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Topic starter
23/02/2021 11:54 am
Mebetoys was an Italian toy manufacturer that produced diecast model cars during the 1960s and 1970s. The company was purchased by Mattel in 1969
Incrementally, Mattel changed many aspects of Mebetoys. Hard plastic 'speed' tires replaced rubber and new California custom body designs were introduced in 1:43 scale and marketed as Hot Wheels Gran Toros, though they still said Mebetoys on the base. Thus the marque became less 'European' with more Mattel influence.
Here are several catalogue pages.
Here is one example of a packaged Gran Toros Porsche Carrera.
I sold most of my Gran Toros years ago. Does anyone have models that they could share here?
23/02/2021 12:00 pm
23/02/2021 12:03 pm
And some big Hot Wheels!
Topic starter
23/02/2021 12:06 pm
Wow! Karl. That was a very fast response. Good images. I plan on spending some time on the Gran Toros site that you recommend.
Thank you.
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
24/02/2021 12:02 am
@karl I've seen that site before, it is superb. I wish there was a site like that for all model car makes.
Karl Schnelle and Karl Schnelle reacted
24/02/2021 7:28 am
I'm probably wrong about this but didn't Mattel issue the "Twinmill" and "Silhouette" models as redlines in their original issue way back when or did they appear after they acquired Mebetoys?
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
24/02/2021 8:56 am
I'm probably wrong about this but didn't Mattel issue the "Twinmill" and "Silhouette" models as redlines in their original issue way back when or did they appear after they acquired Mebetoys?
The Silhouette was in the original sweet 16 Hot Wheels (redlines) from 1968; the Twinmill was a year later, so perhaps Mattel wanted to start making the new 1/43 Hot Wheels and choose 2 very popular originals to connect the series together!