Pocher Model Cars

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Pocher company based in Italy produced model cars from the 1970’s through the 1990’s. The story is that a factory fire halted production and since rebuilding, their most famous line of automobile kits was never revived.

These kits were extraordinary in that they were based on original plans from the manufacturer. Kits with very detailed features and over 2,000 pieces. Materials used were injection molded plastic and steel, brass, rubber, leather, canvas.

Two features present on some models were spoked wire wheels that were assembled spoke by spoke and engines with working crankshaft and piston assemblies.

Assembly was mostly accomplished with threaded fasteners (screws, bolts, nuts) with very little glue. This created finished products that could theoretically be disassembled and repaired or modified.

Kits came molded in color and did not necessarily need paint. Finished preassembled versions were also sold for the less initiated owner that wanted to enjoy the finished product rather than build.

The earlier high piece and high detail kits were referred to as the Classic line, later a less assembly intensive line appeared and was referred to as the Prestige line of cars.

Classic kits were known for their high piece count and incredible detail such as working brake systems, engines with rotating crankshafts and moving pistons, windows that moved up and down, steering that operated, and when a tiny key was inserted into the dashboard the headlights lit up.

Classic kits were produced that faithfully represented cars from Fiat, Alfa-Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls Royce. Many from the 1930’s.

Prestige kits were most often die cast metal bodies and 500 parts. They featured working suspension and opening doors and detailed engines. These kits were designed to provide attractive models you can build with little difficulty.

Prestige kits were mainly Ferrari Testarossa and F40 with a few Porsche.

A third line exists called Pocher Truck. This was two Volvo Trucks. Using the same assembly method as Prestige mainly press fit parts with superb detailing.

Four separate engine kits were produced that were the engines from Ferarri Testarossa, F40, Volvo, and Bugatti. Of these four kits the Bugatti was the most complex as it had the moving crankshaft and pistons.

All model kits in this automobile line were produced in enormous one eighth scale. Cars that could be up to 22 inches long and weigh as much as 16 pounds. Truly museum quality display pieces when finished.

The aftermarket products produced to support these kits is a thriving cottage industry and the remaining kits that are unassembled are a rare item. Often cherished, traded, and handed down these do exist today and are available through collector channels.

Some information obtained through a catalog for Pocher models supplied by the manufacturer.