Category Archives: Welly

Budget JLR 1:24 Scale

By Maz Woolley

Welly is a Hong Kong based company with factories in Guandong in China. They produce models to a wide variety of scales and finishes from licensed and detailed Ferrari F1 cars in 1:18 scale down to childrens push along toys.

Although Wholesalers and online sellers tend to quote a recognised scale for their models Welly are less specific on their website with the range stated as 1:24 by most, and which we look at here, stated as 1:24 to 1:27 on their site.

This article looks at the Jaguar Land Rover vehicles currently offered by Welly in their 1:24-1:27 scale range. These models are diecast, often with opening parts, in China for Hong Kong and are sold at budget prices. They cost little more than the price of some larger Oxford Diecast commercial vehicles in 1:76 scale here in the UK.

22498 – Land Rover Defender

24008 – Land Rover Discovery 4

22415 – Range Rover

24021 – Range Rover Evoque

24059 – Range Rover Sport

24060 – Jaguar F-Type Coupe


24070 – Jaguar F-Pace – Blue

22517 – 2010 Jaguar XJ

For collectors of Jaguars or Land Rovers Welly provides a range of models which display well, have some play value for the younger collector and will not ‘break the bank’. In addition to the models shown Welly also model JLR vehicles in scales like 1:60-64,1:43-49 and 1:34-39.


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Welly Chevrolet Upgraded

By Allan Smith

I recently wrote about upgrading the Welly Ford Customline in MAR Online. Here are photographs of the Welly 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertibles, that I have been working on. This is again a model made in China that is claimed to be 1:38 scale but seems rather closer to 1:43 in reality.

The first photograph shows a Welly model as sold on the bench awaiting detailing.

One good thing about these Chevrolet models is that there is not a pull back motor in them, giving a full interior for you to work with.

The photograph above shows three of these Chevrolet models made up in different colour schemes. Unfortunately though, the doors don’t fit as well as they do on the Fords shown in my previous article.


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Welly Ford Customline

Allan Smith

Model Cars Australia

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

I thought MAR Online might be interested in having a look at what I have been up to.

I purchased a few of WELLYS 1:38 scale Ford Customline models, I only paid 15 Australian Dollars each for them, but they fit nicely into my 1:43 scale collection.

All I did was to pull the model apart, remove the pullback action, replaced the wheels and tyres with better wheels and tyres with white walls, and detail the models interior. This turned the basic Welly model into a beautiful, ( even though I do say so myself ) model, that looks like I paid a lot more for it than I did.

I’m very pleased with the way they have turned out, and the photographs below show how good they look.

I have just purchased the 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible, from WELLY  in the same scale, and am about to start a conversion of that.

Hope you like what I’ve done.

Editor’s note: It is often surprising how good the castings are on items which are basically sold as toys. I am sure that I did the Chevrolet at one point myself as that is an excellent casting too. The scales stated on models are often rather different to the actual size even in the case of expensive white metal firms so I am not surprised that the Wellys are a little smaller than stated.


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Grandes TodoTerreno

By Maz Woolley

This partwork whose title can be roughly translated as ‘Large all ground’ in our terms all-terrain vehicles. It was sold in Spanish speaking countries in South America. It seems to have consisted of 14 vehicles made in various scales but mostly around 1:38 scale. They have opening doors and are not as sophisticated as cars in some other partwork series. It would seem that in South America some of the partwork series are aimed to be sold at a lower price point than the 1:43 scale series aimed at collectors. Here existing castings are used and packaged so that they appeal to a younger audience as well as a more general target audience.

Models from this series are now finding their way to UK wholesalers and may be of interest to one make collectors or collectors of SUVs and pickups. The models fro the series are said to have been sourced from Maisto and Welly and some may already be sold under these brands in the UK already.

The models pictured are ones produced for this series that have reached the UK. Others included in the original series such as the Honda Pilot, Mercedes-Benz GLK and M Class, and Toyota RAV 4 may well appear here later.


Ford Explorer Red

Jeep Jeepster Red

Chevrolet Silverado 1999 Blue

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Gold

BMW X5 Grey

Chevrolet Avalanche 2002 Green

Chevrolet Suburban 2001 Black

Land Rover Freelander Burgundy

Cadillac Escalade 2002 Black

Hummer H3 Yellow

Ford F150 2015 Regular Cab Red

Chevrolet Tahoe 2008 White

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Recent Welly Models

By Maz Woolley

All text by, and copyright of the Author. All photographs provided by the Manufacturer or UK Wholesaler John Ayrey

Welly are another Chinese based range offering diecast models in a variety of scales mainly at Budget prices. Here we look at a few models currently available.

