Western Models Limited were a brand of detailed white metal or pewter model vehicles, mostly cars in 1:43 scale, made in Taunton, Somerset, England - on the Cornwall peninsula. Models were either in kit or built form. The company ceased production of cars about 2007 to focus solely on contemporary aircraft models.
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Western Models Limited was one of the first companies anywhere to produce high-quality hand built models for collectors, usually in white metal (Johnson 1998, p. 246). 'Small Wheels' was a line name also used by Western Models. Models were introduced annually but production runs were often limited, so collectability was insured. By about the year 2000, more than 70 different models had been made, with a new line of aircraft as well (Johnson 1998, p. 246-247).
Western Models was started by entrepreneur Mike Stephens in 1973 with help from his wife, Joyce (Olson 2006, p. 117). Stephens conceived of the company in Devon, but then started production in his basement in Epsom, Surrey, southeast of London (Olson 2006, pp. 116-117). Later, production was moved to larger premises in Redhill, Surrey, then later to Acre Hill in Taunton, which Stephens claimed was a return to "western" roots (Olson 2006, p. 116-117; Company History 1998-2011). The company, which had about 38 staff in the mid-1980s dropped down to only about 5 by 2005 because of increased competition from China (Oxley 2005). Western Models was often commissioned to produce vehicles for Danhausen (see Minichamps) and other companies like Motor City USA, Design Studio, Kim Classics, TFC, and EWA Miniatures of New Jersey (Western Models 2011; Olson 2006, pp. 116-117). Models could be purchased either assembled and fully finished or in kit form. Other limited edition brands were appearing in the 1970s, but Western Models gained a reputation for exceptional detail, quality parts and ease of assembly.
The first Western Models vehicle was a Mercedes Benz 540K made for Danhausen in November of 1973 (Company History 1998-2011). Danhausen attempted purchase of Western Models, but Stephens did not sell and Danhausen purchased AMR Models instead (Minichamps 2011). Through the 1980s and 1990s, hand built white metal Western Models (similar to Brooklin Models) gained a reputation for high quality and precision detailing and casting, where models are produced in the hundreds or a few thousand - and not mass produced in the hundreds of thousands or millions (Western Models 2011).
On many boxes the phrase "1:43 scale metal model cars for the collector and enthusiast" was printed - the "A" being a pair of engineer's calipers. The company specialized in 1:43, but did special models in a variety of sizes (Company history 1998-2011).
American cars of the 1950s (particularly Fords and Buicks in mundane four door and station wagon styles), classic race cars, vintage sports and Grand Prix cars, and land speed record cars were the main types of vehicles represented (Johnson 1998, pp. 246-247; Olson 2006, p. 116). Detail was exquisite down to precise numbering from the real race cars and model specific wheel selection and detail. For example, as seen in period photographs, Carrol Shelby's LeMans winning 1959 Aston Martin was accurate even in the wheel well covers and in the asymmetrical segmented pieces of the front grille. Jaguar also seemed to be a favorite marque of the company, with over 30 different models produced over the years (Oxley 2005).
Though some boxes were black, packaging was usually recognizable by the white boxes with "WM" lettering in red and black which covered half of the box.
The 'Small Wheels' series were more likely to be European marques and were made later, through 2000. Also unique were Small Wheels kits in 1:24 scale.
Around 2007, Mike Stephens retired (Western Models 2011). Western Models then ceased production of cars to focus solely on its line of modern commercial aircraft, mostly in 1:200 scale (Company History 1998-2011). At least thirty-one different aeroplanes have been produced in a wide variety of airline liveries. According to the Western Models website, the company has now apparently moved to Ramat Habalagan, Israel.