992 - #101, Custom El Camino
Racing Champions Mint Edition, 1996 - #1, Dodge Viper GTS (NASCAR models began in 1989)
Revell, 1999 - #86-3310, Purple Rose Low Rider

Real Toy - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Road Champs - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Zylmex - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Novacar - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Galgo - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Herpa Junior - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Welly - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Speed Wheels - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Tootsietoy, 1960 and 1992 - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Luso - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Kenner Fast Wheels - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Golden Wheels - first 1:64 scale car unknown
King Star - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Maxwell - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Hongwell - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Muki - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Marx - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Speedy (Mercury) - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Mini Dinky - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Summer - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Blue Box - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Best Box - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Mego - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Wheeler - first 1:64 scale car unknown
A.M.T. Pups - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Aurora Cigarbox - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Mandarin - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Avvia - first 1:64 scale car unknown
Metchy - first 1:64 scale car unknown


Efsi, 1971 - #1010, Ford Model T Truck
(Efsi took over the old Best Box line)

Yat Ming, 1972 - #1001, Lamborghini Miura

Ertl, 1972 - #1601, Fiat Abarth

Norev Mini-Jets, 1975 - #400, Citroen BX
(while this is the first of Norev's 400 series cars, it seem a bit too new)

Johnny Lightning (Playing Mantis), 1992 - #101, Custom El Camino

Racing Champions Mint Edition, 1996 - #1, Dodge Viper GTS (NASCAR models began in 1989)