Solido – 1:18 Volkswagen Beetle 1303 1974 – Mexican Taxi

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Solido – 1800521 – 1:18 Scale Volkswagen Beetle 1303 – Mexican Taxi – 1974

 

Additional information

Dominant color Green
Theme Coupe , Street Car , Taxi
Openings Front doors
Wheels Directional
Builder Volkswagen
Year 1974
Year of release 2024
Ladder 1/18

Brand

Solido

Our brand

Ferdinand de Vazeilles was a forward-thinking entrepreneur. While managing the Nanterre Precision Foundry, he had the crazy idea of ​​using his skills to create toys. Thus, in the early 1930s, the Nanterre Precision Foundry, specializing in pressurized metal injection (carburetors and other industrial automobile and aviation parts) produced a prototype in the form of an advertising object and under the Aluvac brand, for the spark plug manufacturer Gergovia-Pingeot in Clermont-Ferrand. This is how the story began, with the famous "Gergovia Candle". In 1932, Ferdinand de Vazeilles filed a patent allowing him to create toys. These were, for 25 years, mainly toys that could be dismantled and transformed. Ferdinand had a taste for risk. Already in 1919, when he opened his die-casting plant when the industry was still in its infancy.
Solido Candle
And then, in 1932, he had the idea of ​​using his know-how to go against the toy manufacturers of the time. At that time, toys were made of sheet metal and in a single block. Ferdinand de Vazeilles had the idea of ​​making disassemblable cars in metal (zamac) and with many parts. Fun, solid and at the same time realistic toys. A real revolution. From a small team of ten people, the founder of the Nanterre Precision Foundry quickly had to decide to open a dedicated factory. This was the beginning of the Solivac Establishments, in Ivry-la-Bataille, in Eure. Success was already there in 1934. However, at the beginning, Ferdinand de Vazeilles had to find the resellers himself. History will remember that the "Nain Bleu" was the first store to sell Solido toys. And then, the press seized on this revolution, thus helping the development of the brand which became "Solido". A perfect name that echoed the solidity of the toys while being easy to remember. This is how Solido quickly found success and entered many homes. First in France, then in Europe and around the world. Germany, Belgium, the USSR, Italy, Japan and Portugal were among the first to succumb to the charm of Solido toys.

SOLIDO: 90 years of passion and miniatures!

