Brooklin Models
Encyclopedia
Brooklin Models Limited, started in 1974, is the largest producer of handmade
1:43 scale
miniature models of vintage American
cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Brooklin Models is located in Bath, England, and all models are currently produced there (Mateo 2007). Unlike high-volume, mass-produced models, all of Brooklin's models are hand-built in small quantities, and most of its models are made using white metal
.
about a half hour northeast of Toronto
, thus the name of the brand. From the beginning, Brooklin Models specialized in models of cars not generally produced by other manufacturers, including cars produced by smaller 'independent' marques (e.g., Studebaker
and Hudson
) and 'orphan' marques (e.g., Edsel
and DeSoto
). The very first Brooklin was the 1933 Pierce Silver Arrow
, followed by a Tucker Torpedo, and a Ford Model A (Olson 2006, 105)
In 1979, John Hall, the founder of Brooklin Models, decided to move his wife Jenny and family back to England where he had been born and raised. This is where Brooklin Models continues business to this day. The impact of the move made models previously constructed in Canada instantly more valuable and sought after. In 1998, after John Hall's retirement, Nigel Parker and Tim Fulford purchased the company (Olson 2006).
The Brooklin factory covers 10000 square feet (929 m²) on two floors and employs 25 people in Bath (Brooklin, 1994).
A brass
master is carefully made by hand out of sheet brass by a skilled model maker taking hundreds of hours. When the brass master is complete a rubber
mold is made for the various parts that will be needed in making the finished model (also see Route 66).
A special alloy of white metal, based heavily on tin but containing some lead, is used. Exacting measures are followed. The alloy is brought to a specific temperature, poured into the rubber molds at a specific speed, to set for a specific time. Models are cast one at a time.
After being cast, the parts are carefully removed from the molds. Flashing is carefully removed and the parts are then prepared for either painting or chrome plating. The windows are vac-u-formed. Tires are made of a special rubber compound and all parts are readied for assembly. The models are assembled by hand and any additional painting such as tail lights is done.
, left teaching to make white metal models of cars. His first creations were fairly crude, without plastic windows, few details and with white rubber tires (Sinclair's 1978). Despite the simplicity, not many companies in the 1970s were producing early American auto models and David Sinclair, one of the earliest importer's of scale models to the United States, reported that models were commonly sold to collectors in Germany and Japan (Sinclair's 1978; Levine 2009).
As time passed, windows were added and many details impressively reproduced. Brooklins, however, were always unique because of the models chosen. Though some were the same models seen elsewhere, often those chosen for production were makes or models which had never been reproduced in miniature, such as the 1939 Graham Sharknose, 1941 Hupmobile Skylark, the 1954 Dodge Royal 500, the 1953 Airstream Wanderer RV trailer, and the 1941 Chrysler Newport Phaeton concept that paced the Indianapolis 500 (Sinclair's 1983). Unlike many models posed for photos, Brooklins often look more impressive in person.
In 1996 a promotion was announced where if a collector bought eight Brooklin Models, and completed a collector card, a special limited edition 1946 Lincoln Continental redesigned by Raymond Loewy, could be purchased for the same price as a standard issue.
In 2004, the company celebrated its 30th anniversary with several special edition vehicles. One of the celebration vehicles was the 1936 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow.
As of the end of 2006, over 120 different American cars, light trucks and trailers, in over 600 varieties, have been created by Brooklin Models, representing American cars and light trucks of the 1930s through 1960s (Mateo 2007).
At the same time, the Robeddie line was introduced, consisting of twelve separate replicas of Swedish Volvos and Saabs, from a 1946-1950 Volvo PV60 sedan to a 1973 Volvo 144GL (Brooklin 1994, 20-22; Brooklin 1996; Johnson 1998, 31-32;). According to the Brooklin website, as of 2010, this range has been discontinued.
About the turn of the century, several different lines were introduced which mainly represented a breaking of the extensive and complex numbers of vehicles into convenient groupings. These were 'Brooklin' (the traditional American vehicles range), 'Lansdowne' (British vehicles), 'Robeddie' (Swedish vehicles), 'The Buick Collection' (Buicks from 1934-1939), 'US Model Mint' (Pickups, trucks, and trailers from the United States), 'Community Service Vehicles' (Fire, Ambulance, and hearses), 'International Police Vehicles', 'Rod 43rd' (selected vehicles customized as Hot Rods - a surprising departure from the regular Brooklin style), and most recently, the 'Old Lawnmower Company' (a new line - representing both manual and powered).
