MINIATURE CARS FROM A-Z "Y+Z"

Volume VIII, Number 7

MINIATURE CARS FROM A-Z "Y+Z"
by Dave Weber and Christian Falkensteiner, Images by Doug Breithaupt

We have finally completed this lengthy study which began about 2 years ago! This has been a major example of support and cooperation. We have learned a lot of new facts about some marques that were never even heard of previously. And we have also obtained additional knowledge about some makes where we had only had very vague information previously. Early on we decided to divide the workload on writing. Christian produced the information on the European cars and Dave completed the summary by researching the cars produced on the remaining continents. Then we added additional information as necessary to each others summaries.

This arrangement appears to have worked well as we are now facing the finish line! However, there are a few marques that we have since discovered were either inadvertently omitted or discovered after the specific summary had been already published here in TofTC. We intend to add an addendum in a couple of months to try to include all the loose pieces we may have passed over. We hope you have enjoyed reading this lengthy series as much as we have in preparing it. Dave and Christian

YELLOW (US) 1915-1930

This company was started by John Hertz who later founded the Hertz Rental Corp. He originally had joined the Shaw Livery Co in Chicago as a salesman. After working his way up the corporate ladder, he became a partner in the firm. Before 1915 he had persuaded Shaw to begin manufacturing their own chassis for taxicab use. This led to the formation of the Yellow Taxicab Manufacturing Co. Assembly of the cabs was performed at the Shaw facility. Production was successful. In 1923 the rights to the R+V Knight engine were acquired and some Yellow-Knights were also produced. In the early 1920s, Shaw also marketed cars under the marques of Shaw, Colonial and Ambassador. Also in 1923, Yellow began producing bus vehicles. But in 1925 Yellow was merged into the General Motors Truck Division. In 1930 the name was changed to General Motors Cab. Cab production under the new name continued until 1938. These last cabs were modified Chevrolet bodies set on extended chassis that used a Chevrolet truck rear axle. The only known model in small scale was made by Tootsietoy and represents a cab from the early 1920s according to the model collector community.

YULON / YLN (RC) 1957-PRESENT

The Yue Loong Co Ltd in Taipei was founded by Ching-Ling Yen in 1953. The original purpose was to manufacture machinery, but in 1957 a licensed agreement with Nissan was obtained. This allowed YLN, later called Yulon to produce slightly modified Nissan cars and light trucks that were identified with the nameplate YLN. It was reported that 60% of the parts were made locally with the remainder coming from Japan. In 2003 the Yulon firm was split into two separate companies. Yulon Motor Co Ltd is a manufacturing and service company according to their website. Yulon-Nissan Motor Co was then organized to assist Nissan in the marketing of vehicles to the Chinese Mainland. This venture consists of the manufacture and sales of cars and related parts of Nissan, Renault and Infiniti marques. We do not know of any specific models of the Yulon in small scale. However, we suggest that some Nissan models from Tomica and possibly other producers could be representative of Yulon vehicles.

ZASTAVA / YUGO (YU) 1954-PRESENT

The Zastava factory of Kragujevac, Serbia was originally founded in 1853 for the production of guns. During WW II it also made some military vehicles under American license. Passenger car production started in the 1950s with Fiat licenses. Several Fiat models were produced, the most popular being the Zastava 750 based on the Fiat 600. The 1970s saw the Zastava 101, which was based on the Fiat 128 but featured a unique hatchback design. In 1981 the Zastava Yugo sub-compact was introduced, the first car entirely developed in Yugoslavia. It was exported to various markets, even the USA. On most export markets the brand name Yugo was used instead of Zastava. Export success was limited due to poor quality, but the factory continued to develop the car and introduce additional variations, also a larger car called Yugo Florida. In 1999 the factory was destroyed during the Kosovo war, which put an end to production for a while. The factory was then re-built; production was resumed in late 2000 and continues to this day.

A small-scale diecast model of the Zastava Yugo was made in the 1980s by Aurometal of Yugoslavia. Nowadays 1/87 scale resin renditions are offered by Drazen Bjelic of Croatia.

