Collecting Emergency Vehicles from Siku to previous page　　to next page Japanese descriptions about this page Siku is one of familiar farm for Japanese diecast car collectors because they had been imported Japan since 1966 constantly. I love Siku cars because the firm does continue to make a lot of police cars, police buses, ambulances and fire engines, and keep their quality for a long years. We can find some descriptions about this firm in "Classic Miniature Vehicles of Northern Europe" by Edward Force, Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 2002. -The Sieper-Werke,found by Richard Sieper in Luedenschild,Germany in 1921,began to produce toys in 1949 and introduced its first products at the Nuernberg Toy Fair in 1950. At the same fair in 1955,the firm's V (Verkehr:traffic) series of 1/60 scale miniature cars was introduced.And In 1963 its first diecast cars appeared. Since the introduction of metal models,the firm has produced 1/60, and 1/55 scale diecast miniatures added since 1973. Bibliography -Siku-Sammlerkatalog RAWE 2003, by Wilfred Raschke/Manfred Weise, Wilfred Raschke/Manfred   Weise Verlag,2002 -Classic Miniature Vehicles of Northern Europe, by Edward Force, Schiffer Publishing Ltd.,2002 -Deutsche Polizeifahrzeuge 1945 bis heute, Frank Schwede, Motorbuch Verlag, 2000 -Polizeifahrzeuge in Deutschland von 1945 bis heute, Achim Schmidt, Podzum, 1998 -Kraftfahrzeuge der Feuerwehr und des Sanitaetsdienstes, Werner Osward/Manfred Gihl, Motorbuch   Verlag, 1977 -100 Jahre Sanitaets- und Krankenfahrzeuge, Udo Paulitz, Franckh-Kosmos Verlag, 2003 Acknowledgement A special thanks goes to Mr. Berndt Arnold in Austria.He is providing me a lot of cars from Siku especially limited productions for Austrian market and some interesting story about police cars. Dank Mein besonderer Dank gilt Herrn Berndt Arnold in Oesterreich.Er versorgt mir viele Autos von Siku besonders die begrenzten Produktionen fuer den oesterreichischen Markt und eine interessante Geschichte ueber Polizeiautos. Several Intresting stories about Siku and European Police Cars   ---Berndt Arnold from Austria About Siku cars for European countries Siku cars are available all over Europe, but some models are only available in certain countries. I know that there are dutch, swiss and french models, mostly emergency cars or postal cars that are only available in these countries. You cannot find Austrian Police Cars in Holland, for example. But of course, the majority of emergency cars is from Germany. And SIKU has started to produce die cast cars in 1/87 scale. The story behind the word "Peterwagen"  In 1946, a German city,Hamburg was allowed to use police cars again. Back then, police cars were called "Radiowagen",because they were equipped with radios for communicating. After the second World War,Hamburg was occupied by British troops and a British officer did not understand the German word "Radiowagen". So, a German gouverment worker was trying to translate it and he said: "Radiowagen, its like a Patrol Car"! The british officer did not understand this, because of the German accent, so he asked the German man to spell the word "Patrol Car". The German man started to spell. He said: "Patrol Car, the word starts with a "P" like "Peter", the British officer had enough and said, OK, Peterwagen, wrote it down in the official papers and out of a missunderstanding, the word "Peterwagen" was born and used ever since. Thats how the "Radiowagen" changed to "Peterwagen".It is a "slang" word, and therefore, not mentioned in dictionaries. About Austrian Gendarmerie and their police cars Gendarmerie has nothing to do with the military, here in Austria. Polizei force is in charge of cities and Gendarmerie is in charge in rural areas in the country side. They have the exact same authority. But actually, in order to save money, the goverment has terminated the Gendarmerie forces and we only have Polizei forces left. I think in the past Polizei and Gendarmerie did not cooperate, when it came to buying equipment or cars, Polizei did their thing and Gendarmerie did something else. But now, they are all on the