Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

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Steve Harrison
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Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#1 Post by Steve Harrison »

I’m not a toy guy, but I just couldn’t resist this little Pre A model.
It is now the centerpiece of my entire toy collection,...of one....Ha Ha.

I was talking to an elderly Austrian gentleman about a 16 inch rim and he mentioned he had a model that he didn’t know much about but would consider selling too. He got it at a flea market sale in Mass in the eighties. This guy was heavily into early German model trains so he knew toys a bit and the car caught his eye. His other passions are split window Bugs and he’s also got an all original 60 cab.
We spent a fun afternoon looking at all his extremely well preserved models, memorabilia, and other toys both full size and miniature.

I got the rim and the model for one money. And now I know why he didn’t know who made the model. The bottom closing plate it’s supposed to have is missing. There’s one headlight ring missing too, but other than that, it’s in great shape for it’s age. Even the little battery compartment for the headlight power isn’t corrroded up. He wasn’t really an internet guy so that wasn’t his thing.
When I got it home, it didn’t take long for me to ID the little split window car.
From what I can tell it’s a JNF made model. Maybe someone here who’s an expert on these can tell me more about it? I’d also like to find someone who has one that’s otherwise destroyed and see if I can scrounge a bottom plate and headlight ring.
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Here’s the rim. 4/54, and got a vintage Pirelli to boot.
Here’s the rim. 4/54, and got a vintage Pirelli to boot.

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Wes Bender
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Re: Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#2 Post by Wes Bender »

OK Steve - You know what you've got to do now...... Make up a big key that you can attach to your car with a suction cup. Or are you miles ahead me on that thought?
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

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Steve Harrison
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Re: Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#3 Post by Steve Harrison »

Haha Wes,
I think I’ve seen that somewhere already.
Good to hear from you. Hope you and Ms. Claudia are doing well out there.

This little car gets even better,...today I discovered it has two speeds.
That little handle on the door moves up to stop, down to the middle position for slow, and to the bottom position for fast. That grey disc in the front is so you can set the wheels to a direction and let the car go in that arc of a circle. I’m amazed that some kid never really used this thing much. I know if I had it as a kid it would have gotten lots of use, and probably suffered the fate of all my other toys from childhood,...used later in games of “war” and “stunt driver” simulations...none survived.

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Jim Liberty
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Re: Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#4 Post by Jim Liberty »

Just so you know I have not grown up, I have the Distler with working steering wheel, and key with leather pouch. Unfortunately it is a repor made in China.

...............................................Wouldn't you know it. .................Jim.
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Bill Coghlan
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Re: Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#5 Post by Bill Coghlan »

My parents gave me the same model when I was probably about five years old - I still have it 65 years later. It truly started my love of 356s.
 

Hanns Mueller-Rech
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Re: Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#6 Post by Hanns Mueller-Rech »

I have some of these restored and taken apart....JNF is a classic Tintoy company....the 356 came in different colors and editions...
the one above is the electric one, with light via AA battery.
the lights are from small toy trains, märklin f.i.
very nice and a high collectable toy, produced 1948-50 - the bottom plate is missing which says:
"Made in Germay US Zone"

If interested in more....just ask..
:)

br

haul

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Jim Liberty
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Re: Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#7 Post by Jim Liberty »

DSC_0010.JPG
The owner of a '54 Cab gave this to me for doing an appraisal on his car. It says "Made in France" on the back. And as you can see, it has forward and reverse. ......Jim.
DSC_0010.JPG
DSC_0010.JPG
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Martin Benade
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Re: Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#8 Post by Martin Benade »

Jim, I see it has lots of that current fad quality, patina.
Cleveland Ohio
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Jim Liberty
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Re: Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#9 Post by Jim Liberty »

Martin, just like the owner. .........Jim.
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Hanns Mueller-Rech
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Re: Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#10 Post by Hanns Mueller-Rech »

This is a nice Joustra 356 with the switch at the right fender.

Joustra (since 1999 Heller Joustra S.A.) is a French toy manufacturer with its headquarters in Strasbourg. The company name was made up of „JOUets de STRASbourg“ (English: toys from Strasbourg). The company was founded in 1934 by the brothers Paul and André Kosmann and taken over by the model maker Heller in 1999. The Strasbourg cathedral was chosen as the motif for the company logo.

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Jim Liberty
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Re: Just got a neat Pre A wind up model

#11 Post by Jim Liberty »

We attended a International 356 Meeting there. .......Jim.
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