THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HOT WHEELS BY BOB PARKER

The appearance of Hot Wheels and their effect on the toy market has been frequently recounted: has there ever been a greater influence which resulted in toy companies throughout the world wondering how they could make their toys move faster.

This book traces the history of these famous toys. It provides a potted background, before looking at each year from 1968 to 1999, examining the main features of the year and listing the new items released.

Each of these year accounts is accompanied by excellent colour illustrations occupying nearly 394 pages of this A4 sized book.

Well over half, however, is taken up by tables of all the variation found on each of the toys and a price guide.

As far as Hot Wheels are concerned, this book will probably not be bettered.

MATCHBOX TOYS: THE TYCO YEARS 1993-1994 BY CHARLIE MACK

It is well known that Tyco acquired the Matchbox brand from Universal in 1992: perhaps for many collectors the major change came through Models of Yesteryear and The Dinky Collection, although those who collect the Miniatures and Convoys have not been denied their excitement.

Anyone who believes that all has been relatively quite on the Matchbox front should think again - as this book amply demonstrates. Despite the fact that it only covers two years, the illustrations of the models released occupy nearly 100 pages. Since on each page there is shown some ten to twenty models, the extent of the output can be gauged.

This book follows the pattern established by several published by Schiffer. Brief notes on each of the models is followed by the mass of pages of illustrations, all of them in colour.

Certainly if you collect Miniatures, this book should prove essential.--Model Collector

NOREV 1/18 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI BLACK DIECAST MODEL

More than 1.5 million models have been produced of this marque since its inception. This model shows the redesigned grille. The model offers opening doors, note the Satnav on the detailed dashboard, boot and the bonnet reveals the powerful lump. Buy it now

NOREV 1/43 VOLKSWAGEN T1 TRANSPORTER - GERMAN POST

The Post Van is an all over yellow casting. This is 1st type van with convex wheel hubs. A black post-service symbol is printed on the van sides, black VW symbol on V-shaped front and matching black front and rear bumpers. Norev produces the finest 1/43rd scale models. This item is a highly detailed model of the actual vehicle. It comes in a hard plastic display case. See more

DATSUN 240Z - EAST AFRICAN SAFARI RALLY

The Datsun 240Z was a popular sports coupe in the 1970s, and successful in rallies, like the gruelling East African Safari.

FABULOUS 1952 HUDSON HORNET CONVERTIBLE

The 1948-1954 Hudson’s ‘step down’ unibody gave it a much lower center of gravity – and better handling – than any other American car of the period. And ‘Twin H-Power’ dual carburetors gave its 308 cubic inch six gobs of torque and enough power to win the NASCAR Championship from 1951 through 1953 and finish second in 1954. The Fabulous Hudson Hornets won 31 of the 35 races they started in 1952! Once in a while there’s a model that’s just right in every respect and Highway 61’s ’52 Hudson Hornet Convertible is one of them. There’s not enough space to fully describe this one, you’ll just have to see it. Start with flawless glossy dark metallic grey paint, with every piece of trim done with separate chrome parts; even the Twin H-Power trunk badge is film-thin chrome. The hood opens on scissors hinges with over-center supports and the wired and plumbed engine matches photos in the June 1986 ‘Collectible Automobile’ perfectly. I’m even more impressed with the interior; properly hinged doors, soft carpets, exceptionally realistic upholstery with separate plated handles and cranks, the rarely seen but authentic leather-grained dash and door trim, and legible instruments and radio face. Underneath, the diecast chassis is separate from the baseplate, as are the drivetrain and suspension components, and there are even value stems in the wheels. Body lines match photos from all angles, details are all present and correct, dimensions are right on 1:18 scale, and best of all, this beauty is only $62.99 from amazon.com. (SMI)

PHANTOM’ NOVA; STEVE STROPE NOVA Z/28

Chevrolet Nova Z/28 Steve Strope Diecast Car Model 1/18 Orange Die Cast Car 1 of

Steve Strope’s ‘Z/28 Nova’, a car Chevrolet never built, was the hit of the 2006 Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (SEMA) show. A Z/28 Camaro style spoiler, classic ‘Hugger Qrange’ and white paint scheme, ‘cowl induction’ hood, and Z/28 ‘blackout’ grille treatment transformed the stock 1969 Nova body. A ‘mouse motor’ 302 V-8 with a Trans-Am style cross-ram twin carburetor manifold, modern Tremec transmission, and 4-into-1 headers provided the ‘go’ while wide Budnik wheels with Corvette C-6 dusk brakes all around handled the ‘whoa’! The Nova’s interior was replaced with a Camaro dash and gauges, bucket seats, and the ‘Rally Pack’ console, with ‘Hound’s Tooth’ upholstery. GMP’s new Nova Z/28 has a flawless heavy diecast body with mirror-smooth authentic paint and printed stripes. Running light bezels and Z/28 badges are foil-thin chrome, door handles are painted, and everything else is bright chrome. The hood opens to show the accurate small-block engine which has coolant hoses and spark plug wires but its alternator is supported only by the drive belt. Inside, the accurate Camaro dash has a full set of legible instruments an printed chrome trim but the relief-moulded inner handles haven’t been pick out. Chassis detail included separate drive train and exhaust system (the headers have small mould lines) and relief-cast, neatly painted hydraulic lines. Those big ventilated disks are easily seen through the big bright chrome wheels. (SMI)