"Bburago the original manufacture of 1:18 scale diecast model cars are back in production for 2010"
Bburago was started in Italy in the early 70’s and must be credited with starting the rise in popularity of 1:18 scale diecast model cars although they started off by producing 1:24 scale cars. Originally the 1:18 scale model were manufactured for the collector and were know as the Diamond series, Most of the models in this range were of 1930’s cars but as time went on they added more model from the 50’s and 60’s in the range. The first modern car that Bburago produced a model of in the Diamond range was a Rolls Royce Camargue.
By the early 1990’s Bburago were concentrating on the 1:18 scale market but were also offering 1:24 and 1:43 scale models and these were perhaps aimed more at the toy market rather than the collector. Unfortunately for Bburago other manufactures of 1:18 scale were starting to appear most notably Maisto. With Maisto production being based in the far east and there manufacturing costs being cheaper Bburago started to come under pressure. When Ferrari sold the exclusive rights to Mattel to produce models of their cars Bburago were badly effected as they had invested heavily in the moulds and they had to cease production immediately.
In 2005 the receivers were bought in and eventually Bburago taken over by Maisto. In 2007 the company was re-launched. Now produced in Thailand Bburago have retained an Italian designer for to create their packaging and website to keep the same brand feel. The range of model cars has been slimed down and the quality improved and Bburago will be adding new model cars to this range in the near future.
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