At times, the stories of our model cars intersects with the bigger picture of history. Norway, a country with a disciplined government, decided after World War II to re-establish its trade balance by preventing imports to the maximum.  Quotas and priority imports were set.  Thus each economic sector was allocated a quota.  The toy sector not being viewed as a priority, the trade barriers were set to prevent any and all imports of toys.  This regulation was most damaging to the Danish manufacturers Lego and Tekno, who until then had relied heavily on their sales to Norway.  These two companies got around the difficulty by associating themselves with

small local firms.  Thus the Mecline company came into being.

From what I have learned, Tekno was affiliated with Mecline, as well as with Nikrom, through a technical partnership under which it leased their production facilities.  The models produced by the two brands are identical, with the exception of the chassis, where the Tekno logo is missing, and the wheel rims which are made of shaped monobloc steel.  The colors also differ (I know of a red and yellow model belonging to a friend in Stockholm).  These cars, even among Norwegians, are extremely rare.  I found mine through a sideways approach, from a sympathetic Scottish client, who spent vacations in Norway as a child, and who kept his toy car as a precious memento!

Isabelle and Vincent Espinasse. Autojaune.fr

Tags: