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Truck of the Day : November 23, 2013; Majorette '70s generic "Dodge" Tow Truck
Topic Started: Nov 22 2013, 11:40 PM (890 Views)
craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

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Majorette's Tow Truck is the vehicle for today.

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Wikipedia.com
 
A tow truck (also called a wrecker, a breakdown truck, recovery truck or a breakdown lorry) is a vehicle used to transport disabled motor vehicles to another location (generally a repair garage), or to recover vehicles which are no longer on a drivable surface. Less commonly, flatbed tow trucks or tow dollies may transport a car that is in driveable condition; this is distinct from motor carriers that regularly transport multiple cars simultaneously.


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If there was ever a model to confuse collectors as to what exactly it is, this Majorette is it! Some say that it's a Dodge or a Simca. There's traces of South American blood in this one as well. My copy is listed at 1/80 scale wise. Discuss among yourselves. :D

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Quote:
 
The tow truck was invented in 1916 by Ernest Holmes, Sr., of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was a garage worker who was inspired to create the invention after he was forced to pull a car out of a creek using blocks, ropes, and six men. An improved design led him to manufacture wreckers. A museum in Chattanooga called the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum features restored antique wreckers and displays related toys, tools, equipment, and pictorial histories of the tow truck industry


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Dean-o-mite
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OK. This is torture for the guy trying to keep a running tally of all the vehicles run for COTD. Someone come up with an answer,
please. Make, model, and year, or tell me with definitive certainty that it is a generic, so I can add it to the bottom of the list.
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pjedsel
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It seems like all of the major and many of the lesser toy car makers include a tow truck of some type in their lineups. This is a nice basic tow truck model from Majorette and a basic casting they got lots of good use out of.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I anticipate some good discussion over this one.

I will start by saying that in my experience typical Majorette collectors refer to this model as a Dodge pickup. (BTW, if it is a Dodge, comparable to a late 60s - early 70s American market model, there is *no* way it is only 1/80 scale...a problem compounded even more if in the usual fashion it represents a vehicle issued elsewhere on a still smaller chassis) I have read it is based on a Simca, some say with some hints of early 70s Toyota in the front treatment of the quad headlight grill (there are two grill versions available on this model, the other with dual headlights).
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OK, stirring the pot here:

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ref: http://webmaster.simca.free.fr/Simca1100Utilitaires.htm

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ref: http://www.forum-auto.com/automobiles-mythiques-exception/section5/sujet152251-5040.htm

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borrowed from the 'bay

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In 1970 Simca became a subsidiary and brand of Chrysler Europe, ending its period as an independent company. Simca's history ended in 1978, when Chrysler divested its European operations to another French automaker, PSA Peugeot Citroën. PSA replaced the Simca brand with Talbot and for a short period some models were badged as Simca-Talbots.

Chrysler used the Dodge marque on commercial vehicles produced by both Simca and Rootes (Commer and Karrier, but in addition using badge engineering to sell vehicles overseas under the Fargo and DeSoto brands)

The 1100 was the result of "Project 928", started in 1962, finalized by engineers Philippe Grundeler and Charles Scales. The design was a result of Simca's market research in the early 1960s, which showed the increasing popularity of front wheel drive cars that provided better utilization of space and comfort in small cars. In Spring 1962, Simca organized a 1966–67 launch of a new range of front wheel drive cars with saloons, estates cars and light commercial vehicles to be included, all fitting into France's 6CV tax class – between the Simca Mille and Simca 1300. Both transverse and longitudinal engine placement were tested, and in 1963 the transverse-engine design was approved. The Simca 1100 was one of the first designs outside Fiat to feature a transverse engine with an end-on gearbox and unequal length driveshafts (now near-universal amongst small cars), a possible result of Fiat influence as a major shareholder.

In 1963, Chrysler took a controlling interest in Simca, approving the project in 1964, with a production target of summer 1967. The short timetable included developing a new transmission, and using a larger version of the rear engined rear wheel drive Simca Mille (Simca 1000) engine, displacing 1118 cc (the Mille used a 1.0 litre engine, the 1500 a 1.5 litre engine).

from Wiki, this may help explain some problems identifying this vehicle. emphasis mine, -jt3

So, it would appear this is a front wheel drive transverse engine light commercial vehicle built by Simca under Chrysler ownership and badged as a Dodge, and sold from 1967 until Chrysler divested itself of Chrysler Europe to Peugeot in 1978...clear now? My guess is this model represents an earlier version, say '67-70, and the quad headlight version from later in the 70s.

