|
QUESTION:Well, I've done the Big Three - Hot Wheels, Matchbox and Johnny
Lightning - and now I intend to take my "What I Like/Don't Like" posts
to slightly less well known but nonetheless very interesting diecast toy
brands such as Siku, Majorette, Yat Ming, Lledo and New Zealand's own
Fun Ho! This week, I'm going to look at the German brand, Siku. For the
uninitiated, Siku toys are made by Sieperwerke, a German company founded
in 1921. They only began making toys in 1949, and initially, these were
all plastic. The name Siku is derived from the first two letters of
Sieperwerke and the first two letters of "Kunststoff", which is German
for plastic. However, in 1963, Matchbox entered the German market and
was an immediate hit. So Siku switched to diecast metal toys and have
been making them ever since. I only discovered Siku in January 1998, but
have since become a big fan. Siku is my third most collected diecast
brand behind Matchbox and Hot Wheels. Here are some of the reasons I
like it so much:
Made in Germany - not China or some other Asian country, but Germany,
home of precision engineering! Unlike Matchbox, Siku has remained with
its original company and is made in the same country it started in. It's
really cool to have models of German cars that are actually made in
German, just like their real-life counterparts!
Superb Attention to Detail - Siku toys, even the little 1/64 scale
models, have wonderful detail. For example, most Mercedes-Benz cars have
the Merc logo on the wheel hubs, just like the real ones do! The
majority of cars have license plates, rear-view mirrors molded in, a
petrol cap molded in, realistic headlight detailing and the real maker's
logo or ID where you would expect it. There are some particularly nice
models of German cars. Many Sikus also have moving parts, like opening
doors or, in the case of hatchbacks and station wagons, an opening
hatch. Larger scale models often have several working parts. For
example, I have a couple of 1/55 scale ambulances which have opening
rear and side doors. Not only that, but inside them is a stretcher bed
which can be pulled out!
Real Vehicle's Specifications on Base - A lot of Siku vehicles, mainly
cars, but also some larger scale models like the ambulances and the
Linde Forklift, have the real vehicle's specifications on the base. This
information is in German, but it's easy enough to figure out. You get
the engine size (in cylinders), displacement, power (in both HP - PS in
German - and kW), RPMs and top speed (in km/h). In the case of the Linde
Forklift, you get the lifting and weight capacity! So, collecting Siku
toys can be quite educational! I know of no other brand that actually
puts the real vehicle's specs on the base. Some (like Dinky), might have
this sort of info on the box, but not on the model itself.
Nice Packaging - 1/64 scale models come in cute little blisterpacks
which usually have the vehicle's name in German, English and French.
Many BPs also feature a little plastic international road sign, which is
a nice touch. Larger vehicles come in window boxes which you can open
without ruining the packaging. This leaves you with the option of taking
the vehicle out to play with, then putting it back in the box for
display. Occasionally, you get a road sign in the larger boxes too.
No B.S. - There are no silly fantasy cars like the Rottwheeler or
Sharkruiser in the Siku range. In fact, there are no concept vehicles at
all. Every model is based on a REAL CAR. And there are no garish paint
jobs either. Siku vehicles have no-nonsense color schemes which are most
pleasant to behold. Some do have tampo, often in German. But without a
doubt, there is no B.S. with Siku. It takes you back to Matchbox Regular
Wheels in that regard.
Excellent Value for Money: Such nice models could attract quite a high
price tag, but because they are marketed as toys, most Sikus are very
reasonable. I can get 1/64 scale cars for NZ$2.95 (about US$1.50).
Larger scale models cost a bit more, but are still pretty good value for
what they are.
All-Time Favorite Siku: This would definitely have to be one of the new
releases: the Tram, which is a delightful two-carriage electric affair
with "Stadt Rundfahrt Dresden" on it. (This means "Dresden City Tour".)
It's simply ausgezeichnet (magnificent). Close behind this delectable
model would have to be the Citroen 2CVs (with and without roof),
Volkswagen Beetles (sedan and cabriolet) and Rover Mini Cooper. But
there are so many other great models too, like the two Ambulances I
mentioned.
Well, that's what I like about Siku. Es ist ja super! You may agree with
some, all or none of what I've said. But whatever your views are, I'd
like to hear them! And if there are any German readers out there, bitte
senden Sie mir ein E-Mail! Mir wrde es sehr gut gefallen, ber
Spielzeugautos zu reden, vor allen Dingen Siku, Matchbox, oder Hot
Wheels! Danke.
ANSWER: We were discussing Sikus on the Matchbox message board a while ago, and
someone pointed out that the newer ones, made since 1997, I think, are
made in China. (Sorry to say) I guess any of them that don't have
"Made In Germany" or "Made in West Germany" on the base are China made.
At least that's the information I was given.
They're still really nice models. I recently picked up a gull-wing
Mercedes with real working doors. One of my favorite small-scale cars.
|
|
|
|
