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ABC Brianza

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The history of ABC Brianza goes back over 45 years when in 1963 Carlo Brianza launched his first unique models. In the beginning, he only made single models on a large scale, from brass. These early models were single pieces in 1:10 and 1:13 scale. They had opening doors and bonnets, with working locks and suspension. The steering wheels and engines were reproduced just like the real vehicles, and he won the Quattroruotine d’Oro, the highest award given in Italy.

The aim for perfection brought him together with two other great names in model car making: Michele Conti and Manuel Olivé Sans.

Subject ID: 2147

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The history of ABC Brianza goes back over 45 years when in 1963 Carlo Brianza launched his first unique models. In the beginning, he only made single models on a large scale, from brass. These early models were single pieces in 1:10 and 1:13 scale. They had opening doors and bonnets, with working locks and suspension. The steering wheels and engines were reproduced just like the real vehicles, and he won the Quattroruotine d’Oro, the highest award given in Italy.

The aim for perfection brought him together with two other great names in model car making: Michele Conti and Manuel Olivé Sans.

Carlo started working in the veranda at his house, together with his friend Giovanni Venegoni, with whom he built aeroplanes. Then Carlo decided to build cars for sale, and the first model he made was the Ferrari shark nose. There he also built models for the Porsche Museum and Alfa Romeo Museum in 1:10 scale, and also some 1:4 scale models for Mercedes Benz. All these models were in brass with full suspension, engine and opening doors.

As a special commission, he built an Alfa Romeo for the crime museum in Milan. With this model, the scale was 1:2 or ½ size! An alarm rang when the doors were opened. Carlo’s main problem in creating this model was with the tyres, as he could not find them, and so and he made them in his garage.

The step from the production of single pieces to the production of high-quality model car series was quite easy. In 1973, together with his wife Ella, he founded ABC. He produced model cars in 1:43 and 1:14 scales.

The first series he produced was limited to 300 pieces, then Carlo decided to extend the ranges to 400 pieces. Now they are limited to 500 pieces ready built and kits. The Autostile series was in white metal completely. All other models were made in resin with white metal parts. The Autostile range is still available.

ABC's co-operation with Fiat and Lancia became a partnership that lasted several years. In this period ABC produced various promotional series for these famous Italian makers. Today's co-operation with Stola in Turin is heading towards a similar success.

After Carlo Brianza passed away in 1994, his children took over his leading role within the company. Now his son Andrea takes care of the development of prototypes and his daughter Laura is running the Commercial Department, all still under Ella's approval and control.  

ABC Brianza supplies directly all over the world, both to retailers and collectors. They sell directly to customers from their showroom and provide a mail order service. They exhibit at the Toy Fairs in Nuremberg, Retromobile in Paris, Technoclassica in Essen and Hobby Model in Milan. In the 1990s, they regularly exhibited at ModeleX in Birmingham.

 

Subject ID: 2147

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Subject ID: 2147