Handmade
Handmade may refer to:* Handmade , 2003* Handmade , 2010* HandMade Films, George Harrison's production company* Rhino Handmade, a record label-See also:...
1:43 scale
1:43 scale
1:43 scale is an extremely popular size of die-cast model for adult collectors in Europe, Asia and the US. There are many manufacturers in this scale producing everything from customized and accurate race cars to emergency vehicles to family sedans and SUVs, including several making the...
miniature models of vintage American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Brooklin Models is located in Bath, England, and all models are currently produced there (Mateo 2007). Unlike high-volume, mass-produced models, all of Brooklin's models are hand-built in small quantities, and most of its models are made using white metal
White metal
The white metals are any of several light-colored alloys used as a base for plated silverware, ornaments or novelties, as well as any of several lead-base or tin-base alloys used for things like bearings, jewellery, miniature figures, fusible plugs, some medals and metal type.Some of the metals...
.
History
The first home of Brooklin Models was the Canadian town of Brooklin, OntarioBrooklin, Ontario
Brooklin is a community in the Town of Whitby, Ontario, Canada. It is located,North of the urban area of Whitby,at the South junction of Ontario Highways 12 and 7....
about a half hour northeast of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, thus the name of the brand. From the beginning, Brooklin Models specialized in models of cars not generally produced by other manufacturers, including cars produced by smaller 'independent' marques (e.g., Studebaker
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
and Hudson
Hudson Motor Car Company
The Hudson Motor Car Company made Hudson and other brand automobiles in Detroit, Michigan, from 1909 to 1954. In 1954, Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator Corporation to form American Motors. The Hudson name was continued through the 1957 model year, after which it was dropped.- Company strategy...
) and 'orphan' marques (e.g., Edsel
Edsel
The Edsel was an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company during the 1958, 1959, and 1960 model years. The Edsel never gained popularity with contemporary American car buyers and sold poorly. Consequently, the Ford Motor Company lost millions of dollars on the Edsel's development,...
and DeSoto
DeSoto (automobile)
The DeSoto was a brand of automobile based in the United States, manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from 1928 to 1961. The DeSoto logo featured a stylized image of Hernando de Soto...
). The very first Brooklin was the 1933 Pierce Silver Arrow
Pierce Silver Arrow
The Pierce Silver Arrow was a concept car designed by James R. Hughes, of which five were built in a record three months, and introduced at the 1933 New York Auto Show.- History :...
, followed by a Tucker Torpedo, and a Ford Model A (Olson 2006, 105)
In 1979, John Hall, the founder of Brooklin Models, decided to move his wife Jenny and family back to England where he had been born and raised. This is where Brooklin Models continues business to this day. The impact of the move made models previously constructed in Canada instantly more valuable and sought after. In 1998, after John Hall's retirement, Nigel Parker and Tim Fulford purchased the company (Olson 2006).
The Brooklin factory covers 10000 square feet (929 m²) on two floors and employs 25 people in Bath (Brooklin, 1994).
Making white metal models
The Brooklin website discusses the process for making a white metal model. Whereas diecast cars come from an automated process where molten metal is injected into machined dies, white metal models are hand-built, thus produced in far fewer numbers. As the Brooklin website states, this process is fine for producing hundreds of vehicles, but not hundreds of thousands, or millions. The average run for a Brooklin Model is 3,000 pieces, though special issues are produced of 1,000 cars or less (Brooklin 1994). Steps in the white metal production process as follow.A brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
master is carefully made by hand out of sheet brass by a skilled model maker taking hundreds of hours. When the brass master is complete a rubber
Rubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
mold is made for the various parts that will be needed in making the finished model (also see Route 66).
A special alloy of white metal, based heavily on tin but containing some lead, is used. Exacting measures are followed. The alloy is brought to a specific temperature, poured into the rubber molds at a specific speed, to set for a specific time. Models are cast one at a time.
After being cast, the parts are carefully removed from the molds. Flashing is carefully removed and the parts are then prepared for either painting or chrome plating. The windows are vac-u-formed. Tires are made of a special rubber compound and all parts are readied for assembly. The models are assembled by hand and any additional painting such as tail lights is done.
