IXO 1/43rd SCALE MODEL OF THE ASTON MARTIN DBR9

Le Mans 24 Hours is a subject that brings out the passion in collectors. Serious collectors will need to stick to 1/43rd scale, but there are more and more 1/18th scale models availables as well.

A favorite theme for collectors is the winners; every winner since the first race in 1923 has been modelled. No need searching for the winners from 1940 to 1948 though, because there were no races during the war years. Starter made every winner to 2003 in resin and, although they were no longer producing models, collectors can still find them. IXO have set out to produce every winner in diecast and they are now about 40% of the way through the list. The 1933 winning Alfa was red and yellow do the same or make it the authentic red and cream? Latest issue is the stunning Aston Martin DBR9, and IXO's prototype is this month's cover star!

The phototype of IXO's imminent 1/43rd scale model of the Aston Martin DBR9, is shown here. IXO will be producing a limited edition of 3,000 of these models under the ProDrive/Aston Martin brand, in official Aston Martin packaging. This model will also be issued under general release in IXO's Le Mans brand packaging.

Once people have collected all the winners they can expand their interest by collecting all the second and third place finishers, or a marque such as Jaguar, Porsche of Ferrari, or British car that race at Le Mans, or simply the cars that the collector especially likes. --Model Collector

IXO 1/43 MASERATI KHAMSIN

The khamsin was the successor to the Ghibli. Citroen being majority stakeholders, this car carries a few of their components. The car is fitted with a ZF five speed gearbox. IXO's well crafted model should please collectors of this popular marque. See more.

CORGI 50th ANNIVERSARY - ERF ECT OLYMPIC CURTAINSIDE - J.R. ADAMS

In a Corgi ballot, this vehicle type drew the most votes. To represent England, readers chose this Newcastle based haulier's ERF. The packaging includes two reproduction catalogues, plinth, certificate and a keyring bearing the initials of J.R. Adams. See more.

CORGI VANGUARDS - JAGUAR XJ6 - DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY POLICE

The Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary is the smallest Police Service in the UK. From the mid 1950's to the mid 1970's it ran a small number of Jaguars and this Jaguar XJ6 Saloon was attached to Dumfries Traffic Dept between 1973 and 1975. It proved to be a fine motorway patrol, high speed pursuit vehicle until it was replaced by the Rover SDi in 1975.

This force is the smallest in the UK. They have been users of the Jaguar marque for 20 years. This traffic Patrol Car, dating from 1973, was more than capable of holding its own in a high speed pursuit. One to please collectors of Scottish police force vehicles. See more.

CORGI VANGUARD 10th ANNIVERSARY - SIERRA SAPPHIRE COSWORTH

The Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, a raucous race winner turned luxury saloon, the 1991-1992 'Cossie' was the ultimate in understated performance. To celebrate a decade of Vanguards, Corgi have released a new tooling of this world famous car. It comes in the eye-catching Moondust Silver colour. There will be only be 2,020 available worldwide. A crisp casting that captures the look of this car splendidly. See more.

NOREV 1/18 AUDI A6 AVANT

This model comes in an impressive box, unlike the normal 1/18th scale packaging, and is well packed. The detailing and finish is first class. The front doors open, and they're a snug fit, to reveal the carpet effect interior. The boot is also carpeted. See more.

CLASSIC IMPERIAL CONVERTIBLE

1961 Chrysler Imperial Crown Diecast Model White 1/18 Die Cast Car By Yat Ming

Classic Imperial ConvertibleChrysler revived the Imperial as a separate marque (not ‘Chrysler Imperial’) in 1960 with new unibody construction and gave it new cutaway front fenders, a shorter grille centered under an extended hood, and unique free standing headlights for 1961. Yat Ming has modeled all these features very accurately for their new 1961 Imperial Convertible. Its big diecast body is smooth and clean and the glossy ‘Alaskan White’ finish matches my paint chips very well. There’s a lot of chrome on a ’61 Imperial, and except for the printed Imperial scripts Yat Ming has reproduced every piece, even the thin fin caps, with separate chrome-plated parts. The big 413 cid-V-8 is wired and plumbed, though the plug wires are a couple of scale inches thick and the alternator is supported only by its drive belt. The interior makes up for that, though, with properly hinged doors, windows that slide up and down, and soft gray carpet on the floor. The split front seat folds forward on an angle just like the real car, the rear armrest folds away, and photos dhow the dash details are accurate, though the smaller gauges aren’t detailed. Overall lines match photos in the June 2005 ‘Collectible Automobile’ from all angles and dimensions are a consistent 1:18 scale.