The special Renault 16 immediately inspires manufacturers of 1:43 miniatures. Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Norev and others can realise their variants in a short space of time. This copy of the 1973 Donetsk Toys Factory is very rare. At that time it was one of the largest toy manufacturers in Russia. The Ukrainian factory produces a wide variety of toys from dolls to models, all on machines that come from abroad. This is also the case for the Renault 16 for which the mould of the Italian Polytoys Export (reference 579) is used.
VERY FIRST VERSION
Where the Italian miniature is made in cast iron, the Russian factory uses a thoroughly coloured thermoplastic. The R16 can only be chosen in brown, a shade that seems to come from Renault's catalogue. The line of the car as well as many details are well represented: flashing lights on the sides, Renault 16 mentions on the rear fenders. Because there is no logo on the grille, this is the very first version of the Renault. Only the front doors open and show a pretty detailed interior.
MADE IN USSR
The plastic chassis has a chrome finish with the words 'Made in USSR'. The bumpers and the grille have also been melted onto the chassis. A large screw at the rear provides the connection. The wheels with black rubber tyres have a shape that doesn't match the original. As with many miniatures in those days, they are pierced and the axle protrudes through them with a considerable amount of play.
CYRILLIC
The miniature has a cardboard box as packaging with the Donetsk Toys Factory logo on it. On the closing edges are the commercial and technical data of the car in Cyrillic script.
Despite the fact that the technical possibilities in miniature building in 1973 in our part of the world again progressed a lot, this model is not lacking in charm and elegance and as such fits perfectly in a Renault miniature collection.
(Text & pictures: Alain le Bars)
