RIO Models
Encyclopedia
RIO Models are intricately detailed diecast and plastic 1:43 scale models made in Cernobbio, Italy on Lake Como, by a tool and die company of the same name.
, Brumm
, Lledo
, Minialuxe
and Cursor Models
took off on the beginning made by Matchbox Models of Yesteryear to produce replicas of classic cars appealing to older collectors (Rixon 2005, p. 11). According to Edward Force, the first four RIO Models were made in 1961 - two 1906 Italas and two 1919 FIATs (Force 1992,263-264). A few new models a year were sporadically produced until the company had a line of over 30 models by 1972 and over 60 by 1978 (Sinclair's 1978). At the time, it seemed model production was more a side interest to the tool and die business, as only relatively few models were introduced through the 1970s. Traditionally, models were supplied in 'top-up' and 'top-down' versions each being painted in just one color.
RIO models were always 1:43 scale and models were ultra detailed with between 45 and 75 individual parts (Sinclair's 1974, 2-3). Models seem chosen for a combination of popularity, rarity, and unique design, traits consistently making Rio selections appealing. At first, most models were vehicles chosen from the European Brass era and from the 1920s. This favoritism toward earlier cars is seen in the standard RIO logo of two different automobile horns from the brass era; a fancy snake and more mundane trumpet.
Later, models of vehicles all the way up to the 1960s and 1970s were produced, such as the Citroen DS 19 and even a 1970s FIAT 124 Sedan. Still, there is a 'classic' sense to the RIO line - the unique cars of an earlier era. One also gets a sense that RIO was ahead of its time in offering models to collectors, and not children, long before such a practice became more common in the 1980s. In the mid-1970s, RIOs would cost between $15.00 and $20.00 dollars when most other diecast 1:43 scale cars hovered in the $5.00 to $7.00 range.
RIO models from the 1970s, however, could also be very brittle and seemed made from a zamac alloy that perhaps was heavier on the lead than the zinc - drop a RIO and it will smash into pieces - they were definitely not made for children (drop a diecast Corgi Toys car and it will just bounce off of the floor). The 1970s also saw unstable supplies and many retailers stopped carrying RIOs when models were only delivered a few pieces at a time (Sinclair's 1978). In 1977, David Sinclair, influential distributor and probably the main RIO importer to the United States, wrote that there were collectors who had been waiting on certain RIO models since 1964 and that he could have used 1,000 examples of each instead of the trickle he received (Sinclair's 1977; Levine 2009).
One reason RIO modernized was due to competition with newer companies producing similar products. In the 1970s, German Cursor Models
and Ziss and French Minialuxe
, though often plastic, were similar to RIO in style and classic models selected. The kicker, though, was Brumm
Models, which started in 1972. Brumm was another Italian firm reportedly started by a brother-in-law of one of the owners of RIO along with a couple of business partners in a nearby town (Force 1992, 106-107; Sinclair's 1978). Eligor Models
was another popular company, started about 1980 which focused on zamac cars from the 1930s to the 1960s.
Since this time, RIO has greatly improved presentation, often producing cars in unique dioramas and in unique historical situations. Commonly, RIO will insert into the box a small brochure giving specifications and historical information about the car (Vitesse Models
of Portugal has a similar practice). Even today, there is a feeling of uniqueness and irresistibility to RIO's models that other classic car model producers have difficulty emulating. Models today usually cost $50.00 to $60.00.
History
RIO Models, along with RAMIRami
Rami or RAMI can refer to:*Rami, the plural of ramus, literally a branch, as of a plant, nerve, or blood vessel*Specifically, rami are upward portions on both sides of the mandible...
, Brumm
Brumm
Brumm is a diecast collectible model company that makes cars. It is based in Oltrona di San Mamette, southwest of Lake Como, Italy, and about 25 miles northwest of Milan . Models are almost exclusively produced in 1:43 scale.-History:...
, Lledo
Lledo
Lledo was a brand of die cast toys, founded in 1982 by Matchbox co-founder Jack Odell and Burt Russell. The factory produced diecast vehicles in Enfield, England from 1983 to 1999...
, Minialuxe
Minialuxe
Minialuxe was a brand of plastic car and truck models made in Oyonnax , France, usually in 1:43 scale, but some larger 1:32 scale vehicles were also manufactured...
and Cursor Models
Cursor Models
Cursor Modell was a German company making models of antique and modern German vehicles. It is best known for its plastic replicas of vehicles mainly of the era 1880 to about 1920, produced for, and sold in, the Daimler-Benz museum in Stuttgart .-Museum Models:Cursor started making ultra detailed...
took off on the beginning made by Matchbox Models of Yesteryear to produce replicas of classic cars appealing to older collectors (Rixon 2005, p. 11). According to Edward Force, the first four RIO Models were made in 1961 - two 1906 Italas and two 1919 FIATs (Force 1992,263-264). A few new models a year were sporadically produced until the company had a line of over 30 models by 1972 and over 60 by 1978 (Sinclair's 1978). At the time, it seemed model production was more a side interest to the tool and die business, as only relatively few models were introduced through the 1970s. Traditionally, models were supplied in 'top-up' and 'top-down' versions each being painted in just one color.
