KYOSHO: 1/18 SCALE CATERHAM SUPER SEVEN

This is Caterham Super Seven from Kyosho, for this really is a superlative model. This time the model comes in silver, with a green nose. Sensibly the model is packaged with the bonnet off, so that the fully detailed engine can be admired. However, as you exmine the model closely, you see many other fine details, such as the chrome headlights, the Caterhan Super Seven badge on the bonnet, the dashboard and steering wheel detail, and the incredible seatbelts. Steering is provides, and while not really needed on a model such as this feature in no way detracts from the overall look. Once more, this is a first class model. See more

MATCHBOX: BEDFORD 'EVENING NEWS' VAN

The Bedford 12cwt appeared with the ‘Evening News’ van, no.42a. The yellow body had a signboard with ‘First With The NEWS’ on the roof and front door decals proclaiming ‘Football Results’ and ‘Evening News’ on both sides. Metal, grey and black plastic wheels were all applied as well as silver trim to the grille and headlights. It was a popular model as it lasted in the range for almost eight years.

1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Diecast Model Red 1/18 Die Cast Car By Motormax

A 1/18th scale model is certain to look impressive in the display cabinet, and that certainly is the case with the Chevrolet Corvette of 1958 as modelled by Motormax. This open version looks stunning in its red and white, with plenty of chrome trim. This trim extends to such areas as the interior of the car, with the instrument panels neatly shown.

The bonnet opens to reveal a highly detailed engine, while the boot like wise opens. The front wheels steer, and have suspension, while the doors also open.

Fortunately all the opening features are a good fit, so do not detract from the overall appearance of this fine model.

CORGI JUNIOR: ROADLINE VAN

Roadline was the name used by the BRS parcels service back in the late 1970s, and is now long gone. The clever ‘r’ symbol for ‘junction ahead’, and it was carried on a Corgi Junior Leyland Terrier box van in the deep green colour used on the fleet. The Corgi Junior range was used for promotional purpose but this particular version was a general issue and is now quite rare in perfect condition.

MATCHBOX: WEATHERILL HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR

Construction vehicles always featured strongly in the ‘1-75’ range and the Weatherill Hydraulic Excavator (24a), in its two forms, remained for eleven years. It appear either with an orange-yellow or a plain yellow body, with a ‘Weatherill Hydraulic’ rear decal. The bucket could be raised or lowered. This model was the first to include model numbers cast on to the metal wheels and also the first model to have its number cast on the base. This numbering technique occurred because it was part of a ‘family mould’. In the manufacturing process a body, base and wheels would all be derived from one small mould. When plastic wheels were introduced in 1958-59, these could all be of a common type, and it was no longer necessary to number the wheels. Although most models were fitted with the appropriate wheels, there were inevitably some mistakes. Perhaps the most odd detail was that a model numbered as 24 was fitted with wheels which had ‘23’ cast upon them.

MATCHBOX: EUCLID QUARRY TRUCK

In August a 6-wheel Euclid Quarry Truck (6c) replaced the earlier version. In fact, the model looked as though it had ten wheels but the heavy duty rear wheels were of a single moulding. Later ten individual wheels were fitted. All were of black plastic though there are variations in design, particularly with the front wheels.

The tipper could be fixed in any position. The model was originally decorated with silver trim but this was dropped before the model’s of minor casting variations with this truck affecting the body, chassis and base.

1968 CAMARO SS 396

This is the 1968 Camaro SS 396 from Welly, a stylish car finished in red with a white flash and silver trim. The models in this series are finely detailed, especially in such aspects as the wheels, while the paint work, of both exterior and interior, has been finely executed. The result is an attractive addition to the American car collection. See more.

LLEDO VANGUARDS: MINIVAN 'RAC'

This model is the Austin Mini van, which comes in a version without roof ribbing. This really is a delightful model, and proportions of this famous van. The shape of this vehicle is not easy to reproduce, so Lledo is to be congratulated on achieving a model that looks right from whatever angle it is viewed.
A pleasing touch is that only the window on the driver’s side is shown in an open position.
The livery chosen for this first release is RAC Road Service, in the familiar blue with white roof. A roof board is included, bearing the legend ‘Caledonian Patrol’

MATCHBOX: THE AVELING BARFORD ROAD ROLLER

The first miniature model was the Aveling Barford Road Roller. It may be distinguished from the three subsequent Road Rollers by its full length canopy. This first Road Rollers was descended from the early Lesney toy which had its own origins in the Dinky model already available at this time. In 1958; Lesney enlarged the size of the model and box. The third version of the Aveling Barford Road Roller (1c) was painted either with a light or a dark green body. The rollers continued to be red metal but the towing hook of the preceding models was replaced by a flat towbar.