Yugo by Aurometal

ZAZ (SU/UKR) 1958-PRESENT

The ZAZ factory is located in the Ukrainian town of Zaporoshje. It was erected for the purpose of providing the Soviet Union with a small car for the masses. The resulting product called "Zaporoshets" was a rear-engined car inspired by the Fiat 600. Later versions made from 1964 onward featured a modified bodywork resembling the NSU Prinz. These cars were then produced with little changes until the early 1990s. Many more modern prototypes designed in the 1970s and 1980s did not reach production. Eventually a modern front-wheel drive car named Tavria was put into production in 1987. In 1998 Daewoo of Korea took control of the company. Although this association ended in 2003, the factory remains associated with General Motors and still produces various Daewoo models (nowadays mostly branded Chevrolet) beside descendants of the Tavria.

The only small-scale model of a ZAZ car we are aware of is a 1960s ZAZ 968 made in 1/87 scale resin by a Czech company called "Z&Z Exclusive Model"

ZENDER (GE) 1983-PRESENT

The Zender company of Mülheim-Kärlich which was founded in 1969, mainly produces tuning parts for cars of various brands. In 1983 it presented a concept car called Vision 1, which was intended to show off the company's capabilities but not to go into production. Later on several more concept cars were made in a similar vein. Some of those may have been produced in more than one example each.

Hot Wheels has made a model of one of Zender's concept cars - the Fact 4.

Zender Fact 4 by Hot Wheels

ZÜNDAPP (GE) 1956-1958

The Zündapp company was founded in Nuremberg in 1917, starting out producing grenade igniters. The name Zündapp is short for "Zünder- und Apparatebau", meaning "construction of igniters and apparatuses". In 1922 the company's best known and most successful products appeared: motorcycles. At several points in its history, Zündapp made attempts to produce cars beside the motorcycles. Some prototypes made during the 1930s did not reach full production, but when motorcycle sales dropped significantly in the mid-1950s, it seemed inevitable to introduce a car to ensure the continuation of the company's success. The Zündapp Janus was a small car developed from the Delta concept car which had been constructed by the airplane company Dornier. Its engine was located in the middle between the front and rear seats. This unusual concept did not find favor with the buying public, and sales figures were much lower than expected. Consequently Janus production was stopped, and the company concentrated on motorcycles once again. It moved to Munich and remained in business until 1984, when the whole factory was transferred to China.

A model of the Zündapp Janus was featured in the Siku plastic range. Much more recently a small Janus plastic model was found in Ferrero's Kinder Surprise eggs.

ZWICKAU (GDR) 1955-1958

The Zwickau P70 was introduced by the state-owned IFA as a replacement for the DKW-based IFA F8, to be manufactured at the former Horch factory in Zwickau. It still featured the old DKW two-stroke engine, but it was significant for being the first German production car with a plastic body. Its production life was fairly short, for it was soon overshadowed by its smaller companion, the Trabant, which was made at the same factory from 1957 onward.

Models of several variations of the Zwickau are made of pewter in 1/87 scale by the Germany company Kehi.

