MATCHBOX: GENERAL SERVICE LORRY

This is the miniature Matchbox number 62 General Service lorry, which is a model of the 1952 AEC Militant fitted with a cargo body. The small but charming model of a troop/cargo carries is undeniably an AEC. These large six wheel drive trucks were incredibly powerful and were capable of pulling almost anything. Various bodies were fitted to the chassis and tankers were a common sight as were lorry-mounted Coles cranes.

MATCHBOX: FORD SIERRA XR4i IN SPECIAL BOX

Matchbox supplied the promotional model of the Sierra XR4i to Ford in both Super King and 1-75 series versions. This model was well executed right down to the bi-plane rear spoiler and full length body mouldings. There was available in promotional box, the 1-75 version coloured white and on the open market, the models have appeared in a variety of liveries – the 1-75 example even being sold as an XR 4x4, which is highly inaccurate.

MATCHBOX KINGSIZE - RACING CAR TRANSPORTER

The model we are unable to identify is a racing car transporter and, as it was produced by Matchbox Toys, we can assumed it to be modeled on a British Major Pack series it later became Kingsize model number K5 at a stated scale of 1/54th. The model has no mention of the vehicle make is made on the model or on the packaging. It is similar in design to the Corgi Toys (Commer based) Ecurie Ecosse racing car transporter and, like the Corgi model, the Matchbox transporter also features a two-tier loading system. Painted overall in mid-green with ‘glass’ roof panels, the model carried ‘Racing Transporter’ decals with a ‘BP’ shield and checkered flag. Alongside the BP sign are the names of four famous motor racing circuits. The model was never issued with racing car so on ‘team’ connections can be made, although various catalogue illustration show Ferrari 156 cars being loaded/unloaded.

HOT WHEELS: FERRARI DINO 246 GTS

Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Diecast Model Red 1/18 Die Cast Car By Hotwheels

The Ferrari Dino 246 GTS is a stunning model, fully demonstrating once again how fortunate are those whose collections feature Ferraris, for they are so often presented with excellence. The review sample is in the familiar red, and fully illustrates the high quality, from the wheels and windscreen wipers to the various lights all represented as separate plastic fittings. A review such as this cannot really do justice to this model: better that you inspect an example, and you wll undoubtedly decide to include it in your collection.

BBURAGO: DODGE VIPER WITH HARD TOP

1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe Diecast Model 1/18 Blue Die Cast Car by Bburago

The model is from Bburago have always been well respected, being at the forefront of larger scale model production. Bbrurago models hae always been of the highest quality, and at an affordable price. This model is the Dodge Viper in metallic blue, with white stripes, comes the 1996 car as a hard top, which is equally good, and comes complete with spare wheel, the opening parts such as the doors, are a good fit and thus do not spoil the lines of the model.

ERTL - 1955 CHEVROLET BEL AIR

The large scale models always look good, and certainly impressived when the items modelled are American cars.This model offerings by ERTL are the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air in red and black. In each case, the model is accurate and well detailed. See more.

MATCHBOX: THE 5A BUS

It was not until the London bus, 5a, was added to the range in mid-1954, the sales of the newly-launched Matchbox Toys expanded rapidly. The 5a bus initially advertised ‘Matchbox series’ but later models featured ‘Player Please’ for a comparatively short time and for a long time ‘BP Viscostatic’. The BP company was one of a number which paid for the privilege of having its name advertised on Matchbox vehicles. The bus had paper labels advertising the ‘Matchbox series’. It was by far the smallest Lesney bus, as it measured only 52mm. The bus had paper labels advertising the ‘Matchbox series’. It comes with or without a number plate recess at the rear. The undetailed grille was decorated with gold trim.

CORGI TOYS: CHARLIE'S ANGLES CHEVROLET VAN

The Chevrolet van was the basis of quite a few TV related models. The first and by far the best was the bright pink ‘Charlie’s Angels silhouette logo emblazoned on each body side. Opening rear doors and transparent roof panels served to display the cardboard custom interior of this 1/40th scale van which could be found with either solid or four-spoke whizzwheels. A very tastefully produced model that lasted until 1981. See more.

VANGUARDS: VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET

The first of the new range of Vanguards has been seen, and it is clear that Lledo is setting a new standard with these models. This initial release is the Volkswagen Cabriolet, which comes in maroon with cream interior and black hood. The first impressions are good: Lledo has captured the look of the vehicle extremely well, and such aspects as the silver trim, door handles and windscreen wipers are well portrayed. Dashboard detail is provided. Particularly good are the wheels and the glazed windscreen.

This model are being offered at an advantageous price, but perhaps Lledo might consider for the future making the headlights plastic, rather than chrome, and painting some of the interior detail.

