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33-506: Conrad GmbH (previously " Gescha Toys ") is a German manufacturer of diecast scale model trucks, primarily in 1:50 scale for use both as toys and promotional models by heavy equipment manufacturers. Conrad is one of the few European diecast companies which have not outsourced production to China or elsewhere in Asia. Conrad Modelle is headquartered in Kalchreuth, just northeast of Nuremberg. In

66-525: A frontloader, a backhoe and some antique trucks and tractors – one was a 1903 Bussing flatbed truck. It is interesting that packaging for many of the promotional offerings was identical to that of other diecast manufacturers. For example, the Mercedes Unimog (shown here) had an identical silver black-lined box design to that of the NZG Mercedes Coupe. The only difference is the precise box size and

99-437: A new trend that exploded during the 1980s and 1990s, the making of sophisticated diecast vehicles as promotional items for heavy equipment manufacturers. Gescha appears to have blazed this trail as a new model toy specialty niche, with the newly established NZG Models close at its heels. During the 1970s, the name Conrad began to be used more and Gescha used less. By 1980, toys bearing the name Gescha were rare. Around this time

132-449: A sophisticated relationship between model companies and real vehicle manufacturers – relationships rarely seen among toy manufacturers in England or Italy. In Germany, the contract of the model manufacturers, the choice of models and their appearance and packaging, appear to be more decided by the specifications of the specific German auto producing client, not the demands of the toy industry or

165-580: A variety of ways. One example is the wind-up bellhop that pushes a large trunk along a flat surface. Another is the tin butterfly. These may be toys made by a variety of manufacturers bearing the German registration mark. The confusion between the trademark and the name of the company greatly complicates the process of determining which toys were specifically made by the Gescha company. As with most German industries, World War II seriously disrupted or halted business. In

198-583: Is not always clear on the box – one could assume Mercedes-Benz itself might have made them. This is similar in a way to how Corgi Toys , Dinky Toys or Lonestar Toys were packaged similarly in the 1960s. But, by contrast, Corgi and Dinky were not making promos for competing companies, they were competing against each other. Gescha Toys Tin toys, plates, and other products made in Germany between 1900 and 1920 were often marked Ges. Gesch. (gesetzlich geschützt), which means "registered trademark" in German, but

231-442: Is printed on the perforated box base. It is likely the model was made around 1980, perhaps earlier. The package is a cut and folded shiny card stock base with perforations for the tires of the truck. Covering this is a softer clear plastic cover. Printing on the bottom of the package gives specifications of the real 4 cylinder in German, English, French, and Spanish. Some of the company's first promotional vehicles appeared about

264-550: Is simply a perception. While NZG Modelle focuses more on construction and earth moving equipment, Conrad's line-up centers more on a variety of commercial trucks themselves. Several models, however, are quite distinct, like stationary construction cranes, tunnel borers, and jackhammer trucks. Lately, some NZG Models have been marketed under the Conrad name, but normally the two companies remain fairly autonomous from one another, while competing for similar contracts. For example, Conrad had

297-444: The 280TE wagon and 190E sedan. Also similar to NZG, Mercedes-Benzes were cast in a larger 1:35 scale, indicating the marketing preferences of the client. Also NZG made Porsche promotionals, while Conrad did not, but, like NZG Conrad has not produced automobile models since the 1980s so as to focus more on models of trucks and construction equipment. Observation of the selection and timing of promotional products of Conrad and NZG reveals

330-522: The American promotional model and kit makers. It is also much more solid than most French Minialuxe models or early Brumm carriages and steam vehicles which seemed much more 'spidery' and delicate in the use of their plastic. This model is very tasteful and authentic in appearance and is molded in three different colors; green cab, brown lipped flat-bed, dark gray fenders and rail frame base. The fenders and frame are diecast metal which lends more weight to

363-461: The Caterpillar line of construction vehicles through about 1990, but the licenses changed over to NZG sometime after. Model details were generally finely crafted. For example, Conrad's Volvo 470 F16 Intercooler Globetrotter cab with refrigeration tanker had some priceless details such as an opening rear door on the tanker revealing cooling gauges and mechanisms. Intricately detailed cooling fins under

