The Bburago Story: History of the Italian Diecast Brand

Most diecast collectors in India meet Bburago through a red Ferrari in 1:24 or a 1:64 pocket-size supercar. Few know that the brand was once declared bankrupt by a court in Italy, lost its biggest licence to a rival, and came back stronger under new owners. This is the story of how a family of Lombard toy makers built one of the most recognisable names in scale models.

Quick answer: what is Bburago?

Bburago is an Italian-founded diecast model car brand, established in 1974 in Burago di Molgora, Lombardy, by the Besana brothers (Mario, Ugo and Martino). It became famous for affordable 1:24 and 1:18 scale models with opening doors, bonnets and boots, and today is owned by the Hong Kong-based May Cheong Group, which also owns Maisto.

From Mebetoys to Martoys to Bburago

The Besana family was already in the model-car business before Bburago existed. Mario, Ugo and Martino Besana were behind Mebetoys (short for Meccanica Besana Toys), an Italian model-car maker that was later sold to Mattel. After leaving that business, the brothers founded a new company in 1974 under the name Martoys.

Within about two years the company was renamed Bburago. The odd double "B" is deliberate: it stands for the Besana family name and for Burago di Molgora, the town where the factory stood. According to published histories, production stayed in that Italian town from 1974 until 2005.

Why the early models stood out

Bburago's first models were mainly in 1:24 scale, and the company quickly built a reputation for detail relative to price. The signature feature was moving parts: doors, bonnets and boots that opened, which at the time was often a feature of far more expensive models. Bburago also experimented with other formats, including Formula 1 cars in 1:14, classic sports cars in 1:18 and some 1:43 models, always priced for ordinary buyers rather than adult-only collectors.

Through the late 1970s and the 1980s the 1:18 range, including well-remembered Ferraris such as the 250 TR and the F40, introduced a generation of enthusiasts to big, displayable models. If you want a refresher on what those scale numbers mean, our guide to 1:64 vs 1:43 vs 1:18 explains it.

The Ferrari licence: Bburago's biggest strength and weakness

Bburago's name became tied to Ferrari. Italian-made Ferrari replicas at accessible prices were a natural fit, and the brand was especially strong in 1:18 Ferraris in the early 1980s. But a single licence is also a single point of failure.

Around the end of the 1990s, Ferrari's exclusive diecast rights are reported to have moved to Mattel, the owner of Hot Wheels. Several collector histories describe that decision as a major driver of Bburago's decline, alongside competition from cheaper Chinese-made models. The company entered a serious financial crisis, and the Monza court declared it bankrupt on 17 October 2005.

Rescue by May Cheong Group and the move to China

After the bankruptcy the Bburago brand was acquired by the May Cheong Group, a Hong Kong-based company founded in 1967 that already owned Maisto and Polistil. Sources differ slightly on whether the transaction is dated 2005 or 2006, so it is safest to say it followed the October 2005 bankruptcy. Production moved to China, older collections were rationalised, and new lines were designed for a global market.

The big turnaround came in 2015. Hot Wheels' Ferrari contract was not renewed, and Ferrari signed a new multi-year agreement, effective 1 January 2015, giving May Cheong Group exclusive rights to produce and distribute Ferrari replicas worldwide. The planned launch included four Bburago ranges: Signature Series, Racing, Race and Play, and Ferrari Kids.

The wheel has turned again since. In January 2025 Mattel announced that Hot Wheels and Ferrari were partnering for the first time in more than ten years, with a full range including 1:64 die-casts. Trade coverage of that announcement reported that the Bburago and Maisto Ferrari licences had expired. Collectors should therefore treat "Bburago Ferrari" as a series with a clear 2015 to 2024 production window, and check the current packaging of any model they buy.

Bburago today: 1:24, 1:43 and 1:64

Modern Bburago spans several scales. The 1:24 line remains the classic, and it is where the brand's heritage is easiest to see: realistic proportions, opening parts and a size that looks good on a shelf. Bburago also makes smaller 1:43 Formula 1 models and a pocket-size 1:64 range, the scale most Indian collectors start with.

Bburago 1:24 scale models are the closest in spirit to the original 1970s and 1980s formula.
Bburago's 1:64 Ferraris are a way to collect the same marque on a small budget. We covered one example in our post on the Ferrari Daytona SP3 in 1:64, and the broader Ferrari diecast collector's guide compares options.

Collector Perspective

Bburago sits in an interesting middle ground. Vintage Italian-made Bburago pieces from the 1970s to the early 2000s are collected for nostalgia and period character, and condition and box matter, as with any vintage diecast (see loose vs carded). Current production is generally better regarded as affordable licensed Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche models than as an investment. That is not a criticism. Many collectors value a brand precisely because it lets them own the cars they love without a premium-resin budget.

The brand's history is also a useful lesson about licences. The same Ferrari rights that hurt Bburago around 2005 are what revived it in 2015, and they have shifted again since 2025. That makes older Bburago Ferrari runs a defined chapter, and a manufacturer's licence portfolio is worth checking before you commit to a series.

Practical Takeaway

Check the base or box: older Italian-made models differ from current China-produced ones, and dating a piece matters for value.
Choose scale first, brand second. 1:24 suits shelf display; 1:64 suits a large collection.
Look for opening parts and tidy panel lines as a quality check on any model at this price point.
Keep boxes if you can, and store models away from sunlight and humidity; see our storage guide for Indian conditions.
Browse our Official Die Cast collection if you want to compare brands side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded Bburago?

The brothers Mario, Ugo and Martino Besana founded it in 1974 in Burago di Molgora, Italy. It was first called Martoys and was renamed Bburago shortly afterwards.

Why does Bburago have two Bs?

The double B stands for the Besana family name and the town of Burago di Molgora, where the company was based.

Who owns Bburago now?

The May Cheong Group of Hong Kong, which also owns Maisto and Polistil, acquired the brand after Bburago's bankruptcy in October 2005.

Where are Bburago models made today?

Production moved from Italy to China after the brand was acquired by May Cheong Group.

Does Bburago make official Ferrari models?

Bburago made official Ferrari models under an exclusive licence that began on 1 January 2015. In January 2025 Hot Wheels announced a new Ferrari partnership, and reports said the Bburago and Maisto Ferrari licences had expired, so check current packaging and availability.

Which scale is Bburago best known for?

1:24, with the brand also well known for 1:18 models in the 1980s. It also makes 1:43 and 1:64 models today.

The Bburago Story: How an Italian Toy Maker Became Ferrari's Diecast Partner