CIJ
French diecast toy vehicle brand known for Citroën and Renault models.
CIJ, the acronym for Compagnie Industrielle du Jouet (Manufacturing Company of Toys), was a classic French brand of diecast metal toy vehicles. Founded by Fernand Migault in Paris in 1920, the company originally operated as Migault S.A. when Migault's cousin Marcel Gourdet joined the firm. CIJ is notable for its early exclusive production of model cars for Citroën and later for Renault, as well as for its high-quality metal and wood models that competed with Dinky Toys and Norev.
- Founded
- 1920
- Founder
- Fernand Migault
- Headquarters
- Paris
- Original name
- Migault S.A.
- Key person
- Marcel Gourdet (cousin of founder)
- Notable contracts
- Citroën (1922), Renault, Shell (1950)
- Disappearance
- 1965
Lore & Background
CIJ began producing model cars made entirely from iron sheet or wood in scales from 1:6 to 1:43. In 1922, contracts signed by André Citroën himself granted the company exclusive rights to produce model cars of Citroën vehicles, including the 5 CV Trèfle and the B14 Citroën, in 1:20 scale. These models were distributed solely by authorized Citroën dealers, though CIJ was not allowed to advertise the cooperation. The metals workshop in Briare, brought to the company by Marcel Gourdet, burned down in 1929. The Bapterosses family then provided capital to rebuild, and the company moved its headquarters back to Paris, eventually employing more than a hundred people, mostly at the Briare factory. The exclusive Citroën production ended in 1934 when Citroën went into administration and was taken over by Michelin. Years later, CIJ signed a less binding contract with Louis Renault for numerous Renault model types in scales from 1:10 to 1:43, partly made of lithographed metal or zamak, with CIJ solely responsible for distribution. In 1950, an agreement with Shell produced miniatures of filling stations, including the transporter Shell Berre, made from an alloy called ramec (blending aluminium, copper, zinc and magnesium). On 27 December 1964, new facilities were inaugurated in Briare, but one year later, after buying the stash of former competitor JRD, CIJ effectively disappeared. The Bapterosses family continued producing exclusive artisan-type models at the Rivotte farm, while the Briare works were absorbed by ITT to produce telephone parts.
Reader's Guide
CIJ's significance lies in its early and exclusive partnerships with major automotive manufacturers, particularly Citroën and Renault, which set it apart from many contemporaries. The company's ability to produce high-quality models from iron sheet and wood, and later from zamak and lithographed metal, allowed it to compete directly with Dinky Toys and Norev. The 1922 Citroën contract, signed by André Citroën himself, gave CIJ a unique market position, though the prohibition on advertising limited its brand visibility. The company's resilience after the 1929 fire, supported by the Bapterosses family, and its later diversification into Shell promotional models, demonstrate its adaptability. The acquisition of competitor JRD's stash in 1965 and subsequent absorption by ITT marked the end of CIJ as an independent entity, but the brand was revived in the 2000s under Norev, which acquired the CIJ brand in April 2007 and reissued 13 zamac models and two lithographed iron sheet models (4CV Renault and Juvaquatre) as re-editions of original CIJ models. This revival underscores the lasting appeal of CIJ's craftsmanship and its role in the history of French diecast toy vehicles.
Did You Know?
- CIJ originally operated under the name Migault S.A. when Marcel Gourdet joined the firm.
- The company produced exclusive Citroën model cars in 1:20 scale from 1922, but was not allowed to advertise the cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CIJ stand for and what kind of company was it?
CIJ is the abbreviation for Compagnie Industrielle du Jouet, a French manufacturer of diecast metal toy vehicles based in Paris. The company produced high-quality metal and wood model cars that were a staple of mid-20th-century French toy collecting.
Who founded CIJ and in what year?
Fernand Migault established the company in Paris in 1920, initially operating under the name Migault S.A. after his cousin Marcel Gourdet joined the business as a key partner.
What made CIJ's model car line particularly notable?
CIJ secured exclusive manufacturing contracts with major French automakers, most notably producing diecast Citroën models starting in 1922 and later creating Renault replicas. The brand also held a Shell contract from 1950, giving collectors a wide range of officially licensed vehicles.
How did CIJ stack up against rivals like Dinky Toys or Norev?
CIJ was regarded as a direct competitor to both Dinky Toys and Norev, with fans often praising its metal casting quality and attention to detail on French-market models. Its strength lay in holding exclusive French automotive licenses that set it apart from more internationally focused rivals.
What was CIJ's original company name before it became the familiar acronym?
The firm began as Migault S.A., named after founder Fernand Migault, before adopting the broader Compagnie Industrielle du Jouet identity as it expanded its product range and partnerships.
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