Vehicles produced
Brooklin makes cars, trucks, boats, trailers and a few other special order vehicles and items. The main Brooklin line is almost always American makes. Since most parts are hand cast in white metal, without plastic parts, models are notable for their weight. According to the Brooklin website, John Hall, an engineering instructor at the University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, left teaching to make white metal models of cars. His first creations were fairly crude, without plastic windows, few details and with white rubber tires (Sinclair's 1978). Despite the simplicity, not many companies in the 1970s were producing early American auto models and David Sinclair, one of the earliest importer's of scale models to the United States, reported that models were commonly sold to collectors in Germany and Japan (Sinclair's 1978; Levine 2009).
As time passed, windows were added and many details impressively reproduced. Brooklins, however, were always unique because of the models chosen. Though some were the same models seen elsewhere, often those chosen for production were makes or models which had never been reproduced in miniature, such as the 1939 Graham Sharknose, 1941 Hupmobile Skylark, the 1954 Dodge Royal 500, the 1953 Airstream Wanderer RV trailer, and the 1941 Chrysler Newport Phaeton concept that paced the Indianapolis 500 (Sinclair's 1983). Unlike many models posed for photos, Brooklins often look more impressive in person.
In 1996 a promotion was announced where if a collector bought eight Brooklin Models, and completed a collector card, a special limited edition 1946 Lincoln Continental redesigned by Raymond Loewy, could be purchased for the same price as a standard issue.
In 2004, the company celebrated its 30th anniversary with several special edition vehicles. One of the celebration vehicles was the 1936 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow.
As of the end of 2006, over 120 different American cars, light trucks and trailers, in over 600 varieties, have been created by Brooklin Models, representing American cars and light trucks of the 1930s through 1960s (Mateo 2007).
Ranges developed
Starting a trend, Brooklin added the Lansdowne range of British vehicles in 1993. These were seven distinct models designed by John Martin and John Hammick, including such vehicles as the Austin Healey Sprite (John and Jenny Hall's first car), the Vauxhall Cresta, and MG Magnette, thus cars of traditional British marques became important to Brooklin in addition to American cars. Ten more Lansdowne models were introduced by 1996 (Brooklin 1994; Brooklin 1996). Sporting as well as saloon models appeared in the Lansdowne range, which was made to reminisce classic 1950s models made by Dinky Toys.At the same time, the Robeddie line was introduced, consisting of twelve separate replicas of Swedish Volvos and Saabs, from a 1946-1950 Volvo PV60 sedan to a 1973 Volvo 144GL (Brooklin 1994, 20-22; Brooklin 1996; Johnson 1998, 31-32;). According to the Brooklin website, as of 2010, this range has been discontinued.
About the turn of the century, several different lines were introduced which mainly represented a breaking of the extensive and complex numbers of vehicles into convenient groupings. These were 'Brooklin' (the traditional American vehicles range), 'Lansdowne' (British vehicles), 'Robeddie' (Swedish vehicles), 'The Buick Collection' (Buicks from 1934-1939), 'US Model Mint' (Pickups, trucks, and trailers from the United States), 'Community Service Vehicles' (Fire, Ambulance, and hearses), 'International Police Vehicles', 'Rod 43rd' (selected vehicles customized as Hot Rods - a surprising departure from the regular Brooklin style), and most recently, the 'Old Lawnmower Company' (a new line - representing both manual and powered).
Customs
Over the course of Brooklin's history, many customizers have emerged who take commissions from Brooklin customers to paint and detail standard Brooklin models into specialized one-of-a-kind renditions. These Code II and Code III models are treasured by collectors and valued on the marketplace. John Roberts is probably the best-known Brooklin customizer; his work is officially acknowledged by Brooklin. Other prominent Brooklin customizers are Fred Lewis, John White, and Greg Gunn.External links
- Brooklin Models Homepage
- Forum43 a discussion forum dedicated to 1:43 scale1:43 scale1:43 scale is an extremely popular size of die-cast model for adult collectors in Europe, Asia and the US. There are many manufacturers in this scale producing everything from customized and accurate race cars to emergency vehicles to family sedans and SUVs, including several making the...
models, particularly Brooklin Models - John Roberts custom Brooklin Models
- Fred Lewis custom Brooklin Models