same page. That is why there are so many different Police cars on the road. Mainly Volkswagen, but there are also Peugeot, Renault, Skoda, Opel but I have also seen Mercedes and Chrysler Voyagers. The Autobahn Polizei is using Audi and Opel, but also unmarked cars like BMW and once I saw a Porsche. Many of the city police cars have fuel efficient diesel engines, plus diesel fuel is cheaper then regular fuel. There are just not so many high speed pursuits that would justify big V 8 engines, like in America. Colour of German and European police cars have been changing  In the past, all German police vehicles have been painted white and green. Since a few years the colors have changed. I think all member countries of the European Union are going to use these colors, Silver with blue or green. I think in Germany it is up to every state itself to choose blue or green. Also in Austria, the police cars will be silver and blue. In fact, Vienna received recently its first shipment of new Volkswagen Vans in silver and blue. The other states are soon to follow. The European Union is trying to unify member countries, the sarted with the Euro as currency, also license plates on cars are going to look the same. With the same colored police cars, I guess they want them to be recongnized more easiely, no matter in which country you are. "MK" and "LS" letters on hood Some police cars from Siku have "MK" and "LS" letters on hood.The letters "MK" stand for "Maerkischer Kreis",this is an area in the German state of "Nordrheinwestfalen".And the letters "LS" would mean "LuedenScheid", where Sieper Werke stands in Nordrheinwestfalen. The Maerkischer Kreis includes 15 communities (I think you call it prefecture, the German word is "Gemeinde") with 15 community capitols. The Maerkischer Kreis is 1,060 square kilometers with 460,000 people living there. 50% of the area of the Maerkischer Kreis are protected National Parks. There are 56 single Nationla Parks and a lot of lakes and rivers. It prides itself for its high level of quality living and a lot of opportunities to relax. It has one of the highest developed metal industry in the state of Nordrheinwestfalen. Screws, nails, wires, clips, springs.......also, it is well known for its job shops. These are shops, that develop and build complete components, (electronic or steele) to deliver them to airplane and automobile industry. There are more then 170 sights, like museums, castles.......the most important one is considered the castle "Altena". it is considered the worlds oldest youth hostel. Now, Luedenscheid is the Capitol of the Maerkischer Kreis. The reason, why you cannot find it on your map is, maps are probably not as detailed. they will indicate the state, but a state is divided, but the maps are just to small to show all detail of every single community in one state. On a German license plate the first two letters on the left indicate the community. If there is only one letter, like "M" this is the state capitol. "M" for Munich. "B" for Berlin and so on. I made a related link to "rettungsdienst online.com", a website about emergency rescue services in Switzerland.The owner of this website have a job in the rescue service as a team leader and a paramedic with qualification. The descriptions are written in German, but you can find and enjoy a lot of photos about actual ambulances and rescue vehicles in Europe and the world. Ich habe eine Link gemacht　zu "rettungsdienst online.com", eine Website ungefaehr Rettungsdienst in der Schweiz. Der Eigentuemer von dieser Website arbeitet im Rettungsdienst als diplomierter Rettungssanitaeter und Teamleiter. Die Beschreibungen sind auf Deutsch, Sie koennen finden geschrieben und koennen viele Fotos ungefaehr eigentliche Krankenwagen und Rettungswagen in Europa und der Welt geniessen.      