Pocher

Last updated

Pocher
Founded1966
FounderArnaldo Pocher
Defunct2000;24 years ago (2000)
FateCompany defunct, brand name acquired and owned by Hornby
Headquarters
Products Scale model cars
Owner Hornby (2013–pres.)
Website pocher.com

Pocher, is an Italian toy car brand and former manufacturing company of scale model cars. The company, established by Arnaldo Pocher, was active from 1966 to 2000, and since 2013 the brand name "Pocher" [1] [2] has been owned and operated by Hornby Railways. [3] [4]

Contents

History

The early years

Rolls-Royce Phantom II Torpedo Convertible (K75) Pocher - Rolls Royce Phantom II 1934.jpg
Rolls-Royce Phantom II Torpedo Convertible (K75)
Mercedes-Benz 500K/AK Cabriolet (K74) Pocher Mercedes.jpg
Mercedes-Benz 500K/AK Cabriolet (K74)
Bugatti T50 (K76) Bugatti-T50-model.jpg
Bugatti T50 (K76)
Fiat 130hp Fiat130hp.jpg
Fiat 130hp

Arnaldo Pocher was born in 1911 in Trento, Italy. He trained as a goldsmith engraver and went to work in Turin. In the years following the Second World War he became interested in railway modelling and in 1951 he formed Pocher Micromeccanica S.n.c. alongside Corrado Muratore producing train signals, platforms and points using innovative production techniques. Under a change of name, The Corrado Muratore and Arnaldo Pocher Company, they produced finely detailed freight and passenger carriages in white metal and later locomotives and power cars. [5] [6]

Pocher 1:8 model kits

At the International Toy Fair of Milan in 1966, the Pocher stand astonished the world with its wonderfully detailed 1:8 scale model of the Fiat F2 130HP, the car which won the 1907 French Grand Prix driven by Felice Nazzaro. The model contained 144 high-resistance plastic parts, 173 in brass and 506 in steel, copper, leather, rubber and aluminium. The Company went on to produce ever more detailed models of motoring classics including the 1931–34 Alfa Romeo 2300 Ac Monza, the 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Drophead Sedanca Coupe, the 1932 Alfa Romeo Touring, the Mercedes-Benz 500K/AK containing 2,378 part and then the Rolls-Royce Torpedo Phantom II Convertible with 2,905 parts. [5]

These kits were based on original plans from the manufacturer. Two features present on some models were spoked wire wheels that were assembled spoke by spoke, and engines with working crankshaft and piston assemblies. Assembly was mostly accomplished with threaded fasteners (screws, bolts, nuts) and very little glue. This created finished products that could theoretically be disassembled and repaired or modified. Kits came molded in color and ready painted. Finished preassembled versions were also sold. [7]

In the 1970s Corrado Muratore sold his part of the company to Rivarossi, a bit later Arnaldo Pocher sold his part, too. While Corrado Muratore continued as general manager of Pocher and national sales manager, Arnaldo Pocher left the company. [7]

The product ranges

The earlier high piece and high detail kits were referred to as the Classic line. Later a less assembly intensive line appeared which was called the Prestige line of cars. Classic kits were known for their high piece count and incredible detail such as working brake systems, engines with rotating crankshafts and moving pistons, windows that moved up and down, steering that operated, and when a tiny key was inserted into the dashboard the headlights lit up. Classic kits faithfully represented mostly 1930s cars from Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce. Prestige kits were most often die cast metal bodies and contained about 500 parts. They featured working suspension and opening doors and detailed engines. These kits were designed to provide attractive models that could be built with little difficulty. These were mostly of Ferraris such as the Testarossa and F40, along with a few Porsches. A third line existed which was called Pocher Truck. This consisted of two Volvo trucks using the same assembly method as Prestige - mainly press fit parts with superb detailing. Four separate engine kits were produced that featured the engines from Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Volvo, and Bugatti. Of these four kits the Bugatti was the most complex as it had a moving crankshaft and pistons. [7]

All model kits in the automobile line were produced in enormous one eighth scale. These cars could be up to 22 inches (560 mm) long and weigh as much as 16 pounds (7.3 kg). The aftermarket products produced to support these kits is a thriving cottage industry and the remaining kits that are unassembled are a rare item. Often cherished, traded, and handed down these do exist today and are available through collector channels. [7]

Hornby and Pocher

Official presentation of the new Pocher 1:8 model kit on the Nueremberg International Toy Fair 2013 Pocher presentation 2013.jpg
Official presentation of the new Pocher 1:8 model kit on the Nueremberg International Toy Fair 2013

