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Reader's Digest Classic Cars series
Topic Started: Aug 1 2013, 07:44 PM (1,691 Views)
cody6268
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Minivan
I have several of the Reader's Digest models in my collection, and I was wondering what were the models in the series, and who made them

I have some that are marked "High Speed", one (a Model A van) (not sure that was part of the series) that says "made in Gt. Britain". and some that have just a number

There were some that were over-glorified Greenlights, but I don't have those, I have ones that are cheap, "Dollar Store Diecast" models
Edited by cody6268, Aug 1 2013, 08:14 PM.
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pjedsel
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Muscle Car
I know there are lists of the models made for Reader's Digest. Most of them, including the nice series of fire engines, were made by High Speed. Some of those casting later were used/purchased by Greenlight for their Motorworld series. The models ranged from the more crude antique series to the nicer ones such as the '55 Chevy, etc and the fire engines.
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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

http://www.breithaupts.com/totc442.htm


Greenlight bought the castings from High Speed as HS is no longer in business. Of the Reader Digest cars used by GL in their Motor World line, all have been used but the '63 Ford Thunderbird which they were unable to acquire.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

craftymore
Aug 1 2013, 11:03 PM
http://www.breithaupts.com/totc442.htm


Greenlight bought the castings from High Speed as HS is no longer in business. Of the Reader Digest cars used by GL in their Motor World line, all have been used but the '63 Ford Thunderbird which they were unable to acquire.
Not 100% accurate.

It is true that of the nice vintage American cars from the 50's up, GL has used and acquired the tooling for all but the 63 Tbird.

GL never issued or bothered with the tools (AFAIK) for the turn of the century (1900-1915 or so) brass era cars, of which many are "represented," but aren't exactly accurate or 1/64 scale. GL also didn't bother with the Firetrucks which ranged from horse-drawn up into the 1970s. Grell has also used several of these castings in their line, including the vintage American and Firetrucks. Also not included by GL or others that I know of is the complete set of railroad cars and engines that HS produced for RD. There is a final set of 4 trucks from the late brass era into the 1920s that are similar to Corgi Cameos that are not covered by others either, to my knowledge.

My guess is the one piece with Corgi on the base is a Corgi Cameo. Without pics it is near impossible to say with any certainty.
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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

Wes, I should have stated of the models shown in the article by Dave and Kimmo were the ones used so far by GL excluding the T-Bird. I have some of the early 1900s American classics I scored on the cheap at an auction. They're ok but not really terrific models.
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cody6268
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pjedsel
Aug 1 2013, 09:57 PM
I know there are lists of the models made for Reader's Digest. Most of them, including the nice series of fire engines, were made by High Speed. Some of those casting later were used/purchased by Greenlight for their Motorworld series. The models ranged from the more crude antique series to the nicer ones such as the '55 Chevy, etc and the fire engines.
Just Googled the fire engines, looks like I am going to have to get all of them.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

cody6268
Aug 1 2013, 07:44 PM
I have some that are marked "High Speed", one (a Model A van) (not sure that was part of the series) that says "made in Gt. Britain". and some that have just a number

There were some that were over-glorified Greenlights, but I don't have those, I have ones that are cheap, "Dollar Store Diecast" models
I don't think the GLs are over-glorified, maybe upmarket? At any rate, the vintage American cars GL acquired were nice pieces, even when originally done for RD and later for Grell.

The brass era turn of the century stuff seems rather generic, and one complaint I've heard often is that in a few cases the same casting was relabeled to represent a different car. These are all rather toyish.

The set of four that look remarkably like Corgi Cameos also have a toyish feel about them, and look just a step above the brass era stuff. I suspect the piece you are asking about is one of these, they were a series of four trucks, and I believe a Model T Van was one of them. I am not certain HS is the maker of these, there is an outside possibility Corgi contracted this set.

The Fire trucks are decent looking but all plastic, so they have a lightweight feel but are generally well done, especially considering the subject matter isn't well covered in this scale. Scale appears to be close to 1/64 on the few I have, certainly compatible with typical 3 inch cars (they range about 4-4 1/2 inches).

The trains are tiny, approx N scale but I never really bothered to confirm that. For the size they are well detailed and hefty. I am not certain HS made these, but I can think of no alternate source.

I spent some time over the past year on the prowl to complete the vintage American set to see a lot of the stuff listed as Readers Digest. I also spent some time before that and during looking through Grell. I know HS also made the Malibu brand for Walmart, and HS castings turn up other places as well.