Dank Ich kann gekauft "Siku-Sammlerkatalog RAWE 2003  und 2006" von einem der Autoren von diesem Buch direkt. Das Buch ist so hilfreich fuer mich, kann ich viele Informationen ueber Veraenderung von Produkten erhalten, und wenn sie hergestellt wurden. Ein besonderer Dank geht zum Autor, Herr Manfred Weise in Deutschland. My special thanks goes to SIKU Customer Service Team of Sieper GmbH in Luedenscheid.They have pleasantly permitted me to make a related link on my page to SIKU website, http://www.siku.de/ Mein besonderer Dank gibt zu SIKU Customer Service Team von Sieper GmbH in Luedenscheid. Sie haben angenehm zugelassen, dass mich einen Link auf meiner Seite zu SIKU Website mache. Ich freue mich natuerlich sehr ueber diese situation! *SIKU is a registered trademark of Sieper GmbH. *SIKU ist ein eingetragenes Warenzeichen von Sieper GmbH. 2313　Mercedes-Benz new Sprinter Police Team Van (German Police) Very beautiful and brand-new product in 1/50 scale from Germany issued in May 2008. It has been notified of sale on Siku 2008 catalogue. Chrome silver painted body with blue hood and 'dotted line' type stripes, blue roof lights, smoke windows, light gray interior,"POLIZEI" tempa, black painted base plate with original wheels for this product.I cannot find casting location on the base plate. 1495 Porshe 911 Carerra S Highway Patrol (Austrian Police) A brand-new product for Austrian market issued in March 2008 has been arrived here from Austria. It has been notified of sale on Siku 2008 catalogue. Chrome silver painted body with navy blue hood, blue roof lights, smoke windows, medium gray interior,"POLIZEI" with red and navy blue stripes tempa, black plastic base plate with original wheels for this product.I cannot find casting location on the base plate. The numberling system for Euro Siku products have been changed on 2008 catalogue. The sign of 'A' (means for Austrian market) after the item number was removed and 5-figure number was added. 03800 for Austrian, 03900 for Swiss, 00800 for Danish, 00600 for English, 00100 for French, 00300 for Dutch, and 99900 for international market.Products for German market do not have this 5-figure number. 2108 00300 Mercedes-Benz new Sprinter(2006) Rescue Ambulance for Dutch market A brand-new product in 1/50 scale for only Dutch market issued in 2008. It has been notified of sale on Siku 2008 catalogue. Yellow painted body,blue roof lights, medium gray authentic interior with a removable main-stretcher,smoke windows, 'The star of life' symbol, 'AMBULANCE' and telephone number 112 for the case of emergency with red/blue stripes tempa, black painted metal base plate,silver disc with plastic tires.I cannot find casting location on the base plate. Pages for products for Dutch market on 2007 and 2008 Siku catalogue are printed a wrong flag... 2108 01700 Mercedes-Benz new Sprinter(2006) Rescue Ambulance for Belgian market A brand-new product in 1/50 scale for only Belgian market issued in 2008. It has been notified of sale on Siku 2008 catalogue. Yellow painted body,blue roof lights, medium gray authentic interior with a removable main-stretcher,smoke windows, 'The star of life' symbol and telephone number 100 for the case of emergency with red stripe tempa, yellow painted metal base plate,silver disc with plastic tires.I cannot find casting location on the base plate. A part of Euro-Siku series for Belgian market starts on 2008 catalogue. 2108 Mercedes-Benz new Sprinter(2006) Rescue Ambulance, special ordered issue by St.John in New Zealand A special ordered issue by St.John charitable organisation in New Zealand in 1/50 scale in 2008. White painted body,RED roof lights, medium gray authentic interior with a removable main-stretcher,smoke windows, 'St John AMBULANCE' 'DIAL 111' with St.John symbol with gren/yellow stripes and electrocardiogram wave pattern tempa, black painted metal base plate,silver disc with plastic tires.I cannot find casting location on the base plate. 0805 Mercedes-Benz 412D ambulance, special ordered issue by St.John in New Zealand A special ordered issue by St.John charitable organisation in New Zealand in 2008. White painted body,RED roof lights, light gull gray interior,smoke windows, 'St John AMBULANCE' 'DIAL 111' with St.John symbol with gren/yellow stripes and electrocardiogram wave pattern tempa, black plastic base plate,silver disc with plastic tires.I cannot find casting location on the base plate. 