Bburago was an Italian manufacturer of diecasts, one of the pioneers of the larger scale models. In 2005 Bburago went bankrupt, this marked the end of the European manufacture of affordable diecast vehicles.
The first Italian made Bburago model in my collection was this Renault Alpine, I was lucky enough to find it at Drybridge Market. Only the third 1:24 scale model in my collection.
All the Bburago models I have represent European cars, mostly Italian and French but also a Swedish Saab and a British/German Ford Capri.
Two more Italian made Bburagos are the Peugeot 405 RAID and Renault Clio 16v below, these were also found at Drybridge market.
Bburago was bought by May Cheong (producers of Maisto) and production moved to China, now the boxes advertise “Italian Design”. Bburago to avoid too much overlap with Maisto focuses mainly on European models whilst Maisto has more American and Japanese models.
Many cars are available in 1/43 scale (Scala 1/43).
For a low budget remake of The Italian Job here are an Alfa 156 in Italian “Carabinieri” livery and a (BMW) Mini.
I like the many cars in Rally Livery.
I also have a couple of models in 1/32 scale which I bought in Paris: a Ford Capri RS 2600 and a Citroen DS19. Bburago 1:32 Classics
Bburago also have models at 1/64 scale at first these were mostly Mercedes, BMWS or Lamborghinis, like this Lamborghini Gallardo. But now there are also some cool retro VWs, this 1967 1600 Squareback has an opening tailgate, and the rear windows are slightly ajar, also the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette. I expect some 1:64 Ferraris to appear now May Cheong, Bburago‘s parent company has an exclusive licences deal with Ferrari.
The Bburago catalogue can be viewed online here:
Bburago Wants list (current models):
1:64
Karmann Ghia
VW Notchback
Alpine A110-30
Citroen DS3
1:32 Classic
BMW 2002 tii
BMW 507
Porsche 911
1:43
Alfa Romeo 156 (Fire chief)
A list of silver boxed 1:43 models from Bburago (1:43 scale Made in Italy)
cod. 4101 – Renault Clio – Grey
cod. 4102 – Mercedes-Benz 190 E – Red
cod. 4103 – Porsche 924 Turbo – Blue
cod. 4104 – Ferrari Testarossa – Red
cod. 4105 – Dodge Viper RT/10 – Black
cod. 4106 – Ferrari 512 BB Daytona – Red
cod. 4108 – Ferrari F40 – Red
cod. 4109 – Mercedes-Benz 300 SL – Silver
cod. 4110 – Porsche 928 GR.A – Red
cod. 4111 – Alfa Romeo 156 – Silver
cod. 4112 – Suzuki Vitara Raid – Blue
cod. 4113 – Ferrari F50 – Silver
cod. 4114 – Porsche 911 – Black
cod. 4115 – Dodge Viper GTS Coupe – Blue
cod. 4116 – Peugeot 205 Safari – Yellow
cod. 4117 Ferrari 308 GTB – Green
cod. 4119 – Ford Escort Rally 4×4 – White
cod. 4120 – Dodge Viper GTS Coupe – Red
cod. 4122 – American Off Road (Jeep Renegade) – White
cod. 4125 – Dodge Viper RT/10 – White
cod. 4126 – Chevrolet Corvette Convertible ’98 – Black
cod. 4127 – Lamborghini Countach 5000 – Black
cod. 4128 – Ferrari F40 – Yellow
cod. 4129 – Ferrari 348tb Evoluzione – Red
cod. 4130 – Renault Clio RT – Green
cod. 4131 – Land Rover Aziza – Red
cod. 4132 – Ferrari F50 – Yellow
cod. 4133 – Ferrari 512 BB – Red
cod. 4134 – Fiat Tipo Rally – Blue
cod. 4135 – Lancia Delta S4 – Black
cod. 4135 – Lancia Delta S4 – Red
cod. 4136 – Ferrari 456 GT – Dark Blue
cod. 4137 – Lamborghini Countach – White
cod. 4139 – Ferrari 348tb – Black
cod. 4140 – Centenaire – Blue(Green) Metalized
cod. 4141 – Lamborghini Diablo – Violet Metalized
cod. 4143 – Ford Sierra Gr. A – Yellow
cod. 4145 – Fiat Bravo – Silver
cod. 4146 – Ferrari 456 GT – Red
cod. 4149 – BMW M Roadster – Blue
cod. 4152 – Chevrolet Corvette – Green
cod. 4153 – Porsche 911 Carrera Super Cup – Black
cod. 4154 – Ferrari 550 Maranello – Silver
cod. 4155 – Citroen Xantia – Blue
cod. 4157 – Ferrari Testarossa
cod. 4158 – BMW 535i – Purple
cod. 4160 – Renault Clio 16V – White
cod. 4160 – Renault Clio 16V – Blue
cod. 4163 – Ford Escort Cosworth – White
cod. 4165 – Citroen Xantia – Purple
cod. 4167 – BMW M3 G.T. Cup – Green
cod. 4169 – BMW M Roadster – Silver
cod. 4170 – MIG Georgia – Centenaire – Yellow
cod. 4171 – Renault Clio Cup ’98 – Yellow
cod. 4173 – Ford Escort Rally 4×4 – Blue
cod. 4175 – Ferrari GTO – Black
cod. 4175 – Ferrari GTO – Yellow
cod. 4176 – Chevrolet Corvette Convertible ’98 – Red
cod. 4177 – BMW M3 GT Cup – Orange
cod. 4179 – Fiat Tipo – Red
cod. 4181 – Mercedes-Benz 300 SL – Red
cod. 4183 – Ford Sierra Rally – White
cod. 4185 – Porsche 911 Carrera ’93 – Red
cod. 4191 – Porsche 928 – Red
cod. 4191 – Porsche 928 – Green
cod. 4192 – Chevrolet Corvette – Red
cod. 4193 – Fiat Cinquecento – Green
cod. 4194 – Suzuki Vitara – White
cod. 4195 – Porsche 911 Carrera Cup – Yellow
cod. 4195 – Porsche 911 Carrera Cup – Red
cod. 4197 – BMW M3 DTM – White
A useful site for information about Bburago: Bburago Information
I really do like that Capri model, it just has the correct look about it.
I had the renault 4 too.
The Ford Capri is absolutely beautiful! But my favorite from this page is the Fiat Abarth rally version. When I was a kid I addored rally versions of bburagos. The ferrari 308gbt is still something I wish to own :).
Jim, I also have the Reanult Clio rally version and you can see it in the middle of one of my photos in my bburago article Bburago 1:43 Die-cast cars. Your is however in much much better shape 😉
I have a question. I see that you have a few of the 1:64 and I must ask… are they any good? I’ve seen 3 packs in local shops and was thinking about buying a pack for my kid. Are they though?
The Bburago Ford Capri and Fiat Abarth are still available in shops. The 1:64 Bburagos don’t look exceptionally tough….the wheels are like the little Maisto wheels…if you get a three pack you can have your kid test them, here I ve just seen them sold singly…
With May Cheong getting the exclusive Ferrari license, I expect to see a lot more Bburago Ferraris coming out.
g’day Jim i have a few of the bburago italian made cars you have listed. If your interested to buy them contact me and i will send you some pics. ps im from australia happy to ship them. cheers.
Thanks Arnie, living in Georgia, the postal service is unreliable. I don’t buy anything online, sorry.