In the mid-sixties Italian boys’ taste in terms of car models began to change. Being used to play with Mercury and Politoys plastic models or with the most expensive imported models, they found in toy shops new metal models produced by Politoys (the "cinquecento" series). In fact, these new cars offered much more in terms of opening part, metallic paint and so on. Soon also Mebetoys joined Politoys and the two companies built a good reputation and managed to export their products abroad. In Italy, they shared a good chunk of the market and the other new companies had to come out with even more competitive or original models if they aspired to compete with them. Therefore in 1966 at the Toy Fair in Milan a new set of models, produced by Edil Toys, was presented. Edil Toys also manufactured different types of building blocks, like the Lego bricks, called "edilplastik.

In the advertisements two addresses were indicated: Via Carlo Torre 41, tel.833073, and Via F. Tosi 9, tel. 479447, both of Milan. The selling price was in line with that of the competition: 800 Lire (but the Fiat 850 sedan was sold at only 700 lire). The new cars were stored in beautiful glossy, brightly colored cardboard boxes, without the transparent window. The color of the model could be checked through the classic round hole. On the box the picture was that of the real car and not that of the model. The same choice was also made for the beautiful color catalogue (a simple folded sheet of paper inserted inside the box), which contained the picture of real cars. Maybe it was an attempt to demonstrate how similar was the model to the real car, or may be a way to suggest the buyer to check the quality of the reproduction, by comparing the model with the original.

But probably the kids were not very interested in the little box. They were especially fascinated by one thing: the four opening doors, all with full frame and not like the Politoys one which had only the lower part of the door, as if it were all Fulvia Coupé or Giulia Sprint! Besides, in the internal part of the doors these cars had also small lining panels, and the wheels were quite similar to those of the real one (the other manufacturers were still providing the same wheels on all car models).

They did not lack rhinestones and chrome plating were not lacking, as well as the metallic paint, great suspension etc.. Success seemed assured, but It did not happen. I remember well (and I still have them) some of the advertisements that appeared in "Mickey Mouse" comic book. They were very cool, perhaps due to the presence of photos of real cars. They soon realized the mistake and promptly corrected it: in the next advertisement the photos were those of the model with all the opening parts opened wide. In the advertisement of the Giulia T.I. you could read the following words: "The first car, in 1:43 scale, fitted with 4 opening doors". The advertisement of the Fiat 124 (visible on this page) was even clearer and there was written: "Fiat 124 with metal and plastic interior 1:43 scale. It 's a beautiful reproduction made by EDILTOYS, Milan, Via C. Torre, 41, which is the only manufacturer in the world, to have produced models with four opening doors and opening hoods". Also the Fiat 1500 C were praised for its opening parts, but Politoys did not take long to produce a model with four opening doors.

Two years later, in 1968, Edil Toys left the market. The prototypes of the thirteenth new model, a Mercedes Benz 250 SE (art. 11), now are virtually unfindable. And they say that number 13 brings luck! Today its price is staggering! No child will play any more with Edil cars, but many collectors are happy anyway. Those who possess Edil Toys models have a small treasure. If they also have all different colors and versions of them they will be certainly envied by many people. Every now and then one Edil comes up on eBay and there is the usual fight between buyers. They all hope to get one with the "buy it now" option, so that to avoid the competition. Others wait until the last minute to make an offer, hoping that the others have not noticed it. But it is impossible for an Edil Toys model car to go unnoticed. I have a friend who has got many and I envy him a bit. Luckily he made them available to me (under direct supervision) so that I could take the photos of this report.

Art. 4 - Alfa Romeo Giulia TI Berlina - In produzione dal 1966

Art. 9 - Ferrari 275 GTB - In produzione dal 1967

Red Silver Metall. blue (rare) Lemon yellow (rare)

Totalmente apribile e con sospensioni. Fondo nero, fissato con due viti, riproducente gli organi meccanici. Riproduzione del motore argentata. Volante bianco o nero e interno nero. Pannelli di rivestimento delle portiere. Targa nera MI071721. Luci posteriori a diamantino rosso. Fari in plastica. Il modello blu metallizzato è molto raro. Le immagini del modello grigio sono state gentilmente fornite dal collezionista Ciro Tedesco. Le immagini del modello giallo limone sono state fornite dall'amico Giuseppe di Milano. Li ringrazio entrambi.

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Art. 10 - Lamborghini P400 Miura - In produzione dal 1968

Orange Silver (rare) Red

Totalmente apribile e con sospensioni. Fondo nero, fissato con due viti, riproducente gli organi meccanici. Riproduzione del motore argentata. Volante bianco o trasparente e interno nero. Targa nera MI071721. Luci posteriori dipinte di rosso. Fari in plastica. Ruota di scorta nel cofano anteriore. Dalla più rara alla più comune: grigio metall., rossa, arancio.

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Art. 11 - Mercedes Benz 250SE - Realizzati solo alcuni esemplari di prova nel 1968.