 
The Black Bandit® Collection was first introduced in 2004 as single-release premium die-cast cars in 1:64 scale under license to two die-cast model car manufacturers, including GreenLight® Collectibles. The first seven cars, produced under the Johnny Lighting brand, were the VW Bus, VW Beetle, 1970 Mustang Boss 302, 1949 Merc, 1963 Split Window Corvette, 1967 Chevy Camaro and 1950 VW Split Window Beetle.
The next two were Greenlight promotional cars – a 1971 Dodge Charger and a 1968 Ford Mustang GT 2+2 Fastback. In the Spring of 2008 Black Bandit was transformed into a 6-car set, mass produced by GreenLight for exclusive distribution through Toys ‘R’ Us stores nationwide and Hobby Distributors/Wholesalers around the globe.
Black Bandit - Series 5
1:64th Scale
- 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible
- 1970 Oldsmobile 442
- 1972 AMC Javelin AMX
- 1967 Chevy Impala
- 2003 Mercury Marauder
- 1966 Shelby GT-350
Black Bandit - Series 4
1:64th Scale
- 2009 Dodge Challenger
- 2008 Chevy Corvette C6R
- 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Convertible
- 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
- 1968 Buick GS400
- 1965 Ford Galaxie
Black Bandit - Series 3
1:64th Scale
- 2006 Chevy Camaro Concept
- 1977 Dodge Ramcharger
- 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback
- 1970 Pontiac GTO Convertible
- 1966 Ford Galaxie - Race
- 2008 Dodge Charger
Black Bandit - Series 2
1:64th Scale
- 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle
- 1965 Dodge D-100 Pickup Truck
- 1968 Plymouth GTX
- 1971 Plymouth HEMI Cuda
- 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
- 2007 Shelby GT500
Black Bandit - Series 1
1:64th Scale
- 1964 Plymouth Fury Convertible
- 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
- 1968 Dodge Charger R/T
- 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
- 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350
- 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
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Originally founded in 1959 this factory was set up by the Dutch government and was meant to increase the social integration of disabled people by making it easier for them to get a job.
From 1962 onwards the models (most of them, but not all, in 1/64) were sold under the Best-Box name, but around 1971 the company name was changed to Efsi. This probably originates from the organisation that was behind Best-Box, FSI (Federation for Social Integration). It was also around that time that a wide range of truck models of various brands started to appear on the market.
Manufacturing promotional models became a major part of Efsi's activities during the 1980's and 1990's, and the quality of the models was further improved by replacing the 'fast-wheels' with less toy-like wheels with rims and better decorations. Efsi also supplied models to Siekmann & Co. in Germany that offered the models with their own printing under the ASA2000 name until 1986. The Efsi name itself was used until 1988, at that time the FSI seized to exist and the factory closed its doors. The moulds were sold taken over by Holland-Oto.
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Dinky toys history
Dinky Toys are die-cast miniature model cars and trucks. They first appeared in early 1934 when Meccano Ltd of Liverpool, England introduced a new line of "modelled miniatures" under the trade mark "Meccano Dinky Toys". The first announcement for the new line was made in the April 1934 issue of Meccano Magazine.
Dinky collections In the early 1950s a Dinky Toys craze hit the United Kingdom and it seemed that all boys (and some adults) had collections. Their dual role as toy and model had no peers at the time. Most of the Dinky Toys models were in a scale of approximately 1:48, which blended in with O scale railway sets, but many buses and lorries (trucks) were scaled down further so that they were around 4 inches long. Larger models (Dinky Super Toys) were not scaled down, and started to have more action features. Notable favourites are the Coles Mobile Crane and the Horse Box (with opening doors). In 1954, the Dinky Toys line was reorganized: cars were now sold in individual boxes, and there were no series of models differentiated by a letter. A separate line of models were also made in France . Both English and French Dinky Toys were exported to the United States.
Dinky Toys trade Nowadays there is a healthy trade in old Dinky Toys, particularly the earlier models. Condition is all important. A mint-in-box Dinky Toys car from around 1960 can easily command 10 times the price of a played with (used) one. The post-war Dinky Toys cars themselves are all but indestructible, although the tires disintegrate with age and the paint chips. Pre-war Dinky Toys vehicles used a weaker alloy and can suffer from metal-fatigue, and thus models from the 1930s in good condition are particularly rare and sought after. Having the original Dinky Toys box increases the value considerably - the boxes by themselves sometimes command prices comparable to the models. Some collectors even collect the "trade boxes" that were never meant for customers, but were the packing for the models to go in to the store. There is nothing on the market now that share the two roles of model and toy car as well as the Dinky Toys of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. South-Africa In the mid-1950s, Meccano Ltd shipped to South Africa a limited edition set of military vehicles for the South African Defence Force. They were all painted military green and included a Motor Truck, a Covered Wagon, an Ambulance, a Dispatch Rider and a Van. When South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth in 1961, they imposed a luxury goods import tax, making Dinky Toys very expensive, a potential loss for Meccano Ltd. To resolve this problem, in 1962 Meccano Ltd began shipping Dinky Toy parts to South Africa where models were assembled and painted locally. The importing of unfinished goods were not subject to import tax. These models were sold in South Africa between 1962 and 1963 and it is believed that only one batch of each model was produced, making South African Dinky Toys very rare. South Africa also imported Dinky Toy parts from the French factory in 1966 and six models were assembled and painted locally. - The base plates have a glossy finish, whereas the same models released in the UK have matt black base plates. - The colours are often different from those on the same models assembled in the UK.
Some of the disguising features of South African Dinky Toys are:
- The boxes have Afrikaans lettering at the one end and 'Printed in South Africa' on the side.
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 The Husky line, introduced in 1964, was designed to compete in size with the "1-75 series" Matchbox, which were the market leaders in small-scale vehicles at that time. Husky cars and trucks manufactured by Mettoy Playcraft Ltd and originally sold only at Woolworth's stores at a price which undercut their rival. The models featured dark gray one-piece plastic wheels and chromed plastic bases. These cheaper bases made the models lighter and less durable than the equivalent Matchbox cars, but their construction did allow for a simple suspension system to be installed by means of the axle being positioned to be sandwiched between the main base and a section of the plastic base which was cut away on three of sides to form a plastic tongue, which acted as a crude springing mechanism.
The Husky line numbered about 75 vehicles at its peak, the same number as Matchbox, although unlike the Lesney product Huskys were sold in blister packs allowing the model to be clearly seen when on display. The original style of these blister cards featured a simplistic red and white design on the front with the range's logo - the head of a Husky dog featuring prominently, and a list of the models in the range printed as a tick-list on the rear. The design changed with the upgrading of the range in 1969 to a yellow, red and white colour scheme with the name "Husky" now featuring more prominently. Like Matchbox, they also offered accessory items for children, such as carrying/storage cases for the cars, and even catalogues in the late 1960s.
Some car brands, like the Studebaker Lark Wagonaire, were also produced by Matchbox at about the same time. Though different castings, one wonders at the story behind two separate companies coming up with such similar choices; which couldn't have occurred by chance. Both versions had the sliding rear roof panel, though the Husky's was clear plastic while the Matchbox's was metal.
In 1969 Mettoy re-designed and improved the quality of the models. Die cast metal bases, better suspension and two-piece separate hub and tyre wheels were fitted to upgrade existing models along with a variety of new models that were added to the range.
Source: Wikipedia
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