FIAT 127 Berlina - MERCURY
Art. 311.
Fiat 127 Berlina (1971).
Escala 1/43.
Mercury.
Made in Italy.
Año 1971. (?)
(...)
"[Mercury] produced the series 300, namely the "Special", which also includes some very interesting models, but of lower quality than those manufactured from 1962 to 1969."
(...)
Source:
www.aessemodels.it/homepage.htm
www.aessemodels.it/Catalogo Mercury 1-43 E.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiat 127
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The Fiat 127 is a supermini car produced by Italian car manufacturer FIAT from 1971 to 1983.
It was introduced in 1971 as the replacement for the Fiat 850. Production of the 127 in Italy ended in 1983 following the introduction of its replacement, the Fiat Uno."
(...)
"Initially only available as a two-door saloon when launched in April 1971, a three-door hatchback, using an identical body profile but with a full-depth rear door and folding rear seat, was launched the following year.
This was Fiat's first supermini-sized hatchback, along with a state-of-the-art transverse-engine/front-wheel-drive layout, with the transmission mounted on the end of the engine, both design ideas had been fully trialled since 1964, by Fiat's Autobianchi subsidiary with the Autobianchi Primula and 1969 Autobianchi A112 and A111.
The 1969 Fiat 128 was the first Fiat badged car to use the same transverse powertrain layout.
The 127 used, as the A112, a shrunken version of the 128 platform and the rugged Fiat OHV 100 series 903 cc engine, that had powered the Autobianchi and, with various cylinder capacities, earlier generations of Fiat cars.
The 127 also featured a unique transverse leaf spring suspension at the rear.
Safety was another area of innovation - the 127 included an articulated steering column and crumple zones for progressive deformation under impact."
(...)
"The car was one of the first of the modern superminis, and won praise for its utilisation of space (80 percent of the floor space was available for passengers and luggage) as well as its road-holding.
It was launched a year before the comparable Renault 5..."
(...)
"It was also the first car fitted with an all-polypropylene bumper on steel support.
The 127 was an instant success, winning the European Car of the Year award for 1972, and quickly became one of the best-selling cars in Europe for several years.
It was the third Fiat in six years to receive this accolade.
In June 1974, slightly over three years after the model's introduction, Fiat reported that the one millionth 127 had been completed at the Mirafiori plant in Turin.
The (in its time) hugely successful Fiat 600 had taken seven years to reach that same milestone."
(...)
- Series 1 (1971-1977).
"The Series 1 car changed little during its lifetime.
However, in May 1973 saloons became available in both standard and deluxe versions.
In 1975 the 127 Special variant was released which featured a restyled front grille and detail changes to the interior.
The deluxe version was differentiated by its reclining front seats and opening hinged rear side windows as standard equipment.
During the next couple of years the Fiat 850, which had initially been marketed alongside the 127, was withdrawn from most markets."
- Series 2 (1977-1981).
"The Series 2 version of the 127 debuted in May 1977.
It featured a restyled front and rear, a new dashboard (although almost identical in layout to that of the Series 1), larger rear side windows (using rear quarter pressings derived from those used on the Brazil market Fiat 147) and the option of the 1049 cc engine - uniquely for the 127 this was the five-bearing OHC "Brazil" 124 series engine from the 147 rather than the Fiat OHC unit from the 128. The tailgate was extended and now reached nearly to the rear bumper, addressing complaints about the high lip over which luggage had to be lifted for loading into the earlier 127 hatchbacks."
(...)
- Series 3 (1982-1983).
"The Series 3 was launched in Italy in January 1982 and soon reached other European markets.
It is distinguishable from the Series 2 by a more assertively plastic grille. The addition of a corresponding panel at the rear of the vehicle implied a new 'house style' inspired by the recently introduced Ritmo/Strada range. The car received a completely new dashboard design and interior, again following the design language first seen in the Ritmo.
The 1301 cc Fiat SOHC engine was also introduced as an option for the Series 3.
In nations like Norway, Denmark and Finland it was particularly successful, and there are still many in circulation today.
The 127 was replaced as Fiat's high volume product in this sector by the Fiat Uno in January 1983, though versions manufactured in South America continued in production till 1995: Fiat imported the South American 127 Unificata to Europe, until 1987."
