I haven’t done many French Fridays, but here is a recent acquisition that hasn’t been shown in-depth here on LaLD - the Zylmex Renault 17.
(Please pardon the mediocre photos - I don’t have access to my decent camera while not at home.)
This is Zylmex’s casting of a 1971-1976 Renault 17. An example just like this was actually shown in Small Scale Sydney’s post on the Schuco Renault 17 almost two years ago.
As mentioned by SSS, the Renault 17 was a very popular cast among toy companies, although this example is my first, but I plan to acquire a few more (Schuco, Majorette, and Matchbox, at least). What I find surprising is how many companies produced miniature Renault 17s, but the mostly similar Renault 15 was apparently done in small scale only by Polistil.
The Renault 15 and 17 were two very similar coupes based on the Renault 12 sedan and launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1971, two years after the Renault 12's debut at the same show in 1969. The 15 was positioned below the 17, and had two rectangular headlights and a full-length side window. The 17 had four round headlights and a more radical side treatment - it was a pillarless hardtop, the forward window rolled down, and louvers covered the rear quarter window.
Like the Ford Capri, Opel Manta, or early Ford Mustang, all mechanicals were shared with the regular sedan that it was based on. Information on the Internet is sparse, but a Hemmings post (of a North American 15 and 17 brochure!) citing the Standard Catalogue of Imported Cars suggests that the 15 was sold in North America from 1972 to 1976, and the 17 from 1972 to 1979.
All the small scale 17s, including this Zylmex, appear to be based on the pre-facelift (1971-1976) model as they appear to have wraparound front trim/loop bumper. Online information doesn’t specify, but earlier (maybe just pre-facelift) models have a slightly inset rear window and black-painted trunk panel, but later models have a flush rear hatchback and glass. Can anyone confirm whether early models were coupes or hatchbacks?
Overall, the casting detail on the body is fairly nice, with a molded-in hood bulge and vent, rear quarter window louvers, opening panel lines, door keyholes, door latch area, and gas cap.
The front and rear fascias are done as part of the base, and details are unfortunately less sharp. The grille lines and front bumper are both less defined, and the tailights are hard to distinguish from the rear bumper.
The interior is decent, with front buckets and a rear bench, both with some molded texture. The steering wheel is an undersized button though, and the side window area does not distinguish between the door window and rear quarter window.
The base is very plain, and like many from cheaper manufacturers, it incorrectly has four leaf springs molded in. It is simply marked as a “Renault” from Zylmex.
This example was purchased relatively cheaply from a local antique market.
Overall, it’s a piece that I’m happy to have, as it is an interesting subject from a brand that I have nothing else from. I didn’t grow up having cheap brands as they weren’t commonplace by then (I’m young, if that helps).
Thanks for viewing!