MAISTO 1/18 1971 DATSUN 240Z

For the price this is a pretty decent die cast. It's my first Z car scale model and I'm happy with it. I bought mine while they were available for a great price at Costco.


The general dimensions seem to be spot on from the outside. The model itself does have some very fine details and decals too. The scuff plate decal in the door frame looks like metal and has the tiny word DATSUN on it. There's even a minuscule VIN plate on the dash with legible numbers and the month that the California plate would be set to expire is almost discernible. The headlights, front turn signals and taillights are each separate plastic pieces and look very convincing. The side marker lights are painted on though. The tires are appropriately skinny with early style "D" hubcaps. Inside, there is period correct diamond pattern where it would have been on the original vinyl, the tiny three spoke wheel had the right indentations as well as a painted on wood rim and the door panels even have pulls and knobs molded onto them.

Both doors open, as well as the hatch and hood. The front wheels turn in conjunction with the steering wheel and it has independent suspension with coil springs all the way around, just like the real car. The underside of the body is comprised of 3-4 big slabs-o-plastic that have molded in details like the IRS, engine, transmission, splash pan and gas tank. There is a correct looking exhaust system complete with dual pipes that merge into one collector and route properly to the rear and out through a single muffler.

There are only a couple of disappointments. The biggest being the engine bay, which is one solid piece of plastic with a few parts painted (valve cover, air cleaner, spark plug wires and fluid reservoir caps). Under the rear hatch the metal of the body juts out at the bottom, quite unlike the real deal, and on the plastic window frames for both front doors, at the leading edge they get too thick right by where the rearview mirror is. It is accurate in only having a rearview mirror on the driver side however.

All in all, for the price, I'm happy with this model. So much so that I bought four of them. --W. Wilhelm  Shop here

CORGI CLASSICS 1/50 FOWLER B6 SUPERLION - MILLENNIUM

The showman's engine has also been chosen as a chrome Millennium model, and this is perhaps the best of the 'Millennnium' choices. Complete with a chrome seal, in a splendid presentation box, this looks quite eye-catching. As mentioned earlier, the Millennium series has sold quite well. Shop here

CORGI OOC 1/76 VAN HOOL ALIZEE - SHEARINGS

OOC's elegant Alizee coach has recieved one of its most attractive liveries yet. To celebrate 80 years, and the dreaded Millennium, Lewis of Greenwich revised its normal liver to represent the Thames flowing through Greenwich 'Home of the millennium' - (Greenwich Observatory is on the Meridian line and where GMT is measured from).

The delightful compass logo and Thames way line are really well done, resulting in one of the best millennium models produced. The registration LEW 15 W is a clever touch by Lewis. The tampo printing of such tiny details as the welcome aboard slogan is excellent. Shop here

MINICHAMPS 1/43 MERCEDES-BENZ UNIMOG 401 WITH TRAILER

It's always good to see a model of a more unusual prototype. Coming from Minichamps you know that the result will be an accurate casting, the fine detailing extending to the cab interior. Of particular note are the excellent wheels, and the high level of finishing. Shop here

WELLY 1/18 1964 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLES DIECAST CAR MODEL

1964 1/2 Ford Mustang Diecast Car Model 1/18 Convertible Red by Welly

The first production Mustang rolled off the assembly line on March 9, 1964, and was introduced to the public at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964, via all three Amercian television networks on April 19, and made an appearance in the James Bond film Goldfinger in September of 1964. It was one of the most successful product launches in automotive history. The Mustang nameplate has signified an American classic muscle car for generations. This beautiful 1964 Red Ford Mustang Convertible Diecast Model Car is a great collection piece for any fan of the Mustang

AUTOART 1/18 1956 JAGUAR XK-SS STEVE McQUEEN PRIVATE COLLECTION

1956 Jaguar XK-SS Steve Mqueen Private Collection Diecast Car Model 1/18 Die Cast Car by Autoart

Produced in 1957, basically from 'left over' Jaguar D-Type pressings, the XKSS was simply a racing car with some road car trim. It retained the D-Type 250bhp 'drysump' engines and disc brakes, and much of the performance. Only 16 were built before a disastrous fire at the Jaguar factory ended production. Born of the D-type and sire to the E-Type-the lines were evolving at an early stage. Examples of the real car are very rare and ver, very expensive. This perhaps explain why there are apparently more in circulation now than were originally builts!

The model has superb engine detail: the small doors open, as does the rear boot, the lower revealing the spare tyre. This model fills a gap in the history of Jaguar racing.

SIGNATURE MODELS 1/32 1936 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW DIECAST CAR MODEL

1936 Chrysler Airflow Diecast Car Model 1/32 Silver Die Cast Car by Signature Models

Total Corporate Sales Beat Ford 1936 was a great year for Chrysler with sales the best since 1929 and a profit record of 62.1 million. Even better, corporate sales topped 1 million and beat Ford. The Airstream design was radical for its time and much critized. Sales were not great but in the mid-1930's it gave Chysler much needed publicity. Our 1:32 scale precision diecast replica 1936 Chrysler Deluxe Airstream Sedan was built on the bigger 133 inc wheelbase. Powerd by the 273.8 cubic inch Inline 8 engine.