Mikro'67

Lore & Background

The company traces its origins to 1952, when a team of workers in a workshop of the TPK Metalik producers' co-operative society began hand-making toys, starting with a wind-up chain tractor. On January 1, 1967, an independent producers' co-operative society for toy manufacturing was established under chairman Petar Petrov, and was named 'Mir' (meaning 'Peace'). In 1971 the workers moved into a new building and the name changed to 'Mir factory', becoming part of DSO Mladost. The factory adopted Tonka (USA) toy series and expanded exports to Czechoslovakia, Poland, Cuba, Albania, and Jordan, with about 80% of production exported. In 1980 the name changed again to 'Mir Youth factory'.

In 1983 the factory licensed Matchbox technology for moulding and began producing the first five Matchbox Superfast models and the first few Superking models. The pearl-colored paint was initially not durable, but improved later. Wheels were imported. Up to 1989, seventeen Superfast and seven Superking models were introduced. The contract required all models to be sold only in Bulgaria, with no exports permitted, and the dies were to be returned after use. Around 100,000–150,000 pieces of each casting were made. After the Cold War ended in 1991, a 'second wave' of Superfast models began. Business relations soured when Bulgarian models were sold abroad, and Matchbox broke the contract but could not retrieve all dies. Mattel does not recognize Bulgarian models as authentic Matchbox.

Parallel production of Gama models began in 1985, initially as kit models in pearl grass green, later factory-assembled. In 1994 Mikro started making Gama/Schuco models for the German market, mainly Opel models, with some BMW and Mercedes Vito. These models were boxed cheaply in Bulgaria and transferred into Schuco boxes in Germany; they bear no 'Made in Bulgaria' marking, and some have 'Made in Germany' or 'Made in W. Germany'. Mikro'67 also made pressed steel Buddy L, Clover, and Tonka toys, and between 2004 and 2008 produced five NZG diecast models. Only one diecast model was entirely designed and made in Bulgaria.

Reader's Guide

Mikro'67 holds a unique place in diecast collecting as the Bulgarian manufacturer that produced licensed Matchbox models under strict export restrictions, creating a closed market that later led to a flood of variations after the Cold War. The breakdown of the Matchbox contract resulted in thousands of new color, stamp, and wheel variations, and Mattel's refusal to recognize them as authentic Matchbox has created a distinct collecting niche. The company's production of Gama and Schuco models, often marked 'Made in Germany' despite being Bulgarian-made, adds further complexity to the hobby. Mikro'67's later practice of offering custom advertising graphics for orders of 100 or more pieces allowed local companies and international diecast clubs to create limited editions. However, quality has degraded over time, and shortages of parts have led to unusual wheel variations, sometimes mixing Matchbox and non-Matchbox components. The company's website does not target diecast models, and only two known brochures (from the 1980s and 1991) were ever issued, leaving collectors to rely on reference sites for information.

Did You Know?

• In 1984, toys from the MUKPO series won a gold medal at the International Fair in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
• The factory's first handmade toy was a wind-up chain tractor, produced in 1952.
• Around 100,000–150,000 pieces of each Matchbox casting were made for the Bulgarian market.
• Some Gama and Schuco models bear 'Made in Germany' or 'Made in W. Germany' despite being made in Bulgaria.