EFE 1/76 PLAXTON - GREENLINE

This Plaxton is on the Maidstone-London express run. The quite complex livery iswell reproduced, and there are some very nice detail touches such as the excellent Kent horse logo. Shop here

QUARTZO 1/43 COOPER T51 CLIMAX 4CYL - CHRIS BRISTOW

 

The Cooper T51 powered by the 2.5 litre 4 cylinder FPF Climax engine pushed out 220 bhp at 6,500 rpm. Chris Bristow, the young up-and-coming Bristish driver, qualified the car in third place, on the front row of the grid beside Brabham's Cooper T53 and eventual race winner Stirling Moss in his Rob Walker entered Lotus 18. Bristow dropped from fifth to ninth when he retired on lap 17 of the 100 lap race with gearbox problems, Bristow was sadly to lose his life at Spa only three weeks later in the same car.

The model is finished in the BRP colours of lime green and red, known as British Grazing Green at the same time. An extra high tail is fitted, although unfortunately as an add-on there is a gap between the bodywork and this extra tail piece. Otherwise the finish is similar to the other Coopers reviewed previously from the Portuguese company. The model is a limited of 2,000 pieces. Shop here

MINICHAMPS 1/43 MERCEDES L3500 FLATBED PLATEFORM TRAILER

This model is the MB L3500 1950's Mercedes open back truck with removable plastic tilt. The green colour and typical black chassis are classic Mercedes features, whilst the bonnet top is adorned by a scale etched three pointed star badge. The head and tail lights are particularly good, as are the semaphore turn signal indicators mounted high up on the rear of the cab. This truck is real classic and is sure to appear in famous German liveries. See more

HOT WHEEL TATTOO MACHINES OPEN WIDE 1992

 

 As you can see this is a very nice horror artworked themed vehicle. Officially this was part of the 1992 Tattoo release by Hot Wheels, there's a few other okay vehicles such as Street Dog (vicious dogs) and Skull Rider (skull and snakes), both of those are on BMWs by the way. They are not in the league of Open Wide but you might want to look into them. The rest of the Tattoo series isn't worth looking into at all. By the way they come with a few bonus tattoos of dentures too, I threw mine out, the paper had gone a bit yellow even inside the sealed pack so it's a gamble if you get yours and they actually can be applied to skin if you're into that. The blister pack is actually quite tall as well, a lot taller than you're average 1/64 sized blister card. You've got to take this out the pack though, it's that good. 

Open Wide is basically a van covered in a number of dentures with fangs, they don't all belong to the same owner as some are for thin snake like mouths and others wide canine types. All have some yellow substance dripping from them meaning getting bit by these dentures isn't just going to hurt or cause the loss of a limb, but if you somehow survive, you're likely to contract rabies or some other awful disease as well.   The colours of the van are yellow and maroon, applied in sort of a spray painted look. The Hot Wheels vehicle itself is nothing special, basically a van with very average cheap wheels, it's officially a Baja Breaker brand van. It's an ugly van, the designers couldn't decide if they wanted a rectangle rear window or a ship type circular one so went with both in the one bit of plastic. Without the great paintwork you'd probably pass on this Baja Breaker thing. It is a sturdy Hot Wheels vehicle though I'll give it that. 

The artwork is brilliant though! You've got eight fanged dentures on this thing. Three on both sides, and two on the roof. Unlike most Hot Wheels artwork, the three mouths on each side aren't the same but are six different mouths opened in different menacing poses. This means you can display it with either side facing the front then change it for a different look. There's no dentures on the rear doors, probably because the designers were so embarrassed by the circle rectangle window mistake, that they forbid the artists drawing any attention to it.  

Open Wide is a must own for any horror artwork die-cast vehicle collector.--James N Sympson  Shop here

SCHUCO 1/43 BARKAS B 1000 BOX WAGON - MINOL

Barkas was the name of a car manufacturer based in Saxony and the trademark for this utility vehicle. These were pick-up trucks and produced by the VEB Barkas works in Karl-Marx-Stadt in the former East Germany. In 1961, the company began the series production of the completely newly developed Barkas B1000 as a "rapid transporter". There were versions as boxcars and flat-bed trucks and vans. Shop here

SCHUCO 1/43 MERCEDES-BENZ UNIMOG 404 LF8 HAUERN FIRE DEPARTMENT RESCUE 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. Shop here

SCHUCO 1/43 MERCEDES - BENZ LP 608 SUPPORT TRUCK

 

