THE SUPER FERRAI 500 F2, 1953

1950 marked the inception of the Formula One World Championship, From Day One, Ferrari was involved in this highest class of auto racing, flashing a distinctive symbol of the small black prancing horse called ‘Cavallino Rampante’ in fact, Ferrari is the only F1 participant that has remained active ever since.

The driver of the 500 F2 was none other than the exceptionally gifted Alberto Ascari. It was not without reason that he was known universally as ‘The Flying Milan’.

Ascadi drove his 500 F2 to the title of a two time world champion in 1952 and 1953. This legendary car won virtually everything there was to win during these years, hence its nickname “the Super Ferrai.” With the return of the Mercedes and the rise of the Maserati in the 1954 season, Ferrari was faced with new challengers. As a result, its winning streak came to a temporay end. One year later – in 1955, Alberto Ascari died of a tragic accident in Monza, and the whole nation of Italy was deeply mournful.

This 1:18 scale hand crafted diecast model is a sincere tribute to the legendary Ferrari 500 F2, the world Championship car of 1953. Lovingly assembled from 1,463 parts, M-056 is precisely detailed and features all the craftsmanship and accuracy that make CMC miniatures so special in the hearts of all collectors. Just take a look under the engine hood or remove the rear parts and you will be totally sold! By the way, it is so detailed that if you want to know how many rivets are included on the fuel and oil tank, well there are 526, all necessary to rebuild these tanks true the original. This CMC Ferrari 500 F2 is quite simply exquisite!--SMI See more.

MOY (Y27) - FODEN STEAM LORRY

The 'Models of Yesteryear' Foden Steam Lorry (Y27) has always proved a popular model. It first appeared in Pickfords livery (of which specialists note various changes to the body casting) and in 1986 in a most attractive Frasers design.

The Frasers version is certainly worth buying while stocks are still around, but more importantly, because the Fraser model comes with a trailer, the lorry itself needed to be supplied with a towing hook.

Reports have appeared of a Pickfords version of models having such a hook. At first only a handful of such Pickfords with hooks appeared, but more have been available recently indicating that a reasonable production re-run was undertaken by Matchbox.

If a Pickford with hook interests you, it could be best to buy while examples are around-but do not be forced to pay silly prices. See more.

1934 ASTON MARTIN 1/18 GREEN

The first Aston Martin was built by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin in 1914. Financial problems hounded the company, which passed through several owners: Frazer Nash, L Prideaux Brune and R G Sutherland, until the company was bought in 1947 by David Brown who in 1972 sold to Company Developments Ltd. After a period of mixed fortunes, Aston Martin was acquired by Ford in 1987.

Models of the cars exist from a number of manufactures such as Signature, and made in China. This 1934 dark green 1/18th scale model is a beauty, and sports working steering, piano -hinged opening bonnet, opening doors, excellent black painted wire wheels and a superbly detailed dashboard. See more.

THE FEROCIOUS FIORANO - FABULOUS FERRARI

2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano diecast model car 1:18 scale die cast by Hot Wheels - Red J2859

The Ferrari Fiorano, the company's 2-seat Grand Turismo flagship model, replaced the 575 Maranello and debuted at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. The styling of the Fiorano bears some resemblance to its sister car, the 612 Scaglietti, yet at the same time carries a sportier, more aggressive stance. The differences are mostly in the squared-off body detailing, the lack of the scalloped side detail of the 612 and more obvious aerodynamic ducting, particularly on the bonnet, in the front wing over the front wheels and the flying buttress C pillars. These pillars are the most distinctive feature of the Fiorano and are designed to redirect airflow over the small lip spoiler on the red decklid. These, in conjunction with the shaped undertray allow the Fiorano to exhbit a degree of stability at very high speeds that was lacking in its predecessor, by contributing downforce and aerodynamic efficiency without the need for ungainly wings and spoilers. The 599's Enzo sourced Tipo F133F 6.0 L (5999cc) V-12 is the most powerful series production Ferrari road car and most of the modifications to the engine were done to allow it to fit in the Fiorano's engine bay. The company claims a 3.7 second sprint to 100km/h (62mph) and 11.0 to 200km/h (124mph) --SMI

SILVER ROCKET 1:18 SCALE AUTO UNION D-TYPE

1936-1937 Auto Union Type C Diecast Car 1/18 Silver Die Cast Car Model by CMC

The dominant car in 1938 was the Mercedes W154 but a late season challenger was the Auto Union D-type, especially as driven by the legendary Tazio Nuvolari. CMC have yet again excelled with this weighty masterpiece described as a 1938-39 Type D on the box. The model is clearly the 1938 car, the limited edition shown here being that which Nuvolari drove to victory at Donington in October that year. This being one of CMC’s later models it shows exceptional detail, once one has got over the initial wow factor!

The model is made from over 680 parts, is hand assembled and is crowned with a superb paint finish. The bodywork line seems right and leads forward around a well-appointed cockpit with the detail we have become accustomed to. This bodywork is even more refined in the 2003 ‘Model of the Year’ winning type C car, but it is all there in this type D. Massive chrome molybdenum longerons are visible either side of the cockpit floor, robust chassis tubes being a hallmark of these cars, taking chassis surefootedness the whole length of the car.
The best-ever value for money in models of this type. The subject matter is mouth watering and who knows what would have become of this mid engined marvel had the Second Warld War not intervened? --SMI

AUTO ART 1/18 LAMBOGHINI MURCIELAGO

Lamborghini Murcielago Diecast Model Yellow 1/18 Die Cast Car By Autoart

The Murcielago sports a 6.2L version of the legendary Lambo V-12 engine, a six speed manual or six-speed sequential automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. It also has a rear spoiler that can be raised to an angle of 70 degrees, side mirrors that fold in to improve aerodynamics, and side scoops that automatically open to the needed size to let in just the right amount of air needed to cool its engine. The name Murcielago comes from a bull that survived 24 sword strokes in an 1879 fight at the arena of Cordoba, and fought with such passion and spirit that the matador chose to spare its life, a rare honour. In another Lamborghini tie in, the bull was later presented as a gift to Don Antonio Miura, a noted breeder, and went on to sire a line of famous fighting bulls. Murcielago also means bat in Spanish and a Murcielago roadster is featured briefly in the movie Batman Begin!

AutoArt's Murcielagos are as you can expect first class 1:18 scale replicas of this exciting supercar, correct in every detail. If only we could afford the real thing!

MATCHBOX: FREEWAY GAS TANKER

During the early 1970s Matchbox decided to include the '1-75' range futurishtic models to help capture the toy market away from competitors. Many traditional vehicles were quickly replaced and in 1973 the Freeway Gas Tanker was introduced. There were many different labels used on the tank which was subject to many minor casing variations, not least the allowance for a hole which enabled a towing hook to be fitted so that a trailer could be towed. Most cabs had purple windows though a few had red or amber. Strengthening braces were fitted around the base of the cab in later versions.

The Freeway Gas Tanker remained in the range for nine years until it was replaced in 1982 by a Layland Tanker. The general release was a red cab and a white tank on a red chassis with Burmah in either label form or tampo print.

In 1984 a model which had previously been included only in the US range as a milk tanker appeared around the world as a petrol tanker. This was a Peterbilt six-wheeler. There are other combinations of cab and tank which have not been authenticated. The English-made blue and white Milk Tankers have not been included.