1924 CITROEN 5CV ROADSTER and other models by R.A.M.I. of France.

 About thirty years ago, I found one of the RAMI series and it caught my interest.  These were imported to the United States mostly in the 1970's and 80's, and I think they provided a bridge between toys and the 1:43 scale collectors.  According to my RAMI catalog pictured above, I have an example of each produced, even though not all color variations.  I look forward to David Green's good photography of these models.

I knew David could not resist!  He write the book on RAMI (well at least the US version of it):    MAR Online

🤨 🙂 

My favorite has always been the SPA!

I found the same Delaunay at a toy show in east TN a couple years back, while Don Anderson and I were patroling the aisles.

@d-m-holcombe

David, thanks to Karl's referral to MAR Online, I have visited your very fine article on RAMI. I'm extremely impressed.

I will continue on The Digest Zone to share  4 or 5 more RAMI models which I know are in your MAR article. Hopefully it will generate a little more interest in these historic and in my mind well done models from 50 to 60 years ago. These antiques do grow on you.

Thank you once again David and Karl.

I thought that I would share today the most famous of all French Automobiles, as voted in a poll of the French public. It is:

The 1907 RENAULT TAXI DE LA MARNE by R.A.M.I.

The name Taxi de la Marne was not used until the outbreak of World War I, when the fleet of Paris taxis was requisitioned by the French Army to transport 4000 badly needed troops from Paris to the First Battle of the Marne starting on  September 9th. 1914. Their contribution helped blunt the German advance in Paris, helping to save the city. Those same Marne taxis also transported wounded soldiers back from the front. 

This was the first model issued by RAMI in 1958 and does not even have RAMI stamped on the base. This is another of my European purchases over 50 years ago.

The absence of the "R.A.M.I." has never come to my attention before, David.  Good point and thank you!  David H

One of my favourite R.A.M.I. models, No. 29 

1912 S.P.A. Sports Car

Good choice, David!  This little SPA is perhaps the most eye-catching of this entire series.  I also like your set.

One of my few RAMIs - I wish I knew how many 'brown box' model cars they produced! 

No.10 1934 HISPANO-SUIZA Town Car by R.A.M.I.

Hispano-Suiza is a Spanish automotive–engineering company and, after World War I, a French aviation engine and components manufacturer. It was founded in 1904 by Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt and Spanish investors. It is best known for its pre-World War II luxury cars and aviation engines.

This pleasant looking model was introduced in 1961 and is somewhat underscale compared to most of the other RAMI models.

@karl

Hi Karl,

I just re-read your article in MAR about the 1965 brown box issues by Lakeside Press, under Highway Travel label. It is very informative and the only information that I have found on this topic.

I have only seen one of these, the Tekno Jaguar E-Type in grey with the box and, I think a leaflet.

This was for sale at the Canadian Toy Collectors Society Toy Show in Toronto about 2016. I did not buy it at the $125 asking price but I was intrigued. I do have the Jaguar in its normal Tekno box.

Your article helps and I wonder just how many models were actually gathered and issued by Lakeside Press.

Posted by: @david-green

Your article helps and I wonder just how many models were actually gathered and issued by Lakeside Press.

I was fortunate to know a collector friend in Chicago who hooked me up to a man who had an uncle who...   A fun story!  https://www.maronline.org.uk/the-brown-box-mystery/    Glad you found that 5-ytear old article from MAR Online!

No.36 1898 LACROIX DE LA VILLE by R.A.M.I.

This interesting three wheeler is the last of this series that I will share for the next while. It was introduced in 1968.

There were as best I can judge, 39 models in the series with several variations and assorted packaging. No.2 was changed in 1970 from a 1900 De Dion-Bouton to a 1902 Motobloc starting in 1971. Total catalogue numbers appear to be 38.

Karl Schnelle has a MAR Online entry above if you desire more detailed information.

Thank you, David, for these good pictures.  It's good to know that I'm not the only Rami collector out there!  And more thanks for the link to the "brown box" article.  Good one!