VANGUARDS 1/43 MINI VAN ENFIELD BRAKE AND CLUTCH SERVICE YELLOW

During the design of the original Mini saloon, Alec Issigonis had shown great devotion to the packaging of the car. The ten-inch wheels placed at the very corners of the vehicle, external body seams, beautifully packaged drive-train and compact suspension system all helped the Mini to have a ground breaking passenger space to vehicle size ratio. Those very same features meant the load bay of the Minivan was flatter and bigger than you had any right to expect in a van only ten inches longer than its tenfoot long saloon cousin.

MATCHBOX: JEEP GLADIATOR

In January the first release for the year appeared in the form of a Jeep Gladiator Pick-up (71b) with suspension. This was the first of many Jeeps to be included in the miniature range and was obviously to boost sales in the US, although it was not the most appealing of models. It was paintd red all over and had opening doors with either a plastic or metal door spring.
It had black wheels and a black base which came with and without a patent number. A green interior was fairly common in Europe but soon all models had white interiors. The early European versions with green interiors are quite sought after in the US.

MAISTO 1/18 SCALE - MERCEDES CLK-GTR

Following the release of the 1977 ‘works’ AMG and Person Motorsports models of the Mercedes CLK-GTR, the 1998 Champions, gained by victory a the last race, were Klaus Ludwig and Ricardo Zonta, who beat the favourites Bernd Schneider and Mark Webber to the title. The car shown is the Schneider/webber car with racing number 1. When first raced at Le Mans, the car was a dismal failure, retiring early after a fast start; the decision to race at the French circuit proved to be an error.The model has opening doors and removable rear bodywork. The interior of the driver’s cockpit reveals plenty of detail, including all the knobs and dials. The rear body shows engine internals, full suspension detail and engine wiring, which, for a model of this size and cost, represents good value for money. The car carries ‘D2’ and ‘Warsteiner’ sponsorship. See more.

VANGUARDS 1/43 FORD ANGLIA - ROAD SERVICE

The models being offered this time by Vanguards in AA livery are joined by the Ford Anglia van in the familiar yellow. The sides, rear and headboard are all inscribed 'Road Service', the model being pleasingly finished, with relevant features picked out in silver, and the various lights suitably featured.

MINICHAMPS 1/43 MERCEDES 350 SL CABRIOLET

The Mercedes 350 SL cabriolet hard top is a truly excellent model from Minichamps. A quick glance shows this to be very fine: a closer examination reveals just what high standards can be achieved these days in die-cast.

When you examine the model, note how thin is the casting, particularly important where the roof meets the windows. Note that the windows are flush, yet there appears no unsightly ridges of plastic. The wheels are superbly portrayed. The light clusters both front and rear are excellent. The interior looks perfect with all the dashboard detail, door handles, and so on, picked out in blue mettalic. The windscreen wipers, rear view mirror and wing mirrors are all seperate fittings.

If modern cars fall within your collection, and you want an example of perfection, then do buy this model.

MOTOR CITY CLASSICS 1/18 SCALE - 1931 FORD MODEL A

1931 Ford Model A Roadster Diecast Car 1/18 Brown Die Cast Car Model by Motor City Classics
This is a handsome model, available in a variety of colours and well finished. Opening doors and dicky seat, plus a separate trunk, are nice touches.

The dash is not totally convincing: yes, the actual thing was pretty minimalist, but there's not one gauge in the centre moulding. On the other hand, good interior touches include separate brake and gear levers and a detailed steering wheel incorporating the mixture control lever.
From the front, his is a handsome model: its imposing radiator is nicely finished, and the headlamps look as if they could be lit.

Perhaps a few chrome details are a little heavily done, just edging on the borders of being tacky, but attractive, nonetheless.

VANGUARDS MINI MANIA 1:43 MINI COOPER STEVE McQUEEN

McQueen bought his Mini from Hollywood Sports Cars and had it taken straight to Lee Brown’s custom shop. He didn’t like the green body and white roof so had the car refinished in medium brown metallic with a beige roof. Brown also chromed and then reversed the wheels to widen the track, fitted a wooden dash, a fold back sunroof and had trimmer Tony Nancy re-cover the seats in brown vinyl. The engine was ported and balanced.

McQueen never had front number plates on his cars as he felt it spoilt the clean look.

Twenty years later Lee Brown spotted an advert for the car and bought it back, so he now owns the car he originally customized for the film icon. See more