The vintage American stuff off the top of my head include:
53 Caddy
55 Chevy
63 Tbird
65-66 Mustang
69ish Olds 442
56ish Ford F-100
69(I think) Camaro drop top
57ish Corvette

What I have pics of for now of the vintage American cars

Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image

This F-100 was released by GL and RD, here I am showing the Grell release. You may recognize the horse as the one in the background of the 55 Chevy.

Posted Image

Fire Engines

Posted Image

one of the brass era oldies

Posted Image

Somewhere I have one of the train cars, a cattle car as I recall, a gift from a friend

I also looked for my Corgi Cameo for comparison, but I can't seem to find it. It was rather unremarkable, came in a box lot, and I may have set it aside in the "junk" pile. Even among Corgi jr collectors the Cameo series was not well received.
Attached to this post:
Attachments: DSCF0002.jpg (93.87 KB)
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Attachments: high_speed_RD_caddy_and_vette_comparison.jpg (99.27 KB)
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Attachments: high_speed_fire_engines.jpg (67.19 KB)
Attachments: high_speed_oldie_2.jpg (99.68 KB)
Attachments: ford_009.jpg (134.39 KB)
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

cody6268
Aug 2 2013, 08:48 AM
pjedsel
Aug 1 2013, 09:57 PM
I know there are lists of the models made for Reader's Digest. Most of them, including the nice series of fire engines, were made by High Speed. Some of those casting later were used/purchased by Greenlight for their Motorworld series. The models ranged from the more crude antique series to the nicer ones such as the '55 Chevy, etc and the fire engines.
Just Googled the fire engines, looks like I am going to have to get all of them.
Near as I can tell, Grell also issued *all* of the Fire Engines...including the horse-drawn ones. I don't have any of the Grell issues to compare, but at a glance they appear identical to the RD issues.
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cody6268
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Minivan
juantoo3
Aug 2 2013, 08:56 AM
cody6268
Aug 1 2013, 07:44 PM
I have some that are marked "High Speed", one (a Model A van) (not sure that was part of the series) that says "made in Gt. Britain". and some that have just a number

There were some that were over-glorified Greenlights, but I don't have those, I have ones that are cheap, "Dollar Store Diecast" models
I don't think the GLs are over-glorified, maybe upmarket? At any rate, the vintage American cars GL acquired were nice pieces, even when originally done for RD and later for Grell.

The brass era turn of the century stuff seems rather generic, and one complaint I've heard often is that in a few cases the same casting was relabeled to represent a different car. These are all rather toyish.

The set of four that look remarkably like Corgi Cameos also have a toyish feel about them, and look just a step above the brass era stuff. I suspect the piece you are asking about is one of these, they were a series of four trucks, and I believe a Model T Van was one of them. I am not certain HS is the maker of these, there is an outside possibility Corgi contracted this set.

The Fire trucks are decent looking but all plastic, so they have a lightweight feel but are generally well done, especially considering the subject matter isn't well covered in this scale. Scale appears to be close to 1/64 on the few I have, certainly compatible with typical 3 inch cars (they range about 4-4 1/2 inches).

The trains are tiny, approx N scale but I never really bothered to confirm that. For the size they are well detailed and hefty. I am not certain HS made these, but I can think of no alternate source.

I spent some time over the past year on the prowl to complete the vintage American set to see a lot of the stuff listed as Readers Digest. I also spent some time before that and during looking through Grell. I know HS also made the Malibu brand for Walmart, and HS castings turn up other places as well.

The vintage American stuff off the top of my head include:
53 Caddy
55 Chevy
63 Tbird
65-66 Mustang
69ish Olds 442
56ish Ford F-100
69(I think) Camaro drop top
57ish Corvette

What I have pics of for now of the vintage American cars

Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image

This F-100 was released by GL and RD, here I am showing the Grell release. You may recognize the horse as the one in the background of the 55 Chevy.