1:18th Scale

This model is of an earlier generation of the attractive coupé version of the Astra, one which is now popular with tuners and customisers. It is diecast with opening parts and is priced at a similar level to the Solido 1:18 scale models in the UK.

12563S Opel Astra GTC Silver

The BMW Isetta has been produced by many in this large scale. Here Welly make it with an opening front door and sell it for the same price as many cheap 1:43 scale models.

24096B BMW Isetta Blue
24096R BMW Isetta Red

1:24th Scale

The BMW M1 originated in an agreement between BMW and Lamborghini to make a car suitable for homologation racing. Conflicts arose and BMW decided to make their own car instead. The M1 was the result. The mid-engined sports car sold from 1978 to 1981.

24098B BMW M1 Dark Blue

24098O BMW M1 Orange

The Mercedes-Benz X Class was launched in 2017 and is built on the Nissan Navara Chassis but fitted to Mercedes-Benz standards and using some Mercedes-Benz engines and technology not shared with Nissan.

24100R Mercedes-Benz X-Class Red

24100W Mercedes-Beanz X-Class White

1:32nd Scale

These unliveried cab units are sold for a budget price but have considerable detail and presence. One wonders if 1:32 scale trailers area available to fit them?

32650LR MAN TGX 26.440 (6×4) – Red

32670SR Scania R730 V8 (4×2) – Red
32670SY Scania R730 V8 (4×2) Yellow

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Welly Alfa Romeo 147

By Maz Woolley

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

We recently featured a PEGO Lancia and some PEGO Alfa Romeos and shortly after I stumbled across a Welly 1:43 scale Alfa Romeo 147 model diecast in China which complements them.

The Alfa Romeo 147 replaced both the 145 and 146. and was available as either a three or five door hatchback. It was succeeded by the new Guiletta. It was fitted with a wide range of petrol engines from 1.6 litre up to a 3.2 Litre and a single 1.9 Litre Diesel. These engines gave it atop speed that varied between 114mph and 153mph.

Welly models have previously had limited appeal to collectors. In the past they have largely been designed for youngsters and had opening features with large panel gaps and half doors and were often to scales that do not greatly interest collectors. But fairly recently they have introduced the NEX range of 1:43 scale models with no opening parts and a decent level of detail at budget prices. Apart from the inevitable VW Beetle most of the models seem to be based on relatively modern vehicles like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Mini Cooper S, Jaguar F Type Coupé, Audi R8, Porsche 911 Carrera in hardtop and roadster, BMW X3 and 330i, VW Golf GTI, and Mercedes-Benz ML-350 and SLK-350.

The model is painted well in a nice metallic blue paint. The glazing is flush fitted and has the black window surrounds painted on it. The Alfa badges are nicely done, I think that they are decals rather than printed. On the hatchback door the badging is neatly printed and shows that this is a fairly basic model as it is badged as fitted with the 1.9 JTD Diesel engine.

The lights front and back are all separate inserted plastic lenses reflecting those fitted to the car well. Indeed the front lenses actually model the round lights within the lights. The front grille is simply modelled but has the gaps in black which makes it effective. The windscreen wipers are moulded in black plastic and fitted into a black plastic insert below the window screen which looks very convincing.

From the side the wing mirrors are well modelled and even have reflective lenses. and the alloy wheels are convincing and include the brake discs behind, albeit that they rotate with the wheels rather than remaining static. The Driver and Passenger’s windows are modelled open.

Inside the interior is moulded in black but has a lot of detail moulded into the door cards, dashboard and central console areas. Indeed the dashboard actually has printed instruments and the console has printed switches and details. The seats are neatly moulded and include central arm rest in the front.

Underneath quite a bit of detail is modelled in as is a neat dull silver exhaust box and pipe.

This model will display well next to the earlier Alfa’s from PEGO and will look their equal even though the Welly is a budget model sold for a very keen price.


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Some more Small Promotionals For France

By Fabrizio Panico

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

It is anniversary time. 2019 is the year that Citroën celebrates its first centenary, and it is nice to see that among all the media presentations and public events that there is place for model collectors with an array of new models in the “three inches” (or “fit the box”) category, all under the “Origins” label, the official “1919-2019” theme. After the 2CV and the Traction already seen at the end of last year, which are re-issues of previous models, it is now time for a copious harvest of completely new ones.

The 2CV AZL 4×4 Sahara (code AMC 019 1026) is available in three different colours, like the 2CV Fourgonnette (AMC 019 1107), while the 1947 bus U23 (AMC 019 1099) is available in two different two-colour liveries, very nice, one of them sports the Citroen logo on the side. Another new issue is the 1933 “La Petite Rosalie”, a record car to promote the new 8CV, in blue with a white clad driver (AMC 019 1097). Also new is the CX (AMC 019 1191) which is a bit small, and is available in two colours.

