Conrad Models - Conrad's Diecast Cars

Conrad's Diecast Cars

During the 1980s in particular, and similar to NZG, Conrad introduced automobile promotionals mainly in 1:43 scale. Fit and finish of the auto models was comparable to Schuco Modell, Schabak, Gama Toys, or NZG. Conrad focused on Volkwagen and Audi (which NZG did not make) but like NZG, Conrad also did some Mercedes-Benz replicas. Similar to NZG, Mercedes-Benzes were cast in a larger 1:35 scale, indicating the size preferences of the client. By comparison, NZG made Porsche promotionals, while Conrad did not. Also similar to NZG, Conrad has not produced automobile models since the 1980s.

Observation of the selection and timing of promotional products of Conrad and NZG reveals 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 the collector. This kind of relationship, however, was somewhat more common in France where even Citroen (for a time) made its own promotional models (Force 1991, p. 5).