Polistil (originally called Politoys) was a toy company, based in Milan, but with production in Chiari (BS).
It was famous for its plastic and metal models, in various scales. It closed its doors in 1993, after 33 years of activity, in collaboration with Tonka. It is now owned by the Chinese group May Cheong Group.
But let's start from the beginning, that is, from 1955, when thanks to Eugenio Agrati and Ennio Sala, under the name of Politoys APS, it began producing 1/41 scale plastic model cars, in parallel with the Italian Mercury and the foreign Corgi, Dinky, Norev and Solido. Ten years later, the production of die-cast metal in 1/43 scale was started. This allowed Politoys to enter a narrow circle, on a par with other European houses, of companies with the best production of die-cast models, such as the Italian Mebetoys, the French Solido and the German Schuco. Despite this, Politoys was unable to match the success that Dinky and Corgy Toys had in the United States. This was also due to the vast range of models that its competitors were producing.
In 74 the company changed its name to Polistil. It is assumed that this change was necessary to avoid confusion with the English brand Palitoy.
For children of the time, like me, it is easy to remember the famous slot cars, the electric tracks called Policar, with which endless races were held, until the brushes and the engine wore out and the fun was interrupted.
In addition to the electric tracks mentioned above, the many series produced also include military vehicles, racing cars, industrial vehicles, motorcycles and even cars featuring Walt Disney cartoon characters. Without forgetting dolls, action figures, robots and the combination safe. Let's list the models of our 500s in chronological order.
► Series M5XX art. 512 from '65 – 500 Giardiniera (photo 1). Opening front bonnet and rear hatch, while the doors do not; black steering wheel, red velvet interior (for the first models), suspension, front lights with rhinestones and the rear lights painted red.
Colors: Metallic Blue, Metallic Brown Bronze and French Blue (rare).
1st series plate MI 7141 white
2nd series black plate MI B07032
Also present is the E series, cheaper than the M5XX, because it only has opening doors, or even no openings at all.
►Serie M art. S599 500 Abarth in 1/25 scale from '69 to '73 (photos 2 to 6).
It is certainly the most popular model in this scale, with four openings, removable sunroof, removable star-shaped alloy wheels like the Firestone-branded tires, shock absorbers and many decals that reflect the sportiness of the car. White plastic front lights and red rear lights applied. MI K71420 license plate, black Politoys metal base. – M no. 599 with FIAT 500 L logo, folding seats with black interior, chrome steering wheel and gear lever.
The most common colors are blue and metallic red. The solid colors are: light blue, orange, red, white, gray and yellow while the metallic colors are: bottle green, dark green, green, light blue, brown and light blue.
The model is sold in a bubble-box with red plastic side decals with white writing, which reports the description of the model. The key to unscrew the screw that fixes the model to the base is included.
► MG series art. 21 in 1/43 (photo 7-9): I don't remember the year of release, but I think early 70s: 500 L caricature. In the same series appeared the caricatures of the series cars, which for the Italian models, were FIAT 126 – 127 – A 112 and AR ALFASUD. (continued)
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NB: in my research, given the enormous production of models in various scales, I tried to concentrate the news on the subject as much as possible.
For more information and photos see www.quellidellapolistil.it, www.aessemodels.it, or the book by P. Rampini “Modelcars made in Italy 1900-1990”, Giorgio Nada Editore (2003).
Thanks to member Claudio Mattioli for his availability (photos 2 to 9 are from his collection).
As always, for anyone who has information on the matter or wants to know more, you can write to my mail.
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