Cursor Models: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:27, 4 May 2012

Revision as of 03:37, 4 May 2012

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Some collectors are critical of plastic for collector's automobiles, but those in-the-know realize that companies like Cursor, [[Minialuxe]] of France and [[Brumm]] and [[RIO Models]] of Italy, all have done their earlier 'bicycle' tire vehicles in plastic because the spidery detail necessary for realistic portrayal of wire wheels and roof ties is not possible with diecast zamac (Sinclair's 1976).

Some of the plastic models were not only brass era vehicles. One model, for example, was the late 1960s Audi 100 sedan, the real car being one of the first Audis to be exported to the United States. This model was slightly larger than 1:43 scale, in a silver box with black lettering. The car was well detailed, especially the front grille and also the floorpan and engine features on the plastic chassis. This model may have been one of the first promotionals offered by Cursor.

==A Case Example==

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==Diecast Promotionals==

Some of the plasticcompany's modelsfirst promotional vehicles appeared about the same time as the museum pieces, and though they were not only brass era, vehiclesthey were yet molded in plastic. One model, for example, was the late 1960s Audi 100 sedan, the real car being one of the first Audis to be exported to the United States. This model was slightly larger than 1:43 scale, in a silver box with black lettering. The car was well detailed in styrene plastic, especially the front grille and also the floorpan and engine features on the plastic chassis. This model may have been one of the first promotionals offered by Cursor.

About 1978, Cursor started to go in different directions. First, models of trucks, mostly Mercedes-Benzes, started to appear. Secondly, these were now often diecast in zamac. Then, similar to [[NZG Models]] and [[Conrad Models]] three or four Mercedes-Benz sedans (the 230, 200, and 190), began to appear ''in 1:35 scale'' (Force 1990, 124-127). This marked Cursor's production of miniatures for more purely promotional purposes. Apparently all three companies were taking similar marching orders from Mercedes-Benz on how the company wanted its promotional models standardized. A BMW 3 series coupe also was made by Cursor in the 1:35 scale.

About 1978, Cursor started to gowent in different directionsdirection. First, models of contemporary trucks, mostly Mercedes-Benzes, started to appear. Secondly, these were now often diecast in zamac. Then, similar to [[NZG Models]] and [[Conrad Models]] three or four Mercedes-Benz sedans (the 230, 200, and 190), beganwere to appearintroduced ''in 1:35 scale'' (Force 1990, 124-127). This marked Cursor's main production of miniatures mainly for more purely promotional purposes. Apparently all three companies were taking similar marching orders from Mercedes-Benz on how the company wanted its promotional models standardized. A BMW 3 series coupe also was made by Cursor in the 1:35 scale.

The truck models were accompanied by tractors, bulldozers, Unimogs, at least four buses, a frontloader, a backhoe and some antique trucks and tractors - one of a 1903 Bussing flatbed truck and a 1930s Fendt tractor. Apart from these last two, the trucks and heavy construction equipment were very similar to NZG and Conrad, though Cursor never matched their dizzying productivity. In fact, after producing about 40 different models over 18 years, Cursor seems to have produced nothing more after about 1987.