Goldvarg Original White Metal, Part II

Photographs are from hobbyDB.com where the Goldvarg archive is stored.

We continue the Goldvarg story from Part I.

After his first successes, Sergio Goldvarg concentrated his efforts to expand the Goldvarg Collection range. The next model planned was the 1956 Lincoln Premiere Hardtop (GC-4), which was ready for manufacturing. However, Henk Van Asten, the proprietor of the Conquest and Madison ranges made by SMTS, introduced his own variant of this model. Sergio did not want to compete with Henk, not only because he was his friend, but also because van Asten was the importer for the Goldvarg Collection in Holland. Thus, the decision was made to postpone production. When the time came, Sergio did not have the opportunity to produce it.

Two Lincoln prototypes in slightly different colors are shown below and in the hobbyDB archive.

Another project, which wasn’t realized was the 1947 restyling of the 1946 Chevrolet Stylemaster. Sergio and Mariana decided to concentrate on new models, and not on modifying previous models.

Two historical documents are shown next. Original notes on the first two Goldvarg Collection models is first, with numbers for each country (source: Sergio Goldvarg). Then a full page ad from Model Auto Review (Dec 1990) is shown. Note that many of the planned models from 1990 were never put into production.

On August 31, 1991, the brass master of the 1951 Kaiser Henry J (GC-12) was finished. On that same day, their first child, Kevin, was born. That’s why this model is very important for Sergio and Mariana and so they didn’t delay the manufacturing despite the Henry J having a later GC-12 reference number.

At the end of 1992, sales began. The model was finished in a light metallic gray-blue with maroon interior. The door handles, patrol cap and rear mirror were made as separate parts. The spare wheel in a special chromed metal cover was also modeled . The model was completed by a sun visor and the rear window had a specific shape, a feature of the Kaiser-Fraser group. On the base plate, in addition to the standard information, was a tribute to their son Kevin. About 800 units of these models were produced.

The Kaiser Henry J was a 1950s compact car which failed on the market. So, many model manufacturers have never tried to produce it. But on the other hand, the Henry J was also manufactured in Argentina, and it became a very important part of the Argentinian auto industry. Thus, Goldvarg appreciated all it’s merits.

At the same time, the 1950 Packard Woodie (GC-6) was launched. For this woody, Sergio introduced a new innovation – the wooden panels used original mahogany wood! When sales began, it was a sensation among the collectors. The standard green color was a wonderful combination with the side panels and added realism. The sun visor and the Packard’s mascot on the bonnet also got attention from collectors. When sales began, Brooklin decided to introduce their variant. But for many collectors, the Goldvarg was more interesting and its sales were quite good.

Goldvarg also made a special promotional version for Paul Bender. It was painted in white, had no wooden panels and sun visor; decals for Bender’s Wholesale Distributors were placed on the sides of the model.

The Argentinian factory produced 1365 units of the 1950 Packard Woodie.

During the 90s, competition between white model manufacturers significantly increased. Collectors wanted to more sophisticated models, and at the same time the modelers/artisans were trying to make their models more detailed. Goldvarg also improved its level and introduced new miniatures which should satisfy the most fastidious of customers.

In 1994, the 1955 Pontiac Star Chief convertible top down (GC-5) and the 1956 Mercury Montclair convertible top down (GC-7) were launched.

Both models had innovations. They received wonderful interiors and exteriors, where dashboard elements, inside door handles, and chrome moldings were made as separate parts, and the sun visors also added realism. Both miniatures were completed with sun visors and symbols of the brand’s names on the bumpers (Mercury) and on the spare wheel cover (Pontiac). The Star Chief was painted deep red, but only test samples received 2-tone color combinations. However, the Montclair models were painted only in 2-tone colors: red / white or turquoise / white. The colors of the interior were red or turquoise.

Goldvarg made the brass masters of the hardtop for both miniatures, but they never went into production.

In the mid 90s, manufacturing at their factory slowed down, firstly because Sergio had other activities and didn’t want to delegate production to a third party; secondly, the Argentinian economy left much to be desired and the government didn’t encourage small domestic enterprises.

