Friday, February 16, 2017
Overcast with flurries
-2 C 28.4 F
Part I
Overcast with flurries
-2 C 28.4 F
Heritage Auctions and the Pocher Company
Part I
Pocher Scale Models
These models contain anywhere from 800- 2400 pieces made of highly-resistant plastic parts, brass parts, and steel, copper, leather, rubber, and aluminum. The Pocher company was introduced at the International Toy Fair of Milan in 1966, and was extremely well-received by those in attendance. The models were all 1:8 in size, and could weight as much as 16 pounds (7.77 kg)!
Assembly was mostly with threaded fasteners such as screws, nuts and bolts.
The models came both as kits, or pre-assembled units.
The models came both as kits, or pre-assembled units.
The company was sold several times over, eventually being purchased by the famous Hornby Company in 2004. In 2012 , Hornby announced the return of these very sought after models.
The new models are Lamborghini cars and a Ducati Superbike 1299 Panigales. Unfortunately, all of the current models are sold out on their website.
However, new models are being manufactured as I write this post!
However, new models are being manufactured as I write this post!
Below are models of the earlier Pocher model kits that were assembled
by a famous model-maker by the name of Mr. Brady Ward.
The Early Pocher Model Kits
Finished Pocher K82 Scale Model 1936 Mercedes 540K Cabriolet
with highly detailed parts including working window levers and door handles.
7 x 24 x 10 inches (17.8 x 61 x 25.4 cm)
Scale: 1:8
Finished Pocher K86 Scale Model 1932 Bugatti 50T 'Surprofile" Coupe
with highly detailed parts including working including headlamps, window levers
and door handles.
14 x 32 1/2 x 15 inches (35.6 x 82.6 x 38.1 cm)
Scale: 1:8
Finished Pocher K84 Scale Model 1932 Bugatti 50T Coupe De Ville
with highly detailed parts including working window levers and door handles.
12 x 32 1/2 x 12 inches (30.5 x 90.2 x 30.5 cm)
Scale: 1:8
Finished Pocher K72 Scale Model 1932 Rolls Royce Phantom II 'Sedanca' Coupe
with highly detailed parts including working window levers and door handles.
7 x 24 x 10 inches (17.8 x 61 x 25.4 cm)
Scale: 1:8
Finished Pocher K74 Scale Model 1935 Mercedes Benz 500 K-AK Cabriolet
with highly detailed parts including working window levers and door handles.
9 x 25 x 7 inches (22.9 x 63.5 x 17.8 cm)
Scale: 1:8
Finished Pocher K72 Scale Model 1932 Rolls Royce Phantom II 'Sedanca'
with highly detailed parts including working window levers and door handles.
9 x 27 x 10 inches (22.9 x 68.6 x 25.4 cm)
Scale: 1:8
Finished Pocher K72 Scale Model Alfa Romeo 8C 2600 Mille Miglia Scuderia Ferrari
with highly detailed parts including working window levers and door handles.
Designed by Vittorio Jano.
6 x 19 x 6 inches (15.2 x48.3 x 15.2cm)
Finished Pocher K80 Scale Model 1935 Mercedes 540K 'The True roadster'
with highly detailed parts including working window levers and door handles.
Finished Pocher K72 Scale Model 1927 Pietro Bordino Fiat Corsa 806
with highly detailed parts including working window levers and door handles.
9 x 11 1/2 x 10 1/2inches (22.9 x 29.2 x 26.7 cm)
Finished Pocher K75 Scale Model 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II 'Torpedo' Cabriolet
with highly detailed parts including working window levers and door handles.
10 x 27 x 10 inches (25.4 x 68.6 x 25.4 cm)
Part II
As I mentioned in Part 1, Hornby currently owns the Pocher Company. For those who don't know, Hornby is a world-renowned model railway brand company that was founded in 1901 by Frank Hornby, who received a patent for the now-famous Meccano toy construction kits. Fast forward to the 1960's and the Pocher company was resurrected, and started to produce Pocher models. Eventually, the Pocher Company had financial troubles, and once again, the Pocher company changed hands to become a subsidiary of the Hornby Company.
Many of their current Lamborghini models have been sold out. However, not to worry. They still have the beautiful 1:4 scale models of their Ducati Superbike 1299 Panigale seen below. It's truly amazing how realistic this fine model shows, especially when you photograph the model professionally! If you've ever tried to do close-up photography, you'd be pulling your hair out with all of the dust that appears on your subjects. I really don't know how the Pocher photographers took such fine photos without the dust! What Pocher also offers are display cabinets to showcase these models once you have finished assembling them.
Soon, the Pocher Company will be coming out with new models for model enthusiasts.
Kit Model # HK107
Ducati Superbike 1299 Panigale
1:4 Model Motorcycle Kit
Kit Model # HK 100
Lamborghini Aventador Arancio Argos/ Metallic Orange
1:8 model car kit
Number of Parts: 796
Length c Width x Height:
23 3/8" x 11 1/4" x 5 1/2"
595mm x 287mm x 144mm
I was fortunate enough to contact the Pocher company, and corresponded with both
Mr. Philip Deery and Mr. Mark Lodge.
Philip Deery wrote back to say:
“All the Aventador variants and the Huracan models have been extremely successful for us. The latest model, the Verde Mantis Huracan, will be released in the next few weeks and pre-orders show that it is just as popular as the previous models. This is a testament to the strength of the Pocher brand.
We are currently evaluating opportunities for the future and we will release further details in due course.”
I'm glad that the Pocher Company is continuing with their famous 1:8 and 1:4 scale models. There are many people around the world who are dedicated fans of this company, and continue to purchase their products.
Thanks for dropping by,
and have a great day or evening.
Stacey Bindman
toysearcher@gmail.com
