BEST MODELS: JAGUAR E-TYPE

This version of the E-Type was raced at the 1962 Le Mans raced by Charles/Coundley. Finished in British Racing green and carrying racing number eight, the car retired in the fourth hour. The model is accurate apart from the missing grille. To stop trackside rubbish blocking the radiator, a light grille (similar to that used later on the V12 E-Type) was fitted, but missing on this miniature. Buy here

CMC 1/18 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SLR MILLE MIGLIA #722, 1955

In 1955 Mercedes-Benz introduced its 300 SLR for the first time at the Mille Miglia. Among its strongest competitors were Ferrari, Maserati, and Aston Martin. Every minute a competing car got its starting clearance. Since 1949 the starting order had been decided by lot so that each starting number was a record of the starting time. The young-but-well-accomplished British race driver Stirling Moss, together with his co-pilot Denis Jenkinson (“Jenks”), received the starting number 722. It means that their exact starting time was 7:22 am. What an unforgettable race they presented that day. Denis Jenkinson invented the so-called Roller Map, a sort of “navigation system“ that would become a part of racing history. This Roller Map was a six-meter paper roll with details of the track information collected during the training sessions. As a result, he was able to give his pilot very exact tips. Thanks to his driving skills, his will to win, and the reliability of his 300 SLR, Stirling Moss already took the lead in Rome. After 10 hours, 17 minutes and 48 seconds, the duo of Moss and Jenkinson crossed the finishing line to become the victors. They reached an unbelievable average speed of 157.65 km/h. An unparalleled record for a long time to come. J.M. Fangio, also driving a 300 SLR, finished 2nd to complete a sweet dual triumph of the Mercedes-Benz. Our SLR is hand-mounted from more than 1,500 single parts. It is a precision model that incorporates well-documented historic details and authentic replication. Explore the realistic presentation of this great model, and you will feel somehow like Stirling Moss. By the way, Moss drove the whole race with the service panel removed to expedite maintenance work in the case of emergency. He simply could not bear to lose a single second unnecessarily. But if you do not feel capable of filling the shoes of this legendary race driver, then picture yourself as his co-pilot. A miniature version of Jenkinson’s Roller Map is also included. Buy it now

SCHUCO 1/43 SETRA S6 TOUR BUS PAINTED FOR HERMANN RUSER COMPANY

Setra is a renowned German maker of buses and touring coaches. The name comes from the German word Selbsttragend (self supporting). This refers to the company’s complete control of all aspects of making their buses. Until 1995 the firm operated under the name Kässbohrer-Setra, but economic difficulties forced its sale to Daimler Benz, under whose ownership it continues today. Your Schuco S6 model comes with the distinctive Setra name design and “K” logo imprinted on the display base. The first Setra bus, the Type S8, so called because it contained eight rows of seats, was introduced in April 1951. It featured a self-supporting body, a concept now featured in most modern buses. Equally unusual at the time was the decision to locate the engine behind the rear axle; another Kässbohrer-Setra innovation which subsequently became mainstream. The design simplifies the production process and creates a range of passenger-focused possibilities. Buy it now

SCHUCO 1/43 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN BLACK

The Volkswagen Tiguan was announced at the 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show held in November 2006 as a design concept, with the production version premiering at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show as a 2009 model for the North American market. While aimed at the growing crossover utility vehicle segment, the Track & Field version of the Tiguan has genuine off-road capabilities, with a maximum 28 degree approach angle to terrain. Schuco is a legendary German toy manufacturer, founded in 1912. The company achieved worldwide fame with its toy cars manufactured in the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s, many of which were patented. While Schuco continues to issue a limited number of metal retro-toys for collectors, today the company is better known for its amazing diecast vehicle replicas. Working directly with manufacturers and car collectors, Schuco painstakingly re-creates each vehicle in miniature, often incorporating tiny details only visible with a magnifying glass. Most Schuco models are issued in specified limited quantities, and once gone, will not be made again. That’s why wise collectors know that a Schuco model isn’t just a purchase: It’s an investment with a lifetime return of enjoyment. Buy it now

CORGI 1/72 OPEN ROUTEMASTER BUS

This is the Routemaster bus as an open top version for The Original London Sightseeing Tour. In some ways this is a curious mixture: clearly aimed at the toy or souvenir market, it has 'whizz'-type wheels, while much of the decoration is in the form of stickers. Yet the London Transport fleetname is tampo printed in gold with black outline, and the RM number (RM143) is included both on the bonnet and by the driver's cab (and in the case of the latter the word 'Routemaster' appears above the fleet number). The registration number plate is also included. If you have a collection of these Routemasters, you will find this version a welcome addition. Buy it now

DETAIL CARS: ALFA ROMEO SPRINT

Four versions have been produced of the 1960 Alfa Romeo. First comes the Sprint as a coupe, available in either red or powder blue. As one expects, this is finely detailed model, ranging from the flush glazing, seperate door and boot handles, windscreen wipers and wing mirror, wheels and silver trim around the windows, to the excellent representations of the lights, both front and rear. However, no less impressive is the interior, with the accurate steering wheel, dashboard detail, interior door handles pick out in silver, and the red trim on the seats.

Also available is the 1960 Giulietta Sprint 1,000 Miglia version in blue, carrying number 228, and a Giulietta 1960 Sebring version, with number 54, in white with black top.

The result is an excellent model. Buy here

CORGI: MERCEDES 207D 'EDDIE STOBART'

For Eddie Stobart fans, the Mercedes 207D van comes in the popular livery as a Roadside Maintenance vehicle: a worthy addition to the Stobart collection. Buy it now