Trax Models

Trax Models is an Australian range of collectible die-cast and resin vehicle models produced by Trax Corporation Pty Ltd. The brand is associated with Top Gear, an Australian model-company group, although the Top Gear name traditionally does not appear on Trax vehicles or their packaging. Its principal subject is Australian motoring history, with models representing Holden, Ford, Chrysler and other manufacturers whose cars were important to the Australian market. The range has also covered taxis, racing cars, utility vehicles, promotional liveries, buses, fire engines, military vehicles and construction equipment. The business began in 1980 when John Eassie established the company with an initial focus on Australian model trains. In 1986, Eassie expanded into 1:43-scale die-cast cars, distributing them through model-train retailers. This route helped establish Trax among specialist hobbyists and collectors rather than positioning it primarily as a mass-market toy brand. Eassie later sold the company to Frank Tregellas, formerly General Manager of Matchbox Toys Australia and Matchbox Collectibles, and Robert Hill, who had managed Matchbox Collectibles. Most Trax passenger-car models are produced in 1:43 scale. The standard range, commonly identified on packaging as "Trax Australian Motoring History," has included Holden FJ models, Monaros, Toranas and Commodores; Ford Fairlanes and numerous Falcon variants; and Chrysler Valiants and Valiant Chargers. The range developed from an early emphasis on sporty cars into a broader catalogue covering saloons, utes, competition cars, taxis and vehicles in distinctive commercial or institutional liveries. The models are designed for display and collection, generally using a single die-cast body without opening doors, bonnet or boot. Their appeal rests on accurate proportions, factory-style paint colours, period markings, detailed wheels and tyres, painted or applied scripts and trim, and realistic transparent lighting components. Trax and its associated Top Gear operations have extended the range beyond conventional die-cast production. The Opal Series uses 1:43-scale models with opening doors, bonnet and boot and is presented as a more premium offering. The Select Series consists of limited-production, made-to-order resin models intended for rare or specialised subjects for which multiple die-cast versions would not be commercially practical. The Superscale line moves into 1:24 scale, using substantially larger handmade models with more than 200 components, opening panels, working steering and, on some examples, functional window winders. The associated Trux name is used for buses and trucks. It covers vehicles built for Australian roads or shown in Australian and, in some cases, New Zealand liveries. Subjects have included historic Leyland, AEC, Daimler, Denning, Mercedes-Benz and Ansair buses, Chevrolet Blitz fire and military trucks, and other commercial vehicles. Some Trux products use tooling commissioned by the company, while others are based on dies sourced from Exclusive First Editions. Trax products are normally issued in limited quantities and are not routinely reproduced. This scarcity has made discontinued models attractive to collectors and has supported secondary-market interest. The company has also maintained collector-oriented publishing and engagement, including catalogues, a periodically updated reference book and a club-linked model selection process. Promotional models and specialist releases have included Australian newspaper vans and commercial-vehicle liveries. Overall, Trax Models occupies a niche between automotive history, scale modelling and Australian cultural collecting, with its strongest differentiation being the breadth and specificity of its Australian vehicle subject matter.

Trax Models developed from an Australian hobby business established by John Eassie in 1980. The company initially worked with Australian model trains, placing it within the specialist model-railway retail network. In 1986, Eassie broadened the business into 1:43-scale die-cast cars. These products were distributed through model-train retailers, giving the new vehicle range access to an established community of hobbyists and collectors. The brand's central subject became Australian motoring history. Its catalogue grew around locally important Holden, Ford and Chrysler vehicles, including FJ Holdens, Monaros, Toranas, Commodores, Falcon variants, Fairlanes, Valiants and Valiant Chargers. Over time, the range expanded beyond sporting cars to include family saloons, utes, racing cars, taxis and vehicles carrying period commercial or public-service liveries. The standard models generally used a closed-body construction, but placed considerable emphasis on proportions, paint, trim, badges, lighting and wheel design. Eassie later sold the company to Frank Tregellas and Robert Hill. Tregellas had previously held senior management roles with Matchbox Toys Australia and Matchbox Collectibles, while Hill had managed Matchbox Collectibles. The company became controlled by the Australian firm Top Gear. Although Top Gear operates related model ranges and publishing and collector activities, the Top Gear name has traditionally been kept off Trax vehicles and boxes. The product architecture subsequently broadened. The Opal Series offered more elaborate 1:43-scale models with opening doors, bonnet and boot, together with premium packaging. The Select Series used made-to-order resin construction for unusual or exclusive subjects, including rare Australian vehicles for which a full die-cast production run would be impractical. The Superscale project entered the 1:24-scale market with larger handmade models containing more than 200 pieces. These models could include opening doors and panels, working steering and, in some cases, working window mechanisms. Top Gear also developed the Legends Series, linking scale models to Australian racing history and internationally recognised drivers. Its subjects have included Sir Jack Brabham's Repco Brabham BT19 Formula One car and the Honda NSR 500 associated with Mick Doohan. These models were described as numbered and individually signed, and the Honda release carried official licensing from Honda in Japan. Commercial-vehicle modelling became another significant part of the business through the Trux name. The line covers buses, trucks, fire engines and construction vehicles connected with Australian roads, operators and liveries, as well as some New Zealand subjects. Tooling has been both commissioned directly and sourced from Exclusive First Editions. Examples include historic Leyland, AEC, Daimler, Denning, Mercedes-Benz and Ansair buses, along with Chevrolet Blitz fire and military vehicles. Trax products have generally been made in limited quantities and not reproduced. This policy has encouraged collecting and has helped discontinued models acquire secondary-market interest. The company has also supported collectors with regular catalogues, a reference book covering Top Gear models and a club process through which members can vote on a future model. Promotional releases have represented Australian newspapers and appliance companies, demonstrating the brand's ability to use its vehicle subjects for advertising and commemorative purposes. The available reference material does not establish a detailed current corporate structure, headquarters or financial profile.

