J-43 (see Kawabatakikaku)
JEP (France)
Apparrently formed as Societe de Ferblanterie in 1899 or 1909, according to different sources. The name Jouets de Paris was taken (in 1920 or 1928, again according to various sources) for the purposes of toys, especially toy trains. Toy trains were discontinued in 1965; I assume that end of toy car production was about the same time.
Jet/Gillette (Argentina)
For
whatever reason, the American Gillette company manufactured diecast cars
in Argentina. Some of these cars were actually developed by Buby, and
when Gillette stopped toy production (in the 80s), Buby bought several
of the molds and sold them as Mini Bubys.
Jet Wheels (Hong Kong)
In the late sixties, everyone was trying to get a piece of the Matchbox pie, and Megowas no different. They put out a series of cars called "Jet Wheels." And like most of the others, they didn't last long, probably just a few years past their probably 1968 introduction.
Doug Breithaupt and Craig Mueller noted that the molds used by Mego came from AMT when they shut down their Pups line, apparently also being sold under the name Tuffy.
Jet Wheels package back showing model list
Jet Wheels Camaro in package
Joal (Spain, Macau)
Joal traces his history back to 1949, started by JOsé
Boronat Bernabeu and ALejandro Beltrá (JO-AL).
Like a lot of diecast car makers, they started by making other small items
including sewing machines and toy guns. And like most other diecast car
makers, they had their heyday in the 60s, when the diecast cars overtook
all other business. Joal is also one of those companies which seemed to
love buying other companies old castings. (see Mercedes
Benz 280 SL. The red car is actually marked "Kirk," before
it became part of Tekno -- and to make it even more confusing, it was
packed in a box marked "Walco International, 7888 Rheinfelden, Josefstr.19A,"
as part of the "Walco System" line. These were toys which encouraged
kids to take them apart and put them back together. The white car is a
Joal, made in Macau).
I've only ever seen 1/43 Joal cars myself, but they apparently also made 1/64 (Matchbox-size) cars.
Joal still makes models, but they concentrate now on trucks on construction models.
I received the following information from Jan Clevering giving a link between Joal and another diecastg company:: "... Holland-Oto is the same company as Compact Specials Europe (CSE), which is the mother company of JOAL (according to the Dutch Chamber of Commerce), which has ties to Pilen and AHC... Very complicated indeed!"
I also ran across a listing of Joal vehicles with this entry: "GEHL 5635 Skid Loader - Manufactured by DCP for JOAL." DCP appears to be Die Cast Promotions, makers of Highway 61 (and part of F.F. Ertl III, Inc -- http://www.wcinet.com/diecast/about.cfm). They are made in China.
The site for Joal is http://www.joal.es/
Joal
(right) and Kirk (Left) Mercedes
Joal
Fiat
Joal
Seat 132 scan of bottom
J.R.D. (France)
J.R.D. as a company was founded in 1935, and started producing 1:43 diecast models in either 1956 or 1958 (again, different sources don't agree). In 1962 or 1963 (can't anybody agree on anything!?), JRD was sold to CIJ.
Jue (Brazil)
This is a new one to me, and I'm only just looking into it. What I know
so far is that it went into bankruptcy in the early 70s, and that the
molds were bought by Arpra and Minimac (Minibrindes). Apparently they
concentrated on trucks, but there seems to have been a VW bus manufactured.
Juguinsa (Venezuela)
Kids! Be the first on your block to own a car made in Venezuela! Companies
like this fascinate me (obviously). They apparently got access to several
1:43 Auto-Pilen castings -- the Monteverdi Hai (there's been one on sale
at Vectis for at
least a year), AMC Javelin and Fiat 124 Sport. Build quality isn't too
bad, but not up to Auto-Pilen standards.
The Juguinsa version of the Javelin has a plastic grille and taillights instead of the metal ones of the Pilen version. Also, I noted on this box (I'll have to check the box of the Monteverdi) there is a price sticker with the Juguinsa logo. This tells me that Juguinsa must be or have been a toy shop or other retail shop. Anybody know for sure?
Juguinsa
Javelin and box (On the left. The Pilen version is on the right)
Juguinsa
and Pilen bottom scans of Monteverdi
Juguinsa
Fiat
Juguinsa Fiat
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