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396-425: The Conrad name as a sub-brand first. Most diecast truck and heavy equipment models, for which Conrad became most well-known, were marketed as Gescha in the 1960s and 1970s. The name Conrad was increasingly used through the 1970s and by about 1980, the Gescha name was discontinued. The official website says that since 1987 the company has been run by Gunther Conrad assisted by his wife Gerde and their son, Michael. Thus

429-612: The Gelandewagen SUV were introduced in 1:35 scale . This marked Cursor's main focus on the production of miniatures mainly for 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. As was typical models usually had opening doors with tilting seats and realistic rubber tires. Some truck models were accompanied by tractors, bulldozers, Unimogs, at least four buses,

462-594: The Gescha toy company, when in fact they are toys made by other companies and only marked "registered." The earliest made Gescha toys bear the words "Gescha Patent" written in English (for example, on the grille of a toy tractor) and on packaging labeled for foreign markets. The name confusion is then probably related to German toys sold in other than German language markets. Gescha has a long history of toy manufacturing similar to Schuco or Gama Toys . Most of its early products were tin wind-up toys creatively designed to move in

495-561: The auto models was very good and comparable to other German manufacturers, Schuco Modell , Schabak , Gama Toys , or NZG. Conrad focused on Volkswagen ( Polo (Mk2, hatchback and coupé) , Passat (B2, 5-door hatchback and wagon) , Santana , Scirocco (second generation) and Type 2 (T3) ) and Audi ( Coupé (B2) , 100 (C3 sedan) and the Quattro ). By contrast, NZG did more Mercedes-Benz and Porsche models while Cursor focused on Mercedes and BMW. Conrad did, however, do some Mercedes-Benz replicas like

528-496: The car neatly shadowed in black on the sides. How much Wiking was involved in these models is uncertain, but it appears Wiking only produced a few of the older cars for the museum at the earlier time. About 1978, Cursor went in a different direction. 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) and

561-564: The collector. This kind of relationship, however, was somewhat more common in France where even Citroen (for a time) made its own promotional models. This marketing relationship also emphasizes the probability that, to avoid confusion, there was more interaction between the different German firms making the models. Conrad model cars were packaged in boxes virtually identical to those of other German manufacturers like NZG and Cursor. Boxes were normally silver and standardized (down to vehicle likenesses on

594-408: The color of the lettering stating what vehicle came inside. This is evidence of the control of the client over many promotional companies and their offerings. Obviously, Mercedes wanted a particular appearance for its packaged products and required that across multiple providers. Cursor also produced construction and farm vehicles. One brand reproduced was Kramer tractors, one made in plastic, and also

627-452: The company has remained a family owned business, probably since about 1956 when the Conrad name was introduced when the Conrad family took control of Gescha. Conrad today has a line of over 90 separate models, mostly trucks and cranes. The appearance and finish of the diecast models themselves is similar to its competitor, NZG Models , though perhaps NZG's are slightly more adventurous in models contracted and slightly more realistic – but this

660-797: The first Cursor Models to the United States in the mid-1970s; previous to this they were unknown in the United States. Cursor also featured several racing models for the museum as well, including the 1903 Mercedes Rennwagen, 1911 Blitzen Benz race car and the Mercedes SSK Kompressor driven by Christian Werner, the winner of the 1924 Targa Florio race in Italy. 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

693-544: The flaps and the big blue serif lettering on the box sides). This is another indication demonstrating that, here, the requirements of the client drove the appearance and marketing of the promotional product. The model companies are closely knit to the real companies' requirements – something not quite as common with American promotional makers and the 'Big 3' auto companies. The uniform packaging situation among different model manufacturers, then, causes brand confusion. Which models are made by Conrad and which by NZG or Cursor ? It

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726-495: The initials C.R.) were mostly of vehicles on exhibit at the Mercedes-Benz museum, like the 1886 "Dreirad" three-wheeler and Daimler's gas powered horse-buggy style "Motorwagen" of the same year. These were the first gas powered vehicles ever produced. Also made were an 1895 Erster Benz omnibus and an 1896 firewagon, and a 1904 MAN Bussing omnibus. David Sinclair, an influential dealer to the diecast collecting hobby, imported some of

