MINICHAMPS 1/18 MORRIS MINOR POLICE CAR

Alec Issigonis’ Morris Minor, with its modern design outlook, incorporation rack-and-pinion steering and independent torsion-bar suspension, became highly popular with police forces across the country. By 1962 with the 1098cc engine, a top speed of 70mph made it popular with traffic divisions of the London Met’, yet independent suspension made it ideal for rural policing. Minichamps have produced the 1959 Morris Minor in accurate police livery. By 1959, over a million Minors were on the road, driven by both civilians and police officers. The model features appropriate police equipment with opening doors, bonnet and boot. See more.

CORGI TOYS - BASIL BRUSH'S CAR

'Basil Brush's Car' (no.808) was based on yet another veteran car, this time the 1/40th scale 1910 Renault. It featured a larger than life figure of Basil at the wheel. Finished in red with a yellow chassis and solid (not spoked) red disc wheels, the model itself boasted no special features, but the inclusion of a seperate sound box with two characteristic laughter tapes was a novel touch to an otherwise staid release. Basil was at the height of his popularity, and the model was available for two years.-- Model Collector.

DINKY TOYS - SPACE 1999 'EAGLE FREIGHTER'

Gerry Anderson provides the motivation behind this year's release, the 'Eagle Freighter' (no.360) and the 'Eagle Transporter' (no.359). They were identical space craft from the 'Space 1999' series, each version carrying a different load module and both to the same 1/110th scale which meant that models could be interchanged. A variety of colour schemes was available, and unboxed models could easily be cannibalised from other variants, so beware of unusual colours.

The Freighter version was originally released in metallic blue with a white load module but was later released in metallic blue with a white load module but was later released in white with a red load module. The mainframe on both variants was in white plastic strengthened by an unpainted steel strip, and four yellow plastic waste cannisters were winch operated.

DINKY TOYS - SPACE 1999 'EAGLE TRANSPORTER'

This is Eagle Transporter. (no.359) It was identical space craft from the 'Space 1999' series, each version carrying a different load module and both to the same 1/110th scale which meant that models could be interchanged. The transporter version was only ever available in metallic green with a white plastic capsule module. The main frame was as the Freighter version, in white plastic. All variants of either type had four large red plastic main engine nozzels and most had red four-way auxiliary direction nozzels on each outer pod; rarer versions had these moulded in yellow. A very accurate pair of models, especially if finished in white, the colour that all the Eagles in the series were finished in. See here.

DINKY TOYS - FRAZER-NASH BMW SPORTS CAR

The pre-war 38a was issued from 1940 to 1941 and the very few surviving examples which are around have fairly bad metal fatigue. The baseplate is lacquered tin plate and the model is fitted with a celluloid windscreen.

The usual pre-war colour scheme is dark blue with either blue or brown interior. The unusual red version is scarcely seen and is finished with a maroon interior. Post-war colours are pale or dark grey, blue or light blue and come with various interior shades. See here.

DOUGAL'S CAR IN MAGIC ROUNDABOUT

This is the classic Corgi Magic Roundabout series to see the 1971/72 catalogue. Utlising the Paramount Tour de France Citroen casting was the bright yellow 'Magic Roundabout Car' (no.807), featuring red whizzwheels, flower decals on bonnet and doors, very well-sculptured figures of Dougal, Brain, and Dylan placed within the red interior. Not an authentic vehicle, so not to any particular scale, but the charm of this popular children's series was well captured. It was to be joined by other Magic Roundabout releases before it was deleated in 1974.

DINKY TOYS - PORSCHE 356A COUPE

The Porsche 356A Coupe was issued from 1958 to 1964. It is, overall, a good casting, representing the body proportions very well. However it is slightly let down by the setting of the wheels, which push the body too high off the ground, unlike the real car which sat much lower. The axle pins are a little too short, which in turn pinches the wheels too far under the body making the model appear narrower than it could be.

The baseplates are either matt or gloss black and all models are fitted with clear glass windows.The most frequently seen colours are cream, cerise or pale blue. The red model, however, is rare. It seems to be that for every 300 Porsche 356A models that you see, one might be red. Over the past 20 years I have seen only a few red models and those have, for the most part, been in fair to poor condition, so the ones pictured although not mint are fairly rare examples.

The Dinky brand has been revived in this retro style packing with the model presented in a presentation box. The model shows all the authentic detailing with moulded seats, windows, and chassis with Dinky hub wheels.

CORGI - SCAMMELL CONSTRUCTOR - SIDDLE C COOKE

Siddle C Cooke was a County Durham-based transporting company which after selling out to the Tayford Group in 1964 saw Siddle's sons reverse his name to Elddis and set up a very succeessful caravan manufacturing business. The beefy Scammell is just the sort of truck Cooke needed during his company's hey-day. That creamy body colour must have a nightmare to keep clean, but with that fine red coachlining it cuts a handsome sight. 5000 are to be produced. --Model Collector.