Regarding scale, clearly there is no way this is 1/80 scale. It represents a four cylinder "sewing machine" drive light commercial vehicle, essentially a mini-pickup. Consequently scale is probably more accurate to around 1/68-1/70. Wheelbase given for the cars is 99.2 inches, the trucks are likely the same or marginally longer.
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FiatCoupe
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Nice try,but I don't think it's one of those.The Simca is front wheel drive,& has a very small engine,so wouldn't be any use as a tow truck.I remember these when they were current,& never saw one with four headlights.As discussed on other forums,I think this is a generic model,most Majorettes have the name of the car on the base,but this doesn't(although the Plymouth Fury Police Car doesn't either).
Nice model though,& it's still got its hook B)
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Pegers
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what is the casting number on the base?
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FiatCoupe
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Pegers
Nov 24 2013, 12:19 PM
what is the casting number on the base?
It doesn't have one :huh:
Edited by FiatCoupe, Nov 24 2013, 01:26 PM.
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JustDavid
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I learned something new...about the invention of the tow truck. Very cool.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FiatCoupe
Nov 23 2013, 06:57 PM
Nice try,but I don't think it's one of those.The Simca is front wheel drive,& has a very small engine,so wouldn't be any use as a tow truck.
Fair enough, but considering Majorette (and MBX and others) have been known to pair a VW Bug or Porsche with a horse trailer or some other that it clearly would be incapable of pulling in real life, I'm not so sure that would be a disqualifier in toy car land... :D

The thing I keyed on in my "research" is that Commer Simcas of this period were sold in many foreign markets under the Dodge name, so it does kind of make sense that it would be a "Dodge" and also a "Simca."
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Dean-o-mite
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The Simca / Dodge connection is probably why both have been mentioned over the years. (i.e. "someone said this was a Dodge, but it is no Dodge I've ever seen. Simca sold trucks as Dodges elsewhere. Maybe it's one of those.")

The pictures shown do not match in my eyes, at all, so unless there is another Simca pickup model not yet shown, I'm ruling out the Simca.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You're right, there are a few differences, enough to avoid licensing no doubt.

Just found this:

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ref: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hugo90/4275429154/

What seals the deal for me is the "canopy cover," a fairly unique item for a civilian vehicle...and prominently featured on very many of the Majorette issues.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quote:
 
The Dodge Truck story began in 1951 with the founding of Barreiros Diesel S.A., which produced diesel engines; they started to make commercial vehicles in 1959, buses in 1962, and then tractors as well. They also supplied a variety of companies which made trucks, and fitted engines to Star chassis-cab trucks from Poland.

Chrysler Corporation acquired 77% of Barreiros Diesel in October 1967; in 1969, Chrysler took full control; and in 1970, the company was renamed to Chrysler Espana S.A.

barreirosHans Ensing wrote: “Barreiros was essentially heavy trucks with an in-house diesel, and later a Cummins option.”

Eduardo Barreiros himself ended his days with a diesel engine business in Cuba.

In 1980, Barreiros was technically part of Automoviles Talbot S.A; in that year, Talbot employed 15,500 people in the Villaverde complex near Madrid. 4,000 were employed by Dodge Trucks, which built trucks from 14,000 to 38,000 kg (gross weight). 5,500 of these were built in 1979, with 1,000 exported from Spain. (Commercial truck models most likely included the Dodge 100 and Dodge 500. For more Dodge commercial trucks, see our 1969 Dodge heavy duty commercial truck page.)

In the late 1970s, according to Hans Ensing, Chrysler tried to set up a major truck company in cooperation with International Harvester (which owned the Spanish company and Barreiros competitor Pegaso) but International Harvester backed off due to an agricultural equipment crisis.

When Peugeot acquired Chrysler, they investigated many strategic options for Dodge Trucks (e.g. with DAF) but finally Peugeot gave Dodge Trucks to Renault, “basically because the French government did not want Peugeot to create a new competitor to Renault Trucks. Renault modified the range. Initially they also made light/medium trucks, and you will recognize the USA series cab on the 42/45 - the heavier ones having an old European design.”

Peugeot (PSA) bought Rootes Group and Simca, in 1980; but the European Dodge Trucks business was sold separately to Renault in 1981. As a result, Hans Ensing wrote that “the Madrid plant was split (with a wall!) into a PeugeotCitroën cars activity which still exists today and a (Dodge) Renault trucks activity which was closed some years ago. Dodge trucks Europe in 1981 also included the UK Dunstable plant, which was closed some 10 years ago.”

ref: http://www.allpar.com/world/spain.html
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Dean-o-mite
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juantoo3
Nov 24 2013, 10:34 PM
You're right, there are a few differences, enough to avoid licensing no doubt.
Were toy makers getting licensing back in the 70's? I wasn't around in the 70's, but I thought the big push toward licensing came about in the late 80's / early 90's (Majorette's Ferrari models became smoothed out, to avoid licensing. The General Motors cars within the Zylmex casting bank were also smoothed out, and given weird add-ons (Nomad, Banshee, Firebird, etc)). Even the 1970's Summer cars had car names on the bases, and Mercedes cars had Mercedes logos - all of which I doubt were paid for, or even "used with permission."

