Ziss Modell

Ziss-Modell, originally called R. W. Modell or Wittek Modell were 'brand' names of the German Mini-Auto firm which made diecast metal classic and contemporary vehicles from the 1960s through the late 1970s. Later, use of the Mini-Auto name largely disappeared and the models were mainly known as Ziss or R. W Modell.

The company began sometime in the 1960s as the Mini-Auto Company with models called R.W. Modell - possibly for the founder E. (probably Erich) Wittek or another relative of the same family - the brand nomenclature in early pamphlets is unclear. While the Mini-Auto name appeared occasionally on packaging and the bases of models, it usually appeared only in brochures (Johnson 1998, p. 254; Wittek No date). Later, about the mid-1970s, use of the name Mini-Auto disappeared in favor of only R. W. Modell or Ziss. This may have been due to confusion with other names of miniature manufacturers like Italy's Dugu Miniautoys, the Miniauto line produced by Kaden in Czechoslovakia, or Dave Sinclair's Mini-Auto import and sales shop in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Finally, R. W. Modell seems to have been changed to Ziss which may have also been a family name (some web sites say E. Wittek's son continued the operation, thus the gradual name change from R. W. to Ziss; see Robinson 2010). For a time, however, the two names were used simultaneously under the Mini-Auto or Wittek Modell appellation and some company brochures show both 'brands' on their covers. The influential U.S. importer David Sinclair, who scoured Europe for new models and got to know many of the individuals behind the companies, called the company a "comparatively small family operation" (Sinclair 1979, p. 392).

The company, by whichever name, was located in Lintorf, West Germany, a town near Ratingen, north of Düsseldorf and not far from the Rhine River (Wittek No date; Rixon 2005, p. 72). R. W. and Ziss boxes commonly say "Made in Western-Germany" on the flaps. That a German manufacturer would make classic and veteran models seems a rare treat - French companies like Minialuxe, RAMI by J.M.K. or Italian Rio Models and Brumm were ahead of any German firm in making classic vehicles from before 1930. Except for Cursor Models which were made for the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart, and some Gama veteran cars, Ziss seems to be the only German manufacturer dedicated to making an array of models from the veteran era (Gibson 1971, p. 21).

The earliest models were a classic line of mostly German vehicles in the spirit of French RAMI by J.M.K. or Italian Rio Models (Gibson 1971, pp. 20-21). Both autos and trucks were produced, usually in three or four different colors. Under the earlier R.W. name, models included the cute little 1920s Hanomag "Kommisbrot" ("loaf of bread" - in top up and top down versions, like Rio and Brumm models), a 1905 Mercedes Kettenwagen, coupe and Grand Prix, a BMW Dixi, and a FIAT 508S Balilla coupe.

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