THE 1940 FORD DELUXE COUPE

Best Looking Ford of All Time 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe Quality Car in the Low-Priced Field Ford's ad slogan in 1940 was The Quality Car in the Low-Priced Field. This certainly was true with the Deluxe Coupe, which offered the bigger 85 horsepower V-8 for only $722. But looking back almost 70 years later, what really stands out is the cars beautiful look. Favored for years by hot rodders, who loved it not only for the V-8 engine but also for its body curves and long deck, it has often been called the best-looking Ford of all time. Bob Gregorie Provides a Facelift By 1940 Ford was already preparing for war as its Rouge plant was now building aircraft engines. But this did not prevent Bob Gregorie, Ford's chief stylist, from coming up with 22 improvements both inside and outside. Inside, the big news was the moving of the gear shift from the floor to the steering column. Outside the new grille for the Deluxe line was a dramatic combination of chrome and painted metal. The new sealed beam headlights were in the now famous teardrop shape. Although not as popular as the 4-door models, the Deluxe Coupe made up for seating only 3 with a long package shelf and huge trunk. Features: Opening Hood Opening Doors Working Steering System Ford Bragged that their 85 Horsepower V-8 Needed No breaking In Completely Redesigned Interior Included Steering Column Gear Shift Precision Die-Cast Replica 10.5 Inches Long 1:18 Scale. Shop here.

MAISTO 1/18 - 1997 PORSCHE BOXTER CONCEPT DIECAST MODEL

Porsche Boxster Concept Diecast Model Silver 1/18 Die Cast Car By Maisto

Maisto's large 1:18 proportion line is the 1997 Porsche Boxter. When this car hit the show circuit in 1994, Porsche fans every where rejoiced. Finally, a Porche convertible that would represent new value from the Stuttgart manufacturer. Maisto is the first to offer a 1997 Porsche Boxter model, and it's beautiful. From accurate tooling to exquisite detail to stunning finishing techniques, it won't disappoint you. Available at fine diecast collectors.

FERRARI D50 1956 - J.M.FANGIO - LA STORIA COLLECTION

The La Storia collection tells the history of Ferrari's Formula I cars since 1948. 56 models (all new tools manufactured under licence from Ferrari SPA and Hotwheels) will be featured in the series. The slick metal book case and literature inside make this perfect gift material. Shop here.

THE SUBLIME JAGUAR XK

2006 Jaguar XK Coupe Liquid Diecast Model Silver 1/18 Die Cast Car By Autoart

Jaguar unveiled an all-new 2006 car, called simply the ‘XK’ at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2005. It used the new XJ’s aluminum chassis and is offered as both a coupé and convertible incidentally, in a quite different manner to the way sports cars are usually designed, the coupe is based on the convertible. This meant that the engineers could design the convertible without the drawbacks of the car looking like, and actually being, a coupe with the top chopped off. This, coupled to the ultra rigid aluminum spaceframe, makes the XK convertible exceptionally rigid for a car of its type, offering an extremely impressive driving experience! Originally powered by a 300hp version of the 4.2L AJ V-8 engine, a supercharged version with 420hp is also available. The new XK’s grille is also inspired by that of the ever wonderful Jaguar E-Type and its curvaceous shape was intended as a tribute to this icon of the 1960a. The XK has also introduced a world first in pedestrian safety. In numerous pedestrian collisions with vehicles, head injuries occur when a pedestrain’s head impacts with the bonnet of the vehicle. However, the injuries are not usually sustained from the bonnet itself, rather the bonnet deforming and the pedestrain’s head colliding with the engine block underneath. Jaguar’s innovation is to have sensors in the front bumper that determine if a pedestrian has indeed been struck and this then triggers two pyrotechnical charges that instantaneously lift the bonnet, providing extra distance between engine and head. In effect, the bonnet becomes the exterior equivalent of an airbag! The bonnet’s sheet metal nay not be soft, but it’s much more accommodating than a solid engine block! (Reviewed by SMI)

CORGI 1/50 CROMWELL CENTAUR & 3 BRITISH PARATROOPS NORMANDY 1944

On the 6th June 1944, two Allied armies, one British and one American landed on the Normandy beaches and secured a firm foothold in German-occupied-Europe. Progress was slow and bloody the troops having to battle for every inch of ground but after 3 months of heavy fighting the Allied forces gradually wore down the German Resistance eventually trapping and cutting the German Army to pieces in the Falaise Pocket.

A nicely packaged model of a Cromwell Centaur & 3 British Paratroops, D.Day Normandy 1944, model length 150mm.

FORD CORTINA GT MKII - 1967 SAFARI RALLY - BENGT SODERSTROM & G. PALM

Corgi 1/43 Ford Cortina GT MKII - 1967 Safari Rally

Ford put a tremendous amount of effort into the 1967 Safari Rally, entering seven cars in total and spending a budget of £50,000 on the event. Motorsport is, however, a fickle thing and they were beaten to the overall win by the previous year's victors, Bert Shankland and Chris Rothwell, in a Peugeot 404. Ford led the rally initially with the Soderstrom/Palm car modelled here. However that car developed alternator trouble, and because they were unable to use all their lights they did not see a huge trench running across a road on the route. Being first on the road, they plunged headlong into it and their rally was over. Release date: September 2007

AN ANIMAL ADVENTURE SERIES: DAKTARIT

The original Corgi company never made another safari toy, but in 1998, new Corgi issued a commemorative Daktari set.No.07104 included the old 1/43 scale Land Rover, but the wheels are different, and the rear window in the cab is larger.

The black strips are bolder, as are the Wameru transfers, which are now on the pick-up sides. Included with the vehicle are very good models of Judy the chimp and Clarence with his glasses.

The box is particularly pleasing, with Daktari logo, Clarence artwork, publicity stills and photos of a Land Rover on Safari. Although it's not a limited edition, it may prove a little harder to find than its contemporaries. Buy it now.