Topic: Muky
Muky of Argentina is one other mystery within the history of toys made in our country. For collectors these are the Argentinean Hotwheels for the similarity with the American models. And ever since they first got hold of one of Muky’s models there’s been a constant doubt about the origin and production of these miniature wonders. Some say the castings were stole form the Mattel plant many years ago, and then brought to our southern country to begin production of a similar item under an other brand name. Some others, the most uncontroversial ones prefer to believe that the similarity is the result of some god knows what coincidences. However most of us, without choosing either solution want to know the truth for sure, whether they were stolen, sold or copied, how and where did it happen, and most of all why.
In order to solve that mystery, the Buenos Aires Toy museum, who has been working on the reconstruction of the Argentinean toy industry’s history for many years now, began to work on a deep and complicated research process. The first and foremost difficulty we had to face in advance was the lack of public or private information about this matter. Due to a contium of political and economical critical situations the registration of most industrial activities of the 60s, 70s and 80s are not much.
Confronted to the lack of records and in need of answers we began to trace down information lines we collected from fellow collector, who remembered to have heard someone saying something about Muky.
Our hard work paid off, and we were able to contact Muky’s owners with which we had the honor of interviewing.
As a result of the interview we have some new and fresh information in order to begin to solve a part of this mystery.
As most of collectors might have noticed not all Mukys are the same. Some of them are fully made out of zamac –the metal material-, some others have the lower part in plastic. This difference is mainly the result of a change not only in the technique but in the owners. That is the difference you find in the lower part, with the full metal items showing a sign that reads “Super veloz” –super fast- and the ones with metal and plastic –which actually run faster, Induguay-. This corresponds to two different owners of the Muky company.
Among the many other differences within the models is the box and blister packages alternatives, the full blue and white package is from the second Era in the production of Muky, while the more eclectic and colorful packages belong to the first Era.
But our goal was fixed in the main mystery we were looking to solve: the castings origin. When asking Muky’s most recent owner about the castings, he replied that the newest ones –the latest numbers in the series- were made by them in Argentina with local craftsmen, who were inspired in many of the cars they saw every day on the streets. He added that many of the first models were bought together with the company already producing them. He thought the previous owners had bought them in the States and brought them to Argentina to work with. But he had no further information on the matter.
The latest input in this matter is the result of the hard and complicated work carried on by the museum’s research team on Argentinean toys. Yes, the castings were bought in the States; no, they weren’t stolen from Mattel, nor they were bought from that company. Our latest information on the matter is that back in the early 50s Mattel wasn’t producing within their plant all their castings, but they bought them from third parties. It had been this casting craftsman the one who sold those Hotwheel alike castings to Muky. They were brought to our country and set off to production. The similarity is crystal clear, the differences appear in quality and finishing touches, as well as in the way those cars run.
Therefore, Muky of Argentina, aka the Argentinean Hotwheels share the same original castings with the Mattel diecasts, but not only where they not stolen, but they were legitimately bought and put into production.
One highlight about the Muky models is an outstanding difference with most of the 70s Argentinean diecasts, for they had produced an interesting number of concept diecast cars. A line of visionary models which were to come in the international market and that would be a design breakthrough within the industry that was anticipated in the world of toys. And one of those avant-garde companies was Muky. A highly treasured item very appreciated in the world of collectibles.
For this information is so precious to us all collectors, the Buenos Aires Toy museum is futhering on this research projects into an upcoming catalog like book, with all the latest information on the subject together with a detailed list of all Muky models available throughout its history.
Today we are selling set's of 12 Muky die-cast toys made in Argentina,they are
# 7 Ford Sedan 1941
# 8 Lola GT Spoiler
# 9 Ford MKN Turbo
# 15 Dodge Charger
# 16 Corvette Especial
# 18 Ford MK IV
# 22 Lamborghini
# 28 Chaparral 2 G
# 32 Lancia 3000
# 35 Bomberos,Fire Chief
# 38 Vokswagen escarabajo
# 39 Ferrari 301
The full set, numbers are like this, see below, hopefully some time soon we will have them all........
# 7 Ford Sedan 1941
# 8 Lola GT Spoiler
# 9 Ford MKN Turbo
# 10 Ford G.T 40 Turbo
# 11 Chevelle SS
# 12 Licoln Continental
# 13 Arenero Muky
# 14 Lola GT 40
# 15 Dodge Charger
# 16 Corvette Especial
# 17 Casa Rodante Muky
# 18 Ford MK IV
# 19 Mac Laren M.G.A Turbo
# 20 Turbo GT- 0
# 21 Cadlilac Eldorado
# 22 Lamborghini
# 23 Cisterna Muky
# 24 Policia
# 25 Camion Jaula
# 26 Super Turbo
# 27 Furgon Muky
# 28 Chaparral 2 G
# 29 Skoda Baby
# 30 Ford Coupe 36
# 31 Volcador Muky
# 32 Lancia 3000
# 33 Rapit Urtano
# 34 Mc Laren MS A
# 35 Bomberos,Fire Chief
# 36 Servicio Medico
# 37 Taximetro
# 38 Vokswagen escarabajo
# 39 Ferrari 301
Bob Frassinetti, today Buenos Aires, Argentina.