• 2004

  Packaging redesign

  [1]Trax Modelsen.wikipedia.org

  Trax packaging incorporated a clear perspex window and a hanging retail format, replacing the earlier predominantly illustrated box style.

• 1986

  Expansion into 1:43 die-cast cars

  [1]Trax Modelsen.wikipedia.org

  The company branched into 1:43-scale die-cast cars, distributing them through model-train retailers.

• 1980

  Company established

  [1]Trax Modelsen.wikipedia.org

  John Eassie established the company, initially focusing on Australian model trains.

• Ownership transferred to Tregellas and Hill

  [1]Trax Modelsen.wikipedia.org

  John Eassie sold the company to Frank Tregellas and Robert Hill, both of whom had Matchbox-related management experience.

• Top Gear control

  [1]Trax Modelsen.wikipedia.org

  Trax became controlled by the Australian firm Top Gear while retaining its own brand identity on vehicles and packaging.

A specialist Australian collector brand focused on accurately rendered scale models of Australian motoring and transport history, with limited production, historically specific subjects and multiple levels of detail and scale.

• 1:43-scale die-cast vehicles

  Trax Australian Motoring History

  The core Trax range reproduces historically important Australian cars, especially Holden, Ford and Chrysler products. Subjects include sedans, utes, sports cars, racing cars, taxis and commercial liveries. Models typically use a closed single-piece die-cast body, with accurate proportions, factory-style colours, period badges, trim, lights, wheels and rubber tyres.

• Premium 1:43-scale model vehicles

  Opal Series

  The Opal Series provides a more elaborate 1:43-scale treatment, with opening doors, bonnet and boot. The models are presented in premium packaging and extend the brand's Australian vehicle coverage while offering collectors more interactive detailing than the standard closed-body range.

• Limited-production resin models

  Select Series

  Select models are made to order in resin for uncommon, exclusive or historically specialised vehicles. Resin production allows subjects with a small potential audience to be covered without the tooling investment required for several die-cast variants, and can provide surface detail not practical in conventional die-cast production.

• 1:24-scale handmade models

  Superscale

  Superscale is the larger-format line associated with Top Gear. Its handmade 1:24-scale Australian vehicles contain more than 200 pieces and may include opening doors, bonnet and boot, working steering and functional window winders, giving the models a more complex display and engineering specification.

• Motorsport and driver-associated scale models

  Legends Series

  The Legends Series connects model vehicles with Australian racing personalities and achievements. Known subjects include Sir Jack Brabham's Repco Brabham BT19 V8 Formula One car and Mick Doohan's Honda NSR 500. Releases have been numbered and signed by the associated legend, with some products carrying manufacturer licensing.

• Buses, trucks and commercial vehicles

  Trux

  Trux is the associated range for buses, trucks, fire engines and construction vehicles. It focuses on vehicles used on Australian roads or carrying Australian and New Zealand liveries, including historic Leyland, AEC, Daimler, Denning, Mercedes-Benz and Ansair buses and Chevrolet Blitz fire vehicles.

• Collector model selection process

  Australia

  Trax supported a collector-club process allowing members to vote on a future model subject. Members paid for participation and received the winning model when it was produced.

  Outcome. The process created a direct collector-feedback mechanism for selecting additions to the range.

  Source

• 1986

  Move from model trains into die-cast carsStrategy

  Background

  The company had been formed around Australian model trains and their specialist retail channel.

  Action taken

  John Eassie expanded the business into 1:43-scale die-cast cars and used model-train retailers for distribution.

  Aftermath

  This established the foundation of the Trax vehicle brand and connected it with Australian hobbyist and collector networks.

  Source

• Adopt limited-production positioningStrategy

  Background

  The brand focused on specialist Australian vehicles, including subjects with relatively small collector audiences.

  Action taken

  Trax generally produced models in limited quantities and did not routinely reproduce earlier offerings, while using resin and made-to-order production for less common vehicles.

  Aftermath

  The approach supported scarcity, collector interest and secondary-market demand for discontinued models.

  Source

• Expansion into multiple scales and formatsProduct launch

  Background

  The standard 1:43 die-cast range did not cover every level of detail or every specialised subject economically.

  Action taken

  The wider Top Gear operation introduced the Opal, Select, Superscale and Legends formats, alongside the Trux commercial-vehicle range.

  Aftermath

  The portfolio broadened from standard Australian passenger cars into premium, resin, large-scale, motorsport and commercial-vehicle collecting.

  Source

1. 1Trax Modelsen.wikipedia.org