Posted Image

Fire Engines

Posted Image

one of the brass era oldies

Posted Image

Somewhere I have one of the train cars, a cattle car as I recall, a gift from a friend

I also looked for my Corgi Cameo for comparison, but I can't seem to find it. It was rather unremarkable, came in a box lot, and I may have set it aside in the "junk" pile. Even among Corgi jr collectors the Cameo series was not well received.
About what size are the fire engines? Is it a possibility that the white Ford Model A van I have is a Corgi Cameo instead of part of this series(Corgi is not mentioned anywhere on the base, just the model name and "Made in Gt. Britain)
Edited by cody6268, Aug 2 2013, 12:26 PM.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

cody6268
Aug 2 2013, 12:25 PM
Is it a possibility that the white Ford Model A van I have is a Corgi Cameo instead of part of this series(Corgi is not mentioned anywhere on the base, just the model name and "Made in Gt. Britain)
Do you have a picture of it?
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted Image
borrowed image...is it one of these?
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cody6268
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Minivan
juantoo3
Aug 2 2013, 01:55 PM
cody6268
Aug 2 2013, 12:25 PM
Is it a possibility that the white Ford Model A van I have is a Corgi Cameo instead of part of this series(Corgi is not mentioned anywhere on the base, just the model name and "Made in Gt. Britain)
Do you have a picture of it?

I just took pictures of that one as well a couple of the others as a comparison.


This is the picture that you wanted.
Posted Image

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/9426462900_ae4351d7f2.jpg
Posted Image

This is its base

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/9426467950_190cd8d5c3_z.jpg


These are some of the Chinese made ones for comparison (I believe that the light green one is the one that I have seen most frequently, in fact I have three, two were given to me in a bag of assorted diecast by a family friend)



Posted Image
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/9426465440_d22b35f94c.jpg
Posted Image
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2814/9423696333_a1bb9b2c6e.jpg


All three together
Posted Image
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/9426471020_fc9a8bb188.jpg


I have several more, but when I was little I played with them and broke them. Now, a decade later I have much more respect for them and wish I didn't do that. I try to find replacements at local flea markets.
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cody6268
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Minivan
juantoo3
Aug 2 2013, 04:02 PM
Posted Image
borrowed image...is it one of these?
No. But the ones you have pictured look great. I believe mine all came individually packed in a Matchbox-style box


I did not know that those existed
Edited by cody6268, Aug 2 2013, 07:49 PM.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The two cars are without a doubt High Speed, and while I can't say beyond reasonable doubt they are RD issues, they are certainly of the kind that were issued by RD. Keep in mind, these same castings were also issued by others. I have seen carded sets of multiples of these, I don't recall exactly how many but I think it was a six pack, and I don't recall what brand they were sold under...I do know without doubt they were marketed in places other than just RD. I love the black one, that one is very photogenic.

The Model A looks to me like Corgi Cameo wheels. Corgis were made in Wales (until Mattel bought them and moved production overseas), which is why Corgi jrs have "made in Gt. Britain" on them, as opposed to early MBX which were made in an industrial area of Southeast England and were marked "made in England." So two clues right off point to Corgi Cameo; the wheels, and the "made in" part on the base.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the closest I see so far:

Posted Image
Posted Image
I believe the site it is hosted on is in French, so my reading it is extremely limited. Seems to be advertising for some product that I have no idea what is. The first difference I notice is the wheels and the second is the added high top...so this may not be what we're looking for. I do see Model T Ford deliveries by Corgi Cameo in several liveries, but no Model As. So I have nothing definitive, but to my knowledge no other diecast makers produced in "Gt. Britain" except Husky, and Corgi...and Corgi was basically founded on the ashes of Husky.
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cody6268
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Minivan
juantoo3
Aug 2 2013, 08:33 PM
This is the closest I see so far:

Posted Image
Posted Image
I believe the site it is hosted on is in French, so my reading it is extremely limited. Seems to be advertising for some product that I have no idea what is. The first difference I notice is the wheels and the second is the added high top...so this may not be what we're looking for. I do see Model T Ford deliveries by Corgi Cameo in several liveries, but no Model As. So I have nothing definitive, but to my knowledge no other diecast makers produced in "Gt. Britain" except Husky, and Corgi...and Corgi was basically founded on the ashes of Husky.
I believe Danone is a dairy products company. Lego made a milk truck for them in 1980.

I have been able to take the roof of of mine, it just snaps on. It is possible that multiple roofs existed. I am assuming that this is the same basic casting.