Among further re-issues there are the DS23 Pallas (AMC 019 1192) in two colours, and the Mehari (AMC 019 1194) also in two colours. Very likely there will be other re-issues, perhaps the SM coupé and the HY van, which are already available in the “public” collection. A well deserved applause to Citroën.

Last year Renault celebrated its 120 years, but chose to release only two 1:55 scale models, the R4 and the R5, both by Welly and already seen, each in four different colours, with a special “120 years” box, similar to the type usually used by Norev for Renault.

Back to Norev “dealer” releases : Renault completed its “concept cars” series with the RS 2027 Vision (code 315381) and the 2017 Symbioz (code 315382) and released a set (code 315383) completed with the 2016 Trezor (code 315380), already seen. Previously there was the 2018 Megane RS, in orange (code 315148) or yellow (code 315149), while Citroën released a second issue of the 2018 C5 Aircross (code AMC 019 1183) in four different colours. Small, but very very nice.

Happy collecting !


The Scooter in Miniature – Other Makes

By Dave Turner

Photographs and illustrations of some of the models discussed in this article taken by the Author may be found at the end of the article. 

Ducati

Ducati began producing radio parts in 1922 followed by cameras and electric razors. After the Second World War Ducati acquired Siata to produce clip-on motors for cycles and in 1952 launched the Cruiser scooter. Years before its time it featured a 175cc ohv four stroke motor with a 12 volt electric starter, automatic transmission and styling by Ghia. Far too sophisticated for the period it died after just two years but another attempt came with the totally basic Brio 48 in 1964 with a 94cc 2 stroke motor followed by the Brio 50 and 100/25 between 1968/9.

A very nice model of the Cruiser is available sold as Altaya but made by Ixo no doubt in conjunction with a part-work. Of mainly diecast construction it features plastic side panels and working steering.

Heinkel

Makers of German aircraft since 1922 Heinkel were limited to three and two wheeled vehicle production after the Second World War. Their 150cc Tourist 101 was made from 1953-54 and featured a four stroke engine. This model was replaced by the 175cc 102 in 1954 while a Mk11 version with more streamlined rear bodywork was made from 1962-67. A smaller two stroke machine, the 112 featured a 125cc engine in 1960 but was enlarged to 150 in 1961 for continued production until 1967.

Schuco produced some superb 1:10 scale diecast models of the Mk11 Tourist in a variety of versions as well as smaller versions in their Piccolo range.

Jawa

The Czech firm of Janacek made the German Wanderer motor cycle under licence and when they merged with the Czech Arms Works who had made motor cycles since 1932, the name Jawa was created. Their distinctive 501 scooter made from 1957-64 featured a pointed nose that accommodated the fuel tank and the headlamp. A subsequent model the 502 had more power with a 175 engine and the headlight was later moved onto the apron being replaced in the nose by the horn. In 2017 an electric powered scooter, the 507, featured the same styling and is to be built in limited numbers in China.

A smaller engined and less eye-catching scooter, the Manet appeared in 1958 and featured a 98cc motor and became the Tatran with 125 motor in 1965.

A flywheel powered plastic toy Cezeta captured the recognisable styling very well and carries the CH logo as its only means of identification.

MBK

The French Motobecane company made motor cycles from 1923, the post war Mobylette being among their most popular products. In 1984 the Japanese Yamaha company became its parent company and the name became MBK. Among the contemporary Japanese parent companies products was the Zuma scooter and MBK gave it the name Booster and the French factory have produced these in large numbers in 50 and 125cc versions.

Appropriately Majorette, possibly in conjunction with Hatchette, have produced a model of the French version of this machine, said to be a 1995 50cc example.

Malaguti

This Italian company began in 1930 producing pedal cycles but like many moved into mopeds and scooters in the post war period. A myriad of different scooters were produced but the Phantom F12 appeared in 1997. The F12 Phantom had a 50cc motor and was water cooled, production lasting until 2003.

Maisto produced a 1:18 scale diecast model of the F12 Phantom and it comes complete with “liquid cooled” stickers that are barely legible.

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi began as a shipping company in 1870 and from 1881 developed into a huge conglomerate embracing first coal mining, then steel producing, shipbuilding, insurance and eventually producing anything and everything imaginable. From 1921 aircraft were produced and in common with some other Japanese operations they enforced slave labour during the Second World War. Motor scooter production began in 1946 with the 112cc C10 Silver Pigeon while at least seventeen further developments of the Silver Pigeon scooter were made up to the early 1960s, taking 45% of the Japanese scooter market.