Nevertheless, there can be no doubt that the Vanguards are going to prove to be extremely popular models.

Lledo has changed the packaging with these models, making for a much more attractive presentation.--Model Collectors See More for VW Mania

CORGI: SCAMMELL HIGHWAYMAN 'CARTER' IN THE SHOWMAN's RANGE

The first of the Showman's Range of models has arrived in town, namely the Scammell Highwayman hauling a closed pole trailer and caravan.

On opening the box one finds a part of a card kit which will build into a Super Dodgems. With this series will come a number of such kits building into various fair ground attractions. Also included is a numbered cerfiticate, showing the total production of 14,300, plus a ticket to enjoy a free ride at Carters.

The Scammell Highwayman is well known and the decoration has been very well applied, although it is a pity the rear number plate is a sticker.

The pole truck is perhaps a little disappointing, since the decoration is in the form of labels. Probably it would have been difficult to have printed the large expanse of orange. Understandably the posters at the rear of the stuck on the vehicle.

The caravan is delight, particularly in relation to the gold trim.

This is certainly a colourful start to the range which will look good either in a display cabinet or arranged as a diorama with the kits assembled. See more.

MATCHBOX: LOTUS EUROPA

The Lotus Europa was a low, mid-engined, fiberglass-bodied sports coupe produced between 1969 an 1974. It was originally intended to be a Lotus/Ford GT racing project, although Ford pulled out late in the day, and the car was released as a Lotus. Early models were powered by Renault engines, but later examples had Ford Cosworth motors. The Europa was quite expensive and, as a result, only around 9000 were sold. However, it was extremely popular in toy form, with models produced by Matchbox, Dinky, corgi, Diapet and many others.

The Matchbox version was first painted a dark metallic blue, with an off-white interior, clear windscreen and an unpainted metal base. It featured opening doors and a towing hook, features extremely popular with children. Early models featured narrow Super wheels and squared wheel arches, while later models had the base altered to accommodate the wider wheels, and the body casting was modified so as to have larger, rounder wheels arches. In 1971, the colour scheme was changed to what many collectors call ‘metallic pink’, which is more of a lustrous fuchsia shade.

It was revived in 1977 in a new colour scheme for the Japanese series. It was painted black with tampo-printed gold coach lining, representing a limited edition JPS sponsored car.

In the late 1980s, the Europa casting was revived again for inclusion in the el-cheapo ‘Super GT’ range, although this time without the opening doors or interior.

THE RENAULT ESTAFETTE FROM NOREV

It is always good to find a vehicle being modeled which has not previously been seen. This is the model with the Renault Estafette from Norev, which is being made in two versions: van in both cases with either low roof or high roof. The model captures the shape and look of the actual vehicle.

The van version with low roof comes in blue. Norev has release a 1/18 replica of Renault Estafette van from 1959. See more.

The high roof van version comes in yellow with an ivory roof. Made of diecast, opening doors, opening trunk, wheels roll and steerable wheels. See more.

An interesting choice of vehicle which offers the modeler something different for the cabinet.

MATCHBOX: FORD ZODIAC MARK IV

The first release for 1968 was the Ford Zodiac Mark IV (53C). this model featured an opening bonnet which included a spare wheel next to the engine. The body was in a light metallic blue with a cream interior. A tiny rear view mirror had been moulded into the plastic windscreen for the first time. A rare version of this Zodiac with regular wheels may be found in mettalic light green, a cross-over with the Superfast colour change which occurred in 1970. The standard regular wheel release is shown together with the three Superfast versions, the rarest of which is the mettalic blue model fitted with Superfast wheels.

There were two casting alterations associated with this car. The engine blocks are located under the dashboard such that they hold the engine in place. The wide blocks are 3.5 mm wide and the narrow ones are 2.5 mm wide. When present, a small tab is to be found between these blocks. Two base castings were used for this model with slightly different tow slot sizes at 5.5 mm and 6 mm respectively.

MG 1100 BY MATCHBOX

Matchbox have produced MG models in their '1-75 Miniatures' range. On February 1966 , it was the MG version of the MG 1100 saloon (64b), a common sight throughout Britain in the 1960s. MG 1100 was finished in mid green with a very good off-white moulded interior, 4-door sports saloon, painted in a flamboyant maroon, it was in fact released in green with the usual features of windows, ‘unbreakable towhook’, seats, steering wheel, spring suspension and brightly plated bumpers, grille and headlights. These ‘usual features’ were improved by the addition of a driver and a dog lying on the rear seat with its head through the rear side window.

The mode was revised in 1970 with the substitution of ‘Superfast’ low friction wheels of the original, and the colour was changed to a sort of blue/turquoise metallic. The scale was 1/57th.