SCHUCO 1/43 MERCEDES-BENZ L 319 PORSCHE SUPPORT VAN

The Mercedes-Benz L 319 was the company’s first delivery van design after WWII, premiering in 1955. It was designed to carry payloads from 1.6 to 1.9 tons and was available in a variety of configurations: Delivery van, small bus, pickup and even as a cab/chassis for customer applications. Mercedes applied its usual engineering prowess and innovation to create a forward cab design with a slightly rounded, enclosed structure, creating a load-bearing box. The mechanical design was intentionally simple with solid axles and leaf springs, and options for gas and diesel engines from the Mercedes passenger car program. The L 319 was a huge commercial success with over 120,000 built when it was replaced in 1968 by the T2 series. Shop here

HOT WHEELS 1/50 1966 TV SERIES BATCYCLE VEHICLE

The original Batcycle designed for the TV series was built from a Yamaha Catalina 250. The attached sidecar featured a portable go-cart with its own Yamaha engine that propelled off the sidecar when Batman™ slowed down or stopped. The Batcycle was customized with a batshield molded into the fairing and fender guard. Since its first appearance in the 1940s, the futuristic gadgets and unique styling of the Batmobile appealed to car lovers everywhere. This Hot Wheels line pays homage to the history of the Batmobile with our second series of 1:50 scale vehicles, using models specific to the Batman movies, comic books, animated series, and television show. Shop here

HOT WHEELS 1/50 1966 TV SERIES BATMOBILE VEHICLE

The Bat Mobile designed for the 1966 Batman TV Series was based on the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln Futura concept car. When approached to create a coar for the TV show, custom car builder George Barris decided the Ford Futura was the perfect fit. With existing bat-like features such as long fins and a bubble canopy, other "bat-gadgets" were added such as the nose-mounted chain slicer, on-board telephone and police beacon. This year, our Hot Wheels version has been modified with a trailer hitch to tow the 1966 Bat Boat. See more

HOT WHEELS 1/50 1966 TV SERIES BATBOAT VEHICLE

The Batboat is the latest in Hot Wheels' line of 1:50 scale vehicles based on the 1966 'Batman' television series, joining the Batmobile, Batcycle, and the Batgirl cycle ( at the time of this writing, the Batgirl cycle is still only available in a limited edition San Diego Comic Con boxset ).

The Batboat comes with a black plastic trailer, customized with the addition of batfins over the wheel wells, and bat insignias on the hubcaps. This trailer is a completely imaginary item, since on the television show ( and in the 1966 theatrical film where the boat was first introduced ) we never saw the Batboat being towed on a trailer of any kind. The boat was always seen to be docked by a pier, ready to go. The trailer attaches to a hitch added to newer editions of the previously released 1:50 scale Batmobile. Unfortunately, when the two models are displayed in tandem, it points out what appears to be a size discrepancy between the two, as the boat seems to be somewhat smaller in scale than the car. The boat does not stay securely, and only rests loosely atop the trailer.

As to the boat itself, the overall color is a dark metal-flake blue, with red pinstriping similar to that on the Batmobile. This is very close to the color of the original boat as seen on the T.V. series. The top of the boat has fairly correct silver highlighted detailing ( although curiously, the 'antenna' between the cockpit bubbles lacks the highlighting ). The sides of the hull have a large white flared leaf or feather shaped area on either side, which appears to be a common feature on the original Crestflite V174, which was produced and modified by Glastron for the show. However, on the Batboat, this was modified with the addition of a sporty red and yellow flame design. The flame on this toy, while similar, does not match the original exactly. However, it is close enough to pass inspection ( if you're not comparing it to still frames from the series ). The large tail fin has the appropriate yellow oval Batman shields ( though they look a bit small ), but it lacks the three white hightlights on both sides that accent the batwing scalloping in the rear ( I don't know why, but this is one missing detail that bothers me a lot ).

The shape of the boat itself seems to be a bit thicker and stubbier than the actual boat used on the show. I may be wrong, but it seems to my eyes that the length of the bow has been foreshortened. Unfortunately, the sculptors of this replica apparently did not have access to the original vehicle from which to take their measurements ( unlike the Hot Wheels Batmobile, which was created from digital scans of the actual car ).

Although the Batboat itself is not entirely accurate, It's still a nice addition to the Hot Wheels line, especially since replicas of the vehicles from the Batman television series have not been seen on toy store racks in well over twenty years. --Davidp

FRANKLIN MINT 1/32 AMERICAN LA FRANCE SERIES 700 OPEN CAB FIRE ENGINE

American La France Series 700 Open Cab Fire Engine Diecast Model by Franklin Mint. Huge and immensely powerful, the American La France has been hailed the most famous fire engine of all time. Now, the open cab version of the ultimate firefighter comes to life in this extraordinary model that re-creates every feature of the original. Check out the three-seater cabin with fully instrumented dash. There's a full complement of ladders, hoses and nozzles. Precision engineered with working features that include three-piece aerial extension ladder that rises more than 23" and rotates on its own turntable. Shop here

SCHUCO 1/43 VW T2A PORSCHE FACTORY VAN

In 1968, the second generation Volkswagen T2 Minibus was introduced. It was built in Germany until 1979. Models before 1971 are called T2a while models after 1972 are called T2b. This second-generation Minibus was slightly larger and considerably heavier than its predecessor. At 1.6 liter displacement and 48 hp, the engine was also slightly larger. The new model had half-shaft axles fitted with CV joints, which raised ride height. The T2b was introduced by way of gradual change over three years. The first models had unique body features, such as curvaceous bumpers with the front bumper wrapping around to form the step when the door was opened, front doors that opened to 90 degrees from the body and crescent air intakes in the D pillars. They also had unique engine hatches, and up until 1972 front turn signals set low on the nose, giving rise to their German nickname 'Low Lights'. Over its long life, VW made the T2 in a wide variety of configurations including the classic Minibus, delivery van, and the Combi, a useful platform for custom commercial designs. See more

SIGNATURE MODELS 1/18 1937 CORD 812 SUPERCHARGED

1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Diecast Car Model 1/32 Burgundy Die Cast Car by Signature Models
 
The cord 812 replaced the Cord 810 in early 1937 with the quality problems that plagued the original fixed and a pair of chromed exhaust pipes extending out and down from the engine compartment added on the supercharged model to enhance the Cord's racy looks. Yet, the changes were too late to save the marque and E.L.