759-545: The late 1940s and early 1950s, Gescha still made a wide variety of tin and stamped toys, but began to focus on making vehicles. Among these were a windup tractor and trailer, colorful four-inch buses, airplanes, tanks, cars, and a variety of other vehicles. Among these was a Porsche speedster-like sports car, very much in line with the post-war tin Shuco or Gama tradition. Sometime in the 1960s, Gescha started making various toys and models for several different brand names. One of these

792-412: The mark often seems to be mistaken as the name of a toy brand. While the Gescha toy company was reportedly established in 1923, and toys on today's antiques market stamped with the name 'Gescha' date from the mid-1930s, it is uncertain whether this name of the toys was inspired by the copyright abbreviation. Tin toys made before the 1940s that bear the mark "Gesch" thus are often mistaken for toys made by

825-430: The model. It has a realistic gold radiator with black grille and headlights. The headlights are 'lit' with an authentic looking chrome for lenses and higher up, beside the cab on the driver's side, is another light – painted yellow. Despite the plastic make-up of many pieces, axles and spoke wheels are also metal, with realistic rubber tires. On the base of the model is molded "Made in Germany", while "Made in W. Germany"

858-466: The name Conrad began to be used exclusively; the company's website does not even mention the name of Gescha. The business approach of Conrad is similar to that of NZG Models, also of Nuremberg. They compete globally for contracts to make precision models for truck, crane, and other heavy equipment manufacturers (see Conrad website listed below). It is worth noting, however, that the Conrad Models company

891-473: The past, Conrad also manufactured model cars . On early German toys the abbreviation "Ges. Gesch." was short for the German for "trademark registered". This may have led to the eventual name of the predecessor toy firm of Gescha which was established in 1923. Gescha had previously specialized in wind-up tin toys similar to Schuco Modell or Gama Toys . The Conrad website says that Conrad – a family name – started making diecast models in 1956, however Gescha used

924-498: The plastic chassis. This model may have been one of the first promotionals offered by Cursor, and perhaps somewhat rare, because it is not mentioned in Force's book. At this same time, around 1970, Cursor made other VW models in a similar style as the Audi. These were also made in plastic. One was the oval-eyed 411 sedan in light blue and also red (#868). It came in a promo looking white box with

957-502: The rear of the tanker were surprising considering one couldn't even see them unless the model was turned over. Various websites show that prices for Conrad construction models vary greatly from about $ 55.00 (AU) for a Moffett forklift or $ 80.00 (AU) for basic Mercedes Sprinter ambulances to over $ 1,900.00 (AU) for some of the more complex Liebherr tower cranes. During the 1980s in particular, and similar to NZG, Conrad introduced automobile promotionals mainly in 1:43 scale. Fit and finish of

990-434: The same time as the museum pieces, and though they were not brass era, they were yet molded in plastic. One model was the Audi 100 sedan, the real car being one of the first Audis to be exported to the United States around 1969. 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

1023-444: The spidery detail necessary for realistic portrayal of wire wheels and roof ties is not possible with diecast zamac . A good vehicle for analysis is the 1923 Benz Diesel Lastkraftwagen 5K3. The truck was notable for being Mercedes Benz's first diesel. The model is five and a half inches long, and made of a sturdy, rather heavy styrene type plastic that seems heavier than the styrene plastic used by American companies AMT or Jo-Han ,

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1056-433: Was Conrad Models , named after the family that owned the company. The name Conrad appeared as early as the late 1950s. Another name was Strenco , which may have been a separate company purchased by Gescha at some point. Gescha entered the realm of diecasting zamac around this time. The company began to specialize in a variety of cast metal heavy equipment vehicles like road graders, front loaders, bulldozers, etc. This began

1089-683: Was started under the name Gescha . 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. Cursor started making ultra detailed 1:40 scale plastic replicas of 1880–1920 era Mercedes-Benzes and Daimlers about 1969. The first models were produced by model maker Wiking and then immediately taken over by Cursor. Models produced (sometimes marked with

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