Mebetoys

Mebetoys was an Italian die-cast toy car brand founded in 1959 by Ferdinando Besana and his sons Mario and Ugo. Initially, the company produced die-cast toys unrelated to automobiles. However, they quickly transitioned to producing 1/43 scale model cars, gaining popularity for their detailed replicas of Italian and international automobiles.

Mebetoys distinguished itself from competitors like Mercury and Tekno by focusing on realism and incorporating features like opening doors and hoods. Their models often featured accurate paint schemes and detailed interiors.

In the late 1960s, Mebetoys was acquired by Mattel, the American toy giant. Mattel rebranded the Mebetoys line as "Gran Toros" for the international market, modifying some of the models and introducing new castings. In Italy, however, the Mebetoys name continued to be used for a period.

Under Mattel's ownership, the Mebetoys/Gran Toros line continued to be produced for several years, though the focus shifted towards more toy-like designs to align with Mattel's global product strategy. The original Mebetoys models are now sought after by collectors for their quality, detail, and representation of automotive history.