Friday, December 10, 2010

VITESSE 1/43 JAGUAR XK8 CONVERTIBLE - METALLIC AQUARMARINE GREEN





This is a nice Jaguar from Vitesse, with great wheels and a good interior. The headlamps and the wing mirrors are nicely done. Shop here

KYOSHO 1/18 FERRARI 250 GTO 1962 STREET BLACK




The 250 GTO was designed to compete in GT racing. It was based on the 250 GT SWB. Chief engineer Giotto Bizzarrini installed the 3.0 L V12 engine from the 250 Testa Rossa into the chassis from the 250 GT SWB and worked with designer Sergio Scaglietti to develop the body. After Bizzarrini and most other Ferrari engineers were fired in a dispute with Enzo Ferrari, development was handed over to new engineer Mauro Forghieri, who worked with Scaglietti to continue development of the body, including wind tunnel and track testing. Unlike most Ferraris, it was not designed by a specific individual or design house. The rest of the car was typical of early-1960s Ferrari technology: hand-welded tube frame, A-arm front suspension, live-axle rear end, disc brakes, and Borrani wire wheels. The five-speed gearbox was new to Ferrari GT racing cars; the metal gate that defined the shift pattern would become a tradition that is still maintained in current models. The interior was extremely basic, to the point where a speedometer was not installed in the instrument panel. Many of its switches came from the Fiat 500, and it was said that as the car was rushed into production, the original cloth seats were made from workers' overalls. Shop here

This car has the following features: open door, hood, trunk, has steerable wheels.Workable steering wheel. Rubber tires. Made of diecast with some plastic parts. The interior is extremely detailed.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

IXO 1/43 MASERATI SPYDER - CAMBRIOCORSA 2002

These rather nice Maserati casting are produced in special branded Maserati packaging. This Giallo Grantorismo showns nice touches, including grille. Shop here

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

CORGI - JEEP TOWER TRUCK



The basic 409 Forward Control Jeep, fited with a swiveling pantograph-type lifting hoist, at the end of which was a yellow nylon moulded cradle. The model shown on plate 137 is of the revised version, later sold on its own, when Corgi Kits, which included the Lamp Standard, were discontinued. The lamp standard was an example of the design team’s imagination and was one of the 606 Kit Set items. The painted electrician figure was moulded in vinyl.

MATCHBOX 1/64 '70 VOLKSWAGEN T2 CLASSIC BUS


This 1970 Volkswagen Kombi van makes a nice addition to any movie die-case vehicle collector as an unofficial release of the Libyan Kombi van that terrorists shot Doc and chased the Delorean being driven by Marty in the shopping centre car park near the start of Back to the Future. Not sure if it is the exact same year Kombi but it is the same colours. The roof even looks like it should open up for terrorists to pop out with machine guns and gun down Doc. Doesn't have the extra headlights above the bumper, not sure if this necessarily means its the wrong year or that Matchbox just didn't include to that detail, or maybe the lights were added to make the Kombi chase scene more menacing by producer Steven Spielberg or director Robert Zemeckis.

It's a nicely made vehicle by Matchbox which also comes with a nice bonus box to put the Kombi van in if you open it from the blister pack. It does display nicely in the blister though with a nice image of the Kombi on the blister card as well. This displays very nicely next to the Johnny Lightning diorama Back to The Future Great Scott...Its a Time Machine with Doc's van, the Delorean time machine, and the Marty, Doc and Einstein figures.

These were released in 2010 and sold in shops for about double the price of a normal mass produced Matchbox vehicle. --James N Simpson   Shop here

Monday, December 6, 2010

VANGUARDS 1/43 MORRIS MINI - 45th ANNIVERSARY



The Mini was first produced in 1959 and was was so successful production of the car lasted until 1999 and although the car was updated, the general look of the Mini changed very little during it's 40 years of production. In total over 5,300,000 were produced.

Celebrating the 45th anniversary of this venerable motor, Vanguards issues a maroon model with black roof inlay in its BMC/British Leyland Collection. Side and rear views appear convincing, if somewhat squat, but we are unconvinced about the front view. Shop here

Saturday, December 4, 2010

EFE 1/76 BRISTOL VR III OPEN TOP - NEW FOREST TOUR (SOLENT BLUE LINE)

This model, with its sunny eye-catching City Sightseeing livery, should attract tour bus collectors. It is serving route 149, taking in the New Forest and surrounding area. The model carries fleet number 901 with a registration number of UFX 857S. Shop here

Friday, December 3, 2010

THE CLASS LEXION 480 COMBINE HARVESTER


The class Lexion 480 combine harvester in the 1/32 nd scale Siku Farmer Series is a totally revamped version of a model released several years ago. At first glance, it is noticeable the decals are different and in keeping with the latest release from Class. The operator cab has been fully glazed and includes a driver. More detail has been incorporated into the header, by the way of end guard covers, and the overall finish is much improved with many small extras, including rear view mirrors. Shop here

