Manufactured Under License in New Zealand by Tonka Manufacturing Ltd.
Text and photos from Ian Cousins
Intercars #104 AMX Javelin
I am not sure of the years these were manufactured in New Zealand. I first came across them in a little secondhand toy shop in South Dunedin in the 1980s. I purchased them for my collection simply because they had been made in New Zealand from imported dies at a time when New Zealand had some very restrictive importing laws that meant metal toys could not be imported without being subject to very high import duties.
Intercar Fiat Ballila Buggy
In those early days, I didn't record the dates I bought items, but I often recorded the prices I paid (a mere $2.00 AU each). I am relying solely on memory here and... let's face it... as we get older, our memories become less reliable. The original date of manufacture would have been the late Sixties or early Seventies, but I didn't become aware of the models until at least the early Eighties.
As I recall it, I was living in my "new" house (built in 1864) and my son was still just a baby (born 1981).
Intercars #103 Chevrolet Camaro
Each model came in its own plastic display case with a cardboard "road" mounted on the inside. The models were in 1:43 scale and were held onto the cardboard base by rubber bands. The cardboard mounting base had the words ‘MANUFACTURED UNDER LICENCE IN N.Z. BY TONKA MANUFACTURING LTD. AUCKLAND.' and also listed a total of 11 models.
Since then I have become aware of different packaging, where the model was released in a "standard" window box, but still with the cardboard insert base.
The models originally were produced in Spain by Narcoral who, like many Spanish companies, ‘borrowed' or copied models from existing ranges by Tekno, Solido, Matchbox and Dinky.
The Lamborghini Marzal had a different number (outside the 100-109 of the others) because it was originally a Sablon model from Belgium.
Intercars Fiat Ballila
The two Fiats originate from Mercury in Italy and the American cars bear a very strong resemblance to the AMT 1:43 plastic kits.
Intercars #101 Chevrolet Corvette
According to one source, the models were actually cast in Spain and shipped here in knocked down format (individual components that were then painted and assembled in factories in New Zealand) - just like real cars were at the time.
The models are not good quality by today's standards but are very much a part of the history of New Zealand made models. The base of the models have the following cast into the base "INTERCARS Camaro, E1:43 REF 105. FABRICOR ESPANA."
The models had opening doors and full chrome plated motors. It is worth mentioning that, at the time of release, they were up to the current standard with opening parts, window glazing, suspension, plated parts and fully fitted interior, although the standard of paint work was sometimes less than desired.
The following is the list of models declared on the base of the packaging:
#6 Lamborghini Marzal
#101 Chevrolet Corvette
#102 Ford Mustang
#103 Chevrolet Camaro
#104 AMX Javelin
#105 Ford Thunderbird
#106 de Tomaso Mangusta
Tags: Vehicles
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