Poliguri – Brief Introduction

Poliguri is a Portuguese manufacturer of small die-cast metal cars, presumably active between 1987 and 1992. The factory is located in Cacém, about 20 km from Lisboa. Production includes the Mercedes Unimog, the Mercedes 207, the Mercedes 307, the Mercedes 200, the Fiat Uno and the Peugeot 405 Prototype, in scales between 1:65 and 1:50. A Lancia Integrale is announced, but apparently never produced. The Mercedes 207 appears as a minibus, ambulance and motorhome, while the Mercedes 307 appears as a pickup truck, pickup truck with tarp, tank truck and tow truck. The Mercedes 200 appears in the civilian version, as a police car and as a taxicab. The Fiat Uno and the Peugeot 405 appear in civilian and sporting versions. The Mercedes Unimog, the Mercedes 207 minibus and ambulance and the Mercedes 307 tow truck can pull a small trailer with tarp. Oversized plastic accessories such as sidewalk sections, road signs and street furniture complement the production of these small die-cast metal cars.

I know only one catalog, printed in 1988 and with the curious title "Guri's – Auto Miniatura". The word "guri" comes from a Tupi expression absorbed by the Portuguese language spoken in Brazil, meaning little boy or child. It is a curious choice, given the rare use of the word in Portugal. This catalog shows the "Guri Car" series with references 701 to 712 and the "Guri Kit" series with references 700 A to 700 O, as well as their packaging and point of sale displays. References are shown in color photos and described in French and English. This catalog also announces the new models for 1989, the Fiat Uno in August, the Peugeot 405 Prototype in October and the Lancia Integrale in November, but without showing their photos or references. It concludes by showing the "Guri Desk – Portugal em Quiosques" series, comprising four pen holders decorated with plastic models of traditional kiosks in Lisboa.

The "Guri Car" series includes the Mercedes Unimog with reference 701, four versions of the Mercedes 207 with references 703, 704, 706 and 708, four versions of the Mercedes 307 with references 702, 705, 707and 709, three versions of the Mercedes 200 with references 710, 711 and 712, and the announced Fiat Uno, Peugeot 405 and Lancia Integrale whose references are not disclosed. The Mercedes Unimog, the Mercedes 207 minibus and ambulance, the Mercedes 200, the Fiat Uno and the Peugeot 405 Prototype show on their bases the logo of Poliguri, the name of the model, the scale and the expression "Made in Portugal". This is not possible in the Mercedes 207 motorhome and in the Mercedes 307 pickup truck, pickup truck with tarp and tank truck due to the detailed reproduction of the chassis. The Mercedes 307 tow truck is the only model with a plastic base. On the other hand, it is interesting to note that the Mercedes 207 minibus and ambulance come with a base prepared to receive suspension and that the Mercedes 200 has at least two different bases – one with two holes of approximately 4 mm partially exposing the axles, without suspension, and the other with the holes filled, with suspension.

I know six types of black plastic wheels. The Mercedes 207, the Mercedes 307 and the Peugeot 405 Prototype have wheels approximately 11 mm in diameter by 6 mm in width. The "rim" is concave, with 16 spokes printed in white. The Mercedes Unimog has larger wheels, approximately 17 mm in diameter by 8 mm in width. The "rim" is concave, with 16 spokes printed in white and protrudes about 1 mm from the tire. Molded details of the tread include only the shoulder blocks. These two types of wheel have a white stripe printed on the side of the tire, interspersed twice in opposite points by the word "Guri". The Mercedes 200 and the Fiat Uno have wheels approximately 10 mm in diameter by 6 mm in width. The "rim" features 3, 5 or 8 spokes highlighted in "chrome" paint and protrudes about 1 mm from the tire. In another case, the "rim" is highlighted in "chrome" paint and decorated concentrically with 8 small circular recesses.

