Around 1970 they added 1:43 scale diecast model cars to their portfolio, at first manufacturing under contract for Dinky Toys France.
After the collapse of Dinky, they bought the tooling that was in their possession and re-released some of the former French Dinky models, but in modified form and under their own brand 'Auto-Pilen'.
They did the same with their releases of models from other manufacturers, such as Corgi, Solido, Mebetoys, Tekno, Politoys (Polistil), and possibly even some Mercury models. They also developed some home market Seat models and possibly eight to ten Formula 1 Grand Prix cars from the ground up. In the end, the range comprised about sixty different castings.
Modifications to the tooling they had obtained from other manufacturers often comprised updating them to reflect the facelifts that had been carried out on the real cars, and adding details such as separate lights, fuel filler caps and trim that were formerly cast as part of the body. For example, their continuation model of the Dinky Mini has an opening bootlid, transparent red plastic taillights, chrome trim around the headlights, no external door hinges and the later grille.
The models were of very high quality throughout, finely cast, and their opening features fitted the bodies with sufficient precision.
They don't appear as heavy handed as some of the originals and they were often painted in bright, almost Spectraflame like metallics.
Their diecast wheels with separate rubber tyres were always prototypically correct for the model they went on, or representing wire wheels where appropriate, and being metal did not react with the tyres.
They were sold in transparent plastic display cases mounted to plastic baseplates with screws. Production ceased in the mid 90s.
I have the following models:
Maserati Ghibli
Seat 600
Seat 850 Spider
Vauxhall SRV