CORGI MINI 7 - MINI 7 RACING CLUB, MAX HUNTER

Max started his racing career in 2000 grass track racing in a 1000cc mini. He was fourteen years old. He grew up in a racing environment. His father raced a Mini 7 in the Mini 7 Racing Club from 1994. After two years of grass track racing Max competed in his first Mini 7 race in 2002 at Oulton Park, just three days after his sixteenth birthday. His grass track racing was very good grounding for a circuit racer. It was not long before Max hit the front with a win at Rockingham in the winter season. In this first year he became Novice Champion and his success continued. His ambition is to be Mini 7 Champion. Released: November 2007

LLEDO - FORD ZEPHYR MK3

The Ford Zephyr MK3 is in red and like the other Zephyr castings we have seen, it greatly appeals. Attention to detail is strong all round and we particularly like the interior's period two-tone vinyl seats, the excellent bumpers and rear light cluster replication. If you remember the real-life Zephyr foundly then tis makes a fine keep-sake.

CORGI - SCAMMELL SCARAB SHEETS DROPSIDE - BRITISH RAIL

The Scammell Scarab formed the backbone of the British Rail town parcels delivery service during the heyday of steam. The railway offered a nationwide goods delivery for everything from a packet of needles to an industrial transformer. The mechanical horse was first introduced in the 1930s to replace the outdated horse and dray. Tens of thousands of Scammell Scarabs were built between 1934 and 1967 but only about 40 survive today.

AUTO ART MODELS - JAGUAR XK - SS SPORTS CAR

Jaguar XK SS Diecast Car Model 1/43 Blue Die Cast Car Model by Autoart

Although not a direct sports racing car, the Jaguar XK-SS was the road-going version of the Le Mans winning Jaguar D-Type racing sports car, made famous at Le Mans and other major racing circuits during the 1950s. The model has superb engine detail: the small doors open, as does the rear boot, the lower revealing the spare tyre. This model fills a gap in the history of Jaguar racing.

CORGI MOTOR SPORT - HILLMAN IMP - ADRIAN OLIVER, 2003 HISTORIC RACING SALOON CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER

In the early seventies Bill McGovern won the British Saloon Car Championship three years in succession driving 'George Bevan Racing' built Imps and Adrian Oliver has emulated that achievement by becoming the Historic Racing Saloon Register's Overall Champion in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The Championship is open to saloon cars in production before 1966 and its regulations are based on the Group 5 formula. Adrian, who is the son of four times world motorcycle and sidecar champion Eric Oliver, races in 'Class E', which is for cars up to 1150cc, and although he is not often in contention for actual race wins, as these go to the larger more powerful cars, the overall Championship is decided by the points gained by each driver in their class. Therefore it is perfectly possible for a driver from any class to become the overall champion. The car is modelled as it was in its second Championship winning year but it has raced every year since Adrian built it in late 1991. See more.

TOP HAT AUSTIN SET

This three car A35 set depicits the cars built and driven by Rae Davies in the Top Hat "Oldies But Goldies" pre 60's Touring Car series, followed by invitations to the Goodwood Revival Races.

The "Powerful Peanut" #4. was the first of a series of A35's built and driven by Rae Davies and being partnered by Steve Soper in 2001 and TV F1 pundit Tony Jardine in 2002 at the Goodwood Revival races. Based on a 1958 2-door model, Rae transformed this humble road into a giant-slaying race winner for the Top Hat 'Oldies but Goldies' pre-'60 Touring Car series. Built in the spirit of Graham Hill's period Speedwell version, the infamous 'Powerful Peanut' has spawned a series of Rae Davis built replicas.

"Red Rocket" #9. was to be the second generation Austin A35 from the Rae Davies stable. Using all the knowledge gained in building of Rae's infamous 'Powerful Peanut', the 'Red Rocket Special' certainly lived up to its title as the fastest A35 ever built! It was constructed expressly to contest the St Mary's Trophy race at the 2004 Goodwood Revival, where Rony Jardine again partnered Rae in this two-part race. The 'Red Rocket' beat the big Jaguar MK1 of grant Williams in a thrilling finale in front of a capacity crowd and this giant-slaying performance was deemed by Goodwood's Lord March to be the 'Drive of the Day'

"Mushey Pea" #3. was the third in a series of A35's built by Rae Davies Racing, and was probably the fastest and most developed of all the RDR-built A35's. "Mushey Pea" not only dominated it's class, but was able to win outright, beating large capacity Jaguars and Ford Zodiacs in the Process, making "Mushey Pea" a firm favourite with the crowds. See more.