SUPER SHELBY GT500E 1:18 'ELEANOR'

For car nuts, the star of ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ was ‘Eleanor’, a much customized 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang. There’s just a trace of a mould line on the corners of the air dam, and the big hood bulge, faired-in side pipes, and other ‘Eleanor’ details are modeled very accurately. The clear-coated dark metallic pewter paint is smooth and highly glossy with stripes and Shelby badges printed after the clear coat. A nitrous oxide bottle in the trunk means that the wired and plumbed V-8 is the mid-level 430 horsepower 351 cid option but there are no fuel lines or linkage. Underneath, the trick suspension with its horizontal rear shocks is modeled well and the nicely detailed wheels are accurate.—SMI April 2007

JEEP WITH HORSE TRAILER FROM SIKU

Jeep with Horse Trailer- Quality die cast and plastic Jeep towing a horse trailer. This durable Siku item has moving parts and is part of Europe's #1 line of die cast vehicles. The German engineering quality shows in the details and strength of the product. The wheels are welded to the axles & tires made of rubber for long lasting play on the farm!

Siku is the brand name of the range of diecast toys made in Germany by Sieper Werke, whose plant is situated at Ludenscheid, where the company started in 1921. he founder of the company was Richard Sieper, and initially made goods in aluminum. In 1949 it moved over toy production in plastic, although the vehicles were fairly basic. The name Siku is derived from Sieper and Kunststoffe (meaning plastic).

In 1955 the company launched a range of vehicles and accessories, using a constant 1/60th scale. The plastic toys continued in production until 1967. There was also a range of 1/250th scale aircraft.

In 1963 the company's first diecast toys appeared: at first these were also to 1/60th scale, until 1973 when the scale was changed to 1/55th. A range of farm equipment was introduced in 1983: this was to 1/32nd scale, the same as used by Britains for their farm models. In 1990 a series of smaller toys was launched.

Siku have for a long time incorporated various operating features into their toys The company also produces the predominantly 1/87th scale (there are also 1/43rd scale model) range of plastic vehicles sold the name of Wiking.--Encyclopedia of Model Collecting.

THE GODFATHER'S 1940 CADILLAC LIMOUSINE

The Godfather's 1940 Cadillac Limousine by Jada Toys

A single rear and the divider behind the chauffeur’s seat identify Jada’s new 1:18 scale 1940 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood as the Five-Passenger Touring Imperial. Its big seven-piece diecast body is smooth and clean, with a glossy black finish that has traces of orange peel. The features that distinguished 1940 models – new grille, bumper with thin vertical guards, and fender-mounted turn signals, are all modeled accurately, however leave the hood closed; the V8 engine beneath it is completely chrome-plated. All four doors are hinged correctly and close with an audible snap. The all-plastic interior has neatly painted handles and cranks and legible instruments, but much of the dashboard trim, including wood-grain panels, hasn’t been reproduced. The nicely detailed Godfather figure in the rear seat+ is neatly and realistically painted, as is the standing driver whose gun hand is tucked inside his jacket. While Jada’s 1940 Cadillac Series 75 looks good and is well-made, I think they fitted it to the box. Wheelbase is 1:19 scale, while the length is more than 2 inches short at 1:21 scale and photos show that both the rear doors and rear fenders are too short. --SMI May 2007.

1971 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER LIMITED EDITION

1971 Plymouth Roadrunner Diecast Model Orange 118 Die Cast Car Elite by ERTL

From the American Muscle Elite series this is an authentically reproduced, two-door hardtop wrapped in Hemi Orange Metallic paint with black roof strobe stripe, and matching coloured bumpers. You also get an excellent air grabber hood with hood pins and can raise it to view the highly detailed 440-cubic-inch 'Six Pack' engine with separate battery and flexible cables

1966 DODGE CHARGER

1966 Dodge Charger Diecast Model Red 118 Die Cast Car By Ertl Authentics

This one is also from the American Muscle Authentic Series wih over 200 highly detailed parts. The bright Red bodywork comes with highly polished, electro-plated chrome parts, and authentic Charger badges.

1965 FORD MUSTANG 2+2 GT

1965 Ford Mustang Gt 22 Fastback Diecast Model Yellow 118 Die Cast Car By Ertl Authentics

Here is 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 GT from the American Muscle Authentic Series by ERTL This model is 2 door hardtop fastback body wrapped in a Phoenician Yellow paint and electro-plated chrome parts. The doors open to a black bucket seat interior fully carpeted with black flocking. Pop the 'hood' to view the beautifully reproduced 289 engine.

JAGUAR XK120 HARDTOP ORANGE

1949 Jaguar XK 120 Diecast Model Orange 118 Die Cast Car By Signature Models

The Jaguar XK120 was manufactured between 1949 and 1954. It was the first post-war sports car from the marque, succeeding the SS100 which ended production in 1940 with the start of the war in Britain. The XK120 was launched at the 1948 London Motor Show as a test bed and show vehicle to highlight the new Jaguar XK engine. The car caused a sensation, which persuaded William Lyons to put it into production as a standard model.The first cars manufactured in 1948 and 1949 had hand built aluminum bodies on an ash frame. Jaguar built 240 of these alloy bodied cars prior to moving to a more mass production XK120 in order to meet the demand for this popular model. With the 1950 model year a production version had a steel pressed body with alloy doors, bonnet, and trunk skin. Other features included torsion bar front suspension, and a removable windscreen. Nice detailed model of the well known sports car in its hard top version with opening doors,bonnet and boot, moveable wheels with white walled tyres, detailed interior, model length approx 25cm.