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A new model of the Diego Escobar´s collection. This is the Mercedes 350 SL. The orange one is the Matchbox and the red one is an "Aguti".

Good pictures showing the front and rear bare metal detail of the rear lights and front grille etc are actually larger (from top to bottom) than the Matchbox suggesting Matchbox tooling was not used for the Aguti version, but maybe an 'Official' copy which means Matchbox has allowed Aguti to make a copy of the model if they make their own tooling as often happens in the plastic kit erea of our hobby (if you know your plastic kits then the Gowland and Airfix kits are a prime example).

Ghosthunter.

Yes, Ghosthunter, good observation! In this model Aguti shows some imprecision, some vagueness in the front part. The lights don´t match with the edge of the fender as good as occurs in the Matchbox model. Mercedes 350 SL is a good copy of Matchbos but not as good as other models of Aguti are.

Heres my Milton..Discuss and enjoy.

Ian, any chance you may have a Matchbox version to park next to it for a comparison.

Ghosty.

Sorry no can do but I have done a web comparison and its exactly the same...Plus I have searched all over the place and ca'nt find a picture of the Milton any where..I was hoping someone would come on here and tell me how common they are but lets see what a couple of days brings....

Generally speaking Milton models are not common in the UK as they were for the Indian markets and what models we do see here tend to be the same examples of their copies of Corgi and Dinky and not many Matchbox. I would consider yours as quite a scarce model.

Ghosty.

Certainly it's very similar to the Matchbox though I wonder whether the window pillars and roof might be a little thicker and the rear bumper looks wider. Good find, though!

Kingsize copy.

The foundation of the JOAL company dates to 1949 (started by JOsé Boronat Bernabeu and ALejandro Beltrá), at which time they made both small metal toys and locksmith accessories. This second activity was short lived and JOAL has concentrated on toys ever since.

Like a lot of diecast car makers, they started by making other small items including sewing machines and toy guns.

During 60's and 70's JOAL started to specialize in scale metal miniatures of cars and public works equipment, and more recently a line of trucks.

Until 2015, JOAL had about 55 employees at their 130,000 square foot, state of the art factory in Spain. Where they manufactured models of such brands as Volvo, JCB, Paus, Manitou, Komatsu, Caterpillar and Liebherr.

Joal ceased production in 2015.

Ghosthunter.