ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF MOTORING WITH SHELL

In the 1930s the fledgling UK oil industry's numerous and conspicuous outdoor petrol advertisrments attracted critical attention from local authorities.

Shell introduced an imaginative and much praised alternative by displaying 30 by 40 inch posters on the side of its delivery trucks.

These posters continued the trend established by Shell in the 1920s for advertising with distinctive graphics, humour and highly original eye-catching work, using well-known artistics such as Rex Whistler and H.M. Bateman, toconvey the company's personality to customers.

A further poster series was commissioned by Shell from the most respected names in 20th century art, including Graham Sutherland, Edward McKnight Kauffer, Paul Nash, Edward Nicholson, John Piper and Vanessa Bell. Together their work offers a graphic chronicle of the dawn of mass motoring and the development of advertising.

By 1997 the motor industry and 'The Shell Transport and Trading Company' will have celebrated 100 years. The recurring theme from the posters of the 1930s-enjoyable and trouble free motoring with Shell-continue to be the cornerstone of the relationship Shell has with motorists today.

CORGI 1/50 MACK C PUMPER FIRE TRUCK MODEL - BALTIMORE

This 1965 Model C-95 had a diesel engine with a 1000-gpm Waterous pump and a 300 gallon water tank. The pumper was place in service with Engine 31 (north Baltimore) in May 1965. In 1973, when Engine 31 received new unit, the pumper was placed in service with Engine Co.43 (also north Baltimore) and served there until November 1982, thus completing 17 years of first-line service to the department. This Mack C further served as a reserve engine until 1987. Shop here

SIKU 1/55 LINDE H80 FORK LIFT TRUCK

The Linde H80 Fork Lift truck, in the usual 1/55th scale range, is a superb piece of kit and it will not look out of place alongside any other 1/50th scale models in your collection.

Siku have excelled themselves and produced a model costing just a few pounds that is equal to those 'other' German promotionals which cost three or four times the price. Using their now standard 'truck' wheels and tyres, which are pretty good for a toy, the Fork Lift is beautifully decorated and well put together. It can also be operated without the fear of breaking the tiny and vulnerable rams often associated with 'promotional' models. Shop here

CORGI 1/50 SCANIA TOPLINE & FLATBED TRAILER - DEREK MARSTON & SONS - NR.SHREWSBURY

In 1966, Derek Marston spent £1750 on an A license and a Bedford J type petrol lorry with a livestock box. Foot and Mouth struck in 1967, “needless to say, the outbreak crippled the livestock haulage industry and overnight, and I found myself with no work at all”, said Derek. He needed to diversify quickly, so began hauling sugar beet, animal feed and fertiliser. Throughout, the next 30 years, Derek Marston & Son’s fleet expanded, and they began to haul bricks and round timber. Today, the company runs a mixed, 12 strong fleet, which includes Scania's, DAF’s, Foden’s and ERF’s. Shop here

CORGI 50th ANNIVERSARY 1/76 VAN HOOL T9 - CAELLOI MOTORS

This Welsh operator almost certainly holds the record, for being Britain's oldest established coach and bus operator. The model carries an attractive, complicated, very well applied livery. Also included; a plinth, tour itinery, certificate and repro Corgi catalogues. Shop here

CORGI 1/36 RANGE ROVER - THE NEW AVENGERS

One of the cult television series--not quite in the same leauge as The Avengers--which retain their popularity. This attractively packaged set provides John Steed's Range Rover in British racing green, and a model of the man himself, with essential umbrella and bowler. Shop here

CORGI 1/50 SCAMMELL HIGHWAYMAN 'EVER READY'

The Scammell Highwayman has proved to be an extremely popular model from Corgi: it now comes as a tanker for Ever Ready. Such tankers were used by the company to transport zinc chloride, and it looks smart in the dark blue livery. Shop here