The "140" and "100" series were the first before welcoming the "80" (Baby) series. Vehicles, cannons, agricultural tractors, military tanks, delighted children. And this, even during the Second World War where the blockade of England will even be at the origin of a Solido board game with ships to blow up for real! Having joined the company in 1948, Jean de Vazeilles, Ferdinand's son, would bring new ideas. Starting with the reproduction of real models like the Peugeot 403. In 1953, Ferdinand de Vazeilles left the controls of his company to his three children (Jean, Charlotte and Colette) and went to live in the South of France to develop a brand of model airplanes. The 1950s marked the great beginnings of the 1/43 scale. Jean de Vazeilles thought about the future of his brand and decided, in 1957, to file a new patent for 1/43 scale models. This was the beginning of a new era for Solido. The first 1/43 scale, the Jaguar Type D Le Mans, inaugurated the legendary 100 Series and even had real suspension! Success is immediate!
Solido Series 100
Solido Military Collection
The 60s were marked by the arrival of new major innovations at Solido. First of all, with the first opening doors. Then, in 1961, the first articulated tracks. These would be the strength of the brand's military models, a true Solido success story. The proof is the M47 Patton tank (replacing the iconic Sherman M4) which came out in 1962 in the 200 series and under the reference 202 and became the brand's best-seller. Thus, more than a million M47 Patton tanks will be sold worldwide. It will receive many awards and will establish itself as a cult model in the world of miniatures. The 60s also marked the arrival of the famous "Golden Age" series. This series will be used for the appearance of the first opening hoods. It was on the famous Bugatti Royale reference 136. The latter will be sold for almost 20 years and will also exceed one million copies sold! In 1964, Solido even tried to compete with Lego with the “Bati 1000”, a brick-built gas station.
In the 70s, Solido continued to diversify its catalog. In particular, with the Toner-Gam series which offered public works machines and fire engines. In 1974, Solido even offered guides to customize racing vehicles and which were supplied with new decals. The end of the 70s marked a turning point in the history of Solido. Indeed, in 1978, Jean de Vazeilles left the company. Shortly after, it was his sister Charlotte, then president of the Solijouets group (including Solido and the distribution of foreign brands) who left. This marked the end of the adventure between the Vazeilles family and Solido. The brand must now fly on its own wings. The 80s began with the merger of Solido and the Heller brand. A merger announced at the Nuremberg Toy Fair on February 1, 1981. Then, in the summer of the same year, a certain Emile Véron took over the new company Solido. This name is no stranger to the world of miniatures. Indeed, Emile Véron co-founded Norev with his brothers before becoming independent and founding Majorette! He was therefore no beginner when he took over the reins of Solido. During his term, the military series would disappear from the brand's catalog for almost 6 years! Except in 1984 and 1985 when commemorative boxes (D-Day and Armistice) would be offered.
First Solido at 1/18
The 90s were marked by several changes of ownership without Solido ever disappearing from the miniature landscape. These various changes will not prevent the brand from highlighting its past and its history. Thus, in 1997, the brand celebrated its 65th anniversary with a second (after 1987) re-edition of the “Gergovia” candle, the very first model (prototype) manufactured by Ferdinand de Vazeilles. Moreover, despite these changes, the brand has enjoyed great success throughout all these years. During this decade, one in two miniatures sold in France came from the Solido-Majorette group! The 90s also marked the popularization of the 1/18th scale, introduced in the 80s at Solido. In the early 2000s, Majorette and Solido came under the umbrella of the toy giant, Smoby. Its then president, Jean-Christophe Breuil, was happy to bring the brand back to France and wanted to work on the quality of the products. All this, based on the Solido community, highlighted by the 1500 members of its Club, and at a time when the Internet was not as present as it is now!
The Club was reborn in 2001 and enjoyed real success. In 2003, Solido celebrated its 70th anniversary with two exclusive models: a Peugeot 203 Commerciale and a Simca 1000 Rallye 2. The 2000s were also the occasion for a slight facelift for the Solido logo, in order to also enter the 21st century. In 2006, the history of made in France ended with the closure of the Oulins factory and the relocation to China. The 2010s mark an evolution in the miniature market, children change but the love of a beautiful miniature remains. And this, for young and old. The Simba Dickie group becomes the owner of Solido. First at Smoby, before returning to the parent company and taking a quick look at the group's holding company, MI29. In 2015, the Simba Dickie group entrusted the management of the historic brand to Z Models, a French 1/18 specialist to whom we owe Ottomobile and GT Spirit. For its 80th spring, the brand is relaunching itself from Brittany, and intends to make people talk about it for a very long time to come! See you in 2022 for Solido's 90th anniversary! And, in the coming months, for many new products and even a few surprises!
Solido Brittany

The main Solido series:

