Ezy-Bilt, invariably styled as EZY-BILT, was an Australian construction kit toy similar to the English Meccano, advertised as "The wonder toy for boys" and marketed in the form of kits:
- No. 1 priced at 2s 6d. in 1931, [1] 86 parts. [2] Local manufacture of toys was given an impetus by high tariffs and primage dues. [3]
By 1941 there were five sets:
- No. 1 of 27 pieces, however defined, for 3s 11d.
- No. 2 of 58 pieces for 6s 11d.
- No. 3 of 90 pieces for 12s 6d.
- No. 4 of 128 pieces for 18s 6d.
- No. 5 of 175 pieces for 26s 6d.
By 1948 the range of kits was extended to No. 8. [4]
It was marketed by Union Manufacturing of 299 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. [5]
G. J. Coles purchased the Ezy-Bilt business of George Temple Irving (1908–1958) of 318 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, in 1937. [6] [7]
The Ezy-Bilt system bore many similarities to the better-known Meccano, and the company was sued by Meccano for copyright infringement, the case being settled out of court. [8]
Ezy-Bilt sets were manufactured by metal-parts factories in Fitzroy and Melbourne, with rubber wheels made by Barnet Glass and clockwork motors made by Rytime Robilt, another Melbourne company. Manufacture of Ezy-Bilt and other toys ceased in 1941 due to wartime restrictions. [8] Manufacture resumed in 630 Port Road, Beverley, South Australia, [9] subsequently at Southwark, South Australia, [10] by a company associated with Colton, Palmer and Preston.
Ezy-Bilt was finally liquidated in 1984 as a division of Dickson Primer Ltd. [8]