Jo-Han
Jo-Han was a manufacturer of plastic scale promotional model cars and kits originally based in Detroit.
After changing ownership a few times, Jo-Han models were sporadically manufactured by Okey Spaulding in Covington, Kentucky, but apparently none have been offered for several years.
Most kits were known as "annuals" by hobbyists, and followed the bigger business of promos that represented the new cars introduced at the beginning of each model year.
[6] Besides the standard factory built models, plastic kits were available that represented race and custom forms of the original promo editions.
"[7] Usually there were no opening features, but Jo-Han plastic models were intricately detailed, with accurate body scripts, trim, and emblems, as well as seat and dashboard highlights.
Some later contracts, however, added complete chassis detail as seen in the 1970 Ford Maverick, and the Cadillac Coupe DeVille and Eldorado promotionals from the later 1970s.
On the 1965 and 1966 full sized Chrysler promos, Jo-Han outdid themselves by offering working torsion bars, but these were dropped for 1967[9] Apart from the often plain chassis, models were exact duplicates of the real thing in 1/25 scale.
Wheels also carried accurate detail, including authentic and official logos and scripts in hubcap centers.
The Maverick was available molded in at least five colors: medium green, dusty rose (kind of a rosy gray), butterscotch, light blue, and red.
The Maverick was often available in magazines like National Geographic offered for free or limited cost just by cutting out, completing and mailing in the ad.
One of the most often seen in the early 1960s was a red, white and blue striped box with a clear plastic window in the shape of a car body.
[13] The "Ghia" Turbines (as they were often known internally because of the Italian styling shop's production of the bodies) were put into the hands of only 203 real customers for testing and PR goodwill.
[15] The bronze metallic promotional models (with black vinyl roofs) were also distributed to attendees at Chrysler's pavilion in the 1964 New York World's Fair.
Some of the Turbine models were nearly as incredible as the real car, with such details as folding seats, opening doors, hood, deck lid, and steerable front wheels.
[16][17] Chassis detail was remarkable, accurately depicting the huge ducting passages running the length of the car needed to expel the turbine's waste gasses.
In 1992, 1,000 special Chrysler Ghia Turbine models were produced in black, a color the real car was never painted.
[18] Further, the box spoke of the flexibility of the engine in its ability to use a variety of different types of fuels and Chrysler encouraged those in possession of the model to "watch" for the real car, which "will soon be on the streets and highways of America".
The company also made Rambler Classic sedans and American convertibles for 1963–1965, however, the 1962 through 1964 versions were of a slightly larger 1:24 scale, apparently AMC wanted them that way.
As the 1966 model year neared its end and all-new cars for 1967 were being introduced, AMC dealers contributed thousands of leftover Marlin promos to institutions such as children's hospitals and orphanages.
Earlier hobbies of America's youth such as model building and bicycle riding were gradually replaced by video games, home movies, iPods and the Internet.
Models were carefully prepared and respected by collectors, but there was no capital to develop new products, so the company fell into decline.
[32] Seville, at one time located in Romeo, Michigan, once again offered some kits and promos, mainly by mail order, from original Jo-Han dies.
In 2000, Jo-Han was supposedly purchased from the ailing Seville by Okey Spaulding, a resin parts producer from Covington, Kentucky.
Through about 2005, Spaulding produced a few of the original models in limited quantities, including the 1956 Plymouth, 1959 Rambler station wagon, some 1950s Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs.
