THE COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO TRANSPORT TOYS

This is a magnificent album of gorgeous double page color spreads. Everything from pedal cars, die cast, tinplate, and other materials. A useful feature is the inclusion of the same figure in each spread so that one can immediately see the comparative sizes from one to another. This is especially useful in the case of the early Matchbox which were not made to any consistent scale. Instead they wer made to fit the box! Thus the overall dimensions in inches are given instead. More modern diecast is often made in 1:50 scale (metric O guage) and 1:43 scale is close enough to look well on an O guage model train layout. Not a reference but a dream book: Especially the hard-used timplate Buddy L and pedal cars which were not made as collector's items. I well remember the Doepke line of construction equipment made in the late forties. Twelve fifty then, now extremely collectable and expensive. --El Cutachero Buy it now

MATCHBOX: THE OFFICIAL 50th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

For over half a century Matchbox vehicles have entertained children and collectors of all ages. This book is a celebration of the classic toy car from its inception to today.

Take a historical journey through the past fifty years with Matchbox vehicles. Along the way, you'll read about how Matchbox cars were invented, the history of diecasting, and the large variety of vehicles produced over the years.

Have you ever wondered why certain vehicles are considered more collectible than others? Or why Matchbox cars are numbered and what those numbers mean? The answers to these questions and more can be found throughout the pages of this authoritative book.

Accompanying the informative text are photographs of more than a thousand spectacular vehicles from throughout Matchbox history and its diverse product lines. Read more

PRESSLAND'S GREAT BOOK OF TIN TOYS BY DAVID PRESSLAND

Tin toys will always probably have that special appeal, for they enjoy a particular charm that seems virtually impossible to capture today. Perhaps their appeal lies in their bright colours, adopted so that the toys were attractive to the intended young audience.

That is why a book such as this will offer many hours of fascinating browsing, looking at these toys of a by-gone era which can only be marvelled at. All the more so, since the items select are rare, in many cases being unique.

Fortunately full colour has been used throughout this book, and great care has been taken both with the original photography and with the colour reproduction.

The book is divided into three sections corresponding to particular time periods: 19th century; 1900 to 1940; 1945 to 1970. Within each period, there are appropriate sub-division, such as nautical, aeronautical, novelty, horse-drawn and automotive.

The toys depicted are not only from Great Britain, but span the world, with natural emphasis on Germany, France, Italy and Spain, plus some Japanese.

An introduction is provided for each period, but the main thrust of this book is its illustration
s, and the fulsome captions provided with each toy depicted.

This book is offers a good reflection of the times, not only of toy manufacture, but also of the objects depicted, which range from the horse-drawn vehicles of the previous century to the robots of more modern times.

Clearly this is not a cheap book, but will provide many hours of enjoyment, simply flicking through its pages. --Model Collector

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HOT WHEELS BY BOB PARKER

The appearance of Hot Wheels and their effect on the toy market has been frequently recounted: has there ever been a greater influence which resulted in toy companies throughout the world wondering how they could make their toys move faster.

This book traces the history of these famous toys. It provides a potted background, before looking at each year from 1968 to 1999, examining the main features of the year and listing the new items released.

Each of these year accounts is accompanied by excellent colour illustrations occupying nearly 394 pages of this A4 sized book.

Well over half, however, is taken up by tables of all the variation found on each of the toys and a price guide.

As far as Hot Wheels are concerned, this book will probably not be bettered.

MATCHBOX TOYS: THE TYCO YEARS 1993-1994 BY CHARLIE MACK

It is well known that Tyco acquired the Matchbox brand from Universal in 1992: perhaps for many collectors the major change came through Models of Yesteryear and The Dinky Collection, although those who collect the Miniatures and Convoys have not been denied their excitement.

Anyone who believes that all has been relatively quite on the Matchbox front should think again - as this book amply demonstrates. Despite the fact that it only covers two years, the illustrations of the models released occupy nearly 100 pages. Since on each page there is shown some ten to twenty models, the extent of the output can be gauged.

This book follows the pattern established by several published by Schiffer. Brief notes on each of the models is followed by the mass of pages of illustrations, all of them in colour.

