The origins of what later became DIE CASTING MACHINE TOOLS LTD., (otherwise known as D.C.M.T.) began in London, England, 1939. The founder, Aubrey Robert "Bob" Mills, apparently working alone in a lock-up garage, designed and built his first die casting machine which, it is believed, he sold for a profit of £100. With a partner, the late Sidney James Ambridge, 'Bob' Mills began to build more machines and registered the firm's name Die Casting Machine Tools Ltd.
In their search for a brand name for DCMT's metal toys that would be more appealing to a juvenile market, rather than the name "DCMT" itself, the founders decided to use the name "Slikka Playthings" or sometimes "Slikka Toys". The brand name "Slikka Playthings" proved to be nondescript and seemed inappropriate for DCMT's wide variety of Western-themed products and so the name LONE STAR was chosen to supersede it. Founder Directors, A. R. 'Bob' Mills and Sidney J. Ambridge died in 1973 and 1980 respectively.
The LONE STAR diecast VW Deluxe Samba Bus had cutout windows, eight roof windows, sun roof and a clear plastic window insert. Details of the door seams, handles, side air vents, headlights, turn signals and a front VW emblem. The two side doors, engine compartment door and rear door opened. There was a red plastic insert for the seats. A grey plastic insert was used for the engine, Bumpers were molded into the body. Black plastic wheels on metal axles and this Samba Bus was Number 15 VOLKSWAGEN in the catalog. The LONE STAR Samba Bus with regular style wheels were sold under the IMPY name. The same Bus with custom WizzWheels were sold under the FLYERS name.
The LONE STAR VW Bus was made in at least three different door opening options. The first was "4 door", both cargo doors, engine lid and rear hatch. The second "3 door" did not have the opening engine lid, and the third "2 door" "WhizzWheels" version had only opening cargo doors. Other differences can be observed in the photos; the first LONE STAR had forward facing bench seats and the later versions had "limo" seating - benches along the sides of the bus facing center. There is also a version with no opening doors as well.
Just to note that the WhizzWheels version was sold in Japan under the MODERN TOYS name as well.
