DIE-CAST MODEL 1/18 MG MGB GT (1975)

The MGB was and still is a automotive Icon of the 20th century and was a sports car ahead of it's time. There was nothing cutting-edge about it's drive-line in that it was rear wheel drive with leaf springs mounted on the live rear axel. But the sporty bodyshape is timeless and still looks modern some 35 years on , which was no mean feat. This version is of the 'Rubber Bumper' USA federal model which became a standard bodystyle. B.L could not afford to keep the chrome bumpered model in production alongside the 'Rubber' version. This was forced on the company due to new stringent rules for the USA which was MG's major market. Also the suspension was raised by crude steel wedges under the struts again due to lack of money !. This killed the sharp handling of the little car and the heavy bumpers also damaged the top speed and fuel consupmtion. To my eyes I like the look as it did modernise the 'B' for the late 1970's until 1981 when Abingdon closed it's doors. B.L's failer was to not modernise the MGB so sales slowly tailed off until the bitter end. Then when Micheal Edwards took control of the company MG was not part of the grand recovery plan set in motion in 1979. This is a fine model though I don't like the lurid colour at all but I suppose it's very 1970's ?. The suspension is too low for this type of MGB but with some work it can be raised as I have done. All in all this is a great model of a classic sports car little seen on the roads today.--NEO "Daren" Buy it now

SOLIDO 1/43 TUCKER IN METALLIC BLUE

The 1948 Tucker has arrived, initially in metallic blue or metallic red, although six other colours are promised over the next three months, with all eight colours being available as a 'set' in the autumn.

While the general shape of this distinctive car has been well captured, with well executed windscreen wipers, the interior looks a little basic, particularly the dashborad area. pleasing touch is the front passenger window being shown slightly open. This is good value for its 1/43 scale

MATCHBOX ACCESSORY PACK NO.2 THE BEDFORD CAR TRANSPORTER

Accessory Pack No.2, released in 1957, was an articulated Bedford Car Transporter. This model was able to carry four Matchbox cars, two on the lower deck and two on the upper. In these early days of Matchbox toys there were no hinged deck or ramps, so there was no obvious way of loading and unloading cars on the upper deck. The Bedford Car Transporter is the most interesting of the Matchbox Accessory Packs as far as variations are concerned, not least because it exists in a rare colour version and was also the Accessory pack model which had the longest production run (and therefore more opportunity for variations).

The first version had metal wheels fifted in common with other Matchbox vehicles of the time, although the wheels were larger than those fiftted to any other model, excepting the Yesteryear series. The sides of the transporter trailer were decorated with the words “Matchbox” Car Transporter’ applied with a printing process unlike other Matchbox models (which had decals at this time). Earlier issues had the lettering much wider spaced than later versions, the overall length being 50mm rather than 37mm.

A WORLD OF BUS TOYS AND MODELS

Whether you are interested in toy vehicles or real buses, this book offers a feast for the eyes. An astounding array of model buses from some 20 nations - diecast, plastic, tin-plate, and cardboard - awaits you; the material is extremely captivating. But beware, if you do not already collect model buses, you may find yourself doing so after perusing this book. Also included are many antique and rare models one doesn't see all the time. Granted, not every model is included and the survey could be a little stronger regarding models from the former Soviet Union. Nevertheless, this book has a lot to offer and I heartily recommend it to anyone with more than a passing interest in buses. --Daniel L. Berek Buy it now

KYOSHO 1/18 BMC MIN COOPER S - WINNER RALLY MONTE CARLO 1965

A model of an historic Mini for fans of the marque here. The real vehicle, crewed by T. Makinen and P. Easter, was able, despite trying weather conditions, to win five out of six special trails, winning the Rally. Only 35 out of 237 cars finished. This is a good rendition. Buy it now

THE ERF LORRY OR STAKE TRUCK

The ERF Lorry (20a) was a simple open back truck, known in the USA as a stake truck. It ranged in colour from deep maroon to dark red, and in its final very short run in 1959 it was fifted with grey plastic wheels instead of metal wheels, making this variant one of the rarest. The first issue was reputedly trimmed in gold (though I have never actually seen one), but all subsequent releases had silver trim. A colour trial model has been found in light green without a brace cast between the cab and the body.

For many years collectors sought another rare version with a spare wheel painted in the body colour lodged behind the cab. This appears to be a genuine variation, although it is difficult to decide whether this was a short-lived intentional version or whether loose wheels somehow got lodged in the gap during the feltling stage and no-one bothered to remove the rogue wheel before painting tool place.

The final variation linked to this model concerns the silvertrim. This was applied by mask spray, but interestingly the replacement model (20b) had the silver trim applied by hand to the earliest release.--Model Collector

AUTO ART 1/43 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO - ITALIAN POLICE

If you travel the highways of southern Italy, keep a look out in the rear view mirror for this motor. It's capable of 192mph, from its four valve V90 5 litre 500 hp engine. This car was a gift from the factory. An unusual but welcome addition to the police collection. Buy it now.