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Topic starter
04/04/2021 5:33 pm
1953 BUICK SKYLARK by PLAYTOY (Belgium, c. 1980)
I purchased this 1:43 Buick Skylark in “played with” condition. It was missing side chrome on one side, 1 hubcap center, 1 tail light, and needed a lot of tender care. For the last few days, I’ve been having fun with it. My biggest failure has been the missing parts, so I’ve used a “patch something up” approach hoping sometime in the future to find a parts car. (Click on picture for enlargement.)
The full story of this Buick is still a little murky. It is marked on the bottom as BUICK SKYLARK 1953, No. 34, PLAYTOY, Belgium, P3 11/84, and a signature impressed into the base that could be “C. Brianza.” From several sources, primarily HOBBYDB, the PLAYTOY firm seems to have operated in the early and mid 1980’s in Belgium and was or became a part of ABC- Brianza of Italy. Before 1994 this small firm was owned and operated by the model car builder Carl Brianza. He had been building primarily metal models of various scales (1:14 was a favorite) for various firms. The Playtoy of the mid-1980’s seems to have been a division or localized application of Carl Brianza’s model building, utilizing resin as the primary material. I have found pictures and/or records of these Playtoy 1:43 models: 1946 Chrysler Town & Country convertible, 1957 Cadillac Eldorado, 1953 Buick Skylark, and Rover R2 sedan, 1938. These seem to center in the decade of the 1980’s and then stop. There may be other PLAYTOY models that I have missed. I own only the Buick.
Carl Brianza built many intricate models in various skills, and after his death in 1994, members of his family have continued the business. A visit to the web site at abc@abcbrianza.com would be most enjoyable. Their subjects are most often Italian cars, but other makes show up at times. Scales vary, but it seems that 1:43 and 1:14 are prevalent.
I would welcome additional information on this subject.
And now for the real reason for this lengthy (!) post:
04/04/2021 6:40 pm
David, it looks like you've done very nice job of bringing it back from the brink. Maybe another model in dire condition could provide donor parts down the road.
I know very little about Playtoy. A few years ago, I did see one of these for sale on eBay, it was in very pitiful shape so I really didn't pay much attention to it.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
04/04/2021 8:42 pm
From a few months ago here: https://diecast.org/community/1_43/playtoy-1-43-1957-cadillac-eldorado-biarritz-top-up-convertible/
Topic starter
04/04/2021 10:15 pm
Thanks, Karl. I had forgotten it also. It looks in much better condition than mine.
05/04/2021 9:34 am
When Grand Prix Models had visitor days pre Covid-19 I could see a vast range of models from a variety of manufacturers including ABC Brianza. The passage below has been copied from their website which describes current production:
"One of the longest established makers of resin & metal kits & hand built models. Casting quality usually very good, although panel engraving can be variable. Kits generally well thought out and often see extensive use of photo-etched parts for the finer detailing, particularly on the many pre and early post-war road car subjects. Hand built models usually very well finished with excellent paintwork and presented in individual display cases. Made in Italy."
https://www.grandprixmodels.com/ABC341-Talbot-Lago-T26GS-Coupe-Figoni-Falaschi-Road.aspx
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK