Bburago
Bburago is an Italian manufacturer of toy and collector's models, from Burago di Molgora ( Metropolitan City of Milan ) "Made in Italy", after 2007 "Made in China " (the brand was sold to MC-Toys ", including Maisto).
Mario Besana has been producing toy and model cars under the name Mebetoys since the 1960s. He sold this brand to Mattel (including Hot Wheels , Barbie ) in the early 1970s and started again in 1974 with his new brand Martoys.
He had to give up the naming rights in 1976, since the US company Marxtoys was already advertising with "Martoys".
The models were kept identical and renamed B-Burago (Besana-Burago di Molgora). From 1976 there were only 1/24 scale models (0100 series). All models had the same wheels (there were small differences in size and only the Renault 5 had different, up to the Porsche 959 in the late 1980s).
In 1977 the forerunner of the 1/18 scale came, a Rolls-Royce Camargue in the 1/22 scale.
The first models are characterized by closed packaging without a blister window and the addition "HAT" (Hobby And Toys). In 1978, blister windows were gradually used, so that the model was seen in the packaging for the first time. In 1981 the "HAT" disappeared.
In 1977 the 1/14 Formula 1 series started and the first steerable bikes came along.
In 1978 the first 1/18 model came: Mercedes SSKL.
With many other models, Bburago implemented the 1/18 scale, which is still very popular today. "Kit" models followed from 1980, ie kits in 1/24 scale and a little later also 1/18. In contrast to the finished models with plastic stickers, "wet slides" were used here, i.e. very thin water-soluble films that had to be attached to the model with the greatest care. From around 1981 the “Tons” series was available for a short time with various variations of the Fiat 50NC truck in 1/43 scale with original packaging the size of the 1/24 models. From 1983 there were also (quite simple) 1/43 scale models and a “cartoon” series was added, a Talbot Rancho got surfboards , a Lamborghini Cheetah (LM002) machine guns or the Jeep Tom and Jerry.
Approx. 1985–1986 the series was also available in 1/18 “Pippo” and “Paperino” (Goofy and Donald Duck).
In the 1990s, a 1/87 key chain series was added (closed, made entirely of metal).
Bburago made many special and promotional models to order.
To date, not all models are known.
With the advent of eBay , collector's prices dropped significantly as the models suddenly became much easier to obtain around the world. The 1/18 scale collector's bubble burst in the early 2000s and many models, previously traded for several hundred euros, shrank to under 50 euros.
The first Rolls-Royce Camargue models were characterized by the “office butler” with “mini agenda” and were available in green metallic and, even more rarely, blue metallic. These models cost around 1000 DM in the 1990s, sometimes up to 1500 DM. Today, if offered at all, these models are around 150 to 200 euros.
When the license rights for Ferrari models went directly to Mattel in the 1990s and Bburago slept through the trends again and again, sales fell and the proud company was sold around 2005.
There should have been tumults during the dismantling of the factory, as the production was transferred to China.
