Diecast car collecting is addictive. Go ahead, type “diecast and toy vehicles” into your ebay search; you’re sure to find something you’ll love. Doing exactly that is how I’ve ended up with around 350 toy cars- and that’s absolutely nothing compared to some diecast collectors. Anyway, when I saw CC was having a Peugeot Fest, I knew that there had to be some Mini CCs I could show off. Here’s one of them; a Peugeot 404 Break by Eligor, a French company, in (approximately) 1/43 scale.
Eligor is a minnow compared to most diecast companies. We all know the names of the big ones; Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Majorette, Corgi, Dinky, Johnny Lightning, and so on. These brands focus more on the toy side of diecast . There are also brands that focus on detailed models; AutoArt, Norev, M2, Greenlight, Minichamps, etc. Most Eligor models fall somewhere in the middle of this scale. They have ample detail, separate light, grille, and bumper pieces, rubber wheels, and a few opening parts, unlike the toy companies. However, Eligor diecasts lack chrome trim pieces, have an unpainted interior, no moving suspension, and whatnot, unlike the model companies.
By now, the Peugeot 404 has been well covered here on CC, so I’ll spare you my rambling. However, this Eligor covers the 404’s details very well. From the side profile, all proportions are correct. The wheels and hubcaps are accurate to the 404, but not to degree of some models of the 404.
Eligor also modeled the front of the car nicely. The very French yellow headlights are separate “jeweled” pieces, and the grille and bumpers are separate. It’s hard to see, but the “404” badge on the front of the hood is molded into the metal. The Peugeot badge and egg -crate grille are also molded nicely.
Here’s another side profile view. The door handles and side trim are molded into the side, and quite well. Needless to say, the 404 had ample cargo space, especially when compared to the sedan.
Here’s the rear view. The taillights are well detailed and painted in, and there’s a great representation of the French license plate- this model has them front and rear. You may notice that this Break is lacking it’s trunk- that’s not a major screw up on Eligor’s part. Normally, this diecast would have a very well detailed moving tailgate. However, this model was found used, and the tailgate was MIA when I got it. Maybe I’ll find a replacement someday.
While I was taking these pictures outside, I couldn’t resist tacking the 404 into the woods for some action shots. Here’s an intense tree climbing shot.
Of course, what goes up must come down, so the 404 turned around and made a rapid descent before gravity took it’s course.
Here’s the header shot again; the 404 fording a creek. While this isn’t the most detailed model I own, or the one with the most features, or the one in the best condition, I can honestly say it’s one of my favorites. Peugeot fest isn’t over yet; tune in for more mini and full size CCs!
I agree, diecast car collecting can be addictive and because I know I find it hard to stop…I’ve so far resisted picking up where I left off as a kid.
When I collected/built 1/24th plastic models I had dozens in my “garage”, left behind, though, when I entered the Navy.
There’s a model shop near here that sells completed models, and not just cars and trucks. I was like a kid in a candy store and had to resist a STRONG urge to spend over $100.00 in my 1st visit.
50s and 60s cars are my passion, and unfortunately this shop rarely carries foreign cars/models.
I’ve been building those plastic models for over 50 years. Never counted how many I’ve done. Peugeot kits aren’t easy to find though I have built a 205 Turbo 16 rally car. Don’t have any shots of it climbing trees!
A few months ago I went to an estate sale from a guy who apparently had all of the same interests as me, only he spent a lot more time and money indulging his passions. One of the bedrooms had shelving on all four walls completely filled with 1:18 die cast cars. I cherry picked some of my favorites from the collection, then I came across his cameras. Decision time! A Nikon F and an F2 with lenses for slightly over my used camera max price limit of $50. I chose the cameras. I went back the next day to get the cars, but someone had come in and bought the entire lot. I missed out on the cars, but I kinda like the idea that the collection remained intact.
Spridget: Here is a photo of my Eligor (#1137) Peugeot 404 with the tailgate intact.
And here I’m attaching a photo of my French Dinky (#525) 404 – an earlier, heavier and altogether much better 1/43 scale model.
Check out this fairly recent article from the news station back at my parent’s home:
http://www.kare11.com/news/local/land-of-10000-stories/church-discovers-30000-cars-in-donated-house/88817062
I thought that the missing tailgate might have been damage from the trip, perhaps fording the creek (ref. Dawid Botha’s trips), but that tree climb would definitely have finished it off!
Eligor used the old Norev casting for this particular model.
The Dinky 404 Break is a much better attempt, however Eligor also made this Break in Ferrari livery, Ferrari used the 404 Break as their service cars in Formula 1.
This grille is actually the Commerciale version, the most modest of the 404 Break’s.
The more upmarket 404 Breaks like the Super luxe had a recessed grille, somethingyou can see on the excellent Dinky-Toys model of the 404 Break.
The Eligor 404 Pick up (camionette) is also made from the old Norev casting, however on the Norev model the front doors could be opened as well.
The nicest Norev 1/43 model was no doubt the Renault 4 fourgonette or truckette as you’d say in the states, opening tailgate and opening doors.
I got mine in Kodak Yekllow livery as a kid in the French bar we always had mon and dad’s morning coffee, they sold Norev models and my brother and I had long discussions which one to choose.
A few years later inBrittany my brother choose a Dinky Toys Renault 8 Gordinin with driver with helmet in French blue with stripes and the four headlights, I chose the Solido Berliet Stradair truck in grey and yellow.
We lost the Renault R8 Gordini, just look it up, how much it is worth today !
Here the Original 404 Break from the sixties :
Renault R8 Gordini by Dinky Toys :
Ah, diecast. I have a rather modest collection as well, but mostly 1/64 as that’s what I stared with as a child. Some 1/18 as well, but they take up more space and the “good” ones tend to be rather expensive.
1/43 seems to be the sweet spot in many regards–better detail than 1/64, much easier to store/display than 1/18, and a mind-boggling array of models available. Producers like Neo are now making resin models of many, many otherwise forgotten or obscure cars, everything from 1930’s custom-bodied full classics to 1980’s Cadillacs. The good ones are not cheap (the Neo models tend to run in the $50-60 range) but the sheer range of things that have otherwise never been modeled is impressive. I have only two 1/43 at the moment, but one of them is an exact replica of the ’88 Volvo 780 that I own in 1:1 scale. Even the same color combo.