After the Lima group went into bankruptcy the Pocher brand was bought by Hornby in 2004. In December 2012 Hornby announced the "resurgence of a myth" on the official website of Pocher. An official presentation was held on the Nuremberg International Toy Fair on 30 January 2013. Pocher presented the new 1:8 model kit of the Lamborghini Aventador [8] [9] . [7]

At Nuremberg 2014 two new models were announced: HK105/6 Lamborghini Huracan and HK107 Ducati Panigale Superbike. [10]

Vestergaard and Pocher

In February 2017, while Hornby was in financial crisis and in need of cash, the Danish importer Vestergaard acquired Pocher and its surplus inventory which included about 1600 Ducati kits. [11] A green version of the Pocher Lamborghini Huracan, kit# HK109, was produced and released under Vestergaard ownership of the brand. [12]

Hornby has recently repurchased ownership of the brand. In October 2020, Hornby's interim results stated "With distribution in 27 countries and with plans to launch more new and varied models in the not too distant future, the Pocher legacy of high-quality large-scale model kits will continue." [13] Furthermore, the website and trade mark continue to be registered to Hornby. [14]

Pocher prestige model list [15]

Lamborghini Aventador Pocher presentation Nuremberg 2013.JPG
Lamborghini Aventador
Kit numberMakerModelColor
K30Porsche911black
K31Porsche911 "Silver"silver
K31 collco24Porsche911 "Silver Plated"silver
K31 collco24Porsche911 "Cabrio"silver
K32 collco24Porsche911 "Yellow"Yellow
K33 collco24Porsche911 "Blue"Blue
K34 collco24Porsche911 "Red"Red
K35 collco24Porsche911 "Carrera Cup 1994"Racing
K51FerrariTestarossa Coupered
K52FerrariTestarossa Spiderwhite
K53FerrariTestarossa Coupe "Black Star"black
K54FerrariTestarossa Spider "Sportster"red
K55FerrariF40red
K56FerrariF40 "Yellow"yellow
K57FerrariF40 G.T (Dutch prototype)red
K58FerrariF40 G.T (Italian prototype)red
K59FerrariTestarossa Coupé Convertibleyellow
K60FerrariF40 "Black Power"black
K61FerrariTestarossa Spider "Silver Special"Silver
K63FerrariTestarossa Coupe "Flashlight"yellow

Pocher Hornby model list [15]

Kit numberMakerModelColor
HK100LamborghiniAventador CoupeArgos orange(discontinued)
HK101LamborghiniAventador CoupeIsis white(discontinued)
HK102LamborghiniAventador CoupeNero Nemesis Black(available)
HK103LamborghiniAventador RoadsterBlue Monterrey(available)
HK104LamborghiniAventador RoadsterIsis White(available)
HK105LamborghiniHuracanIsis White/Red(available)
HK106LamborghiniHuracanYellow(available)
HK107Ducati Superbike1299 Panigale SRed(discontinued)
HK109LamborghiniHuracanGreen(available)
HK110Ducati1299 Panigale S AnniversarioRed/White/Black(discontinued)
HK111Ducati1299 Panigale S "Carbon Edition"Black/Gold/Red(discontinued)
HK114Lotus72dBlack(available)
HK117Ducati1299 Panigale R Final EditionGreen/White/Red(available)
HK118Porsche917K - Gulf EditionBlue/Orange/White(available)
HK119LamborghiniAventador LP 700-4 Giallo OrionYellow(available)
HK121LamborghiniAventador LP700-4 Roadster Nero NemesisMatte Black(Unknown - Ebay only?)

Pocher Classic model list [15]

