Vitesse Models
Portuguese diecast models known for detail and variety.
Vitesse, a Portuguese manufacturer of diecast model cars, was founded in 1982 in Oporto and operates as a brand under Cinerius, Ltd. The company focuses mainly on 1:43 scale models and saw a rise in popularity during the late 1980s and 1990s, driven by the high level of detail and realism in its products.
By around 1992, Vitesse had released roughly 40 different models, often offering both convertible and hardtop versions, similar to Brumm or Rio Models. Many of these came in a wide variety of liveries. For instance, by 1990, its 1947 Chrysler Windsor (a car also made by Solido) was available in at least eight versions: a plain sedan, New York City police, San Francisco Fire Brigade, Istanbul Taxi, an official French government car, a French "pompiers" fire service car, a Hot Springs National Park hotel taxi, and a Zippo lighters edition featuring the car’s midsection shaped like two upright Zippo lighters.
Vitesse referred to its somewhat delicate products as "toys." The cover of its 1990 full-color catalog depicted a 1957 Buick used as a planter, Citroën 2CVs with live rabbits, a VW Beetle cabriolet nearly steered by a golf club, and a 1953 Cadillac sandwiched between two buns.
In 1990, the oldest model in Vitesse’s lineup was a 1934 white truck, while the newest was a contemporary Peugeot 205, though most models were from the 1950s. Since Portugal lacked its own automotive industry to inspire national pride, the company selected models fairly evenly from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and the United States. One catalog’s inside front cover introduced Vitesse in nine different languages. While Vitesse also produces models for other companies, the majority are sold under its own name.
Details on individual models highlight the company’s craftsmanship. A 1960 Aston Martin DB4, for example, featured a simulated wooden steering wheel, banks of dashboard clocks, a metal mesh radiator, and astonishing photo-etched wire spoke wheels. When the Sachsenring Trabant became a symbol of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Vitesse quickly produced a miniature version to sell across a unified Germany and an emotional Europe. A unique American release was the Carrera Panamericana edition of its 1953 Cadillac Type 62, with a two-tone paint scheme and detailed race decals.
- Founded
- 1982
- Location
- Oporto, Portugal
- Parent company
- Cinerius, Ltd.
- Scale
- 1:43
- Models produced by 1992
- about 40
- Oldest model in 1990
- 1934 white truck
- Newest model in 1990
- Peugeot 205
Lore & Background
Vitesse referred to its rather fragile offerings as 'toys'. The cover of its 1990 full-color catalog showed a 1957 Buick as a planter, Citroen 2 CVs with live rabbits, a VW bug cabriolet nearly being 'driven' by a golf club, and a 1953 Cadillac between two buns. By about 1992, Vitesse had produced about 40 different models, often in top-up or top-down versions like Brumm or Rio Models. Offerings were made in plenty of liveries; for example, by 1990 the 1947 Chrysler Windsor model had been produced in at least eight different versions, including a plain sedan, New York City police, San Francisco Fire Brigade, Istanbul Taxi, official French government car, a French voisin 'pompiers', a Hot Springs National Park hotel taxi, and a Zippo lighters version. Portugal had no vehicles of its own to offer, so models were fairly evenly selected from Britain, Germany, France, Italy and the United States. Inside the front cover of one catalog, an introduction to Vitesse was given in nine different languages.
Reader's Guide
Vitesse's significance lies in its detailed and varied diecast offerings, which appealed to collectors seeking realism and unusual liveries. The company quickly responded to cultural moments, such as producing a miniature of the Sachsenring 'Trabi' (Trabant) after it became a symbol of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, selling it across a unified Germany and an emotional Europe. A unique American issue was the 'Carrera Panamericana' version of its 1953 Cadillac Type 62, with detailed race decals. Vitesse also produced promotional models for racing sponsors, including a specially packaged Coca-Cola Porsche 917, a Martini Lancia, and models for Rothmans or Kenwood. One popular promotional model often seen in the U.S. was the 3.5-inch 1/64 scale UPS truck, detailed with official UPS brown colors and logo. The company also produced models for other companies, but most were produced under the Vitesse name. Rixon reported on the 1960 Aston Martin DB4, noting its simulated wooden steering wheel, banks of dashboard clocks, metal mesh radiator, and astonishing photo etched wire spoke wheels.
Did You Know?
- Vitesse's 1947 Chrysler Windsor model was produced in at least eight different versions, including a Zippo lighters version.
- The cover of the 1990 catalog showed a 1957 Buick used as a planter.
- Only 5,000 of the 1956 Ford Fairlane police car model were made.
- Vitesse produced a 1/64 scale UPS truck promotional model often seen in the U.S.
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