1850 German Rescue gift pack with Mercedes-Benz Sprinter RTW and Eurocopter EC145 A brand-new gift puck in 1/87 scale diecast from Germany issued in May 2008. It has been notified of sale on Siku 2008 catalogue. White and blight orange painted body,blue roof lights, light gull gray interior,clear windows, "The star of life" symbol and telephone number 112 for the case of emergency with electrocardiogram wave pattern tempa, black painted metal base plate,silver disc with plastic tires.I cannot find casting location on the base plate.Opening no doors without a stretcher and any figures. Eurocopter EC145 has a yellow painted diecast body, black plastic skid, black plastic main and tail rotor, clear windows, 'ADAC' with German flag tempa. I cannot find casting location on the body. 0882 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 412D fire command A brand-new product for German market issued in March 2008. It has been notified of sale on Siku 2008 catalogue. Fluorescent orange painted body,blue roof lights,light gull gray interior,smoke windows, 'FEUERWEHR EINSATSLEITUNG' with white stripes tempa, black plastic base plate,silver disc with plastic tires.I cannot find casting location on the base plate. 1334 US-Police A brand-new product for German market issued in March 2008. It has been notified of sale on Siku 2008 catalogue. Black and white painted body,red roof lights,black interior,smoke windows, 'SHERIFF DEPARTMENT' with star symbol tempa, black plastic base plate,silver disc with plastic tires.I cannot find casting location on the base plate. This is same casting as #0880 Siku Canyon and #0869 Siku Desert Lion. 1932 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter DRK Rettungswagen #1932 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter high-roof ambulance was changed painting and markings from 'BABYNOTARZT' to DRK RETTUNGSDIENST since 2001. White painted body, transparent blue roof lights, clear windows, white interior, 'Deutches Rotes Kreuz RETTUNGSDIENST (German Red Cross Rescue Service) 112' with red stripe and red cross symbol tempa, black plastic base plate with B8 wheels,Germany casting. 2712EU Mercedes-Benz Breakdown Truck for Euro-International market A breakdown truck with English markings for Euro-International market with red painted Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressorwagen. We can not find this model on 2008 catalogue yet. Yellow painted body, transparent yellow roof lights, clear windows, light gull gray interior,'24 Hour Recovery' tempa, black plastic and metal chassis, with LKW16 wheels, I cannot find casting location on the base plate. 1423 Mercedes-Benz C320 Security Car Chrome silver painted car for security service belonged private company. Produced since 2002 to 2004, same casting as #1375. Yellow roof lights,balck antenna, medium gray interior,clear windows,"SAFETY CAR" with black stripes tempa, black plastic base plate with B7 wheels. I cannot find casting location on the base plate. #1423 Security car was changed casting from C320 to Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG convertible since 2005. 0 V052 Mercedes-Benz 180 Peterwagen A car from early plastic "V" (Verkehr:traffic) series in 1/60 scale. Produced in 1956-1961.I believe that cars in this series were sold in plastic "garage" type box. Dark mint green plastic body with white painted fender,blue painted roof light and clear antenna,NO interior,clear windows,silver plastic base plate with gray RV1 wheels.I cannot find casting location on the base plate.(Absolutely it was made in West-Germany) 0 V052 Mercedes-Benz 190 Peterwagen A car from early plastic "V" (Verkehr:traffic) series in 1/60 scale. Produced in 1962-1965. Mint green plastic body with white plastic fender,mint green molded roof light and clear antenna,white interior,clear windows,light gray plastic base plate with black RV33 wheels.I cannot find casting location on the base plate.