CMC 1/18 AUDI 225 FRONT ROADSTER LIMITED EDITION

The rise of the company "Audi" is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating stories in the 100-odd years of automobile history. It began with one special name: August Horch. In June 1909, the top management of Horch decided that its founder August Horch had to leave the company. Undaunted by this twist of fate, August sought to launch a new automobile plant on his own. Only four weeks later, his dream virtually came true: The "August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH" was officially registered in Zwickau, Saxony on July 16, 1909. But the Horch plants took August to court, claiming exclusive use rights of the name "Horch" for themselves. August Horch lost the trial and had to find a new name. He wound up renaming his new plant “Audi”, the imperative case of the Latin verb "audire" meaning "Horch." in German. 2009 marks the 100th anniversary of Audi. This is reason enough for CMC to introduce a real classic miniature: the Audi Front 225 Roadster. First presented to the public in 1935, the car proved to be a real sensation for its time. Sporty and graceful, its body was a feast for the eyes. The aerodynamic line management enhanced the charming sporty look of its overall configuration in particular. CMC offers this ravishingly beautiful hand-assembled miniature of more than 1,600 single parts in three different two-tone color versions. M-075A is finished in black and yellow (black interior), M-075B, in blue and silver (red interior), and M-075C, in red and white (black interior). Each color combination brings out the glamour of this extraordinary model in a special way. The highly-detailed interior features a fully-instrumented dashboard and leather-upholstered seats, among others. The detail-exact undercarriage includes metal leaf springs, bonded brake cables, and a simulated wood frame. Mounted on the rear of the car is the removable spare wheel. Celebrate with us 100 years of Audi. See more

OXFORD MODEL 1/43 AUSTIN CAMPER

This month we have a camper with the roof raised which is part of a series of models covering the leisure market. The J2 was such a versatile vehicle that many were worked around the clock meaning few survived. Fortunately the campers had on easier life and it’s not surprising that some of these are still to be found. Coachwork firms were quick to take up the J2 for specialist conversions as the versatility of the chassis and standard body panels meant that a huge variety of vehicles could be built. The reverse side of the model has a second slide variant with two windows, the rear door is the single slide version. Shop here

SIGNATURE MODEL 1/18 1962 BMW 700 LS LUXUS GREEN

The BMW 700 was a small rear-engined car produced by BMW from 1959 to 1965, based on the BMW 600 (which was based on the Isetta). It was powered by a 2-cylinder, air-cooled engine of 697cc from the BMW R67 motorcycle. Styling was by Giovanni Michelotti – the car is sometimes compared with his other popular design of the same period, the Triumph Herald. A coupé and a cabriolet was also produced. The car was renamed "LS" in its later years.The 700 RS was a highly tuned version for racing. It had special, lightweight, aerodynamic bodywork and an engine tuned to 70 PS. Hans Stuck campaigned the car with success. Jacky Ickx also raced in 700s. About 180,000 were made in total. Classic BMW from the 60's, nicely detailed interior, opening doors boot and bonnet with engine detail. Shop here

FIRST STREAMLINED POLICE CAR - 1936 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW POLICE CAR

Chrysler's designers and engineers developed the Airflow in the mid-1930's to give a car the same streamlined effect of military aircraft. Sloping at both ends plus moving both axles away from the middle of the car gave the Airflow less wind resistance than any other car on the road. Unfortunately the public hated this futuristic look, preferring massive hoods and sweeping fenders on their luxury cars. But for the police, with its' all-steel top, "Life-Guard" tube tires and 115 hp. engine, function was more important than form. Buy it now

SCHUCO 1/10 BMW R69/S MOTORCYCLE WITH STEIB SIDECAR

The BMW 42 hp R69S was produced from 1960 to 1969 as a relatively high powered, high compression sport bike. The R69S also carried the patented Earles triangulated fork—ideal for use with sidecars—and came with sidecar lugs installed on the frames. The Schuco model replicates the unique fork design as well as the addition of an elaborate Steib TR500 sidecar. Steib began building sidecars in 1925 and was a leader in the category. BMW offered the popular TR500 design for many years. This amazing miniature replicates the mechanical prowess of the BMW motorcycle coupled to the grace and style of the Steib sidecar. See more

SKID RALLY - PEUGEOT 206 WRC ESSO (WHITE)

Same car, same drivers, but this time in a white Esso-backed 206, plus this time there's a special 'test car' version, as used by Gronholm, G. Panizzi and Delecour. Of the pair, it's the San Remo rally car which looks the most impressive, with looks the most impressive, with its vast 'Peugeot Lion blotches' dominating the 206's stylish lines. All look extremely neat. Shop here

SKID RALLY - PEUGEOT 206 WRC ESSO

It's amazing just how much 'starship' a modern rally car can look and Peugeot's 206 drives this point home. This silver machine is the works, Esso backed Monte Carlo enteant from that year driven by the Panizzi brothers. Conscientious attention to the interior, rear wing and sponsor's adverts are its hallmark and overall this Peugeot looks the part. Shop here