Minialuxe

Lore & Background

Minialuxe began producing plastic cars around 1954 (some sources say 1959) in Oyonnax, a town known for its plastics industry. The company claimed to be the first to use a new plastic called Rhodalite, though Norev beat them by about a year. Models were mostly French makes, divided into a contemporary line (started 1954) and a classic 'Les Tacots' line (started about 1970). The contemporary line included Renaults, Peugeots, Citroëns, Simcas, and less common French brands like Hotchkiss, Panhard, and Matra, as well as non-French cars such as Jaguar, Porsche, and Ford. The classic line featured 34 vehicles from about 1900 through the 1920s, including French, American, and British models. Minialuxe also produced accessories like stop lights, gas pumps, and garage lifts, and offered multiple-car gift sets and promotional models for companies such as Vêtements Bayard and Bresilia coffee.

Reader's Guide

Minialuxe holds a distinct place in model collecting due to its all-plastic construction and focus on French and lesser-known marques. While simpler than contemporary zamac diecast models, Minialuxe models were cleverly detailed, with later examples featuring opening hoods, interiors, and two-tone paint. The classic 'Les Tacots' line is particularly valued by collectors for its intricate spiderweb-like window supports and wheel spokes, which plastic could render effectively. The brand's use of promotional tie-ins, such as the 'Chèque Tintin' sweepstakes and company-liveried models, set it apart from competitors like Norev. After closure in the late 1970s, the brand was revived in 2012 by Marc Faujanet, owner of Passion 43ème magazine, under a 20-year license agreement. The revival continues production of model cars and commercial vehicles from a factory in Canéjan.

Did You Know?

• Minialuxe claimed to be the first to use Rhodalite plastic, but Norev introduced it about a year earlier.
• The Peugeot 604 model came with four plastic bicycles advertising the 'Grand Prix de la Montagne'.
• The classic 'Les Tacots' line included a Panhard & Levassor, one of the first automobiles enclosed in glass.
• Some Minialuxe models were used in the 'Chèque Tintin' sweepstakes based on The Adventures of Tintin.