Progetto K

Lore & Background

Progetto K was started by Fabrizio Petrucci, who had previously made hand-crafted resin models under the name King Model in the Centocelle region of Rome during the 1970s. King Model produced Italian auto subjects from the 1930s through the 1950s, primarily early Alfa Romeos and FIATs. Around 1977, Petrucci launched Progetto K and began mass production of models in resin and metal. The early factory was on the east side of Rome inside the A90 beltway; later production moved to Sesto Fiorentino, north of Florence. Despite being a small family business, PK became nearly as prolific as metal diecast makers like Rio Models, Brumm, or Vitesse Models, though its location in central Italy was unusual for the industry, which was concentrated in the industrial north near Milan.

Progetto K models were most often Italian brands such as Alfa Romeo, Fiat (including Spanish SEAT), Lancia, Autobianchi, Ferrari, and Maserati, mainly from the 1950s through the 1980s. Alfa Romeo was the favorite brand, particularly the Giulia sedan and wagon and the Bertone 2000 GTA. The company produced many racing, promotional, fire, fire prevention, Red Cross, polizia, and Carabinieri liveries. Early models were resin, but materials varied over time; for example, the Maserati Tipo 61 'Birdcage' had a heavy diecast body with a thin plastic base, while the Ferrari 225 S roadster had a resin body with a diecast base. Over the decades, less metal and rubber were used, and plastic became more prominent, sometimes affecting detailing.

Reader's Guide

Progetto K holds significance as one of the early experimenters with collector diecast models, starting in the 1970s when the market for such items was still developing. The company's output, though focused on Italian subjects, was extensive and included many livery variations, making it a notable player alongside Brumm and Rio Models. Its models were intended for collectors only, with packaging warnings that they were not suitable for children under 14, and later under 16. While some models were praised for proportion and finish, others were criticized for incomplete or rubbery detail, especially as cost-cutting led to increased use of plastic. Prices ranged from $40 to $50, but many models can now be found on eBay for under $20. Early models are rare, but most are relatively easy to acquire. The company ceased production in July 2011, a casualty of the global economic downturn, and was part of the Pego Italia Group at the time. It was one of the last lower-cost, mass-production model companies to continue manufacturing in Europe when most others had moved to Asia or closed.

Did You Know?

• Progetto K was founded by Fabrizio Petrucci, who previously made hand-crafted resin models under the name King Model.
• The company's early factory was in Rome, later moving to Sesto Fiorentino near Florence.
• Progetto K was one of the last European diecast producers to manufacture models in Europe before ceasing production in 2011.