In the early 60's the panorama of the Italian car models was dominated by Mercury, already existing in the 50's, and by Politoys. The former produced models in die casting, generally without opening parts, with unexceptional finishes. The latter produced models in colorful plastic that often seemed only the caricature of the true cars. The competition between the two companies and, above all, the attempt to compete with the most famous foreign producers, English and French, but also German, forced the companies to improve the quality of their production lines. Therefore Mercury resumed the models which they already produced and equipped them with glasses, interior, suspensions, jewel front-lights etc., introducing also some openings, improving the quality of the die casting and taking the models from the 1:48 scale to the 1:43 standard scale.

Politoys too improved the working techniques of plastic materials, being able to produce models of gradually more acceptable quality, still in the original 1:41 scale. But its models, compared to those of the other companies, seemed, above all, nice toys, so they did not have great success among adult collectors. It was necessary, therefore, to make a decisive jump in quality; then, in 1964-65, it was proceeded on two parallel ways: the production of the die cast models in zamac, 1:43 scale (series "M", named also "500" series) and the production of another new series, that was placed side by side to the original plast series: this last series was called "Fibre-glass", because it was made in glass fiber. This new material allowed Politoys to produce models of good quality, decidedly comparable to the zamac models produced by the other companies. The body thickness was much thinner, the openings were more realistic; but the models were very much lighter and then Politoys thought well to increase the weight of theirs equipping them with an heavy zamac bottom, that also allowed a good rigidity to the model cars.

#90 (1966) - Mercedes Benz 230SL Hardtop	#84 (1965) - Volkswagen 1200

But the glass fiber was of a whitish color and therefore, in order to sell the models, it was necessary to paint them by identical procedures to those adopted for the zamac models. The new models, finally, were beautiful reproductions, so beautiful that for them Politoys realized also a new series of boxes, with a celluloid window on two sides: all had to see the new models, in order to choose them instead of a Solido or a Corgi.

But this effort of Politoys was not greatly appreciated by buyers because those models were too delicate to play with. It was enough to open the doors two or three times in order to damage the delicate paint job revealing, inexorably, the white of the glass fiber and rendering the new toy unattractive. Only collectors appreciated those models, but at that time there were too few of them to support the entire production. Politoys understood the error, abandoned the plastic series and the 1:41 scale and decided to follow the buyer's demand concentrating its production on the "M" series, in zamac, in which the most part of the Fibre-glass models was also produced.

Worldwide collectors today enjoy collecting the Fibre-glass car models. It is enough to find few items (only eight, but would have had to be more than double the quantity) and it is possible to search the variety of colors without spending a fortune. Every fibre-glass model, in fact, can be found for less than 100 euros, with the exception of the special "Rita Pavone" Jaguar "E" type, which can fetch 500 euros or more.

#120 (1967) - Jaguar E Type Hardtop "Rita Pavone" (here you can see the special box in the german and italian version)

With regard to the boxes, it is noted that they can be of two types: with or without the word GLASS, but identical for colors and general shape (please, see the photos below).

Other models of the plastic series have also been sold with these boxes: for example, the motorboat with trailer, normally sold with the classic box of the plastic series was certainly sold also with the fibre-glass series box (without the GLASS word), but it holds its number of series 42.

Finally, it has been noted than the models of the fibre-glass series have been sold initially with the old box of the plastic series. It has happened, for example, for the Volkswagen 1200 and the Ferrari 250GT "berlinetta". These models, which we will define of pre-series, are the rarest and obviously have higher values.

Silver (black hard-top) Red (black hard-top) Green (black hard-top)

With opening doors and bonnet. Silver steering wheel and not folding seats. Chrome plastic engine with black parts. Suspension. The black hard-top is not removable. Chrome diecast base, with four screws, two chrome screws and two black screws. Metal wire wheels with rubber tyres. Plastic headlights, painted taillights. Chrome plastic bumpers and grille. Black rear plate MI-BO 90732 (first version) or MI-BO7032 (last version). The green model is very rare.

Pink (body and hard-top)	The model is also known as "La Zanzara" (see the rear decal). It is derived from the basic version (please, see #89), with pink body and hard top (not removable) and blue interior. Special (and rare) box with with the picture (autographed) of the italian singer. Today the model is the highest rated among all Fibre-Glass: in mint-boxed condition it can fetch 500 euros or more.
Curiosity: one says that in the 60s the famous singer "Rita Pavone" went to the Jaguar vendor in the North Italy (Koelliker) in order to acquire one Jaguar "E" type. She first chose the model, then would have had to choose the paint color; therefore the singer took the scissors, cut a little part of her pink petticoat and gave it to Koelliker. He, impassible, gave the silk piece to the varnisher who would have had to paint one white Jaguar "E". The pink Jaguar "E" became very famous and Politoys made the model in a special series, today very rare and expensive. It seems that Teddy Reno, the husband of the singer, made secret agreements with Koelliker in order to reduce the power of the motor of Rita's beautiful Jaguar, but this could be only a rumour.