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1:64 Scale & Smaller
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Topic starter
02/07/2023 12:19 pm Â
The Toy House Micro Mites Road Master #15 VW Bus
I came across this Impy Road Masters  on eBay recently which raised a few questions. Lone Star introduced its Impy Road Masters line about 1966.
I have several in various colours. In 1968 they changed to fast wheels replacing the ones shown here, which must be dated between 1966 and 1968.
All mine came in boxes saying Impy and Road Master. This one is carded in the USA and distributed by World Toy House, Saint Paul, Minnesota and called Micro Mites.
They are identical to the Impy series, made in England with full opening features and label on the base. I have included an advertisement from Lone Star in Britain for this Lone Star Road Master Impy VW Bus. Note Micro Mites are not mentioned here. Â
I have just found this one blue colour so far.
This VW Bus is in 1/59 scale.Others differ slightly in scale but are close to 1/64.
Does anyone know the history and background of this series?Â
Â
 See the Jaguars in approximately 1/64 scale section for the Jaguar Mk10 in this series.
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Charles Rockett and Christopher Moroni reacted
02/07/2023 2:31 pm Â
WHAT THE HELL ARE THESE??? 😳 😳 😳 😳Â
I have never seen this VW, IMPY cars or Micro Mites! Look at all those features! How cool, I love it!! 😎 😎 😎 😎Â
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02/07/2023 4:04 pm Â
WHAT THE HELL ARE THESE??? 😳 😳 😳 😳Â
I have never seen this VW, IMPY cars or Micro Mites! Look at all those features! How cool, I love it!! 😎 😎 😎 😎Â
This is news to me as well.
  Â
02/07/2023 5:24 pm Â
This link provides all the information you need.
http://www.robertnewson.co.uk/articles/LoneStarImpy/index.html
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
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Topic starter
02/07/2023 5:47 pm Â
Hi Chris,
Thank you for this.
This is indeed a comprehensive coverage of the whole Lone Star line, much of which I collected in the 1960s and 70s. Most of this information I knew at one time or another, much forgotten unfortunately.
My question, not answered in the article is specifically about the USA distribution of the pre HotWheels Impy line by World Toy House in Saint Paul. I do see here references to other distributors in the USA, Netherlands etc. How did it come about? How long did it last? Etc.
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Christopher Moroni reacted
08/07/2023 7:07 am Â
@david-green Hi David
World Toy House (WTH) get a mention in the above book. However, they are recorded as distributers only. After their involvement with DCMT, the parent company to Lone Star Impy, they distributed Mercury Speedy, circa 1:64th scale range from the Italian company Mercury, and then when this deal ended picked up with Majorette, circa 1:64th scale range from France. I guess each engagement was fleeting and didn't last long either because WTH didn't get the profits they expected or it was ended by the manufacturing company as they felt they didn't get the best out of the deal.Â
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
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Ed Davis and David Green reacted
Topic starter
08/07/2023 7:19 am Â
Thank you Chris. I appreciate your efforts. The answer explains a lot about why I had never heard about this company despite my years of collecting. Much appreciated.
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Chris Sweetman reacted
08/07/2023 8:04 am Â
Thank you Chris. I appreciate your efforts. The answer explains a lot about why I had never heard about this company despite my years of collecting. Much appreciated.
You are welcome David and like you I wanted to get to the bottom of this puzzle!
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
  Â
Christopher Moroni reacted