RIO models were always 1:43 scale and models were ultra detailed with between 45 and 75 individual parts (Sinclair's 1974, 2-3). Models seem chosen for a combination of popularity, rarity, and unique design, traits consistently making Rio selections appealing. At first, most models were vehicles chosen from the European Brass era and from the 1920s. This favoritism toward earlier cars is seen in the standard RIO logo of two different automobile horns from the brass era; a fancy snake and more mundane trumpet.
Later, models of vehicles all the way up to the 1960s and 1970s were produced, such as the Citroen DS 19 and even a 1970s FIAT 124 Sedan. Still, there is a 'classic' sense to the RIO line - the unique cars of an earlier era. One also gets a sense that RIO was ahead of its time in offering models to collectors, and not children, long before such a practice became more common in the 1980s. In the mid-1970s, RIOs would cost between $15.00 and $20.00 dollars when most other diecast 1:43 scale cars hovered in the $5.00 to $7.00 range.
RIO models from the 1970s, however, could also be very brittle and seemed made from a zamac alloy that perhaps was heavier on the lead than the zinc - drop a RIO and it will smash into pieces - they were definitely not made for children (drop a diecast Corgi Toys car and it will just bounce off of the floor). The 1970s also saw unstable supplies and many retailers stopped carrying RIOs when models were only delivered a few pieces at a time (Sinclair's 1978). In 1977, David Sinclair, influential distributor and probably the main RIO importer to the United States, wrote that there were collectors who had been waiting on certain RIO models since 1964 and that he could have used 1,000 examples of each instead of the trickle he received (Sinclair's 1977; Levine 2009).
Focus on classic vehicles
A perusal of the online store 'Carmodel' shows that RIO makes at least 25 different models today. They seem more solid and the company more aligned to the mainstream model car business. Packaging is more in line with other collector / toy car manufacturers. Perhaps this is now RIO's main business - its other tool and die pursuits perhaps pushed aside.One reason RIO modernized was due to competition with newer companies producing similar products. In the 1970s, German Cursor Models
Cursor Models
Cursor Modell was a German company making models of antique and modern German vehicles. It is best known for its plastic replicas of vehicles mainly of the era 1880 to about 1920, produced for, and sold in, the Daimler-Benz museum in Stuttgart .-Museum Models:Cursor started making ultra detailed...
and Ziss and French Minialuxe
Minialuxe
Minialuxe was a brand of plastic car and truck models made in Oyonnax , France, usually in 1:43 scale, but some larger 1:32 scale vehicles were also manufactured...
, though often plastic, were similar to RIO in style and classic models selected. The kicker, though, was Brumm
Brumm
Brumm is a diecast collectible model company that makes cars. It is based in Oltrona di San Mamette, southwest of Lake Como, Italy, and about 25 miles northwest of Milan . Models are almost exclusively produced in 1:43 scale.-History:...
Models, which started in 1972. Brumm was another Italian firm reportedly started by a brother-in-law of one of the owners of RIO along with a couple of business partners in a nearby town (Force 1992, 106-107; Sinclair's 1978). Eligor Models
Eligor Models
Eligor is a brand of collector's diecast model cars mostly made in 1:43 scale . The brand was originally made by Hobbycar S.A. of Lausanne, Switzerland, with most models continuously made in Izernore, France, about 30 miles west of Geneva...
was another popular company, started about 1980 which focused on zamac cars from the 1930s to the 1960s.
RIO today
Though RIO models had more parts and more detail, Brumm seems to have outdone RIO in many ways, producing more models that are sturdier and better marketed (Sinclair's 1980). Quality of Brumm Models was excellent, packaging well-executed even in the 1970s, and models were cheaper, which ostensibly pushed RIO to up standards and promotional know-how.Since this time, RIO has greatly improved presentation, often producing cars in unique dioramas and in unique historical situations. Commonly, RIO will insert into the box a small brochure giving specifications and historical information about the car (Vitesse Models
Vitesse Models
Vitesse was started in 1982 as a Portuguese company making diecast cars mostly in 1:43 scale. It was founded in the city of Oporto and is a brand name of Cinerius, Ltd.-The Fit of Vitesse:...
of Portugal has a similar practice). Even today, there is a feeling of uniqueness and irresistibility to RIO's models that other classic car model producers have difficulty emulating. Models today usually cost $50.00 to $60.00.