Kit numberMakerModelColourWheel TypeLike Model
K70FiatGrand prix de FranceredHard Plastic Spokes
K71Alfa Romeo8c 2300 MonzaredSpokes
K72Rolls-RoyceSedanca Coupé Phantom IIblack-blueSpokes
K73Alfa RomeoSpider Touring Gran Sportcream-blueSpokes
K74Mercedes-Benz500K/AK CabrioletblackSpokesK93
K75Rolls-RoyceTorpedo Phantom II Convertiblesilver – orangeSpokes
K76Bugatti50Tblack – yellowPlastic
K77FiatF-2 Racerblack – redPlasticK88
K78Alfa Romeo8c 2300 Monza "Muletto"whiteSpokes
K80Mercedes-Benz500K "Sport Roadster"redSpokes
K81Alfa Romeo8C 2600 "Mille Miglia-Scuderia Ferrari"redSpokes
K82Mercedes-Benz540K "Cabrio Special"whiteSpokesK94
K83Rolls-RoycePhantom II AmbassadorgreenSpokes
K84Bugatti50 T Coupe de villeblue-silverPlastic
K85Mercedes-Benz540K "Classic Roadster"redSpokes
K86Bugatti50T Surprofiléblack-redPlastic
K88FiatF-2 Racerblack- redHard Plastic SpokesK77
K89Alfa Romeo8c 2300 Coupé Elegantblack-whiteSpokes
K90Mercedes-Benz540K "Rumble Seat"maroonSpokesK95
K91Mercedes-Benz540K "True Roadster"cream-brownPlastic
K92Alfa Romeo"Dinner Jacket"blackPlastic
K93Mercedes-Benz500K/AK CabrioletblackPlasticK74
K94Mercedes-Benz540K Cabrio SpecialwhitePlasticK82
K95Mercedes-Benz540K "Rumble Seat"maroonPlasticK90

Pocher truck model list [15]

Kit numberMakerModelColor
K79VolvoF-12 Turbo Truckred
K87VolvoF-16 Globetrotterblack

Pocher engine model list [15]

Kit numberMakerModel
KM51FerrariTestarossa
KM55FerrariF-40
KM76BugattiT50
KM87VolvoTruck

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamborghini</span> Italian automobile manufacturer

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of luxury sports cars and SUVs based in Sant'Agata Bolognese. The company is owned by the Volkswagen Group through its subsidiary Audi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Straight-eight engine</span> Inline piston engine with eight cylinders

The straight-eight engine or inline-eight engine is an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine with all eight cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase. The type has been produced in side-valve, IOE, overhead-valve, sleeve-valve, and overhead-cam configurations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari Testarossa</span> 12-cylinder mid-engine sports car manufactured by Ferrari

The Ferrari Testarossa is a 12-cylinder mid-engine sports car manufactured by Ferrari, which went into production in 1984 as the successor to the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer. The Pininfarina-designed car was originally produced from 1984 until 1991, with two model revisions following the end of Testarossa production called the 512 TR and F512 M, which were produced from 1992 until 1996. Including revised variations, almost 10,000 cars in total were produced, making it at the time one of the most mass-produced Ferrari models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hornby Railways</span> British-owned model railway manufacturer

Hornby Hobbies Limited is a British-owned scale model manufacturing company which has been focused on model railways. Its roots date back to 1901 in Liverpool, when founder Frank Hornby received a patent for his Meccano construction toy. The first clockwork train was produced in 1920. In 1938, Hornby launched its first OO gauge train. In 1964, Hornby and Meccano were bought by their competitor, Tri-ang Railways, and sold when Tri-ang went into receivership. Hornby Railways became independent again in the 1980s, and became listed on the London Stock Exchange, but due to financial troubles reported in June 2017, became majority owned by British turnaround specialist Phoenix Asset Management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti EB 110</span> Motor vehicle

The Bugatti EB 110 is a mid-engine sports car initially conceived by Ing. Paolo Stanzani in the mid 1980s and produced by Bugatti Automobili S.p.A. from 1991 until 1995, when the company was liquidated. The model restarted the brand's presence in the automobile industry after a hiatus of nearly 40 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geneva International Motor Show</span> Annual Swiss auto show

The Geneva International Motor Show was an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter de Silva</span> Italian car designer

Walter Maria de Silva is an Italian car designer and former head of Volkswagen Group Design, until 2015. Since beginning his car design career in 1972 as trainee car designer for Fiat's Style Centre. De Silva has also worked as a designer at I.DE.A Institute, and as head of design for Alfa Romeo, SEAT and the 'Audi brand group'. He is presently President of the Design Studio Walter De Silva & Partners.

Lima S.p.A. is an Italian brand and former manufacturing company of model railways. The company was headquartered in Vicenza for almost 50 years, from the early 1950s until the company ceased trading in 2004. Lima was a popular, affordable brand of 00 gauge and N gauge model railway material in the UK, more detailed H0 and N gauge models in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States as well as South Africa, Scandinavia and Australia. Lima also produced a small range of 0 gauge models. Lima partnered with various distributors and manufacturers, selling under brands such as A.H.M., Model Power, and Minitrain. Market pressures from superior Far Eastern produce in the mid-1990s led to Lima merging with Rivarossi, Arnold, and Jouef. Ultimately, these consolidations failed and operations ceased in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bburago</span> Toy car brand

Bburago is a manufacturing company of toys and die-cast scale model cars formerly based in Italy. The company was based in Burago di Molgora, where all products were made from 1974 to 2005. At the height of its popularity, Bburago's main competitors were Politoys and Maisto, the latter of which was to become dominant in the 1:18 market segment around 2000.

