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Topic starter
19/02/2025 5:43 pm
Thank you Michael de Torrice for showing us the Rio Fiat which you received as a child from your father. It reminded me of other significant models that they produced. A rare American car was the 1908-9 Chalmers Detroit. Much of my information comes from Wikipedia.
The Chalmers Motor Company was an American automobile manufacturer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1908 by Hugh Chalmers, the company was known for producing high-end vehicles. Chalmers automobiles gained recognition for their toughness, durability, and engineering receiving particular praise for their performance in touring events. The stockholders voted to rename the company the Chalmers-Detroit Motor Company on June 15, 1908, and later the Chalmers Motor Company on January 26, 1910. The company reached its peak in 1911, becoming the eighth-largest auto producer in the United States. Despite initial success, the company faced challenges with increasing competition in the auto industry, and sales began to decline in the following years. In 1923, Chalmers Motor Company merged with Maxwell Motors,ultimately forming the basis for the Chrysler.
Their first produced car was the Chalmers Detroit 30 in 1908 with sales totalling 3,047 cars.
Rio, In Italy, produced a model of this vehicle in 1/43 scale, a 1909 Chalmers Detroit 30 in green with top up.
RIO 1/43 - REF 16 - CHALMERS DETROIT 30 RUNABOUT 1909
RIO Models was an Italian manufacturer of diecast and plastic 1:43 scale model cars, based in Cernobbio, Italy.
Production started in 1961 and continues even today. A few new models a year were sporadically produced until the company had a line of over 30 cars by
1972 and over 60 by 1978.RIO models first appear to have been imported into the United States by David Sinclair, a model enthusiast who brought many previously unknown European model brands to the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s. In 2011 RIO Models was acquired by M4 models of Pesaro, Italy, makers of the Best Model and Art Model lines.
19/02/2025 7:11 pm
What a great-looking replica of this automobile ! They made a number of interesting models and it was not surprising that this originally Italian diecast company produced some very nice examples of companies like Fiat.
19/02/2025 7:50 pm
19/02/2025 9:54 pm
Very neat model, David, and thank you for including some history regarding both the 1:1 and Rio models.
19/02/2025 11:01 pm
Very neat model, David, and thank you for including some history regarding both the 1:1 and Rio models.
+1
David Green reacted
21/02/2025 11:01 am
I still have 40 Rio models and this is one of my favorites. It dates from 1965. I don't think they made another US car until 1970 with the SJ Duesenberg.
Christopher Moroni and David Green reacted
Topic starter
21/02/2025 11:54 am
Harvey, I too have a lot of RIO models. I got most of them quite cheaply and consider them an excellent value. I currently have three versions of the SJ Duesenberg, the most recent being the No.86 version in red. I will try to dig up images and post them here. Maybe a feature on their American model would be appreciated here.
Tony Perrone reacted
22/02/2025 10:29 am
Here are my friend Robert's Rios - 1931 Cadillac V16 Cabriolets!
and one of my Duesie's!
David Green reacted
22/02/2025 10:31 am
I forgot - they also did a 1928 and 1941 Lincoln...
Christopher Moroni and David Green reacted
22/02/2025 12:26 pm
I have a few RIOs here & there.... including one of the "Popemobile" variants, but the one I really regret not getting many years ago was this version of Hitler's car....
David Green reacted
22/02/2025 9:45 pm
I have the old Rio 22 in maroon. My notes say the license matches Hitler's "Birthday Car" from 1939 but I don't remember where I got that. The old Rio might have been the first diecast with independent coil spring suspension.
Karl Schnelle and David Green reacted