CORGI 1/36 JAMES BOND TOMORROW NEVER DIES BMW 750i - THE DIRECTORS CUT

There's a great new feature for this Beemer-the bonnet badge pops up to reveal a chain cutter. With actual firing roof rockets too, this has play value. Shop here

CORGI 1/43 ROLLS ROYCE - THE DIRECTORS CUT

Rolls-Royce fans should ignore Bond character and trimmings, this is a gorgeous model. Spirit of Ecstasy, interior and bonnet ribbing are lovely! Shop here

VANGUARDS 1/43 AUSTIN 1800 - DURHAM POLICE

The Durham Constabulary were one of several forces that were tasked by the home office to experiment with a black and white livery on it's traffic division cars, similar in style to that used in the USA. Shop here

RICKO 1/18 ALFA ROMEO 147 GTA RACING RED

There sure is a lot of duplication going on, Ricko has produced  a Mercedes 300 and a Z4, and UH an MGB GT and R5 Turbo - these models are also duplicated by Revell, Minichamps or Kyosho in 2003. Thi s is a cup version of the 147 - and it's well finished. Shop here

EXOTO 1/18 1968 LOTUS FORD 49 - GRAHAM HILL #5

This Lotus Ford 49 is crammed full offeatures including: rotating front and rear brake discs, sophisticated steering mechanism, detailed suspension system featuring front and rear hydraulic hoses, removable airbox which exposes polished velocity stacks, photo-etched radiators, individually cast exhaust headers, a detailed cockpit with suede-like seat and fabric seat-belts with metal hardware, detailed engine bay featuring genuine aluminum heat shields, accurate pipes, hydraulic hoses, wires and more, fully wired and plumbed engine. The engine apart, the bodywork is perfectly portrayed, with all the riverts, with all the rivets, the driver in place with full instrument panel, and accurate wheels which include steering and suspension. The whole model is completed by fine paintwork and tempo prining.Here's some more background on the car and driver Graham Hill, courtesy of Exoto.com: Graham Hill finished second to Jim Clark in the 1968 South African Grand Prix with this well raced Lotus 49/R3. Hill had driven this chassis in the last six championship races in 1967; beginning with the British Grand Prix in July. The points scored by Graham Hill, in this car, at South Africa were the first in what was to become his second championship year. Shop here

1957 CHEVROLET 3100 PICK UP (DIXIE GAS PARTS & SERVICE)

A broken fan belt, an empty tank of gas, an overheated radiator. These are easy problems for a mechanic to fix, but they can upset the most pleasant ride. And, when they do occur, a driver hopes for a phone booth where a simple call will send relief and get the car back on the road. For many drivers along the beautiful highways of the south in the 1950s, that relief came from Dixie Gas. With its bright blue and yellow logo on the side of a classic 1957 Chevy 3100, the Dixie Gas Parts & Service vehicle was a gratifying sight to a motorist standing on the side of the road by his broken down car. With friendly service and quality workmanship, the Dixie Gas mechanic examined the problem—and more often than not—fixed it on the spot. This vehicle was often a mobile service station, putting cars back on the road in the quickest time possible. And now the Dixie Gas Parts & Service 1957 Chevy 3100 is part of the Fabulous Fifties Road Service Collection. It has been crafted in die-cast metal by Matchbox Collectibles—“the Greatest Name in Die-cast”


Dixie Oil and Gas Company


From the 1920s onward, the blue and yellow logo of the Dixie Oil and Gas Company was a familiar and welcome sight to American motorists in the South. Crowning gas pumps, oil cans and service vehicles, the logo consisted of a blue ring with the words “Dixie Gasoline” wrapped around a white diamond in a yellow field with the word “Oils.” The sign assured reliable fuel and oil for the increasing number of American automobiles.

MAISTO 1/18 PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO SILVER

This is one of the most impressive models I've seen from Maisto. They are a difficult company to fully figure out- often their products have ranked as average at best, but they are more than capable of performing real quality works, as this model shows. Built in Thailand and released in a glossy metallic silver paint with tan interior, this model of the Cayenne is 1:18th of the real thing. It weighs something over a pound, is about 10.5 inches long and 4 inches wide.


Functionality: the driver's and front passenger's door open, and while the hinges squeak something awful on mine, the doors are more securely mounted than I've seen on some models. The hood and rear liftgate open as well. The hinges on those are a bit stiff, somewhat like the doors, but again all these moving parts are mounted pretty well. Also to be considered is the fact that because all the opening parts are a bit stiff, they don't swing open and shut whenever they feel like it, and you don't have to do anything to make them stay open. Now, the rear passenger doors, left and right, do not open.


Appearances: this model looks realistic, just as it should. The underside, hood, interior, and exterior all have a remarkable look and feel of quality and detail to them. Maisto's Cayenne also has a certain sharpness to its appearances. Taut, well-made. Just like the German automobile it replicates.


Understand, of course, that this is not meant to be a toy. Something more simple, and durable, would probably be better if that's the kind of use you have in mind. But this Cayenne could probably hold up well if treated with care, even as a toy. Just don't get careless and break it. Know it's a model first and foremost. Reviewed by Alan Edward Creager "Master & Commander") Shop here


This is a quality model, and certainly more durable than some models I've come across. Prices aren't too bad, either, from what I've seen. This is definitely one of Maisto's better works. --Alan Edward Creager "Master & Commander") Shop here