-----------------------------
International variants
- SEAT 127 [Spain]
"As happened with other Fiat models of that era, SEAT made a Spanish version of this car called the SEAT 127.
Due to SEAT design policy, a 4-door variant of the car was also produced, as well as a later five-door version.
SEAT also produced a unique variant of the 127 OHV engine. This had 1010 cc instead of 903 cc and produced 50 bhp (37 kW; 51 PS). The four-door SEAT 127 was exported to certain markets with Fiat badging.
When their licence from Fiat expired, SEAT redesigned some parts of the car and created the SEAT Fura Dos. Some design parts of this model were also used in the Ibiza mark 1.
SEAT produced 1,238,166 units of the 127 between 1972 and 1984."
- Polski Fiat 127p [Poland]
- Fiat 147 [Brazil]
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_127
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mercury (toy manufacturer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Mercury was a brand of diecast toy cars manufactured in Italy from about 1945 through 1970s.
Along with Dinky Toys in England, Mercury was a pioneer in 1:43 scale diecast toys made in Europe.
Today, Mercury models are rather rare and not easy to find. The company logo was the word Mercury within a rectangle (often solid colored) with a round gear behind the company name."
(...)
"As with many toy car makers, Milan-based Mercury started as a diecaster of small parts. It produced metal parts mainly for auto companies.
Later an importer for German Marklin, the company was started in 1932, by Attilio Clemente and Antonio Cravero, but its first toy was a gun produced about 1939."
(...)
"Mercury made more than 100 different models in its distinguished history. Italian sedans and sports cars were often the subject of Mercury and most were in 1:43 scale. Some British, American and German cars were also offered."
(...)
"With increased costs and the competition of Politoys, Mebetoys, and other mass producers of diecast toys in Europe, Mercury had more and more difficulty keeping up. Through the 1970s, fewer and fewer cars were produced.
The last model was the Fiat Ritmo and the company closed its doors in 1978."
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(toy_manufacturer)
More info:
toysfromthepast.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/historyofmercuryd...
www.rivarossi-memory.it/Altre_Marche/Mercury/RR_Mercury.htm
FIAT 127 Berlina - MERCURY
Art. 311.
Fiat 127 Berlina (1971).
Escala 1/43.
Mercury.
Made in Italy.
Año 1971. (?)
(...)
"[Mercury] produced the series 300, namely the "Special", which also includes some very interesting models, but of lower quality than those manufactured from 1962 to 1969."
(...)
Source:
www.aessemodels.it/homepage.htm
www.aessemodels.it/Catalogo Mercury 1-43 E.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiat 127
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The Fiat 127 is a supermini car produced by Italian car manufacturer FIAT from 1971 to 1983.
It was introduced in 1971 as the replacement for the Fiat 850. Production of the 127 in Italy ended in 1983 following the introduction of its replacement, the Fiat Uno."
(...)
"Initially only available as a two-door saloon when launched in April 1971, a three-door hatchback, using an identical body profile but with a full-depth rear door and folding rear seat, was launched the following year.
This was Fiat's first supermini-sized hatchback, along with a state-of-the-art transverse-engine/front-wheel-drive layout, with the transmission mounted on the end of the engine, both design ideas had been fully trialled since 1964, by Fiat's Autobianchi subsidiary with the Autobianchi Primula and 1969 Autobianchi A112 and A111.
The 1969 Fiat 128 was the first Fiat badged car to use the same transverse powertrain layout.
The 127 used, as the A112, a shrunken version of the 128 platform and the rugged Fiat OHV 100 series 903 cc engine, that had powered the Autobianchi and, with various cylinder capacities, earlier generations of Fiat cars.
The 127 also featured a unique transverse leaf spring suspension at the rear.
Safety was another area of innovation - the 127 included an articulated steering column and crumple zones for progressive deformation under impact."
(...)
"The car was one of the first of the modern superminis, and won praise for its utilisation of space (80 percent of the floor space was available for passengers and luggage) as well as its road-holding.
It was launched a year before the comparable Renault 5..."
(...)
"It was also the first car fitted with an all-polypropylene bumper on steel support.
The 127 was an instant success, winning the European Car of the Year award for 1972, and quickly became one of the best-selling cars in Europe for several years.
