IXO 1/43 PEUGEOT 206 WRC - 2002 DRIVERS WORLD CHAMPION

2002 Drivers World Champion, M. Gronholm, and T. Rautiainen, with their Peugeot 206, car number 2. Capturing the scene at the Telsra Rally in Australia, it is a pity about the moulding join on the 'triumphal gateway', while the figures look slightly over scale.--Model Collector See more.

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.