These small die-cast metal cars are painted in solid colors, sometimes with printed details including stripes or geometric compositions to the taste of the time. The metal bases are painted in black, with at least one known exception, in silver. The Mercedes 307 tow truck has a black plastic base. Glazing is represented in clear plastic, with details such as the windshield wipers and the rear-view mirror molded on the windshields. Interior details are reproduced in white, black or red plastic. In terms of play value, the Mercedes 207 minibus and ambulance open the white plastic rear doors, while the Mercedes 307 tow truck features a swiveling crane. The Mercedes Unimog, the Mercedes 207 minibus and ambulance, and the Mercedes 307 tow truck have a tow hitch. With the exception perhaps for the Fiat Uno, these models are not usually good rollers.

The "Guri Kit" series includes the references 700 A to 700 O, based on fourteen combinations of small die-cast metal cars with plastic accessories. Each package comes with a small car and up to four accessories. These plastic accessories look like copies of those in the "Majo-Kit" series produced by Majorette. However, unlike what happens in the prolific French series, in the "Guri Kit" series the number of accessories is quite limited and does not include buildings, trees or figurines. For example, there are only two sidewalk sections, one with approximately 80 x 40 x 6 mm and the other with 35 x 35 x 6 mm, and these, having curbs all around, cannot be snapped together. The most common accessory is the road sign in different versions. Some accessories have printed details or paper stickers. It is possible that Poliguri considers the small trailer with tarp, an accessory, as we only find it in the "Guri Kit" sets. There are two versions – one with a high coupler, intended for the Mercedes Unimog, and another with a low coupler, intended for the Mercedes 207 tow truck and the Mercedes 207 minibus and ambulance.

I know seven types of cardboard and plastic packages. The "Guri Car" series comes in at least three types of packages, one with approximately 115 x 40 x 105 mm, two opposite windows, predominant colors red and white, another, of the blister type, with approximately 105 x 66 mm and blister height of 29, 31 or 32 mm, predominant colors gray and red, and a third, of the blister type, with approximately (n/a) mm, predominant colors yellow and red. The "Guri Kit" series comes in a package with approximately 137 x 42 x 145 mm, two windows in the front, predominant colors red and white. The "Guri Duplo" series comes in a blister-type package with approximately (n/a) mm, predominant colors yellow and red. The "Guri Sonic" series comes in a blister-type package with approximately (n/a) mm, predominant colors yellow and blue. The "Guri's + Robot" series comes in a blister-type package with approximately (19,9 x 24,9) mm, predominant colors yellow and blue.

Over time, the Fiat Uno and the Peugeot 405 Prototype may suffer a slight deformation of the sills, which prevents the correct closing of the doors. I suspect that the pressure exerted by the spring of the doors is one of the causes of this effect. I do not, however, advise corrective attempts – the result can be catastrophic. In some models the red paint may exhibit a slight surface instability, while in others the white paint may develop a more or less pronounced yellowing. Some Mercedes 207 motorhome and Mercedes 307 pickup truck, pickup truck with tarp and tank truck come with the tip of the exhaust pipe shortened. The preservation of these small die-cast metal cars may include the careful preventive application of a moisture repellent on the axes with a fine brush, as well as occasional cleaning, first with a soft spatula brush, then with softened and dampened chamois leather or with a microfiber cloth.

This is the possible introduction to Poliguri. It is important to emphasize that I am by no means an expert in this matter – I just collect these lovely objects. In fact, and in spite of my efforts, I have never met anyone directly involved in the project. Consequently, many questions remain unanswered – starting with the name’s choice, Poliguri. I would like to know more about the company's development and production. Did the promising Lancia Integrale ever reached the pre-production stage? What is the story behind the base of the Mercedes 207 minibus and ambulance prepared to receive suspension and the two bases of the Mercedes 200? What about the intruders in the Poliguri packages? And the yellow packages of the "Guri Car" and "Guri Duplo" series? And the "Guri Sonic" and "Guri's + Robot" series? Fourty years collecting toys and transportation models tell me that most questions have really simple answers. But until we get them, we can only navigate the murky waters of speculation.

Text and photos PAULO SANTOS

Versão portuguesa, aqui.

Poliguri references, here.

Text published in 2012, revised in 2017 and 2022. In the 2022 revision, thanks to José Miragaia Tomás and José Vaz for sharing some more interesting data. ●