Certainly if you collect Miniatures, this book should prove essential.--Model Collector

NOREV 1/18 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI BLACK DIECAST MODEL

More than 1.5 million models have been produced of this marque since its inception. This model shows the redesigned grille. The model offers opening doors, note the Satnav on the detailed dashboard, boot and the bonnet reveals the powerful lump. Buy it now

NOREV 1/43 VOLKSWAGEN T1 TRANSPORTER - GERMAN POST

The Post Van is an all over yellow casting. This is 1st type van with convex wheel hubs. A black post-service symbol is printed on the van sides, black VW symbol on V-shaped front and matching black front and rear bumpers. Norev produces the finest 1/43rd scale models. This item is a highly detailed model of the actual vehicle. It comes in a hard plastic display case. See more

DATSUN 240Z - EAST AFRICAN SAFARI RALLY

The Datsun 240Z was a popular sports coupe in the 1970s, and successful in rallies, like the gruelling East African Safari.

FABULOUS 1952 HUDSON HORNET CONVERTIBLE

The 1948-1954 Hudson’s ‘step down’ unibody gave it a much lower center of gravity – and better handling – than any other American car of the period. And ‘Twin H-Power’ dual carburetors gave its 308 cubic inch six gobs of torque and enough power to win the NASCAR Championship from 1951 through 1953 and finish second in 1954. The Fabulous Hudson Hornets won 31 of the 35 races they started in 1952! Once in a while there’s a model that’s just right in every respect and Highway 61’s ’52 Hudson Hornet Convertible is one of them. There’s not enough space to fully describe this one, you’ll just have to see it. Start with flawless glossy dark metallic grey paint, with every piece of trim done with separate chrome parts; even the Twin H-Power trunk badge is film-thin chrome. The hood opens on scissors hinges with over-center supports and the wired and plumbed engine matches photos in the June 1986 ‘Collectible Automobile’ perfectly. I’m even more impressed with the interior; properly hinged doors, soft carpets, exceptionally realistic upholstery with separate plated handles and cranks, the rarely seen but authentic leather-grained dash and door trim, and legible instruments and radio face. Underneath, the diecast chassis is separate from the baseplate, as are the drivetrain and suspension components, and there are even value stems in the wheels. Body lines match photos from all angles, details are all present and correct, dimensions are right on 1:18 scale, and best of all, this beauty is only $62.99 from amazon.com. (SMI)

PHANTOM’ NOVA; STEVE STROPE NOVA Z/28

Chevrolet Nova Z/28 Steve Strope Diecast Car Model 1/18 Orange Die Cast Car 1 of

Steve Strope’s ‘Z/28 Nova’, a car Chevrolet never built, was the hit of the 2006 Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (SEMA) show. A Z/28 Camaro style spoiler, classic ‘Hugger Qrange’ and white paint scheme, ‘cowl induction’ hood, and Z/28 ‘blackout’ grille treatment transformed the stock 1969 Nova body. A ‘mouse motor’ 302 V-8 with a Trans-Am style cross-ram twin carburetor manifold, modern Tremec transmission, and 4-into-1 headers provided the ‘go’ while wide Budnik wheels with Corvette C-6 dusk brakes all around handled the ‘whoa’! The Nova’s interior was replaced with a Camaro dash and gauges, bucket seats, and the ‘Rally Pack’ console, with ‘Hound’s Tooth’ upholstery. GMP’s new Nova Z/28 has a flawless heavy diecast body with mirror-smooth authentic paint and printed stripes. Running light bezels and Z/28 badges are foil-thin chrome, door handles are painted, and everything else is bright chrome. The hood opens to show the accurate small-block engine which has coolant hoses and spark plug wires but its alternator is supported only by the drive belt. Inside, the accurate Camaro dash has a full set of legible instruments an printed chrome trim but the relief-moulded inner handles haven’t been pick out. Chassis detail included separate drive train and exhaust system (the headers have small mould lines) and relief-cast, neatly painted hydraulic lines. Those big ventilated disks are easily seen through the big bright chrome wheels. (SMI)