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YELLOW (US) 1915-1930 This company was started by John Hertz who later founded the Hertz Rental Corp. He originally had joined the Shaw Livery Co in Chicago as a salesman. After working his way up the corporate ladder, he became a partner in the firm. Before 1915 he had persuaded Shaw to begin manufacturing their own chassis for taxicab use. This led to the formation of the Yellow Taxicab Manufacturing Co. Assembly of the cabs was performed at the Shaw facility. Production was successful. In 1923 the rights to the R+V Knight engine were acquired and some Yellow-Knights were also produced. In the early 1920s, Shaw also marketed cars under the marques of Shaw, Colonial and Ambassador. Also in 1923, Yellow began producing bus vehicles. But in 1925 Yellow was merged into the General Motors Truck Division. In 1930 the name was changed to General Motors Cab. Cab production under the new name continued until 1938. These last cabs were modified Chevrolet bodies set on extended chassis that used a Chevrolet truck rear axle. The only known model in small scale was made by Tootsietoy and represents a cab from the early 1920s according to the model collector community.
YULON / YLN (RC) 1957-PRESENT The Yue Loong Co Ltd in Taipei was founded by Ching-Ling Yen in 1953. The original purpose was to manufacture machinery, but in 1957 a licensed agreement with Nissan was obtained. This allowed YLN, later called Yulon to produce slightly modified Nissan cars and light trucks that were identified with the nameplate YLN. It was reported that 60% of the parts were made locally with the remainder coming from Japan. In 2003 the Yulon firm was split into two separate companies. Yulon Motor Co Ltd is a manufacturing and service company according to their website. Yulon-Nissan Motor Co was then organized to assist Nissan in the marketing of vehicles to the Chinese Mainland. This venture consists of the manufacture and sales of cars and related parts of Nissan, Renault and Infiniti marques. We do not know of any specific models of the Yulon in small scale. However, we suggest that some Nissan models from Tomica and possibly other producers could be representative of Yulon vehicles.
ZASTAVA / YUGO (YU) 1954-PRESENT The Zastava factory of Kragujevac, Serbia was originally founded in 1853 for the production of guns. During WW II it also made some military vehicles under American license. Passenger car production started in the 1950s with Fiat licenses. Several Fiat models were produced, the most popular being the Zastava 750 based on the Fiat 600. The 1970s saw the Zastava 101, which was based on the Fiat 128 but featured a unique hatchback design. In 1981 the Zastava Yugo sub-compact was introduced, the first car entirely developed in Yugoslavia. It was exported to various markets, even the USA. On most export markets the brand name Yugo was used instead of Zastava. Export success was limited due to poor quality, but the factory continued to develop the car and introduce additional variations, also a larger car called Yugo Florida. In 1999 the factory was destroyed during the Kosovo war, which put an end to production for a while. The factory was then re-built; production was resumed in late 2000 and continues to this day. A small-scale diecast model of the Zastava Yugo was made in the 1980s by Aurometal of Yugoslavia. Nowadays 1/87 scale resin renditions are offered by Drazen Bjelic of Croatia.	Yugo by Aurometal
ZAZ (SU/UKR) 1958-PRESENT The ZAZ factory is located in the Ukrainian town of Zaporoshje. It was erected for the purpose of providing the Soviet Union with a small car for the masses. The resulting product called "Zaporoshets" was a rear-engined car inspired by the Fiat 600. Later versions made from 1964 onward featured a modified bodywork resembling the NSU Prinz. These cars were then produced with little changes until the early 1990s. Many more modern prototypes designed in the 1970s and 1980s did not reach production. Eventually a modern front-wheel drive car named Tavria was put into production in 1987. In 1998 Daewoo of Korea took control of the company. Although this association ended in 2003, the factory remains associated with General Motors and still produces various Daewoo models (nowadays mostly branded Chevrolet) beside descendants of the Tavria. The only small-scale model of a ZAZ car we are aware of is a 1960s ZAZ 968 made in 1/87 scale resin by a Czech company called "Z&Z Exclusive Model"
ZENDER (GE) 1983-PRESENT The Zender company of Mülheim-Kärlich which was founded in 1969, mainly produces tuning parts for cars of various brands. In 1983 it presented a concept car called Vision 1, which was intended to show off the company's capabilities but not to go into production. Later on several more concept cars were made in a similar vein. Some of those may have been produced in more than one example each. Hot Wheels has made a model of one of Zender's concept cars - the Fact 4.	Zender Fact 4 by Hot Wheels
ZÜNDAPP (GE) 1956-1958 The Zündapp company was founded in Nuremberg in 1917, starting out producing grenade igniters. The name Zündapp is short for "Zünder- und Apparatebau", meaning "construction of igniters and apparatuses". In 1922 the company's best known and most successful products appeared: motorcycles. At several points in its history, Zündapp made attempts to produce cars beside the motorcycles. Some prototypes made during the 1930s did not reach full production, but when motorcycle sales dropped significantly in the mid-1950s, it seemed inevitable to introduce a car to ensure the continuation of the company's success. The Zündapp Janus was a small car developed from the Delta concept car which had been constructed by the airplane company Dornier. Its engine was located in the middle between the front and rear seats. This unusual concept did not find favor with the buying public, and sales figures were much lower than expected. Consequently Janus production was stopped, and the company concentrated on motorcycles once again. It moved to Munich and remained in business until 1984, when the whole factory was transferred to China. A model of the Zündapp Janus was featured in the Siku plastic range. Much more recently a small Janus plastic model was found in Ferrero's Kinder Surprise eggs.
ZWICKAU (GDR) 1955-1958 The Zwickau P70 was introduced by the state-owned IFA as a replacement for the DKW-based IFA F8, to be manufactured at the former Horch factory in Zwickau. It still featured the old DKW two-stroke engine, but it was significant for being the first German production car with a plastic body. Its production life was fairly short, for it was soon overshadowed by its smaller companion, the Trabant, which was made at the same factory from 1957 onward. Models of several variations of the Zwickau are made of pewter in 1/87 scale by the Germany company Kehi.