The C110 Silver Pigeon was a 175cc 4 stroke machine with automatic transmission made between 1960/61 and some tinplate toys of which were made by both Marusan and Bandai.

Simson

The German Simson brothers got into the gun and gun barrel producing business in 1856 and by 1896 were making bicycles. Although firearms continued to be their principle products cars were made from 1907 to 1934 – with the inevitable wartime gap. As the Simson family were Jewish, the German Third Reich seized their factory in 1936 renaming the operation BSW. Following the Second World War the factory ended up in the German Democratic Republic and began producing 4 stroke motor cycles in 1949. In 1955 the Simson name was restored and the production of two stroke mopeds began developing into the KR51 Simson Schwalbe (Swallow) scooter in 1964. This featured a 50cc motor and large 16” wheels and with an increase in power output became the KR51/1 in 1968. The subsequent KR 51/2 remained in production until 1986 and the Schwalbe has become quite collectable in Germany.

A 1:10 diecast Simson KR 51/1 Schwalbe was produced by Schuco in 2006 while a much smaller 1:87 model of the same subject has been made by Herpa.

Suzuki

This Japanese company began by producing loom machines in 1909 but was trying to expand its product base by experimenting with a prototype light car prior to the Second World War. Following the hostilities production of 36cc powered cycles began in 1952, motor cycles in 1954 and cars a year later. In the early 1980s their first scooters appeared with the CS50, 80 and 125, called Gemma in Asia, Roadie in the UK and Puch Lido in Europe.

A 1:28 scale diecast Gemma 50 was made by Tomy, a slightly larger 1:24 scale diecast of the same subject from Tamiya and kits in 1:12 scale from Aoshima/Imai.

Yamaha

Yamaha began producing pianos and reed organs in 1887 and ultimately became the largest manufacturers of musical instruments in the world. They first produced motor cycles is 1954 with their 125cc two stroke Dragonfly, that was based on the German DKW RT 125, as was the BSA Bantam. Their first of many scooters came in 1981 with the 50cc Salient and 80cc Beluga, Riva in the US and Hercules in Europe. In 1985 a 125cc version was added. The Zuma scooter came in 1989 and this was also made in France by MBK. In an effort to modernise their range of scooters Yamaha produced the YJ 50 Vino in 2001 which continued until updated into the XC50 in 2006. Production of this continues today while the 125cc version lasted from 2004-10. The Yamaha Majesty was a large machine appearing in 2001 and was produced in 125, 250 and 400cc sizes.

In model form Yamaha scooters have been produced in various sizes and materials. Plastic kits for the Beluga came from Aoshima/Imai in 1:12 scale and Otaki in 1:16 scale, while a diecast 1:24 scale version came from Tomica. A diecast/plastic 1:18 scale Vino YJ50R came from Welly, a diecast 1:6 scale version of the same was done by New Ray while the big Majesty DX 400 also came in 1:18 scale from Welly.

Zundapp

This German company began by producing detonators in 1917 but as the demand for weapons parts declined after the war motor cycle manufacture began in 1921. Following the Second World War microcar, moped and scooter production was undertaken and inspired by the Parilia Greyhound, the Zundapp Bella scooter appeared in 1953. These became generally regarded as among the best scooters in the world at the time and through various updates continued in both 150 and 200 versions until 1964. An attempt to get into the small scooter market was launched in 1964 with the Roller 50 that was based on the contemporary Lambretta Slimline. The company closed in 1985 and the factory and stock were moved to China.

At least three very different miniature Bellas have been made. Tinplate toys came from Technofix while a variety of 1:10 scale diecast models of the 1957-59 R204 came from Schuco in 2004. The latter included solo examples, some with “Deutsche Bundespost” boxes mounted on the rear as well as machines with sidecars. There has also been some 1:43 scale models of the same R204 Bella from Premium Classix, in this case those with a rear box are marked “Ginos Pizza”

Unknown

As a final section there has been a few toys of scooters that so far have not been identified, in fact they are probably not meant to depict any particular example.

A quite imaginatively styled plastic battery driven toy called Chalmy Rider came from WS in Hong Kong and carries the number 6623 under its base. The seat tips revealing space that accommodates a couple of AA batteries, the fitting of which drives the twin rear wheels and illuminated an orange headlight.

An extremely slim plastic toy scooter that vaguely resembles something like the Triumph Tina carries no markings at all and probably came as an accessory to a Barbie type toy.

An all wood crafted toy has a suggestion of machine made parts that have been glued together but carries a barcode under its base.

