SIGNATURE MODELS 1/32 - 1963 STUDEBAKER AVANTI

The unconventional fiberglass body of the Avanti coupe, which was designed by French born Raymond Loewy, still looks modern and contemporary today. The interior theme was aviation with some controls even on the ceiling. The car was built on the shortened version of Studebaker's Lark convertible chassis and was powered by Studebaker's 4.7-liter 289cid V8. However, because of production problems related to itd fiberglass body, only 3,834 Avantis were built in 1963 and 809 in 1964. The problems meant the car was unable to be the promised savior of the troubled Studebaker, which ceased operations in 1966. However, two Studebaker dealers in South Bend, Indiana, bought the rights to the Avanti in 1965 and continued to produce their Avanti II until 1987. See more

BEGINNING OF THE PORSCHE DYNASTY - 1950 PORSCHE 356

Dr. Ferdinand Porsche is the legendary engineer who is best remembered today but it was his son Ferry who gets the credit for the development of the Porsche 356. While his father was serving a 2-year jail term for the crime of developing the VW Beetle for Hitler, Ferry decided to build a sports car using the Beetle's engine, suspension and transmission. The first 356, the number came from it being the 356th design project for Porsche since its start in 1930, was made in Austria in 1947. In 1950 Porsche opened up its first German factory in Zuffenhausen. This also marked the first steel-bodied 356.

Although production in 1950 was only 410, this was the start of the Porsche dynasty. In 1951 the Carrera followed and the rest is history. The 356 was not easy to drive as it put a lot of pressure on parts that were built for the slower moving Beetle, but it was from these humble beginnings that a sports car dynasty was built. Buy it now

SIGNATURE MODELS 1/18 MERCEDES BENZ 770K PULLMAN

The 1938 Mercedes Benz 770 SK Pullman limo was the first Grand Mercedes to feature an oval tubular frame, independent suspension and hydraulic brakes. This evolutionary 770 was strtched 40 centimeters to 6 meters in length, its wheelbase was 3.88 meters. Since its debut in the autumn of 1930 at the Paris Automobile Show, the sensational appointments and exquisite finish helped the 770 to find itself in the fleets of many aristocratic courts and government leaders around the world. It was big and sold for big money (the price was equivalent to that of a single-family home in Germany). When equipped with armor plating (a much requested option as those who rode inside became less popular), the vehicle weighed as much as 4,800 kilograms, which required a supercharger to be added to the straight-eight 7.6 liter engine, boosting the motor's outoput to 230 horsepower. By 1938, the supercharger had become standard equipment and could produce a top speed of 170 kilometers per hour; however, the armored versions were limited to 80 km/h because of the bulletproof cell-type tires. See more

The BMW Z3 is one of the most handome sports convertibles around. James Bond's Corgi version - based in the car from Golden Eye - has one feature not found in production cars. Press the headrests and stinger missiles are launched from the neat headlights. So, as Bond told Felix Liter: 'Don't start pressing any buttons'

Pierce Brosnan's partner on his first outing as the suave spy is reproduced here to 1:36 scale in an authentically detailed die-cast replica. Working features include re-loadable Stinger missiles hidden behind the headlights, the metallic blue paintwork is precisely matched, and the model comes with figures of Bond and Natalya Simonova See more

CORGI 1/43 THORNYCROFT NIPPY - GWR DROPSIDE

The Great Western Railway was created by an Act of Parliament in the 1830s to provide a double tracked line from Bristol to London. Construction of the line started in 1836 at two locations; between Bristol and Bath, and Reading and London. 1935 was to see the Great Western make history by becoming the first British railway to celebrate 100 years of corporate existence. GWR was known to some as ‘God’s Wonderful Railway’, to others as the ‘Great Way Round’ (some of its earliest routes were not the most direct), and by some as the ‘Goes When Ready’ due to the casual way in which some of its branch lines were run. Buy it now

VANGUARDS 1/43 HILLMAN IMP RENFREWSHIRE & BUTE POLICE

As the Hillman Imp was built in Linwood, Scotland, it was obviously a first choice vehicle for panda car duties in the area. One of the forces that used the Imp was the Renfrew & Bute Constabulary who chose this very unusual colour scheme for their vehicles, which certainly stood out well. In May 1975 the force ceased to exist when it was merged with several other constabulary's to form the Strathclyde Police. Buy here

MOTORMAX 1/18 - 1949 BUICK CONVERTIBLE

After 3 years of work, 1949 marked the first new post-war styling for General Motors cars. The all-new Buicks, designed by Ned Nickles from GMs new C-body, lived up to its ad slogan of looking fine for 49. The Roadmaster convertible led the way, both in design and performance. From its aircraft-inspired low silhouette, Art Deco tail lights, 25-tooth Dollar Grin grille, and for the very first time, its legendary 4 Ventiports, the design was completely new. Under the engine the changes were as dramatic. Not only did the Roadmaster come with the Fireball straight-8 150 horsepower engine, but also Dynaflow Drive, the worlds first conventional torque converter automatic transmission. See more