MATCHBOX: LOTUS EUROPA

The Lotus Europa was a low, mid-engined, fiberglass-bodied sports coupe produced between 1969 an 1974. It was originally intended to be a Lotus/Ford GT racing project, although Ford pulled out late in the day, and the car was released as a Lotus. Early models were powered by Renault engines, but later examples had Ford Cosworth motors. The Europa was quite expensive and, as a result, only around 9000 were sold. However, it was extremely popular in toy form, with models produced by Matchbox, Dinky, corgi, Diapet and many others.

The Matchbox version was first painted a dark metallic blue, with an off-white interior, clear windscreen and an unpainted metal base. It featured opening doors and a towing hook, features extremely popular with children. Early models featured narrow Super wheels and squared wheel arches, while later models had the base altered to accommodate the wider wheels, and the body casting was modified so as to have larger, rounder wheels arches. In 1971, the colour scheme was changed to what many collectors call ‘metallic pink’, which is more of a lustrous fuchsia shade.

It was revived in 1977 in a new colour scheme for the Japanese series. It was painted black with tampo-printed gold coach lining, representing a limited edition JPS sponsored car.

In the late 1980s, the Europa casting was revived again for inclusion in the el-cheapo ‘Super GT’ range, although this time without the opening doors or interior.

THE RENAULT ESTAFETTE FROM NOREV

It is always good to find a vehicle being modeled which has not previously been seen. This is the model with the Renault Estafette from Norev, which is being made in two versions: van in both cases with either low roof or high roof. The model captures the shape and look of the actual vehicle.

The van version with low roof comes in blue. Norev has release a 1/18 replica of Renault Estafette van from 1959. See more.

The high roof van version comes in yellow with an ivory roof. Made of diecast, opening doors, opening trunk, wheels roll and steerable wheels. See more.

An interesting choice of vehicle which offers the modeler something different for the cabinet.

MATCHBOX: FORD ZODIAC MARK IV

The first release for 1968 was the Ford Zodiac Mark IV (53C). this model featured an opening bonnet which included a spare wheel next to the engine. The body was in a light metallic blue with a cream interior. A tiny rear view mirror had been moulded into the plastic windscreen for the first time. A rare version of this Zodiac with regular wheels may be found in mettalic light green, a cross-over with the Superfast colour change which occurred in 1970. The standard regular wheel release is shown together with the three Superfast versions, the rarest of which is the mettalic blue model fitted with Superfast wheels.

There were two casting alterations associated with this car. The engine blocks are located under the dashboard such that they hold the engine in place. The wide blocks are 3.5 mm wide and the narrow ones are 2.5 mm wide. When present, a small tab is to be found between these blocks. Two base castings were used for this model with slightly different tow slot sizes at 5.5 mm and 6 mm respectively.

MG 1100 BY MATCHBOX

Matchbox have produced MG models in their '1-75 Miniatures' range. On February 1966 , it was the MG version of the MG 1100 saloon (64b), a common sight throughout Britain in the 1960s. MG 1100 was finished in mid green with a very good off-white moulded interior, 4-door sports saloon, painted in a flamboyant maroon, it was in fact released in green with the usual features of windows, ‘unbreakable towhook’, seats, steering wheel, spring suspension and brightly plated bumpers, grille and headlights. These ‘usual features’ were improved by the addition of a driver and a dog lying on the rear seat with its head through the rear side window.

The mode was revised in 1970 with the substitution of ‘Superfast’ low friction wheels of the original, and the colour was changed to a sort of blue/turquoise metallic. The scale was 1/57th.

DETAIL CARS: FERRARI F355

Detail Cars: Ferrari F355 Coupe


Detail Cars : 1/43 Ferrari F355 Spyder

Two basic cars have been added to the Detail Cars range (distributed by Corgi). This is the Ferrari F355 of 1994, which comes in two versions. This is certainly a very fine models, with some good detailing touches and accurate reddition of the look of the actual car. The version being offered are the Spyder and Coupe.

MGB ROADSTER BRITISH RACING GREEN

From its announcement in 1962, it was obvious that the MGB was going to be a big success. The extremely attractive styling, masterminded at Abingdon by MGs chief body draughtsman Don Hayter, was bang up to date and covered MGs the monocoque structure, which was if anything stronger than it needed to be. You did not get scuttle shake in an MGB! It was produced for over eighteen years and in that time 513,272 were made, making it the best selling sports car in the world for many years. The 1800cc B-Series pushrod engine produced only 95bhp, giving a 0-60 time of 12.2 seconds, so it was not the faster vehicle in the world but it had a great competition career nevertheless.

The MGB Roadster was a joy to own as it was beautifully balanced to drive, reliable, comfortable, economical, pretty and above all fun. Today its very popularity means that it is one of the easiest classic cars in the world to look after, as every component can still be bought new, including the bodyshell.

A version of the MGB Roadster sees this model in the very prominent British racing green. As previously mentioned, this is a fine looking model, with a good paint finish. See more.

LLEDO: AUSTIN 7 MINI

The Mini is of course another of the modelled car, and one of which the shape is not always totally captured. Lledo, however, has performed an extremely good job in getting the shape and propotions of this car right. They have chosen the 1959 Austin 7 Mini as DG74, which comes in either dark red, or as a white Police version, complete with roof sign and blue light. Lledo is planning to offer both left and right hand drive versions of the Mini.

Clearly Lledo is offering these models at a competitive price, so finer detailing points are not included. However, if the Mini is the standard to be set for future releases, then there will be much to look forward to from lledo.