Welly
History and Production
In the early 1980s Welly mainly produced small cars roughly 3 inches long (approximately 1:64 scale). Later it added a popular “toy” line of about 4.75 inches (roughly 1:36–1:38), often fitted with pull-back motors. In the 1990s the company introduced more serious scales of 1:24 and 1:18, as well as 1:32, 1:43, and 1:87. For a long time Welly made both its own castings and copies of other companies’ designs (including those inspired by Tomica). From the early 2000s it switched to original licensed tooling, improved quality, and began putting its own logo and model names on the bases. Today the range is very wide: passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, special vehicles, playsets, and even RC models. The products are positioned as affordable and suitable for both children and collectors.
The 1:60 scale (sometimes close to 1:64; car length usually 7–9 cm) is one of Welly’s signature and most mass-produced sizes. It is a convenient “pocket” format: the models look good in a collection, fit easily in the palm of a hand, and are sold in blister packs, boxes, capsules, and surprise eggs. The NEX Models / 1:60 line is especially popular — licensed replicas with few or no opening parts, free-rolling wheels, and good body detailing and paintwork for the price. In Russia this scale is found everywhere: in toy stores, supermarkets, and among collectors. There are both regular passenger-car models and sets (car transporters with several vehicles, emergency vehicles, etc.). The 1:60 scale has become one of the brand’s main calling cards on the mass market.
Company History in Russia and Relations with Autogrand / Autotime
In the Russian (and post-Soviet) market Welly is closely linked with the brands Autotime Collection and Autogrand. Autotime Collection is often described as a joint project between the Russian side (including connections with “Premier Igrushka”) and Welly. Many models in the Russian series (VAZ/Lada, GAZ-31105 Volga, GAZ-13 Chaika, UAZ Hunter / 469 / 31514, Gazelle, Niva, etc.) were produced on the same or very similar tooling. Some examples carry “Autotime Collection” on the baseplate while the packaging says Autogrand; at the same time identical or slightly different versions (wheels, liveries, minor details) were released under the Welly logo as part of its own “Russian Series.”
This “Russian series” appeared around the mid-2000s and was actively produced until the late 2010s. It included both civilian versions and service vehicles (taxis, Ministry of Emergency Situations, police, fire service). Quality varied: earlier examples are often praised for detailing (badges, lights, lettering), while later ones could be simpler. The models were inexpensive and became popular among collectors who specifically wanted Soviet/Russian cars in a small scale — something rarely offered by Western brands. Later some production may have moved to other contractors (including Hongwell), and Autogrand expanded its range with other castings, but the connection with Welly on the key “Russian” models remains clear.
As a result, in Russia Welly is known in two roles at once: as a global brand of affordable licensed model cars (especially 1:60 / NEX) and as the “parent” of many Autotime/Autogrand Russian-series models. Thanks to this cooperation, metal Volgas, Ladas, UAZs, and Gazelles appeared on store shelves in a convenient small scale and are still eagerly collected by both children and adult enthusiasts.
VAZ
NIVA-Chevrolet № 52307
(white, gold, police-milicia, chevrolet niva trophy)
LADA 2107 № 52314
(yellow taxi, blue metalflake, green metalflake, police-DPS, FD)
LADA 2108 №52309
(police-milicia-DPS, FD)
LADA 4×4 № 52280
(white, MP, red metalflake, FD)
LADA Vesta № 52386
(police-DPS, yellow taxi, green, orange, Vesta Sport)
LADA Vesta SW Cross №52387
(yellow taxi, police-DPS, orange, blue, Vesta Sport)
UAZ
UAZ 31514. №52326
(FD, police-milicia, blue metalflake, biege, yellow-milicia, MP, military green, forest guard)
UAZ
3151
The only UAZ produced by Welly — which they named UAZ 31514. Welly №52326.
It was produced as a civilian version in a variety of colours: light blue, silver, burgundy, etc.
There is also a military version in camouflage (military green) without the roof lights.
And the special-service versions of the UAZ 31514: the famous magnificent yellow militia UAZik with the USSR coat of arms, the white police version, and the green VAI (Military Automobile Inspection) version.
Also known is the black one with a green stripe marked “Forest Guard” without the roof light bar.
Often you can come across claims that the Welly UAZik and the Autoart UAZik are the same model — this is not true. Autotime produced the “Hunter” model. Here I tried to compare them, and you can clearly see that the models have many differences.
VAZ
LADA 4×4 ( “NIVA” )
Welly released the legendary VAZ Niva model under the name LADA 4×4, No. 52280.
The model lost its real name “Niva” when that name was transferred to another VAZ model — the Chevrolet Niva, which Welly, by the way, also produced.
The Lada 4×4 was produced by Welly in several colours. Welly’s special-service versions came without roof lights.
It is also worth noting that the Nivas from Autoart have some differences as well. Moreover, the Niva from Autoart proudly carries the name NIVA.
LADA 2107
LADA 2108
Welly made the 2108 with the long fender.
The “eight” with the so-called “short wing (fender)” refers to the first-production cars from 1984 to 1991. They are distinguished by the characteristic plastic “beak” at the front of the body. The restyled “eights” and “nines” lost the beak, and the front fender became slightly longer.
Again, the 2108 models from Welly and Autotime have some differences.
There are different colors civil cars, FD, Police with two red and blue lights on the roof.
Vesta
Vesta Cross SW
Chevrolet Niva