SCHUCO 1/43 BMW 507 DIECAST CAR MODEL

The BMW 507 made its debut at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York in the summer of 1955 and production began in November 1956. The body was almost entirely hand-formed of aluminum. The engine was the aluminum alloy BMW OHV V8, 3.2 liter displacement, with pushrod overhead valves. It had a pair of Solex Zenith two-barrel carburetors and was rated at 150 hp. The V8 was mated to a four-speed manual transmission with a variety of rear-differential ratios available. The 507 was capable of 0-60 mph in about 10 seconds, and the factory claimed a top speed of 141 mph, depending on gearing. The high level of craftsmanship BMW invested in every car made led to increasing production costs, ultimately pushing the U.S. price to $10,500, an amazing amount in the late '50s. Still, BMW lost money on every 507 built, and production was terminated in late 1959 after only 252 were built, plus two prototypes. Today the BMW 507 remains a milestone model for its styling. Of the 252 made, 202 are known to survive, a tribute to the car's appeal. Schuco is a legendary German toy manufacturer, founded in 1912. The company achieved worldwide fame with its toy cars manufactured in the '30s, '40s and '50s, many of which were patented. While Schuco continues to issue a limited number of metal retro-toys for collectors, today the company is better known for its amazing diecast vehicle replicas. Working directly with manufacturers and car collectors, Schuco painstakingly re-creates each vehicle in miniature, often incorporating tiny details only visible with a magnifying glass. Most Schuco models are issued in specified limited quantities, and once gone, will not be made again. That’s why wise collectors know that a Schuco model isn’t just a purchase: It’s an investment with a lifetime return of enjoyment. See more

SCHUCO 1:43 VOLKSWAGEN T1 SERVICE VAN FOR JOHN DEERE-LANZ

The classic Volkswagen T1 Minibus was first produced in 1950 and continued to be made until 1967. Its duties ranged from functional to fun, seeing duty as delivery van, service truck, emergency vehicle, family car and getaway camper. With its low cost, high reliability and ease of maintenance, it was a hit with all its owners, but is probably best remembered as an iconic symbol of '60s counterculture. The VW van was among the first 'forward control' designs in which the driver was placed above the front wheels. Thanks to wind-tunnel testing, the Minibus was aerodynamically superior to the Beetle despite its slab-sided shape. Never known for its power, the Minibus started out with only an 1131cc engine making 25 hp. By the end of its production, engine displacement grew to 1.5 liters, producing a whopping 42 hp. No matter the size, however, the engines were always air-cooled, a VW hallmark. Schuco is a legendary German toy manufacturer, founded in 1912. The company achieved worldwide fame with its toy cars manufactured in the '30s, '40s and '50s, many of which were patented. While Schuco continues to issue a limited number of metal retro-toys for collectors, today the company is better known for its amazing diecast vehicle replicas. Working directly with manufacturers and car collectors, Schuco painstakingly re-creates each vehicle in miniature, often incorporating tiny details only visible with a magnifying glass. Most Schuco models are issued in specified limited quantities, and once gone, will not be made again. That’s why wise collectors know that a Schuco model isn’t just a purchase: It’s an investment with a lifetime return of enjoyment. See more

NOREV 1/18 PEUGEOT 207 GREEN DIECAST CAR MODEL

Our French cousins have been fast off the mark with a 1/18 scale model of the updated 207 and very nice it is too, resplendent in its metallic yellow paint schme. The detailing is all you would expect from Norev and the glass roof has been perfectly executed. See more

MAISTO 1/18 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28 1968 DIECAST CAR MODEL

The Camaro was initially advertised on Top 40 AM radio stations of the day in an attempt to woo the young adult market. Although it was technically a compact car (by the standards of the time), Camaro may also be classified as an intermediate touring car, a sports car, or a muscle car.Though the car's name was contrived with no meaning, GM researchers reportedly found the word in a French dictionary as a slang term for "friend" or "companion." The Automotive press asked Chevrolet product managers "What is a Camaro?", and they were told it was "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs. See more