Siam Di Tella 1500

By Maz Woolley 

BMC (British Motor Corporation) made their cars at plants around the world, particularly in the English speaking countries with close ties like Australia. They also licensed makers in other countries to produce vehicles using their body shells and components.

We are all familiar with Australian cars like the Morris Major that were based on BMC vehicles sold in the UK but heavily changed to suit local tastes.  Less familiar are the cars made by  Siam Di Tella in the Argentine.  A pickup based upon the Austin A50 (Pre-Farina) called the Argenta seems to have been made initially and was followed by the 1500 series which include a car, traveller and pickup (again called the Argenta) which combined a Farina Riley 4/72 front end with an Austin A55 rear and was fitted with a 1500cc B series engine later uprated to 1600cc in line with UK production.

Initially cars were made from knocked down kits but local production soon replaced that.  In the later years of production a Magnette was offered with an MG style front and rear end, a unique bonnet ornament. A stylised ‘S’ badge was fitted where an MG badge would have been  on the radiator but in later years an MG badge was used.

Given that we have yet to see a budget diecast Riley 4/72 it is amazing that Ixo/DeAgostini has created a Siam Di Tella 1500 Saloon and Taxi in their partworks series. We have of course had a lovely 4/72 from Silas Models but this is rather more fragile and expensive.

I read a review of the model that suggested that the Austin A55 mould used by Altaya may have been the basis for this model but a close examination shows that this casting is different in particular it is correctly narrower than the A55 which was too wide.

Group shots of the Altaya A55 [right], Silas 4/72 [left] and Siam Di Tella [middle] cars show the differences between the models.

The model of the Siam Di Tella looks good when compared to photographs which can be viewed on the web. The shape is convincing as are the front and back ends with all their inserted parts. Unique Siam Di Tella badging is printed neatly.

Inside the black moulding has full door car details and a really nice moulded dashboard and the large steering wheel is excellently modelled with the chrome horn ring included. No details are picked out which is a shame as this means most people will never appreciate the detail which is there.

The model leads me to musing on what might be. The 1:43 Vanguards range included excellent Austin Cambridge A60 saloon and its equivalent Morris Oxford. And since then Oxford Diecast has produced an Austin A60 to 1:76 scale. This leaves an opportunity for Oxford Diecast or Corgi to make the Riley, MG, and Traveller versions which would be very popular in 1:43 as well as 1:76. Or do we have to wait for someone to commission PCT Industries to create them?