Despite all the difficulties, in 1995 the model range of the Goldvarg Collection was expanded with the 1949 Plymouth SW Commercial Utility (GC-13). Its beautiful pistachio exterior harmonized with the red interior, making an awesome combination. The model was very accurate and desired for among of 40s decade miniatures. Goldvarg also created a prototype of a pickup version, equipped with detailed boxes in the bed. Unfortunately, the pickup was never produced.

The Argentinian factory produced about 800 units of each model: 1955 Pontiac Star Chief, 1956 Mercury Montclair and 1949 Plymouth SW Commercial Utility.

Prototypes and Plans

Sergio and Mariana wanted to expand the range according to their plan to produce 16 models. In the late 1990s, they built the prototypes of the 1952 Nash Golden Airflyte Pininfarina (GC-9) and the 1959 Mercury Park Lane 2 Door Hardtop Cruiser (GC-11). Only a few prototypes of each model were built (for instance, 4 miniatures of the 1952 Nash) and the photo of the Mercury prototype shows it as a four door. Sadly, they never reached production.

Also test samples of the 1960 Plymouth Fury convertible top down (GC-17) were made. This model wasn’t included in the original plan of the Goldvarg White metal collection and was added later because Sergio wanted to expand from the 1940-50s into the 60s.

Goldvarg also prepared brass masters for the 1959 Pontiac Bonneville in convertible and hardtop variants (GC-10).

Other models included in the plan, like the 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air 4 door sedan (GC-8), the 1949 Cadillac Series 62 4 door sedan (GC-15) and the 1946 Ford DeLuxe 2 doors (GC-16) made it to project planning only.

By the end of the 90s, Sergio and Mariana decided to close the factory and to eventually move to Miami, Florida. Manufacturing in Argentina was stopped in 1998.

The Last Model

Their aim was to keep producing models at a factory in another country. After long negotiations, an agreement between Goldvarg and SMTS in England was signed on January 1, 2000.

SMTS made the 1958 Oldsmobile Holiday Coupe (GC-14) using Sergio’s original brass model from 1992. The new model was very beautiful and highly detailed. It demonstrated all the best features of white metal at that time. Painted in bronze metallic with a white roof, this miniature was completed with spectacular wheels with amazing hubcaps, red interior and many little details. All the badges and emblems were modeled. Instead of “Made in Argentina” on the baseplate, “Made in England by SMTS” appeared.

However, hopes of further collaboration with the English company weren’t fulfilled. SMTS required too high of a price for Goldvarg to produce any further models, and by the end of 2000 the agreement was cancelled. Thus the 1958 Oldsmobile 97 Holiday Coupe became the only model produced outside Argentina.

Sergio and his family moved to the USA that year, and the history of the original Goldvarg white metal collection was finished.

Goldvarg Collection Reborn

But it wasn’t the end; Mr. Goldvarg continued his amazing hobby of collecting scale model cars. Twice, in 2005 and 2009 he was named in the Guinness Book of World Records. Sergio also collaborated with many model companies and also opened a restaurant in Florida, where part of his collection was displayed. He knew that one day the Goldvarg Collection would be reborn, and that moment came.

In 2017 after getting licenses from Ford Motor Company and GM, Sergio Goldvarg introduced a new range of high quality 1:43 resin models. On the box, you can see 2 flags: Argentina and USA and read the new motto “Born in Argentina, developed in the United States of America”. That means that the history of this magnificent brand continues and new, amazing 1:43 models await collectors.

Acknowledgments and References

The authors sent Sergio Goldvarg a series of questions which he kindly answered. His responses made this article possible.

The authors also found a magazine article in Spanish announcing the final GC-14 Oldsmobile. Information was also found in old print issues of Model Auto Review (1990 to 92) and in A History Of White Metal Transport Modelling (Strutt and Wright, 2011).

The Goldvarg archive is on hobbyDB where the original white metal series is here and the newer resin series is here. The archive was introduced in 2017 in a hobbyDB blog entry.