 

The Mercedes-Benz LP mid-range truck line premiered at the Brussels Motor Show in 1965. The cab-over-engine design provided exceptional space efficiency and excellent driver visibility. Interestingly, the cab was fixed for safety reasons and not able to swing forward as later became common in similar truck configurations. As a result, engine maintenance was not an easy task. Nonetheless the modern design, light weight and array of engine options catapulted the LP series to the top of its market within two years. Shop here

MAISTO 1/18 AUDI R8R - NO.8 - 1999 LE MANS 24 HOURS

The 24 Hours of Le Mans road race has been one of motor racing's most prestigious--and grueling--events for decades. This Maisto 1:18 scale die-cast car replicates Audi's 200-plus mph R8R, one of the most technically advanced endurance racing cars in the world. Remove the engine cover and find a beautifully re-created engine (complete with ignition wires) and a real working spring suspension. Look in the cockpit to see detailed instruments and restraint system--authentic right down to the logos. The steering really works and the numerous sponsor decals that adorn this silver beauty are nigh perfect. Includes a stackable plastic display unit. --Matthew Mason  Shop here

AUTO ART 1/18 DATSUN FAIRLADY

This Japanese-made model is divine. The Datsun Fairlady is an excellent base for a replica: a sort of oriental MG Midget, and Auto Art have done a cracking job replicating this car. We love the interior and that detailed dash, the beautiful steel rim wheels with period hub caps, the fitted wing mirrors and the general body shut lines which are spot on. This model comes with a choice of three hood styles: two erected and a black one, folded down. Shop here

CORGI - LONDON TRANSPORT ROUTEMASTER

  

This model  is Routemaster London Bus from Corgi. It was a very detailed model with correct stair and platform layout and a wire handrail trapped between body and chassis. It had jeweled headlights and was fitted with a driver and a clippie. This received a change of labels along the length of the top deck, which now bore the Outspan orange publicity material. The Article number for the Bus remained unchanged.

IXO 1/43 RENAULT 5 TURBO - No.18

 A Renault 5 Turbo - this one being a full-blown rally car which competed in the rally car which completed in the 1980 Tour De Course of Corsica by Saby and 'Tilber' and it's a real darling with good attention to detail, auch as the Marchal driving lamp covers, the correct differing seats for driver and co-driver, excellent reproduction of the heated rear window, special red-spoked rear wheels and the splendid light clusters. It's a shame that the dashboard is just a block of plastic but overall the Renault is simply delightful in its French racing blue. Shop here

EXOTO 1/18 RENAULT RE20 TURBO V6 1.5 LITRE

After winning the very first Grand Prix ever in 1906, Renault returned to Grand Prix racing in 1977. The 1980 French Grand Prix was held at Paul Ricard on June 29, 1980. Renault chose to open the season by developing and modifying their existing cars - chassis RS10, RS12 and RS14 - however during the season, built 3 new cars. To pay respect and honor their main sponsor, the Elf petroleum company, these new cars were dubbed the RE20, RE21, and RE22, with the 'RE' standing for 'Renault Elf'. Exoto has recreated the RE20 driven by Rene Arnoux in the 1980 French Grand Prix in beautiful 1/18 scale! This model is gorgeous and full of the details we've come to love and respect Exoto for. There are way too many to name so here's just a few: - fully detailed drivers cockpit with suede-like seat covering - authentic three-tone Renault colors - removeable cowling for full view of chassis and engine detail - functioning steering and front suspension - numerous photo-etched details - fully wired and plumbed, twin turbo, Renault-Gordini V6 engine - ...AND SO MUCH MORE! Here's a little more history on the car, courtesy of Exoto.com: Drivers Rene Arnoux and Jean-Pierre Jabouille watched as the French engineers worked hard during the off-season to make the very powerful 1.5-litre, twin turbocharged engine more reliable. By the end of the season, Arnoux had won two Grands Prix victories (Brazil and South Africa) while Jabouille scored one victory (Austria). At the 1980 French Grand Prix, Renault was expected to do very well due to the nature of the long straight at the Paul Ricard circuit. Arnoux started in second position and finished fifth while Jabouille started a disappointing sixth and blew his transmission on the first lap. It was obvious that Renault still had a ways to go until the bugs were completely worked out of their very sophisticated cars.

