Buby toys
Argentine die-cast model maker of domestic vehicles.
Miniaturas Buby was an Argentine maker of die-cast scale model cars and trucks. Founded by Haroldo Buby Mahler, the company became known for producing replicas of nearly every vehicle built in the country over four decades, including the Fiat 600, Renault 12, Ford Falcon, Citroën 3CV, Renault Fuego, and Peugeot 504. At its peak, it turned out about 1,000 models each day. Mahler, a naval engineer and collector of imported Dinky toys, started production in 1956 at his home in Ranelagh, Greater Buenos Aires. His first 200 models didn’t sell until a toy-store manager bought 144 and gave him a list of potential clients. Early models used parts from other companies, but Buby soon handled the entire process. By 1964, the company was making 210,000 models a year, using two tons of zamak monthly. In 1968, it launched the “Mini Buby” line in 1:64 scale. The business operated under license from Argentine subsidiaries of major automotive brands. As demand outgrew Mahler’s home, a plant opened in Villa General Belgrano, Córdoba, where most production took place. The 1:43 scale vehicles were sent to Ranelagh for finishing and packaging. The Ranelagh plant also assembled some models imported from France under an agreement with Solido. Argentina’s economic crises forced Buby to close its plants in the late 1970s. Mahler revived the brand in 1982 with a new plant in Don Torcuato, about 40 kilometers from Buenos Aires. More than 400,000 models were made there until the company closed for good in 1995. From 1988 onward, most production was exported. Buby produced replicas of many real-life Argentine cars. In 1:43 scale, models included the 1957 Buick Century Caballero, Chevrolet Bel Air, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Impala, Fiat 125, Ford Fairlane 1958, Jeep Gladiator, Mercedes-Benz 300, Mercedes-Benz LO 1114 truck, Pontiac GTO 1965, Porsche Carrera, Renault Dauphine, Renault 6, Renault 19, Volkswagen Beetle, and Willys Jeep Station Wagon. The 1:64 “Mini Buby” series featured the Citroën 3CV, Citroën Ami, Chevrolet Corvette, Chrysler Valiant I, De Tomaso Pantera, Fiat 600, Fiat 697 truck, Ford Van, Ford Mustang, Maserati Bora, Maserati Indy, McLaren Ford, Mercedes-Benz 1114 truck, NSU Bertone, Peugeot 404, Renault 12, Renault 18, Renault Trafic, and Volkswagen Gacel.
Quick Facts
- Industry
- Toy / Collecting
- Founded
- 1956 in Ranelagh
- Founder
- Haroldo Mahler
- Defunct
- 1995
- Hq Location City
- Ranelagh
- Hq Location Country
- Argentina
- Products
- Scale model automobiles
- Brands
- Buby
- Num Employees
- 250
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The company was founded by naval engineer Haroldo Buby Mahler, who began production at his own house in Ranelagh in 1956. Mahler, a collector of Dinky cars imported from Europe, initially produced 200 models. After a toy store manager bought 144 cars and provided a list of potential clients, production grew. Early models were assembled with parts from other companies, but Buby soon controlled the entire production process. By 1964, the company produced 210,000 models per year using 2 tons of zamak per month. In 1968, Buby launched the 'Mini Buby' series in 1:64 scale. As demand increased beyond the capacity of Mahler's residence, a manufacturing plant was established in Villa General Belgrano, Córdoba Province. The 1:43 scale vehicles were sent to Ranelagh for finishing and packaging. The Ranelagh plant also assembled some model cars imported from France after an agreement with Solido. Successive economic crises in Argentina caused Buby to close its plants in the late 1970s. In 1982, Mahler revived the Buby brand by opening a plant in Don Torcuato, 40 km from Buenos Aires. More than 400,000 models were produced there until the company closed definitively in 1995. From 1988 onward, most models were exported.
Reader's Guide
Miniaturas Buby is regarded as one of the most emblematic model car manufacturers of Argentina and a pioneer in the die-cast toy industry. The company produced replicas of most real-life cars manufactured in Argentina over three decades, including models in 1:43 and 1:64 scales. Its legacy is recognized through exhibitions: the 'Buby, un sueño sobre ruedas' exhibition was held at the Golf Museum of Berazategui from July to August 2015, declared of Legislative Interest by the Chamber of Deputies of Buenos Aires Province, and was attended by Mahler himself. In 2022, Buby models were part of an exhibition paying tribute to companies and products that made significant contributions to the toy industry in Argentina.
Did You Know?
- At its peak, Buby produced nearly 1,000 models per day.
- The 1957 Buick Century Caballero was the first model produced by Buby.
- Buby produced more than 400,000 models at its Don Torcuato plant between 1982 and 1995.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Buby toys?
Buby toys, formally known as Miniaturas Buby, was an Argentine company that produced die-cast scale replicas of cars and trucks. It specialized in recreating vehicles that were manufactured domestically in Argentina over a span of roughly four decades.
Who founded Buby toys and when did it start?
Haroldo Buby Mahler, a naval engineer and enthusiast of imported Dinky toys, launched the company in 1956. He produced his first batch of models in his own home in Ranelagh, Greater Buenos Aires.
Which vehicles did Buby toys make?
The company cast replicas of a broad lineup of Argentine-built vehicles, including the Fiat 600, Renault 12, Ford Falcon, Citroën 3CV, Renault Fuego, and Peugeot 504. Their catalog effectively covered nearly every vehicle assembled in the country during their active years.
How large was Buby toys's production at its peak?
At its height the factory rolled out roughly 1,000 die-cast vehicles per day. By 1964 annual output had climbed to around 210,000 models, requiring about two tons of zamak alloy every month.
Where was Buby toys based?
The company operated out of Ranelagh, a neighborhood in Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. That same location is where Mahler hand-made his very first 200 models back in 1956.
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