Karl AKA Stroget is an active curator at HobbyDB of many of the 1/43 model car brands. He has been adding model cars to the DB since 2014; some of his favorites are Alfa Romeo and obsolete Tekno from Denmark!
All images are copyright of Miguel Stefanelli, except where noted.
As a follow-up to Part II, we now discuss model numbers 8 to 11. Roly Toys did not produce a catalogue showing these newer models; their one previous catalogue only showed models 1 to 7.
The approximate scale for this model is 1:112. It´s a mystery why Roly Toys introduced this model into its line. Further analysis suggests that the model is a mix based on two well know Centurions. The body looks like a Dinky Nº 651, but the chassis shows its connection with Matchbox´s Mk III version, available in Major Pack M3: Transporter and Centurion Mk III Tank.
Most common colors for this model are a light sand or an olive green, but like other Roly Toys models, there are always questions and surprises. Years ago on the former Die Cast Cult Virtual Magazine, a collector posted a few images of his camouflaged Centurion in light and medium brown. Another one was offered on a Brazilian auction site in a camouflage with two shades of green. Unfortunately, there are no other details or better images to check their originality.
At least two versions of the rubber tracks are know: a “solid” one in black and a gray version with perforated tracks. Four small plastic rollers keep the tracks on place.
Brazil was the only country to produce the VW Karmann Ghia outside Germany, so it caused a sensation when it was released.
Roly Toys introduced some improvements compared to their older models in this one: integrated wipers, a rear view mirror in the windshield, and a more detailed interior with pedals, shifter and hand brake. Inside the chassis there is a small “step” where a plastic piece is sandwiched in, providing a suspension effect. The flat chassis has a corrugated finish, which we call a “granulated chassis”.
The windshield is very fragile, so finding a perfect one takes a lot of luck!
Roly Toys introduced a newer Willys Interlagos with some changes from the previous Nº 1 version. The same upgrades as described above on the Karmann Ghia are found, with the granulated chassis. Another interesting detail is the removal of the ‘Berlineta’ name. This version is very rare.
Roly Toys also introduced a new Scania-Vabis Dump truck into its lineup, very similar to the previous Nº 4 model. The chassis is now closed and shows a few more details like engine, gear box and prop shaft among other items. The support tab design under the dump changed from a rectangular one to a single pin that locks into a small hole or cradle in the chassis. This design change makes the dump more steady when closed.
They also changed the colors. Earlier Nº 4 models had two different cabin and dump colors, with a black chassis, but this new version is only know in a single color livery, nicknamed the “Monochrome Scania”. None of the trucks from the Roly Toys line had glazing or interior.
Differences between Scania-Vabis Nº 4 and Nº 11 are shown below.
In 1968, a small revolution hit the toy market: Hotwheels released its first series of models with “fast rolling” wheels. A new sensation with fast moving cars in shiny, metallic colors and chrome details, plus tracks to play with!
Hotwheels 1968: https://hotwheels.mattel.com/explore/HW_50th/en/history
Their success was soon followed by other manufacturers like Johnny Lightning and Matchbox that released their “Superfast” version.
Johnny Lightning 1969: http://johnnylightning.com/about-us/
Matchbox Superfast 1969: http://bestride.com/news/entertainment/your-first-car-the-history-of-matchbox-toys
Roly Toys a short time later entered this new era with two models. The following documentation shows that Roly Toys applied for a registration of the name “Rodas Quentes” (which means Hot Wheels in Portuguese) in December 1969, but in January 1970, they applied for the name Bólidos. In the end, they chose the Bólidos name, which in Portuguese means meteor or fast car, hence ‘superfast”!
Using the same body from the regular Nº 9, Roly introduced their new chassis, axles and wheels. A new plastic insert was secured with bolts in the chassis to provide a suspension effect. Like other brands, metallic colors were introduced, sometimes even on the regular models.
This metallic red is another great find with the windsheld intact!
Again, Roly Toys used the previous body and numbering with the new Bólidos chassis. Roly Toys never produced the plastic tracks to race on, but these models could run on the Hotwheels or Matchbox tracks.
The image below shows the difference between the flat chassis from the Nº 1 version and the new Nº10 Bólidos version. The new plastic part holds both axles and provides the suspension effect.
Part IV will bring more info on these models as well as more Roly Toy curiosities about these small jewels manufactured in Rio de Janeiro from 1964 to 1970.
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