Buby toys
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Die-cast scale model manufacturing |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Founder | Haroldo Mahler |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Ranelagh, Don Torcuato (later) , Argentina |
Area served | Argentina, export markets (from 1988) |
| Products | Die-cast scale model replicas of automobiles and trucks |
Miniaturas Buby was an Argentine manufacturer specializing in die-cast scale model replicas of automobiles and trucks. Established in 1956 by naval engineer Haroldo Mahler in Ranelagh, the company crafted scale models of numerous vehicles produced in Argentina across a span of forty years, including iconic models such as the Fiat 600, Renault 12, Ford Falcon, Citroen 3cv, Renault Fuego, and Peugeot 504.
At its production zenith, Buby was capable of assembling up to 1,000 units daily.
History
Haroldo Buby Mahler initiated the manufacturing process from his residence in Ranelagh in 1956. Initially, he created around 200 units using components sourced from other manufacturers. The business gained momentum when a toy store manager purchased 144 pieces and facilitated connections with additional customers. By 1964, annual output had escalated to approximately 210,000 models, consuming two tons of zamak each month.
In 1968, the company introduced the "Mini Buby" line at a 1:64 scale. Operating under licenses granted by Argentine automotive subsidiaries, Buby earned recognition for its precise and detailed reproductions of prominent vehicle brands. During its peak period, daily production neared 1,000 models.
To accommodate increasing demand, manufacturing operations were relocated to a facility in Villa General Belgrano, Córdoba Province, where the majority of production took place. Completed 1:43 scale models were then transported back to Ranelagh for final assembly and packaging. Additionally, the Ranelagh site handled assembly of imported models from France through a partnership with Solido. However, economic turmoil in Argentina during the late 1970s forced the closure of these plants.
In 1982, Mahler revitalized the brand by opening a new factory in Don Torcuato, near Buenos Aires. This facility produced over 400,000 models until the company's ultimate shutdown in 1995. From 1988 onwards, a significant portion of production was destined for export markets.
Models
For more than thirty years, Miniaturas Buby manufactured replicas representing most automobiles produced domestically in Argentina. The following catalog lists these offerings alphabetically.
1:43 scale
- Buick Century Caballero 1957
- Chevrolet Bel Air
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Chevrolet Impala
- Fiat 125
- Ford Fairlane 1958
- Jeep Gladiator
- Mercedes-Benz 300
- Mercedes-Benz LO 1114 truck
- Pontiac GTO 1965
- Porsche Carrera
- Renault Dauphine
- Renault 6
- Renault 19
- Volkswagen Beetle
- Willys Jeep Station Wagon
1:64 scale
(Commonly known as the "Mini Buby" series):
- Citroën 3CV
- Citroën Ami
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Chrysler Valiant I
- De Tomaso Pantera
- Fiat 600
- Fiat 697 truck
- Ford Van
- Ford Mustang
- Maserati Bora
- Maserati Indy
- McLaren Ford
- Mercedes Benz 1114 truck
- NSU Bertone
- Peugeot 404
- Renault 12
- Renault 18
- Renault Trafic
- Volkswagen Gacel
Both scales
Additional vehicles
- Fiat tractor
- "Centurion" tank
- Locomotive
- Fuel station
- Remarks
Heritage
Buby holds a distinguished place as one of Argentina's most renowned model car producers and stands as a trailblazer in the die-cast toy sector.
From July through August 2015, the Golf Museum of Berazategui hosted the exhibition titled Buby, un sueño sobre ruedas (Buby, a dream on wheels). This event was officially recognized with Legislative Interest by the Chamber of Deputies of Buenos Aires Province and featured the participation of Buby's founder, Mahler.
In 2022, Buby's product line was showcased in an exhibition celebrating companies that have played a vital role in shaping Argentina's toy manufacturing industry.