IXO 1/43 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOII-2003 NEW ZEALAND RALLY

A well-detailed and nicely-finished model of the Misubishi Lancer WRC car in a livery not often seen previously. The model is mounted on a removable plinth with a hard plastic cover. Shop here

SUN STAR 1/18 - 1956 LINCOLN PREMIERE CLOSED CONVERTIBLE

1956 Lincoln Premiere Diecast Car Model 1/18 Closed Convertible Island Coral/Red Platinum Edition by Sunstar

The 1956 Lincoln Premiere captured everythin that you would expect in a Lincoln, and more. From the long, flowing unbroken lines to the lavish two-tone interior, this automobil exudes class and raises the pulse of anyone nearby 285 horses run under the hood, available at a moment's notice. Power windows, air conditioning, steering, brakes and seats provide comfort and safety at the touch of a finger. No luxury escaped the designers of this masterpiece. This meticulously-crafted 1:18 scale replica of the 1956 Lincoln Premiere will capture your attention and intrigue your sense of adventure with each authentic feature.

SUN STAR 1/18 FACEL VEGA HK500 DIECAST CAR

The Facel Vega HK500 was the car of its day driven by celebrities and the European jet set during the 50's and 60's. Tony Curtis and Frank Sinatra even had one. Incredibly well-made with high quality coachwork and engineered to the highest expectations of its well-heeled clients, the car's performance and ride even rivaled that of the most expensive Rolls Royce or Mercedes of its day. Shop here

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