Some finds!!

[motorman]

i'm sure he would oblige if requested although I would refrain from posting in an open forum because of you know who

Very good point Reginald.

reginald .....am i in trouble

Just being respectful to your excellent judgement call my friend.

[motorman]

If you imagine a timeline from about 1973 on the left and 1981 on the right, the picture below shows how the packing changed over time (did not have all as #27 boxes so I had to improvise).

The earliest boxes have a Roly Toys address (Roly Toys models were also issued as blisterpacks). When the company name changed to Inbrima, the address changed, even though the early Inbrima box style was the same with the yellow labels. There are other box and label variations not pictured.

Thanks David for your input, very interesting as always and extremely helpful.

I really love the #27 Lamborghini Countash in Metallic red with the '5' label. It looks so good in that colour.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Yes David, great contribution to the thread.

Ghosthunter.

[vetrad]

Sure! Didn't mean to interrupt. I'll let you guys get back at it

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Sure! Didn't mean to interrupt. I'll let you guys get back at it

Ooh no, don't stop, you clearly have some important material in your collection that is just what we want in this thread, so do please carry on...

Ghosthunter.

[leonty24]

W'asnt there a import embargo on the import of completed models and so Matchbox imported non painted components
to overcome the embargo i would assume the box's were printed in Brazil

[ritchie]

If you imagine a timeline from about 1973 on the left and 1981 on the right, the picture below shows how the packing changed over time (did not have all as #27 boxes so I had to improvise).

The earliest boxes have a Roly Toys address (Roly Toys models were also issued as blisterpacks). When the company name changed to Inbrima, the address changed, even though the early Inbrima box style was the same with the yellow labels. There are other box and label variations not pictured.

Apart from the one you‘ve shown, I found the box with Pontiac Firebird box art also has a Roly Toys version. Wonder if others like Dodge Challenger / Formula 5000 boxes also exist a Roly Toys version?

[vetrad]

W'asnt there a import embargo on the import of completed models and so Matchbox imported non painted components
to overcome the embargo i would assume the box's were printed in Brazil

That is my understanding too. From what I can tell, this occurred near Christmas 1972. Before that, models seem to have been England assembled and England boxes were marked with import tape/stickers.

[vetrad]

If you imagine a timeline from about 1973 on the left and 1981 on the right, the picture below shows how the packing changed over time (did not have all as #27 boxes so I had to improvise).

The earliest boxes have a Roly Toys address (Roly Toys models were also issued as blisterpacks). When the company name changed to Inbrima, the address changed, even though the early Inbrima box style was the same with the yellow labels. There are other box and label variations not pictured.

Apart from the one you‘ve shown, I found the box with Pontiac Firebird box art also has a Roly Toys version. Wonder if others like Dodge Challenger / Formula 5000 boxes also exist a Roly Toys version?

That doesn't make sense to me. The Firebird was not made until 1975. At that time the company name was already changed to Inbrima?

[GHOSTHUNTER]

'ROLY TOYS' as a company introduced their very first diecast metal cars in 1965. It was a Renault Alpine A108 in road or 'Interlagos' race trim. They became the distributor for Matchbox models in that Country.

The description on the base of the Alpine reads...ROLY TOYS. Industria Brasileira.

Their models were catalogued as...
1, Willy's Interlagos Berlinetta.
2, DKW Vemaguet (estate) in Fire or Police trim.
3, VW Kombi Bus, truck and Ambulance versions.
4, Scania Vabis.
5, VW Beetle.
6, Willy's Jeep.
7, Mercedes-Benz fuel tanker in Shell, Esso or Texaco trim.

The 'ROLY TOYS' name is often connected to the manufacture of Matchbox toys in Brazil under License from Lesney, but the official connection date between Leslie Smith and the Two Guys responsible for starting Roly Toys is 1964 or 1965 which is pretty close to Roly Toys own model production so why they would go to Lesney so soon after launching their own range is not clear.

Ghosthunter.