Gama Toys

According to Edward Force, Gama is the acronym for Georg Adam MAngold, who started the company in Fürth in 1882 making tinplate mechanical toys.

[2] Gama also made tin friction and plastic cars through the 1960s, like the 1950s Auto Union look-alike which was not very clever in form – having a 'flattened' driver stamped into the metal.

Plastic friction powered cars like the well-rendered Ford Taunus 17M two-door station wagon were very nicely proportioned and detailed.

Both companies made F1 vehicles, like Gama's 12.5 inch long Matra F1 car with wavy 'spaghetti'-like exhaust pipes flowing backward over the rear engine.

[4] As stated by Force, Gama metal 1:42 or 1:43 scale vehicles were introduced in 1959, rather late compared to several mainstream European brands like Corgi and Dinky, but about the same period as many French and Italian models.

[5][6] During the 1960s, to distinguish the smaller diecasts from larger slot cars and remote control vehicles, Gama introduced its main line called "MiniMods" (Mini Models).

[7] Other later models, like the BMW M1 Supercar were offered in Rally (with air spoiler and rear wing) as well as regular stock versions.

Like Siku, Corgi or Dinky, Gama made a wide variety of cars, trucks, construction, and commercial vehicles in diecast.

These included recreational vehicles like the rounded Tabert Senator trailer, DKW 'Schwimmwagen' type Jeep, fork lifts and skid steers, or the Porsche ORBIT Sectional Hydraulic Platform which actually squirt water.

[9] Some of these were similar to Gescha, NZG or Conrad, but Gama always seemed more oriented to toys and didn't seem to penetrate the truck promotional market like these companies did.

[10] The similarity to Yesteryear models was evident in simpler detail, dull precision and size, but instead of British selections, the focus was on classic cars of the European mainland.

Perhaps this sentiment comes from the diecast seconds sold to other countries and brand 'inter-breeding' which makes identification of true or original Gamas problematic.

For example, a battery operated Gama 1:12 scale plastic Opel GT later appeared marketed by the Greek firm 'Ellas' by the Gavrielides Bros.

The address printed on the company literature shows the name as "Gama, a.s. Ceske Budejovice" which appears to be a continuation of production within the Gonio factory in Trhove Sviny.