(Absolutely it was made in West-Germany) 0 V14 VW Typ-T1a Krankanwagen A car from early plastic "V" (Verkehrsmodelle: traffic models) series in 1/60 scale. Produced in 1954-1959.This is an oldest Siku car which I have. Red and black plastic body, NO roof light,NO interior,clear windows,Light gray plastic base plate with RV13/2 wheels.Small red cross signs on the front and back of car. I cannot find casting location on the base plate.(Absolutely it was made in West-Germany.) 0 V160 Autobahn-Streifenwagen, Porsche 356A(Plastic) A car from early plastic "V" (Verkehr:traffic) series in 1/60 scale. Ivory plastic body,blue painted roof light and clear antenna,NO interior,clear windows,Light gray plastic base plate with RV18/2 wheels.Black plastic "POLIZEI" lettering.I cannot find casting location on the base plate.Produced in 1961-1964.Same casting as V18. I can find photos of 356A Cabrio, Autobahnpolizei in Nordrhein-Westfalen 1956 and 356B Cabrio, Autobahnpolizei in Stuttgart 1962. I have no information about using 356A coupe. 0 V194 Polizei-Lautsprecherwagen VW-Kombi (Plastic) A car from early plastic "V" (Verkehr:traffic) series in 1/60 scale in plastic Gallage box. Mint green plastic body,mint green laud speakers, NO roof light,NO interior,clear windows,Light gray plastic base plate with RV13/2 wheels.White plastic "POLIZEI" lettering.I cannot find casting location on the base plate.Produced in 1962-1963. 0 V212 Polizei-Lautsprecherwagen VW-Kombi (Die-cast) One of car in early series after changing production to the diecast metal. V212 and V194 are models of same car in same scale, but they have different proportion and appearance. Dark green painted body,NO roof lights, metal laud speakers,ivory interior,clear windows,"POLIZEI" decal on side, unpainted metal base plate with black plastic R1 wheels.Germany casting. Produced in 1963-1970. Illustration from: Siku catalogue 1970 edition 0 V215 Ford FK 3500 Katastrophen Einsatzwagen Sand yellow(sandgelb) plastic body,blue painted roof light, metal interior in the cab,clear windows, sand yellow chassis with black RV175 wheels.I cannot find casting location on the base plate.(Absolutely it was made in West-Germany.) 0 V233 Mercedes-Benz Typ190 Binz Europ 1000 Krankentransportwagen(KTW) An ambulance belonged German rescue service, produced in early years of Siku,1964-1970. Ivory painted body,blue roof lights,white interior with fixed 2 stretchers,clear windows,unpainted metal base plate with black plastic tires.West Germany casting. 0 V235 Autobahn-Streifenwagen, Porsche 901(Die-cast) One of car in early series after changing production to the diecast metal. White painted body,blue roof lights and clear antenna, buff interior,clear windows,"POLIZEI" decal on hood, unpainted metal base plate with black plastic R1 wheels.Germany casting. Produced in 1964-1970.Same casting as V234. Opening hood. 0 V235-2 Autobahn-Streifenwagen, Ford Capri 1700GT White painted body,blue roof lights and clear antenna, black and white interior,clear windows, white painted metal speaker,"POLIZEI 4563" decal on hood and roof, unpainted metal base plate with black plastic R3 wheels.Germany casting. Produced in 1971-1974.Same casting as V310. 0 V235-2 Autobahn-Streifenwagen, Ford Capri 1700GT White painted body,blue roof lights and clear antenna, black and white interior,clear windows, white painted metal speaker,"POLIZEI 456" decal on hood and roof, unpainted metal base plate with black plastic R3 wheels.Germany casting. Produced in 1971-1974.Same casting as V310. 0 V250-1318 Peterwagen/Mercedes-Benz 190D Funkstreifenwagen Police cruiser with radio, produced in 1965-1974.The item number V250 had been changed to #1318 Dark green painted body with white fender,blue roof lights, light gray interior,clear windows and antenna, silver police emblem on the door, unpainted metal base plate with black plastic wheels,West-Germany casting. 0 V250-2 Mercedes-Benz 250 Peterwagen Produced in 1970-1974.Product number had been shifted in 1974 from V250 to 1318. Dark green painted body with white fender, transparent blue dome light and clear antenna, clear windows, orange interior,NO markings, unpainted metal base plate with R3 wheels,West-Germany casting. 