RAYGO RASCAL ROAD ROLLER

Massive self-propelled road rollers for the construction industry are the speciality of RayGo Inc. of Minneapolis. Two heavy models with vibrating rollers are offered, the smaller weighing 17,5000 lb. and the larger 28,800 lb. The machines are driven by big Diesel engines mounted at the rear and the vibrating drums are powered by separate hydraulic units. Controlled vibration improves the compaction of certain soils, speeding up the whole operation of building motorways, airfields and deep foundations, applying a total force of up to 30 tons. Very large diameter pneumatic "flotation" tyres at the rear and hydraulic power-steering give good handling over all surface.

Corgi No.44 Raygo Rascal Road Roller

AUSTIN-HEALEY SPRITE LE MANS

In 1967 and 1968, a ford GT40 won the gruelling Le Mans 24-Hour race. On both occasions the only British car to finish was the Austin-Healey Sprite. In 1968, the 1.3 litre Sprite, driven by Enever and Poole, covered 2,121 miles at an average speed of 94.7 mph. to finish 15th. This magnificent achievement owes much to design, preparation, brilliant driving and pit control. for Le Mans the car appeared with a special streamined body but the basic specification closely follows the standard version. The engine is a 1,275 c.c. four-cylinder unit with two carburettors, developing 64hp. giving a maximum speed of around 95 mph.

Corgi No.11 Austin-Healey Sprite Le Mans

CITROEN SAFARI

Advanced technical specification allied to an extremely robust estate car body make the Citroen Safari ideal transport on or off the motorways. This version of the famous French Citroen DS shares the self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension of the saloon car and is powered by a 4-cylinder engine with twin-choke carburettor developing 109 h.p. Drive is to the front wheels, a feature which ensures unaccommodation and, with the aid of a roof-rack, more gear can be carried outside the car. Cruising speed is in the mid-eighties.

Cogi No.2 Citroen Safari

VOLKSWAGEN POLICE CAR

Its compact dimension, performace and reputation for all-weather reliability make the VW Beetle a popular member of the fleets of Continental police forces. Of the engine variants available most police services use the 1300 and 1200 model with an output of 40 h.p. The Volkswagen engine is a rear-mounted air-cooled unit, and it is the latter feature which makes it so suitable in extremes of temperature. Although the VW was designed before the Second World War, its specification is by no means out of date today. The suspension is independent at front and rear and the horizontally-opposed engine is robust, smooth and economical.

Corgi No.3 Volkswagen 1200 Police Car

JAMES BOND ASTON MARTIN DB5

How to turn a normal--if highly potent-sports car into a secret agent's specialised transport is demonstrated in James Bond's Aston Martin. The boffins in 007's department took the famous David Brown high-performance tourer and incorporated gadgets, gimmicks and death-dealing devices which enable Bond to defeat the villains of SMERSH. The most spectacular idea is the ejector seat which will, at the touch of a button, nearly and efficiently dispose of an unwelcome passenger through a trapdoor in the roof. In spite of its special equipment, however, the Aston remains a normal car in outward appearance.

CADILLAC ELDORADO

One of the world's most luxurious-and expensive cars-the Cadillac Eldorado must also be one of the biggest. It is 18 ft 5 in long 6 ft 8 in wide and 4 ft 6 in high. The Eldorado is powered by a 7.7-litre V8-cylinder engine developing 375 h.p. Maxinum speed is approximately 125 m.p.h. Front wheel drive is unsual feature resulting in a great deal of unobstructed legroom for both front and rear-seat passengers. This two-door coupe is luxuriously trimmed and appointed and has, of course, automatic transmission and front disc brakes as standard.

This is a diecast car from Corgi No.9 Cadillac Edorado, issued 1968-1971, white and black body, chrome whizzwheels, red interior, opening bonnet.

HOW AND WHERE TO BUY QUALITY DIECAST COLLECTIBLES CARS

Author by : Gregg Hall

In today's online market, there are many ways for the average Joe to buy and sell goods which have added options to the former yard sale generation. Ebay has skyrocketed the possibilities in which consumers can both seek out and get rid of various item from purses to houses to small collectibles. Auction prices are set by sellers and revised accordingly as supply and demand warrants. It is astounding how many items a simple search will provide, even on a focused area such as diecast cars. Since the popularity of diecast cars is increasing exponentially with the new designs that the marketplace is offering, the online demand for the products has increased proportionally. One can find many opportunities to build a collection simply by logging on to Ebay. Alternatively, one can sell parts or entire collections through the same venue. All it takes is a computer, digital camera, and a little know how to become a successful diecast merchant on the internet.

Ebay is the most reputable online auction service. It has many safeguards in place to protect both buyers and sellers and to preserve its good name. While using Ebay once may assume they are in pretty good hands. However, vigilance is always necessary in the online auction world. Obviously there are always "bad guys" who are out to get novice consumers and take advantage of their lack of experience. The people at Ebay go great lengths to ensure your protection such as shutting down phony auctions and people who bid fraudulently to increase the bid price. These safeguards are useful, but not perfect. For this reason one must always utilized common sense when buying or selling diecast cars on Ebay.

Another website devoted to selling cars is gomotorbids.com, a division of gomotorsports.com. This site operates a bit differently than Ebay in that the cars can only be bought, not sold. Due to this fact, the site is more of an online store with an auction format. The company owns all of the cars being sold and the operators of the website ensure that all sales are completed with accuracy and legitimacy. Also, all bids begin at one dollar, eliminating the "reserve" sometimes seen on Ebay to inflate bidding prices. This site boasts that the consumer will be satisfied with every sale on gomotorbids.com due to its policies and safeguards.

When faced with the decision of where to buy and sell diecast collectible cars, one must consider all options. Of course yard sale type business including trading with acquaintances is always an option, but not often feasible. It requires a lot of time and includes traveling to destinations in order to make purchases and/or sales. The alternate option of internet merchandise fits into the lives of many more collectors. It is a personal decision, but once made, collectors find themselves accomplishing their goals of both accumulating and selling diecast cars for display.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a collectible cars at www.diecast-racing-collectibles.com