Sieper-Werke (The Sieper Company) was founded in 1921. It was originally a manufacturer of metal tools and cutlery in zamac and aluminum and, later on, ashtrays, badges, medals, belt buckles, and buttons. The factory in Ludenscheid, Germany, was outfitted with new casting molds in 1949 for grating, sandblasting and painting zinc cast goods. The Company was even contracted to make Mercedes-Benz's star-shaped hood ornament. The Company also experimented with early plastics. In 1943 the company expanded to a facility in Hilchenbach, about 30 miles from Lüdenscheid, though the latter has always been the Sieper-Werke's headquarters. Still, consumer products like plastics, furniture, mirrors and cabinets have been developed and manufactured in the Hilchenbach facility. The Lüdenscheid facility, in turn, generally focused on promotional items for major brands. It was not until 1950 that the Company started producing toys in Lüdenscheid, registering the trademark SIKU for the new products. SIKU originates from abbreviating the name of the founder of the company, Richard Sieper, and the German word for plastic, Kunststoffe (e.g. Sieper Plastics). Originally, there was a broad variety of SIKU toys which at first were plastic, including figures and animals. These were often called 'margarine figures' because they came in margarine packages in a food promotional. The success of the plastic figures gave capital for SIKU to start a post-war vehicle line.
Nicely detailed model of the Lowlight VW Karmann Ghia Coupe. The Coupe consists of a four-piece plastic construction including body, chassis, and clear window insert, along with an internal weight. The front bumper, headlights and air grilles are painted silver, and the rear bumper is part of the silver plastic chassis. Fine details include the front VW nose emblem, VW emblems on the hubcaps and the two blade front air grilles. The chassis has good detailing with plastic wheels attached to metal axles. The chassis is marked VW KARMANN COUPE V80 and has the round SIKU logo. The body, windows and chassis are glued together.
