VITESSE (New Vitesse)

Series – British Sport Cars

20703 – ASTON MARTIN DB7

Volante Rathlin Red, Open Cabriolet

Limited Edition

Die-cast

Scale – 1:43

Additional discount available for regular customers, please inquire.

This is high quality die-cast model.  Packaging is a display case with plain white outer carton sleeve.

Vitesse the Portuguese based company entered the highly competitive market of diecast 1/43 scale models in 1982 or 1983.  At that time the market was in a crisis.  Many old companies were closing or purchased by larger companies.  Many companies started simplified their models and make them more toys like.  Contrarily Vitesse introduced to the market very high quality model that were the best at the time.  Models were supplied with small parts like rear view mirrors; door handles decal sheets with car manufacturers logos, license plates, moldings etc.  Retro Vitesse line was introduced with its high quality models of vintage vehicles.  For many years production was done in Portugal but later it was moved to China and in 1997 Vitesse Group of Companies was established.  Cinerius Ltd and Minibri manufactured models under numerous brand names well know for collectors. Vitesse brand was mostly for streetcars but also had some rally and racing cars.  By late 90’s the Group had well established line like S_kid the series of Rally Car Models, Minibri produced O_nyx – F1, Racing GT and Le Mans Cars, Q_uartzo – Racing and Rally Cars and 1/24 scale motorcycles under the 2-W_heels brand.  In 1998 and 1999 Vitesse Group also produced series of military vehicles under V_ictoria brand and special purpose, service, emergency and police cars under the C_ity Brand. It also had specialized lines “M_illennium” (most famous and influential car designs) and “La S_toria” (Ferrari F1 cars), most models from these lines were previously issued in other series but had very nice packaging and some extras like figure, booklets, etc.  

Models produced by Vitesse Group were high quality, were presented in great selection of car manufactures and car models, in wide variety of colors body stile and liveries.  Price was set very competitive.  However, problems with management lead to the bankruptcy and the V_itesse Group went into liquidation in April 2001.   Subsequently S_un Star Group, owner of S_un Star Brand acquired certain assets of the V_itesse Group including some moulds and the brand name.  They say that this company developed and produced large part of V_itesse Grope products for which they weren’t fully paid and transfer to this company of some molds and brand name was arranged by a bankruptcy court.  However, I can say if this is a truth.  After 2001 S_un Star produced models of American and military cars previously available under V_itesse and V_ictoria badges but under its own Sun Star brand but after a short time this line of 1/43 scale models was discontinued. 

The S_un Star Group has reintroduced Vitesse line in 2002.  Logo and packaging were change and many collectors call this line the “new Vitesse”.  The product line consists of some models, which made of old Vitesse tolling and brand new tolling.  Models issued as Limited Editions and usually just above 2,000 pcs per release but it could be a larger number.  As before models presented in variety of colors and variants, like coupe, convertible with top up or down and with window up or down.   Vitesse line divided in three series they are Vitesse that consists of six collections; 1:43 Scale Rallye By Vitesse, which promised highly detailed models of rally cars that featuring opening bonnet with detailed engines, detailed chassis, figures of driver and co-driver; and Quartzo, which now is 1:18 scale collection of most significant cars in Formula 1.

Vitesse models retails for $25-30 and are high quality, well-made product.

After the Vitesse Group liquidation other model maker that produced products for the company established its own brand name that now know as ixo-MODELS.  This manufacturer made many rally cars models that previously were available under S_kid brand, GT & Le Mans car models released under O_nyx brand name, and 1-24 scale motorcycles released under the 2Wheels brand name.  However, unlike Vitesse, this company introduces new tooling on the regular basis and in large number and introduced many new series.  Since 2006 many new releases have photo-etched parts that significantly raised models appearance without price increase.