If this was based on a real truck, and modified to be generic enough not to raise any eyebrows, I'd say it looks more like the full-size 60's/early 70's Dodge pickup (see Greenlight's effort). The large hood, which covers the tops of the fenders, is a big issue for me. That was a typical design of the big three pickup trucks of the day. The Ford, Chevy/GMC, and Dodge all had hoods like that (and people say all cars look alike today!). It's not just details that lead me to refuse the Simca as a viable option. I simply don't see any of the Simca in the Majorette. The large headlights may indicate a smaller pickup, opposed to a full-size, which would have smaller headlights in proportion to the rest of the truck, but otherwise, nothing says Simca to me.

So, most likely, this is just a generic representation of a U.S. style pickup truck, to keep the kids in France happy who weren't familiar enough with Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge to know the difference.

Majorette had another generic pickup casting in the late 80's or early 90's (looked kinda like a Chevy S-10, with softer edges). If an educated group of car guys from around the globe can't come up with a 1:1 that looks like the Majorette, I'm satisfied that it is just a generic.

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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sourcing the Simca commers was a challenge, as soon as the Simca name is attached all searches go to the 1/2 ton vehicles (if you think about it, those "full size" American trucks of the era you mention are *also* 1/2 ton). I had a little better luck after I found the connection to Barreiros, and searched for Dodge Camion (Spanish/French for "truck") and 1 tonne, but then I got a huge amount of medium and heavy duty foreign Dodges. I know I spent well over an hour looking for anything that even approached the looks of an American 1/2 ton Dodge pickup of the era, and found none. Interestingly, Simca did make some heavier trucks for the Military, and I even saw a badge that suggests some cooperation with NAPCO, but these vehicles were as different to civilian models as a FWC Jeep would be to a CJ.

I haven't looked outside of Dodge/Simca, other than Barreiros. If someone can show different, I'm willing to listen.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dean-O-mite
Nov 25 2013, 02:35 AM
juantoo3
Nov 24 2013, 10:34 PM
You're right, there are a few differences, enough to avoid licensing no doubt.
Were toy makers getting licensing back in the 70's? I wasn't around in the 70's, but I thought the big push toward licensing came about in the late 80's / early 90's (Majorette's Ferrari models became smoothed out, to avoid licensing.
You may well be right about licensing, but I do know Mattel in the Hot Wheels line frequently altered their castings from the real life counterparts during this time period (1970+/-). (For example, stacked quad headlights on the Classic Nomad, a feature that has been with that model since the beginning...also the Dixie Challenger and alternates as another example of altered styling.) I'm not as familiar with Majorette at the time.

I do wonder when the "Dodge" pickup first appeared in the Majorette line, as that may aid in pinning down what model it represents. I focused on 1968-1972, which may be a bit early.
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
hard to believe the Simca was a full 1/2 ton vehicle WOW!
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think I found a bone I can latch onto. The ID gets even more difficult:

Quote:
 
In 1965, due to increased demand, production moved to Dunstable, where Commer / Dodge and Karrier were all brought together (Luton was refitted as a transmission plant.) The Dodge badge was used more and by the mid-1970s, it was on all Commer / Karrier / Dodge vehicles. By then, Rootes Group had been acquired by Chrysler.

The 50 series was the result of subsidies by the British goverment in 1975/76, giving Dodge / Karrier / Commer a boost in developing a 3.5 to 7.5 tonne range of vehicles to help keep the UK truck building business on an even keel. It came out in 1979, badged as a Dodge but with a Karrier nameplate, just in time for Peugeot's acquisition of Chrysler Europe, which included Rootes and Simca. In January 1980, all Commer / Karrier / Dodge vehicles officially became Talbot. Peugeot had no interest in truck building and sold it on to Renault in 1981; but for 1980, the 50 series was still badged as a Dodge under the Talbot name.

In 1983, it switched to being sold as a Dodge under the Renault name, and in 1985 the Renault logo joined the nameplate; but the Dodge name was retained until 1987, when the trucks were replaced by the New 50 series, badged as Renaults only. Due to poor sales, the entire line was shut down in March 1993, with the line becoming the UK distribution center for French-built tractor units. The production line was taken away in 1994 by a Chinese group, and presumably Dodge medium duty trucks are now being produced in China. (For more details, see dodge50.co.uk.)


ref:http://www.allpar.com/world/karrier.html


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Dean-o-mite
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I don't disagree with the fact that Dodge was associated with Simca. I think we can etch that in stone and no one will argue.
I still believe the Majorette is a generic, with no more resemblance to Dodge or Simca, than to anything else.
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
I feel a headache coming on...
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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

Found this pic on DeviantArt of a mod to late 60s Dodge which appears to be a ton and a half. The way the front bumper was dropped down and fender skits provide a slight resemblance to the Majorette model.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FWIW, that's a '71 grill. :D

I had one, well a 1/2 ton anyway.
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GothicCarsUrban
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May have found a near-match... they look Japanese to me, and these looked a lot like Prince or Mitsubishi, but I'm thinking it's an Isuzu Wasp:

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anyone catch the similarity? Side sculpting, front fascia less grille, basic shape, and bed design all point to an Isuzu Wasp. Isuzu imported to Europe in the 60s, so no reason why this could not be a stylized Isuzu Wasp.
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