RIO reproduced here a DS 23 with electronic injection, model year 1973, at the end of the long career of this legendary Citroën, first launched in 1955. Here is a precision for all collectors: this RIO model car is mainly intended for fans of the DS that do not miss a reproduction, because the quality of the finishing is not at the highest level.

In 1900, Cesare Isotta and the Fraschini brothers founded this Italian company, which long had a level playing field with prestigious brands such as Duesenberg in the U.S., Rolls-Royce in the U.K. or Bugatti in France. The Tipo 8A was released in 1924 with a 7.4-litre 8-cylinder delivering up to 160 hp with a supercharger. At the time, it was the most powerful production car in the world.

This large Mercedes model was launched in 1951 and became 300D in August 1957, when it received an injection engine and redesigned fenders. Its headlights were also more upright. The "d" here does not mean diesel (it is equipped with a gasoline 6-cylinder), but marks the evolution of the 300, after the 300a, 300b and 300c. This 4-door convertible was produced parallely to the sedan.

The miniature manufacturer RIO focuses again on the DS, something which had not happened for a long time. Here we have a 1968 DS 21, that is to say the version which was launched in summer 1967 and adopted four headlights housed behind a window glass. The two center lights were directional. The mold "made in Italy" is not as refined as the Norev one.

This racing car from another era is nothing else than a huge engine (a 4-cylinder 18.8-litre!) on a simple chassis and there we go! No rear suspension, no differential lock, this machine was probably very hard to drive. Here it bears the colours of the Empire State Express No. 999, a locomotive that had established speed records. This Rio reproduction is naturally "made in Italy".