Contemporary Wiking
In 1953 the workshops in Buer were closed, followed by the Kiel workshops in 1982.
The founder of Wiking died in 1981 at the age of 78 (February 5, 1903 - November 20, 1981). Some collectors consider this to be the end of an era, leaving behind the age of stylized models.
In 1984 Wiking was sold to the Sieper Lüdenscheid, known as the makers of the range of Siku model cars. The current models of Wiking represent a different philosophy and try to be a perfect miniature just like the competition (Herpa or Brekina).
Today old Wiking models are often collectors items which can be very expensive. The most expensive Wiking model ever sold is a Mercedes tank truck from 1962 which was produced as an advertising article for the Thyssen company. In June 2006 one of these tank truck models was sold for 10,100 Euro at an auction in Cologne.
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