CORGI - SIMON SNORKEL FIRE ENGINE





A beautifully engineered model of the very latest type of Fire Engine used in this country, which would sell very well for twelve years. The cage at the end of thetop boom was kept horizontal through a pantograph system of linkage. These were of plated wires with their appropriate ends cast-on to eliminate any possible misalignment on essembly. Everything was operated by two aluminium thump wheels activating racks and pinions. Four retractable stabilizing legs were also fitted to ensure the model did not topple over in certain positions. Five firemen figures were also included in the cab area and one extra figure, seen to be operating the nozzle, was located in the cage. But mine was missing.

Monday, November 29, 2010

WELLY 1/18 1948 DARK BROWN CHEVROLET FLEETMASTER WOODY DIECAST MODEL

1948 Chevrolet Woody Fleetmaster Diecast Car Model 1/27 Brown Die Cast Car by Welly



Chevrolet Diecast Model Cars - Fondly known as the Chevy, GM's best known brand took an early lead in American car production as did the diverse line of diecast model cars. Chevy remains a mainstream American favorite and fans still recall 1963 when one of every ten cars sold in the U.S. was a Chevrolet. Enjoy our large selection of model car replicas of these diecast car favorites.
This beautifully crafted 1948 Dark Brown Chevrolet Fleetmaster Woody Diecast Model Car was an icon in it's time. Known as the original surfer car of choice, this classic icon of American history is a great addition to any model car collection.

SCHUCO 1/43 MASSEY FERGUSON TE20 TRACTOR



This highly collectable model of the Ferguson TE vintage tractor from Schuco includes it's own presentation case. Harry Ferguson is considered pivotal in the mechanisation of farming in the early part of the 20th centaury. The first Ferguson tractor was built in partnership with David Brown in 1936, but soon after Ferguson left for America to continue production there. It wasn't until 1946 that a Ferguson was again built in England, the Ferguson TE - for Tractor England. Ferguson merged with Massey-Harris in 1953 to become Massey-Ferguson.

An ideal model for the agricultural collector. A cute rendition of this classic, with loads of detail, especially in the engine region, seat and driver's controls. Very nicely treated tyres too. Th front and rear lights are extremely realistic looking for their size. A good buy. Shop here or here

Friday, November 26, 2010

MINICHAMPS 1/43 VOLKSWAGEN 1302 BEETLE CABRIOLET 1972 - TURQUOISE


Only 1,200 of this are being produced in this turquoise. This late Beetle, a 1302, had that matt black dash, which was pretty featuress - but Minichamps have still made a lovely job of the interior. Look at the sunvizors! Shop here

AUTO ART 1/18 - 1967 ALFA ROMEO 1750 GTV DIECAST MODEL CAR

1967 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV Diecast Model Red 1/18 LHD Die Cast Car By Autoart



1750 Berlina sedan was introduced in 1967, based on the existing Giulia range of cars. The car had 1779 cc twin-carb engine and hydraulic clutch. The 1.8 L engine was producing 118 PS (116 hp/87 kW) with two twin sidedraught carburetors. This precision built 1967 White Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV Diecast Model Car features opening hood, doors, trunk and steerable front wheels.

Alfa Romeo Diecast Model Cars - Sportiness, speed and a sense of daring have been at the heart of Alfa Romeo and these diecast model cars show it! These cars have been celebrated in races and film and collected in full size as well as die cast miniature size. Some rare models are garaged as prized treasures by those fortunate enough to afford them, however you can garage your own model car diecast for a small fraction of the real cost!

SCHUCO 1/43 MERCEDES-BENZ UNIMOG 404 S THW COMMUNICATIONS TRUCK






The Mercedes-Benz Unimog traces its roots to the late ‘40s as a simple, four-wheel drive, multi-purpose agricultural vehicle. It has evolved to become a sophisticated truck with a variety of commercial applications. The U300/U400/U500 series was introduced in 2000 and continues the decades-long Unimog tradition of utility and reliability. Unimogs have very high ground clearance—higher than a Humvee—made possible by portal gears that allow the axles and transmission to be higher than the tire centers. Unimogs also feature a flexible frame that allows the tires a wide range of vertical movement to allow the truck to comfortably drive over extremely uneven terrain. They are equipped with high visibility cabs to enable the driver to see the terrain and more easily manipulate mounted tools. A variety of diesel engines are available in the Unimog, depending on the intended duty. See more

Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y-18C 1918 Atkinson Steam Lorry

    Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y-18C 1918 Atkinson Steam Lorry was made in England by Matchbox International in 1986. It is 11 cm long an...