This model has a lift-off upper body, just as the original of 20 years ago. It reveals intricate wiring, as well as the engine detail that you would expect from this series. See more

VANGUARDS 1/50 LAND ROVER SERIES 1 -AA

The Land Rover was launched in 1948 in order to get a product to the market in the immediate aftermath of World War Two. Rover envisaged it would be sold to farmers, and initially underestimated demand for the vehicle. However, the AA Series 1 modelled here is typical in that once the Land Rover was on the market, organisations all over the world realized it was the answer to their problem, and put it to a bewildering amount of uses. With hindsight, its obvious that its towing capacity, storage, and go anywhere ability make the Land Rover an ideal vehicle for an organisation like the AA. See more

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF MOTORING WITH SHELL

In the 1930s the fledgling UK oil industry's numerous and conspicuous outdoor petrol advertisrments attracted critical attention from local authorities.

Shell introduced an imaginative and much praised alternative by displaying 30 by 40 inch posters on the side of its delivery trucks.

These posters continued the trend established by Shell in the 1920s for advertising with distinctive graphics, humour and highly original eye-catching work, using well-known artistics such as Rex Whistler and H.M. Bateman, toconvey the company's personality to customers.

A further poster series was commissioned by Shell from the most respected names in 20th century art, including Graham Sutherland, Edward McKnight Kauffer, Paul Nash, Edward Nicholson, John Piper and Vanessa Bell. Together their work offers a graphic chronicle of the dawn of mass motoring and the development of advertising.

By 1997 the motor industry and 'The Shell Transport and Trading Company' will have celebrated 100 years. The recurring theme from the posters of the 1930s-enjoyable and trouble free motoring with Shell-continue to be the cornerstone of the relationship Shell has with motorists today.

CORGI 1/50 MACK C PUMPER FIRE TRUCK MODEL - BALTIMORE

This 1965 Model C-95 had a diesel engine with a 1000-gpm Waterous pump and a 300 gallon water tank. The pumper was place in service with Engine 31 (north Baltimore) in May 1965. In 1973, when Engine 31 received new unit, the pumper was placed in service with Engine Co.43 (also north Baltimore) and served there until November 1982, thus completing 17 years of first-line service to the department. This Mack C further served as a reserve engine until 1987. Shop here

SIKU 1/55 LINDE H80 FORK LIFT TRUCK

The Linde H80 Fork Lift truck, in the usual 1/55th scale range, is a superb piece of kit and it will not look out of place alongside any other 1/50th scale models in your collection.

Siku have excelled themselves and produced a model costing just a few pounds that is equal to those 'other' German promotionals which cost three or four times the price. Using their now standard 'truck' wheels and tyres, which are pretty good for a toy, the Fork Lift is beautifully decorated and well put together. It can also be operated without the fear of breaking the tiny and vulnerable rams often associated with 'promotional' models. Shop here

CORGI 1/50 SCANIA TOPLINE & FLATBED TRAILER - DEREK MARSTON & SONS - NR.SHREWSBURY

In 1966, Derek Marston spent £1750 on an A license and a Bedford J type petrol lorry with a livestock box. Foot and Mouth struck in 1967, “needless to say, the outbreak crippled the livestock haulage industry and overnight, and I found myself with no work at all”, said Derek. He needed to diversify quickly, so began hauling sugar beet, animal feed and fertiliser. Throughout, the next 30 years, Derek Marston & Son’s fleet expanded, and they began to haul bricks and round timber. Today, the company runs a mixed, 12 strong fleet, which includes Scania's, DAF’s, Foden’s and ERF’s. Shop here

CORGI 50th ANNIVERSARY 1/76 VAN HOOL T9 - CAELLOI MOTORS

This Welsh operator almost certainly holds the record, for being Britain's oldest established coach and bus operator. The model carries an attractive, complicated, very well applied livery. Also included; a plinth, tour itinery, certificate and repro Corgi catalogues. Shop here

CORGI 1/36 RANGE ROVER - THE NEW AVENGERS

One of the cult television series--not quite in the same leauge as The Avengers--which retain their popularity. This attractively packaged set provides John Steed's Range Rover in British racing green, and a model of the man himself, with essential umbrella and bowler. Shop here

CORGI 1/50 SCAMMELL HIGHWAYMAN 'EVER READY'

The Scammell Highwayman has proved to be an extremely popular model from Corgi: it now comes as a tanker for Ever Ready. Such tankers were used by the company to transport zinc chloride, and it looks smart in the dark blue livery. Shop here