0 V306 Mercedes-Benz Typ 220D Binz Europ 1200L Krankentransportwagen(KTW) "BINZ GmbH & Co. KG" is the specialist of making body and equipment for vehicles, especially "BINZ Ambulance und Umwelttechnik GmbH" in Ilmenau is making Ambulances and rescue vehicles. "Europ 1200L" was the type for patients transporter included "Infectionkrankentransportwagen"(infectious patients transporter). I believe that the type for infectious patients transporter had different type ventilaters than Siku model on its roof.Siku produced this model 1970 in 1/60 scale (not 1/55), and the item number V306 was changed to #1613 in 1974. Ivory painted body,blue roof light,ivory interior with a removable main-stretcher,clear windows, a red cross decal on the hood, unpainted metal base plate, metal wheel with rubber tires,West-Germany casting. 0 V341 BMW 2000Csi Lautsprecherwagen (with old wheels) BMW police cruiser with radio and laud speaker, produced since 1972.The item number V341 was changed to #1321 with Flitzer wheels in 1975. Green(Tannengruen) painted body,blue roof lights, green painted laud speaker, red interior,clear windows and antenna,"POLIZEI" tempa on hood and trunk compertment, unpainted metal base plate with R3 wheels, "Germany" casting. 0 V344 Lamborghini Espada 400GT "Fire hunter" Signal orange painted body, blue dome light and a lot of horns, "Total, Sicherheit feuerschutz renndienst (Security fire protection demanding force), Fire hunter" tempa, transparent yellow green windows, ivory interior, unpainted metal base plate with R3 wheels, West-Germany casting. 0 V434 Doctor with Stethoscope (Arzt mit Stethoscope) A doctor with Stethoscope belonged German Red Cross in 1/60 early plastic series. Siku had made many kind of figure and accessories for making toy town in "Verkehrsmodelle" series. 0 V71 Mercedes-Benz 180/180D(W120) Binz Krankenwagen A car from early plastic "V" (Verkehrsmodelle: traffic models) series in 1/60 scale. Produced in 1957-1966. Pearl white(perlweiss) plastic body,mint green painted roof light,pearl white interior with two stretchers (one is empty and one with a patient),clear windows,pearl white plastic base plate with black RV33 wheels. I cannot find casting location on the base plate.(Absolutely it was made in West-Germany.) 0 V71 Mercedes-Benz 180/180D(W120) Binz Krankenwagen Pearl white(perlweiss) plastic body,mint green painted roof light,pearl white interior with two stretchers (one is empty and one with a patient),clear windows,pearl white plastic base plate with black RV52 wheels. I cannot find casting location on the base plate.(Absolutely it was made in West-Germany.) 0 V71 Mercedes-Benz 180/180D(W120) Binz Krankenwagen Cream-white(creme weiss) plastic body,mint green painted roof light,cream-white interior with two stretchers (one is empty and one with a patient),clear windows,cream-white plastic base plate with black RV33 wheels. I cannot find casting location on the base plate.(Absolutely it was made in West-Germany.) 0292-1911　Mercedes-Benz Typ L406D Binz Unfall-Rettungswagen Mercedes-Benz Typ L406D Binz Unfall-Rettungswagen(Accident Rescue Service Ambulance), a model before changing item number and wheels.Siku had produced this model 1969 in 1/60 scale (not 1/55),and the item number 292 was changed to #1911 in 1974. Ivory painted body,blue roof lights,white interior with a removable main-stretcher,clear windows, "UNFALL-RETTUNG" with red crosses decal, black painted metal base plate, with black plastic wheels, West-Germany casting. With Flitzer wheels in 1977-78/1978-79 edition Catalogue, with red stripes in 1979-80/1980-81/1981-82 edidion, red painted Feuerwehr Rettungswagen in 1986 edition, and out of production in 1988 edition. 0292　Mercedes-Benz Typ L406D Binz Unfall-Rettungswagen(RTW) Mercedes-Benz Typ L406D Binz Unfall-Rettungswagen(Accident Rescue Service Ambulance), a model after changing Flitzer wheels.　I can find it on 1977-78/1978-79 edition catalogue. Ivory painted body,blue roof lights,white interior with a removable main-stretcher,clear windows, "UNFALL-RETTUNG" with red crosses decal, black painted metal base plate, with Flitzer wheels, "Germany" casting. "MERCEDES-BENZ L406D"(not "RETTUNGSWAGEN") is molded on the base plate.