Conrad Models
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Conrad GmbH (previously Gescha) is a German manufacturer of diecast scale models primarily in 1:50 scale for use both as toys and promotional models by heavy equipment manufacturers. Conrad is one of the few European diecast companies which have not outsourced production to China or elsewhere in Asia (Conrad Scale 2004-2011)
From Gescha to Conrad
On early German toys the abbreviation "Ges. Gesch." was short for the German for "trademark registered". This may have led to the eventual name of the predecessor toy firm of Gescha which was established in 1923 (Force 1990, p. 91). Gescha specialized in wind-up tin toys similar to Schuco Modell or Gama Toys. The Conrad website says that Conrad started making diecast models in 1956, however it appears that Gescha used the Conrad name as a sub-brand first (Conrad website; Johnson 1998, pp. 44-45). Most diecast truck and heavy equipment models, for which Conrad became most well-known, were marketed as Gescha in the 1960s and 1970s. The name Conrad was increasingly used through the 1970s and by about 1980, the Gescha name was mostly discontinued.
The official website says that since 1987 the company has been run by Gunther Conrad assisted by his wife Gerde and assisted by their son, Michael. Thus the company has remained a family owned business, probably since about 1956 when the Conrad name was introduced when the Conrad family took control of Gescha.
Models today
Conrad today has a line of over 90 separate models, mostly trucks and cranes. The appearance and finish of the diecast models themselves is similar to its competitor, NZG Models, though perhaps NZG's are slightly more adventurous in models contracted and slightly more realistic - but this is simply a perception. While NZG Modelle focuses more on construction and earth moving equipment, Conrad's line-up centers more on a variety of commercial trucks themselves. Several models, however, are quite distinct, like stationary construction cranes, tunnel borers, and jack hammer trucks.
Lately, some NZG Models have been marketed under the Conrad name, but normally the two companies remain fairly autonomous from one another, while competing for similar contracts. For example, Conrad had the Caterpillar line of construction vehicles through about 1990, but the licenses changed over to NZG sometime after.
Various websites show that prices for Conrad construction models vary greatly from about $55.00 (AU) for a Moffett forklift or $80.00 (AU) for basic Mercedes Sprinter ambulances to over $1,900.00 (AU) for some of the more complex Liebherr tower cranes (Quarry Diecast).
Diecast cars
During the 1980s in particular, and similar to NZG, Conrad introduced automobile promotionals mainly in 1:43 scale. Fit and finish of the auto models was comparable to Schuco Modell, Schabak, Gama Toys, or NZG. Conrad focused on Volkswagen and Audi (while NZG did more Mercedes-Benz and Porsche). Conrad did, however, do some Mercedes-Benz replicas. Also similar to NZG, Mercedes-Benzes were cast in a larger 1:35 scale, indicating the size preferences of the client. NZG made Porsche promotionals, while Conrad did not, and, like NZG, Conrad has not produced automobile models since the 1980s.
Observation of the selection and timing of promotional products of Conrad and NZG reveals a sophisticated relationship between model companies and real vehicle manufacturers - relationships rarely seen among toy manufacturers in England or Italy. In Germany, the contract of the model manufacturers, the choice of models and their appearance and packaging, appear to be more decided by the specifications of the specific German auto producing client, not the demands of the toy industry or the collector. This kind of relationship, however, was somewhat more common in France where even Citroen (for a time) made its own promotional models (Force 1991, p. 5).
Promotional packaging
Similar to NZG, Conrad model cars were packaged in virtually identical, standardized, silver boxes (down to vehicle likenesses on the flaps and the big blue serif lettering on the sides of the boxes). This is another indication demonstrating that the requirements of the client drive the model production and appearance. The model companies are closely knit to the real companies' requirements - something not quite as common sometimes with American promotional makers and the 'Big 3'.
The uniform packaging situation among different model manufacturers, then, causes brand confusion. Which models are made by Conrad and which by NZG or Cursor? It is not always clear on the box - one could assume Mercedes-Benz itself might have made them. This is similar in a way to how Corgi Toys, Dinky Toys or Lonestar Toys were packaged similarly in the 1960s. But, by contrast, Corgi and Dinky were not making promos for competing companies, they were competing against each other.
See also
- Model construction vehicle
- Engineering vehicle
- Diecast toy
- Scale model
References
- Conrad Scale Models. 2004-2011. Cranes, etc. sales website.
- Conrad Modelle. No date. Company website.
- Force, Edward. 1990. Classic Miniature Vehicles: Made in Germany. West Chester, Penn: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-88740-251-8.
- Force, Edward. 1991. Classic Miniature Vehicles Made in France. West Chester, Penn: Schiffer Publications. ISBN 0-88740-316-6.
- Johnson, Dana. 1998. Collector's Guide to Diecast Toys & Scale Models, Second edition. Padukah, Kentucky: Collector Books, a division of Schroeder Publishing. ISBN 1-57432-041-6
- Quarry Diecast Models. No date. Australian company sales website.