Edited by cody6268, Aug 3 2013, 10:28 AM.
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speedyexpress48
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Magical girl of depression and despair
juantoo3
Aug 2 2013, 08:56 AM
The trains are tiny, approx N scale but I never really bothered to confirm that. For the size they are well detailed and hefty. I am not certain HS made these, but I can think of no alternate source.
For what it's worth, the trains are somewhat poor quality copies of 1970s Atlus N scale sets...
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

speedyexpress48
Aug 3 2013, 01:24 PM
juantoo3
Aug 2 2013, 08:56 AM
The trains are tiny, approx N scale but I never really bothered to confirm that. For the size they are well detailed and hefty. I am not certain HS made these, but I can think of no alternate source.
For what it's worth, the trains are somewhat poor quality copies of 1970s Atlus N scale sets...
Could very well be, I'm not into N scale at all, and only peripherally concerned with HO. I think the one piece I have is an interesting curiousity, but not something I feel a pressing need to find a complete set of.

The thought did cross my mind of whether it was these castings that were used for the graffiti decorated railroad models offered in Wally some years back. They were a "here and gone" type deal, but interesting in their own way.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

cody6268
Aug 3 2013, 07:33 AM
juantoo3
Aug 2 2013, 08:33 PM
This is the closest I see so far:

Posted Image
Posted Image
I believe the site it is hosted on is in French, so my reading it is extremely limited. Seems to be advertising for some product that I have no idea what is. The first difference I notice is the wheels and the second is the added high top...so this may not be what we're looking for. I do see Model T Ford deliveries by Corgi Cameo in several liveries, but no Model As. So I have nothing definitive, but to my knowledge no other diecast makers produced in "Gt. Britain" except Husky, and Corgi...and Corgi was basically founded on the ashes of Husky.
I believe Danone is a dairy products company. Lego made a milk truck for them in 1980.

I have been able to take the roof of of mine, it just snaps on. It is possible that multiple roofs existed. I am assuming that this is the same basic casting.


Further looking in the 'bay / England is not coming up with any Model As, plenty of Model Ts though if someone were of a mind to collect them.

I think the next step is Lledo, something I fumbled on in looking mentioned Lledo and that might be a possibility. I thought they were made in England as well, but could be Gt. Britain. Unless yours is some pre-production development model of some kind, I'm starting to bump into a wall. Curious yours does not show a maker, only that it is made in Gt. Britain.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted Image
Posted Image
This is a comparison with Lledo Model A Ford delivery

look at the back of the casting, looks a lot closer than the other one earlier. Wheels are still different though, and I can't confirm size just yet. I think this may be the right trail.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted Image
This one appears to have wheels similar to yours, I think we found our match. Once again this helps confirm Lledo "commercials" are about 1/64 scale.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't see any plain white ones to pin down yours as Lledo without any question. I do see a few tampoed examples that could be made all white with a q-tip and some nail polish remover quite easily. Lledo did occasionally offer some of their models without advertising liveries, but that would be the exception not the norm. That's part of the reason I didn't go there earlier. Still not definitive, but I think at this point Lledo is your best guess unless someone else can show something better.
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cody6268
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Minivan
juantoo3
Aug 3 2013, 02:11 PM
I don't see any plain white ones to pin down yours as Lledo without any question. I do see a few tampoed examples that could be made all white with a q-tip and some nail polish remover quite easily. Lledo did occasionally offer some of their models without advertising liveries, but that would be the exception not the norm. That's part of the reason I didn't go there earlier. Still not definitive, but I think at this point Lledo is your best guess unless someone else can show something better.
I technically was the original owner, and I don't think I did any modifications

Is it possible that there were any British "off-brands"
Edited by cody6268, Aug 3 2013, 04:33 PM.
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DaWeber
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Station Wagon
I agree. That white van does appear to be a Lledo model. That would explain why the baseplate states it was made in England.

Kimmo had determined that the Grell models were made by HS a few years ago.
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cody6268
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Minivan
DaWeber
Aug 3 2013, 05:07 PM
I agree. That white van does appear to be a Lledo model. That would explain why the baseplate states it was made in England.

Kimmo had determined that the Grell models were made by HS a few years ago.
I compared the Model A van with my Lledo Coca-Cola van and a noticed quite a few differences

The Model A is smaller than the Lledo

The Lledo had Made In England, while the Model A had made in Gt. Britain

The Model A is of lower quality than the Lledo

The Model A's wheels are one piece, while the Lledo wheels are two piece

Did Lledo make models that were of smaller scale and lower quality?
Edited by cody6268, Aug 3 2013, 05:19 PM.
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