Farm Toys, made in Argentina. By Bob Frassinetti.In the search of the history of Buby's farm toys we recently published a
first approach to knowing the story behind the Buby Fiat 700s CONCORD
Tractor. We had brought into consideration the fact that this specific Buby
item was never commercialized.
This first information was a good starting point. However we wanted to know
more.
Hence, we contacted the very best immediate source, Mr. Buby. After a great
telephone conversation, he agreed to have a word with us on the record about
this matter.
He first told us about his business relation with Fiat Argentina. Some years
before he was approached by the Fiat executives to produce a scale model of
the 700s CONCORD Fiat tractor, he had already been working together with
Fiat Argentina. The first two Fiat models done in scale by Buby were the
Fiat 1500 and the Fiat 1500 Pick up. These two items were a total success;
and the executives at Fiat were very pleased with Buby's work. Faithful
scale reproduction of outstanding vehicles was just what they were looking
for. Parents would drive the newest Fiat models and kids would play with
them, dreaming about driving them one day through the lovely Argentinean
landscape.
Then, when Fiat Argentina had produced it's first tractor in Argentina, they
contacted Buby again to produce a scale model of their brand new tractor.
Buby then got to work, they accessed the tractors blueprints at Fiat's
headquarters in Belgrano, Buenos Aires; and with all that confidential
information plus a great deal of talent and vision, Buby came up with an
outstanding item. "The scale tractor was a refined piece", says Mr, Buby,
when we ask him about his impressions back then. He continues to tell us "
we had included direction, when you turned the wheel, tires moved, even the
back plowing moved and had gorgeous details such as the grating. The engine
cover was removable." No doubt about it this item expressed Buby's great
capability of producing high quality, great fidelity and beautiful auto-
models.
Mr. Buby comments agree with our previous article. And there's a plus, for
he had told us that "this item is more a collectible than a toy item, for it
's delicacy and fidelity with the original tractor". We might add, this was
Buby's first approach to the production of collectibles for collectors,
caring greatly about faithfulness, quality and design; many years latter he
would retake this road when he launches to the market his Collectors
Classics.
Back to the Buby tractor, they had produced 10,000 units specially for Fiat.
The Buby company was not to sell this item ever; nor did Fiat, who according
to what Mr. Buby told us "had given them away as presents for their special
clients and other Fiat bases all over the globe." The tractor was a success. Buby & Fiat kept on working together developing
several new models during the 60s and 70s. From 1973 to 1975 Buby & Fiat
worked on several trucks models on a 1:64 scale.
Their working together would soon come to an end, not due to personal
affairs or arguments, but because the Argentine economy was changing rapidly
and soon Buby would have to close it's doors until the mid 1980s.
Hope you have enjoyed reading and if any one is interested in more information please email me. Bob Frassinetti. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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