BMW Z3 ROADSTER

BMW Z3 M Roadster Diecast Model Blue 1/18 Die Cast Car By Bburago

This model is the MBW Z3 Roadster, depicted as featured in the film Goldeneye. Even without the 'film-related' connection, this is a superb model. It is well up to the very high standards set by Bburago in this scale. It features a wealth of fine detail, particularly under the bonnet and in the cockpit. While there are some 'working' features, such as steering, opening doors, and an opening bonnet, fortunately, these are a good fit.

ROUTE 66 - THE ROAD THAT BUILT AMERICA

A 2448 mile ribbon of highway that stretched from Chicago to the Pacific Ocean. Since its cration in 1926 Route 66 was the road of salvation for some, a treasure trove of popular culture for others and for the rest the ultimate motoring high! Many of America’s classic cars first felt tyre on tarmac on Route 66. Today it is still the road of discovery bringing miles of adventure and the freedom to go as you please.

This is 1939 Dodge Streamliner Route 66, finished in white and red.

LLEDO VANGUARDS: VW BEETLE

Similarly the Volkswagen Beetle has been uprated, this version being with the oval, split rear window. Again the shap of this familiar car has been beautifully captured, and all the trim has been detailed, particularly the aspects picked out in silver. This version is offered in blue and green.

LLEDO VANGUARDS: AUSTIN 7 MINI

The Austin 7 Mini now forms part of the Vanguard range, and as such has been upgraded with its chassis detail, chromed bumpers, headlights and radiator, plush door handles, petrol filler cap and other similar detail picked out in separate colours. This is a very pleasing model of the Mini, for we feel Lledo has captures the difficult shape perfectly. It is offered in red and blue.

HOT DOG WHEELS FROM HOT WHEELS

Believe it or not, the ‘Oscar Mayer Wienermobile’, looking very much like a Hot Dog sausage on wheels is actually a real vehicle and very much in the vein of the Tri-ang Macleans toothpaste van, the Worthington bottle car and the outspan orange car. These are custom built vehicles created to emulate the product being advertised and are used for publicity and promotional purposes. This is a real 'Hot Dog' vehicle. See more.

OLDIES BUT GOODIES: 1956 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

The 1956 Chevrolet Corvette comes in mettalic rust orange and white, the hood being detachable so that the model can be displayed with top off, thereby revealing more of the interior. The level of detail is very good, not least the wheels. See more

CORGI: THE ITALIAN JOB

It has to be the most famous Mini film of them all: The Italian Job. Not the first time from Corgi (an ‘Italian Job’ set was released with the Minis in 1/43rd scale), but now it is the 1/36th scale Minis that come in the familiar red, white and blue. Although now a few years old, this casting of the Mini has always looked good, and so this set is certain to prove popular. See more.

MATCHBOX: LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH

The Lamborghini issued by Lesney in the Matchbox range was the Lamborghini Countach (27e). When released in 1974 it was painted yellow and had an opening rear engine cover to reveal a detailed silver-plated engine. A No.3 label was positioned between the front headlights. The base was unpainted and the windows were purple.

The main body colour was changed in 1975 from yellow to red and, although shades of red exist, this color scheme was retained until the model was deleted from the range (to be replaced by the Swing-Wing Jet in 1981). The interior colours of light and dark grey, yellow, white and tan is easy to distinguish. The windows are subject to shades but the main colours are purple, red ,a mber, blue, smoky grey and clear.

When the label was replaced by tampo printing a lime colour became by far the most common although a number of models exist with green decoration.

MATCHBOX: LAMBORGHINI MARZAL

The Matchbox Lamborghini Mazal (20d) was one of the firat three Superfast models when it was released in the latter half of 1969. The models for general release was painted metallic red after several colour colour trial versions including one in metallic lime green. The cream interior common to all ‘1-75’ range models always appears to be yellow because of windows which are amber tinted. A few models had silver grey painted bases but most were left unpainted.
The metallic red colour scheme soon gave way to pink and subsequently to orange yellow versions.

40th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION: 1911 MAXWELL ROADSTER

This delightful series continues with the 1911 Maxwell Roadster, beautifully decorated and finished in red with gold trim. The result is a very attractive model. Buy it now

DINKY COLLECTION: 1959 CADILLAC COUPE DE VILLE

This is from The Dinky Collection, being the Cadillac Coupe de Ville, in pink rear light clusters picked out in silver, with the lights in red, and improvment to the rear bumper. The colour scheme looks quite stunning, the model being set off by fine paintwork detailing, of both interior and exterior. See more