It was the third Fiat in six years to receive this accolade.
In June 1974, slightly over three years after the model's introduction, Fiat reported that the one millionth 127 had been completed at the Mirafiori plant in Turin.
The (in its time) hugely successful Fiat 600 had taken seven years to reach that same milestone."
(...)
- Series 1 (1971-1977).
"The Series 1 car changed little during its lifetime.
However, in May 1973 saloons became available in both standard and deluxe versions.
In 1975 the 127 Special variant was released which featured a restyled front grille and detail changes to the interior.
The deluxe version was differentiated by its reclining front seats and opening hinged rear side windows as standard equipment.
During the next couple of years the Fiat 850, which had initially been marketed alongside the 127, was withdrawn from most markets."
- Series 2 (1977-1981).
"The Series 2 version of the 127 debuted in May 1977.
It featured a restyled front and rear, a new dashboard (although almost identical in layout to that of the Series 1), larger rear side windows (using rear quarter pressings derived from those used on the Brazil market Fiat 147) and the option of the 1049 cc engine - uniquely for the 127 this was the five-bearing OHC "Brazil" 124 series engine from the 147 rather than the Fiat OHC unit from the 128. The tailgate was extended and now reached nearly to the rear bumper, addressing complaints about the high lip over which luggage had to be lifted for loading into the earlier 127 hatchbacks."
(...)
- Series 3 (1982-1983).
"The Series 3 was launched in Italy in January 1982 and soon reached other European markets.
It is distinguishable from the Series 2 by a more assertively plastic grille. The addition of a corresponding panel at the rear of the vehicle implied a new 'house style' inspired by the recently introduced Ritmo/Strada range. The car received a completely new dashboard design and interior, again following the design language first seen in the Ritmo.
The 1301 cc Fiat SOHC engine was also introduced as an option for the Series 3.
In nations like Norway, Denmark and Finland it was particularly successful, and there are still many in circulation today.
The 127 was replaced as Fiat's high volume product in this sector by the Fiat Uno in January 1983, though versions manufactured in South America continued in production till 1995: Fiat imported the South American 127 Unificata to Europe, until 1987."
-----------------------------
International variants
- SEAT 127 [Spain]
"As happened with other Fiat models of that era, SEAT made a Spanish version of this car called the SEAT 127.
Due to SEAT design policy, a 4-door variant of the car was also produced, as well as a later five-door version.
SEAT also produced a unique variant of the 127 OHV engine. This had 1010 cc instead of 903 cc and produced 50 bhp (37 kW; 51 PS). The four-door SEAT 127 was exported to certain markets with Fiat badging.
When their licence from Fiat expired, SEAT redesigned some parts of the car and created the SEAT Fura Dos. Some design parts of this model were also used in the Ibiza mark 1.
SEAT produced 1,238,166 units of the 127 between 1972 and 1984."
- Polski Fiat 127p [Poland]
- Fiat 147 [Brazil]
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_127
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mercury (toy manufacturer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Mercury was a brand of diecast toy cars manufactured in Italy from about 1945 through 1970s.
Along with Dinky Toys in England, Mercury was a pioneer in 1:43 scale diecast toys made in Europe.
Today, Mercury models are rather rare and not easy to find. The company logo was the word Mercury within a rectangle (often solid colored) with a round gear behind the company name."
(...)
"As with many toy car makers, Milan-based Mercury started as a diecaster of small parts. It produced metal parts mainly for auto companies.
Later an importer for German Marklin, the company was started in 1932, by Attilio Clemente and Antonio Cravero, but its first toy was a gun produced about 1939."
(...)
"Mercury made more than 100 different models in its distinguished history. Italian sedans and sports cars were often the subject of Mercury and most were in 1:43 scale. Some British, American and German cars were also offered."
(...)
"With increased costs and the competition of Politoys, Mebetoys, and other mass producers of diecast toys in Europe, Mercury had more and more difficulty keeping up. Through the 1970s, fewer and fewer cars were produced.
The last model was the Fiat Ritmo and the company closed its doors in 1978."
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(toy_manufacturer)
More info:
toysfromthepast.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/historyofmercuryd...
www.rivarossi-memory.it/Altre_Marche/Mercury/RR_Mercury.htm