  • The Major series – “140”: This is the very first series produced by Solido also called Major. It began in 1933 and ended before the end of the Second World War. The number corresponded to the length of the chassis in millimeters.
  • The Junior series – “100”: Created in 1933 and renamed Junior in 1938, this series made Solido successful. These were toys that could be completely dismantled and transformed! The number of possibilities is almost infinite! It would remain in the catalog for over 30 years.
  • The “80” series: Launched in 1936, the 80 series was renamed “Baby” in 1938. It is based on the same principle as Duplo for the Lego brand: offering a range of toys intended for the youngest children.
  • The “Mosquitoes” series: A series of very small vehicles to accompany 00 scale trains.
  • Other series before 1957: agricultural vehicles, cannons, rifles and planes. The Solido catalog was very diverse and a child could play with anything with Solido. There was even a Solido doll!
  • Series 100: this is the legendary series of Solido. Launched in 1957, it marked the arrival of the 1/43 scale in the catalog of the French brand. Since then, its success has been undeniable with two copies sold at more than a million copies. This series is very popular with collectors. Some models, such as the Bugatti Royale or the Alpine Berlinette were in the catalog until the early 80s.
  • Series 10: This is the second 1/43 series in Solido's history. The models are "simpler" than in the 100 series, and there are more passenger vehicles.
  • Series 200: This is the first series of military vehicles at Solido. For 20 years, it will offer many models and see the M47 Patton tank exceed one million units sold!
  • 300 Series: it is dedicated to heavy goods vehicles and construction machinery.
  • Series 1300: 1980 marks the transition to 4-digit numbering at Solido. First called Cougar, this series was intended for children. The models are more toy-like and are sold in blister packs or cardboard boxes. The wheels are called "buttons".
  • 1500 Series: named “Hi-Fi” then “Today”, this series announced in 1988 is the worthy heir to the 100 and 10 series. It is dedicated to “modern” vehicles and will be a great success.
  • 1800 Series: launched in 1992, this series followed the sixties series by offering cars from the 70s. It was called “Yesterday”.
  • 1900 Series: In 1993, it was decided to create a separate series for racing vehicles. This is how the “Racing” series (1900) was launched.
  • TonerGam Series: there are a whole bunch of utility vehicles, construction vehicles, but also the first fire engines.
  • The 2000, 2100, 3000, 3100, 3300, 3500 and 3600 series will offer a wide variety of vehicles, including heavy-duty vehicles, for many years to come.
  • 4000/4100 Series: we find the famous “Golden Age”, which are vehicles from the first half of the twentieth century including the famous Bugatti Royale.
  • 4400 Series: This is a range of so-called “retro” commercial and public transport vehicles.
  • 4500 Series: this is the little sister of the “Golden Age” series, it includes cars from the 60s, both European and American!
  • 6000 Series: the big comeback of military vehicles. Abandoned for a few years, they took advantage of the fiftieth anniversary of the landing to return before settling into the Solido catalog for more than 20 years, starting in 1986!
  • 7000 Series: This is a series of boxes that group together several Solido models in the same box. There are many variations and shapes.
  • 8000 Series: The Prestige series brings 1/18th scale to the Solido catalog. Launched in the late 80s, this series remained in the catalog for over 20 years.
  • 9000 Series: it includes other 1/18th scale vehicles, modern or competition.
  • Club Solido: until the end of the 2000s, a Club Solido existed. It allowed you to obtain exclusive or limited edition models, to exchange with members but also to visit the Oulins factories!
Solido Models

Key dates for Solido:

1932: Ferdinand de Vazeilles, founder and director of the Nanterre Precision Foundry, files a patent to create toys that can be assembled and modified. This is the beginning of the adventure. 1934: creation of the Solido brand 1953: Ferdinand de Vazeilles' son, Jean, has the idea of ​​offering reproductions of real cars. 1957: The new and cult 100 series is launched with the Jaguar Type D Le Mans. The 1/43 scale is chosen in order to compete with Dinky Toys. 1960: Solido launches the first range of military vehicles. June 6, 1974: the Oulins production plant takes over from the Issy-la-Bataille plant.
1978: Ferdinand de Vazeilles' children, Jean and Charlotte, leave their positions. The story between the de Vazeilles family and Solido ends there. 1980: Solido is bought by Majorette. 2003: Solido becomes the property of Smoby (which will be bought by Simba-Dickie in 2008). 2006: Smoby closes the Oulins factory. An auction is organized. Some molds will be bought by Norev (like the Peugeot 205) when a large part of the Solido heritage is destroyed! Production is then relocated to China. 2015: Simba-Dickie takes over the Solido brand and enters into a partnership with Mini Express (Ottomobile & GT Spirit), a French company specializing in 1/18th scale vehicles. 2022: Solido celebrates its 90th anniversary

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