Model list

Ducati Cruiser 175cc 1952-54 Altaya/Ixo 70mm 1:25 diecast/plastic
Heinkel Tourist 103A2 175cc 1960-65 Schuco 1:10 diecast kit
Heinkel Tourist 103A2 175cc 1960-65 Schuco Piccolo diecast
Jawa Cezeta 501 175cc 1957-64 CH 164mm plastic flywheel
MBK Booster Rocket 50cc 1984 Majorette 99mm 1:18 diecast/plastic
Malaguti Phantom F12 50cc 1997-03 Maisto 102mm 1:18 diecast/plastic
Mitsubishi C110 Silver Pigeon 175cc 1960-61 Marusan tinplate
Mitsubishi C110 Silver Pigeon 175cc 1960-61 Bandai tinplate
Simson KR 51/1 Schwalbe 50cc 1968-71 Schuco 1:10
Suzuki Gemma 50 50cc 1982-88 Aoshima/Imai 1:12 plastic kit
Suzuki Gemma 50 50cc 1982-88 Tamiya 80mm 1:24 diecast
Suzuki Gemma 50 50cc 1982-88 Tomy 58mm 1:28 diecast
Yamaha Beluga 80cc 1981-87 Aoshima/Imai 144 mm 1:12 plastic kit
Yamaha Beluga 80cc 1981-87 Otaki 1:16 plastic kit
Yamaha Beluga 80cc 1981-87 Tomica 80mm 1:24 diecast
Yamaha Vino VJ50R 50cc 2001-05 Welly 102mm 1:18 diecast/plastic
Yamaha Vino  VJ50R 50cc 2001-05 New Ray 1:6
Yamaha Majesty DX 400 400cc 2005-09 Welly 117mm 1:18 diecast/plastic
Zundapp Bella 200cc 1953-62 Technofix tin
Zundapp Bella R204 200cc 1957-59 Schuco 1:10 diecast kit
Zundapp Bella R204 200cc 1957-59 Premium Classix 1:43 resin

 

Ilustrations

Altaya/Ixo 1:25 diecast/plastic from China : 1952 Ducati Cruiser

Schuco 1:10 diecast kit : 06537, 1960 Heinkel 103 A2 Tourist.

Schuco Piccolo diecast : 05701, 1960 Heinkel 103 A2 Tourist.

CH plastic flywheel driven : 1957 Jawa Cezeta 501.

Majorette 1:18 diecast/plastic from Thailand: 1984 MBK Booster Rocket

Maisto 1:18 diecast/plastic from China : 1987 Malaguti Phantom F12.

Marusan tinplate from Japan : 1960 Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C110.

 

Bandai tinplate from Japan: 1960 Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C110.

Schuco 1:10 diecast kit : 06640, 1968 Simson KR 51/1 Schwalbe.

Aoshima 1:12 plastic kit from Japan: 1982 Suzuki Gemma 50

Tamiya 1:24 diecast from Japan: 1982 Suzuki Gemma 50

Tomy 1:28 diecast from Japan: 49, 1982 Suzuki Gemma 50.

 

 Aoshima 1:12 plastic kit from Japan: 1981 Yamaha Beluga.

Tomica 1:24 diecast from Japan: 1981 Yamaha Beluga.

Welly 1:18 diecast/plastic from China: 2001 Yamaha Vino YJ50R.

New Ray 1:6 from China: 2001 Yamaha Vino YJ50R.

Welly 1:18 diecast/plastic from China: 2005 Yamaha Majesty DX 400.

Technofix tin from Japan: 1953 Zundapp Bella.

Schuco 1:10 diecast kit: 06590, 1958 Zundapp Bella R204.

Schuco 1:10 diecast kit: 06593 1958 Zundapp Bella r204 with Deutsche Bundespost box.

Premium Classix 1:43 : 1957 Zundapp Bella R204.
Premium Classix 1:43: 1957 Zundapp Bella R204 with Ginos Pizza box.
WS plastic battery driven from Hong Kong: Chalmy Rider toy.

Anonymous slim plastic scooter.

Anonymous wood scooter.

 

Readers who have enjoyed this series of articles may find the two Auto Review publications written by Dave Turner about real Scooters of interest:

  • “Scooters”
  • “More Scooters” 

For more information go to zeteo.com.


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Bosch Volkswagen Transporter T2

By Fabrizio Panico

All photographs by the Author.

Bosch Advertising Character

At Retromobile 2016 there was a nice Volkswagen Transporter pickup as shown in the photographs below. On the Bosch stall a 1:43 scale replica made by Welly in the Bosch livery was on sale. Photographs of the model are shown below.


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