Mansory is a luxury car modification firm based in Brand, Germany. Besides luxury cars, they also work on supercars, luxury SUVs and custom bikes. The company was founded in 1989 by Iranian tuner Kourosh Mansory. His Munich-based workshop focused on modifications for British brands such as Rolls-Royce and Italian brands such as Ferrari. By mid-2001, the company had grown out of its Munich workshop and moved to headquarters in the Fichtel Mountains. The company currently operates out of a workshop in Brand, Germany.

Rivarossi is an Italian manufacturer of model railways. In 2004 it was acquired by Hornby Railways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamborghini Aventador</span> Sports car produced by Lamborghini

The Lamborghini Aventador is a mid-engine sports car that was produced by the Italian automotive manufacturer Lamborghini from 2011 until 2022. The Aventador’s namesake is a Spanish fighting bull that fought in Zaragoza, Aragón, in 1993. The Aventador was the successor to the Murciélago and was produced in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Lamborghini</span>

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. is an Italian brand and manufacturer of luxury automobiles. Lamborghini's production facility and headquarters are located in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy. Italian manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini founded the company in 1963 with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with offerings from established marques such as Ferrari. The company's first models were introduced in the mid-1960s and were noted for their refinement, power and comfort. Lamborghini gained wide acclaim in 1966 for the Miura sports coupé, which established rear mid-engine, rear wheel drive as the standard layout for high-performance cars of the era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paolo Stanzani</span>

Paolo Stanzani was an Italian mechanical engineer and automotive designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamborghini Veneno</span> Limited edition sports car produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini

The Lamborghini Veneno is a limited production high performance sports car manufactured by Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini. Based on the Lamborghini Aventador, the Veneno was developed to celebrate Lamborghini's 50th anniversary. It was introduced at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. When introduced, it had a price of US$4,000,000, making it one of the most expensive production cars in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamborghini Centenario</span> Sports car

The Lamborghini Centenario is a limited production sports car based on the Lamborghini Aventador which was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show to commemorate the 100th birthday of the company's founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamborghini Sián FKP 37</span> Limited production V12 hybrid sports car

The Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 is a limited production mid-engine hybrid sports car produced by the Italian automotive manufacturer Lamborghini. Unveiled online on 3 September 2019, the Sián is the first hybrid production vehicle produced by the company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamborghini Essenza SCV12</span> Track-day car produced by Lamborghini

The Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 is a track-only car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini under their Squadra Corse racing division. Introduced on 29 July 2020, it was the most powerful and the last purely naturally-aspirated car built by the brand at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurizio Reggiani</span> Italian engineer

Maurizio Reggiani is an Italian engineer who currently serves as the vice president of Lamborghini Squadra Corse. He has been responsible for several Lamborghini flagship models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamborghini Revuelto</span> Successor to the Lamborghini Aventador

The Lamborghini Revuelto is a mid-engine plug-in hybrid sports car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini. It was officially unveiled on March 29, 2023 as a successor to the Aventador. The Revuelto’s namesake is a Spanish fighting bull that fought in the arena of Barcelona in the 1880s.

References

  1. "Pocher". archive.ph. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  2. "Pocher". scaleautoworks.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  3. "Hornby UK". uk.hornby.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  4. "Hornby UK". www.hornbyhobbies.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  5. 1 2 "About Pocher". uk.pocher.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  6. "Pocher". www.rivarossi-memory.it. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Porcher - Aventador 1:8 build". www.gtplanet.net. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  8. Nuremberg International Toy Fair 2013 - Resurgence of a myth, archived from the original on 11 April 2013, retrieved 10 July 2024
  9. Nuremberg International Toy Fair 2013 - Official Presentation - Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 - Arancio Argos, archived from the original on 11 April 2013, retrieved 10 July 2024
  10. "Hornby International". Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  11. "Pocher - now dropped by Hornby". 9 February 2017.
  12. "Pocher - now dropped by Hornby". Brit Modeller. 16 February 2017.
  13. "Hornby announces interim results for six months ended 30 September 2020". polaris.brighterir.com. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  14. "Intellectual Property Office - Search for a trade mark". trademarks.ipo.gov.uk. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "List of Pocher models". www.mymodelhobby.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  16. "A Short History of Pocher-Rivarossi". www.planetdiecast.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.