Originally named Spielzeugfirma Schreyer & Co, Nürnberg, Germany, the company changed its name to the more commonly known SCHUCO in 1921 (likely a combination of Schreyer und Company). SCHUCO's first consistent foray into diecast toys was in 1957 when the 1:90 scale 'PICCOLO' series of 14 cars was introduced. These were a set of solid heavy zinc diecast metal cars that were accurate, yet mildly cartoonish at the same time.
Solid diecast body and chassis with details of an Oval Window VW Sedan. Metal axles with rubber wheels crimped and attached to the base of the casting. Chassis stamped SCHUCO PICCOLO 712. The PICCOLO 712 VW appeared to have been produced in an early and later release. The early release VW did not have bumpers (just a silver bumper painted on the body), whereas the later release did have molded front and rear bumpers in the casting. Later release VW sometimes featured windshield wipers and sometimes not and had a VW front hood emblem. The windows, bumpers and headlights were painted silver and some had 712 painted on the rear license plate area. Also, the later release had a long hole in the chassis casting and the lettering was slightly changed as well.
When the SCHUCO PICCOLO VW Sedan was re-tooled and again introduced in 1960 as the 712 and 720 models, the rear window was made larger and no longer represented a 1953-57 Oval Window VW Sedan.
