Western Models Limited was a company making detailed white metal or pewter model vehicles, mostly cars in 1:43 scale. They were made in Taunton, Somerset, in southwestern England. Models were either in kit or built form. The company ceased production of cars about 2007 to focus solely on contemporary aircraft models.
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A First in White Metal
Western Models Limited was one of the first companies anywhere to produce high-quality hand built models for collectors, usually in lead based white metal (Johnson 1998, p. 246). 'Small Wheels' was a line name also used by Western Models, after purchasing a rival company of that name. Models were introduced annually but production runs were often limited, so collectability was insured. By about the year 2000, more than 70 different models had been made, with a new line of aircraft as well (Johnson 1998, p. 246-247).
Western Models was started by entrepreneur Mike Stephens in 1973 with help from his wife, Joyce (Olson 2006, p. 117). Stephens conceived of the company in Devon, but then started production in his garage in Epsom, Surrey, southeast of London (Olson 2006, pp. 116–117). Later, production was moved to larger premises in Redhill, Surrey, then later to a small factory in Taunton, then to Acre Ridge near Taunton, which Stephens claimed was a return to his home in "western" roots (Olson 2006, p. 116-117; Company History 1998-2011). The company, which had about 38 staff in the mid-1980s dropped down to only about 5 by 2005 because of increased competition from China (Oxley 2005).
Manufacturer for Danhausen
Western Models was often commissioned to produce vehicles for Danhausen (see Minichamps) and other companies like Motor City USA, Design Studio, Kim Classics, TFC, and EWA Miniatures of New Jersey (Western Models 2011; Olson 2006, pp. 116–117). Models could be purchased either assembled and fully finished or in kit form. Other limited edition brands were appearing in the 1970s, but Western Models gained a reputation for exceptional detail, quality parts and ease of assembly.
The first Western Models vehicle was a Mercedes Benz 540K made for Danhausen in November 1973 (Company History 1998-2011; Sinclair 1974, p. 11). Soon after, the second model was a 1937 Lagonda 4.5 litre-J.G. 45 Rapide (Sinclair 1974, p. 11). These early models show that small batch collector car lines had a ways to go to get to today's level of Western Models and Brooklin fidelity, et al, but they were welcomed by classic car enthusiasts who had generally meager offerings of models from before World War II (Sinclair 1974, p. 11).
Danhausen attempted purchase of Western Models, but Stephens did not sell and Danhausen purchased AMR Models instead (Minichamps 2011). Through the 1980s and 1990s, hand built white metal Western Models (similar to Brooklin Models) gained a reputation for high quality and precision detailing and casting, where models are produced in the hundreds or a few thousand - and not mass-produced in the hundreds of thousands or millions (Western Models 2011).
Models Produced
On many boxes the phrase "1:43 scale metal model cars for the collector and enthusiast" was printed - the "A" being a pair of engineer's calipers. In the 1980s the box design was changed to mainly black. The company specialized in 1:43 and 1:24, but did special models in a variety of sizes (Company history 1998-2011).
American cars of the 1950s (particularly Fords, Plymouths and Buicks in four door and station wagon styles), classic race cars, vintage sports and Grand Prix cars, and land speed record cars were the main types of vehicles represented (Johnson 1998, pp. 246–247; Olson 2006, p. 116). Detail was exquisite down to precise numbering from the real race cars and model specific wheel selection and detail. For example, as seen in period photographs, Carrol Shelby's LeMans winning 1959 Aston Martin was accurate even in the wheel well covers and in the asymmetrical segmented pieces of the front grille. Jaguar also seemed to be a favorite marque of Western Models, with over 30 different models produced over the years (Oxley 2005). Another company preference was for Land Speed Record vehicles, and more than 8 different LSR cars were produced.
Though some boxes were black or red, packaging was usually recognizable by the white boxes with "WM" lettering in red and black which covered half of the box.
The 'Small Wheels' series were more likely to be European marques and were made later, through 2000. Also unique were Small Wheels kits in 1:24 scale.
Today
In July 2007, after 34 years of model production, Mike and Joyce Stephens retired (Olson 2008, pp. 153–154). The Western Models name and logo were sold. The company then ceased production of cars to focus solely on its line of modern commercial aircraft, mostly in 1:200 scale (Company History 1998-2011). At least thirty-one different aeroplanes have been produced in a wide variety of airline liveries. According to the Western Models website, the company has now apparently moved to Ramat Habalagan, Israel.
Still, the venerable Western Models name did not ceased for the production of collectible miniature automobiles. By 2008, respected SMTS started a line called Western Models Collector's Editions. Models are made at the SMTS Hastings, England shop and have included 1950s American Cars and older European Grand Prix racers (SMTS Models 2011). Selections manufactured have been a 1957 Plymouth convertible, a 1958 Plymouth Belvedere hardtop, a 1957 DeSoto Firesweep hardtop, and a 1959 Edsel Corsair four door (SMTS Models 2011). Grand Prix models have been an Alfa Romeo 158 and a Talbot Lago T26.