Gathering Collectibles
In 1958, Linemar, a Canadian toy manufacturer based in Toronto, introduced the Collectoys die-cast model car series. This collection of miniature vehicles holds a unique place in the history of die-cast collectibles, offering a glimpse into the post-war Canadian toy industry and the late 1950s automotive designs.
Linemar was part of a wave of Canadian toy manufacturers focusing on die-cast metal models, which were rapidly gaining popularity. The company is best known for its Collectoys line, helping establish a Canadian identity in the die-cast toy market amidst dominant American and European brands like Hot Wheels and Dinky Toys.
Launched in 1958, the Collectoys series featured various die-cast model cars aimed at children and collectors. The cars were typically crafted from zinc alloy, a durable and easy-to-mold material, and included models reflective of the late 1950s automotive designs.
The design and features of Collectoys were simple yet sturdy, with painted finishes that emulated real vehicle colors. Some cars included rolling wheels and detailed features such as molded grills, bumpers, and stylized interiors. Unlike some contemporaneous die-cast toys, Collectoys prioritized robustness suitable for children's play rather than intricate scale accuracy.
The Collectoys series primarily targeted the Canadian market, where Linemar had strong distribution networks. Over time, the Collectoys line has become a sought-after collectible, appreciated for its historical connection to Canadian toy manufacturing and the vintage styling of late 1950s cars.
Some specific models in the Collectoys series are worth mentioning. The '58 Buick Collectoy, for instance, is a general representation of the '58 Buick and could be based on the Century, the Riviera, or the Roadmaster. The Pontiac Bonneville Collectoy is another nice-looking model, featuring accurate details such as the four "chevrons" on the front wings and the ribbed rear deck lid, despite the rear overhang being too short for a '58 Bonneville.
Interestingly, Collectoys came with friction motors, adding play value but likely increasing material and production costs. This feature, however, made some models, such as the Jaguar Collectoy, with its extended baseplate to fit the friction motor, appear somewhat unusual, resembling a tank rather than a Jaguar.
Linemar probably produced the Collectoys series only for a short time, and the series is now a finite and historically significant snapshot in Canadian toy history. Collectoys models are often featured in collections and auctions focusing on vintage die-cast toys from North America.
The average scale of Collectoys was around 1/55, making them larger than Matchbox cars and smaller than Dinkys and Corgis. The retail price of Collectoys is unknown, but several boxes for the Ford Delivery Wagon have been seen with a price of 32 cents stamped on them, making them competitive with the Matchbox 1-75 cars.
Collectors today prize surviving pieces for their relative rarity and nostalgic value. Some surviving Collectoys suffer from metal fatigue, making them among the rarest of all American die casts. The box for the Ford wagon in the Collectoys series was unique and initially had a typo, "Linemar Best By For," which was corrected to "Best by Far" for the rest of the series.
In 1958, Linemar, a subsidiary of Marx, collaborated with Japanese manufacturer Kuramochi Shoten Ltd. to produce a series of die-cast model cars under the name Collectoys. This collaboration added an international flavour to the series. Collectors of tinplate toys are familiar with Kuramochi, or "C.K.", due to the models the company produced before World War II.
The legacy of the Collectoys series extends beyond its production life. The series contributed to the wider popularity and development of die-cast toys in Canada, inspiring future manufacturers and collectors alike. Douglas R. Kelly, the editor of Marine Technology magazine and a contributor to Antiques Roadshow Insider, Back Issue, Diecast Collector, RetroFan, and Buildings magazines, is one such collector who appreciates the historical significance of the Collectoys series.
In conclusion, the Collectoys die-cast model car series by Linemar is a valuable piece of Canadian toy history, offering a unique insight into the post-war Canadian toy industry and the late 1950s automotive designs. The series' relative rarity and nostalgic value make it a sought-after collectible among die-cast toy enthusiasts.
The Collectoys series by Linemar, encompassing home-and-garden miniature replicas of late 1950s automobiles, expanded the Canadian toy manufacturer's portfolio beyond die-cast metal models. These lifestyle miniatures, emulating real-life vehicle colours and designs, are now cherished by collectors for their historical relevance and nostalgic value.
