THE GODFATHER'S 1940 CADILLAC LIMOUSINE

The Godfather's 1940 Cadillac Limousine by Jada Toys

A single rear and the divider behind the chauffeur’s seat identify Jada’s new 1:18 scale 1940 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood as the Five-Passenger Touring Imperial. Its big seven-piece diecast body is smooth and clean, with a glossy black finish that has traces of orange peel. The features that distinguished 1940 models – new grille, bumper with thin vertical guards, and fender-mounted turn signals, are all modeled accurately, however leave the hood closed; the V8 engine beneath it is completely chrome-plated. All four doors are hinged correctly and close with an audible snap. The all-plastic interior has neatly painted handles and cranks and legible instruments, but much of the dashboard trim, including wood-grain panels, hasn’t been reproduced. The nicely detailed Godfather figure in the rear seat+ is neatly and realistically painted, as is the standing driver whose gun hand is tucked inside his jacket. While Jada’s 1940 Cadillac Series 75 looks good and is well-made, I think they fitted it to the box. Wheelbase is 1:19 scale, while the length is more than 2 inches short at 1:21 scale and photos show that both the rear doors and rear fenders are too short. --SMI May 2007.

1971 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER LIMITED EDITION

1971 Plymouth Roadrunner Diecast Model Orange 118 Die Cast Car Elite by ERTL

From the American Muscle Elite series this is an authentically reproduced, two-door hardtop wrapped in Hemi Orange Metallic paint with black roof strobe stripe, and matching coloured bumpers. You also get an excellent air grabber hood with hood pins and can raise it to view the highly detailed 440-cubic-inch 'Six Pack' engine with separate battery and flexible cables

1966 DODGE CHARGER

1966 Dodge Charger Diecast Model Red 118 Die Cast Car By Ertl Authentics

This one is also from the American Muscle Authentic Series wih over 200 highly detailed parts. The bright Red bodywork comes with highly polished, electro-plated chrome parts, and authentic Charger badges.

1965 FORD MUSTANG 2+2 GT

1965 Ford Mustang Gt 22 Fastback Diecast Model Yellow 118 Die Cast Car By Ertl Authentics

Here is 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 GT from the American Muscle Authentic Series by ERTL This model is 2 door hardtop fastback body wrapped in a Phoenician Yellow paint and electro-plated chrome parts. The doors open to a black bucket seat interior fully carpeted with black flocking. Pop the 'hood' to view the beautifully reproduced 289 engine.

JAGUAR XK120 HARDTOP ORANGE

1949 Jaguar XK 120 Diecast Model Orange 118 Die Cast Car By Signature Models

The Jaguar XK120 was manufactured between 1949 and 1954. It was the first post-war sports car from the marque, succeeding the SS100 which ended production in 1940 with the start of the war in Britain. The XK120 was launched at the 1948 London Motor Show as a test bed and show vehicle to highlight the new Jaguar XK engine. The car caused a sensation, which persuaded William Lyons to put it into production as a standard model.The first cars manufactured in 1948 and 1949 had hand built aluminum bodies on an ash frame. Jaguar built 240 of these alloy bodied cars prior to moving to a more mass production XK120 in order to meet the demand for this popular model. With the 1950 model year a production version had a steel pressed body with alloy doors, bonnet, and trunk skin. Other features included torsion bar front suspension, and a removable windscreen. Nice detailed model of the well known sports car in its hard top version with opening doors,bonnet and boot, moveable wheels with white walled tyres, detailed interior, model length approx 25cm.

CORGI 1/43 MORRIS J2 VAN MODEL DUDLEY ZOO

The J2 range of 15cwt vans and pick ups was designed by Morris but was very much a BMC product and was the corporations first unitary construction van. Launched in 1956 it continued in production until 1967 by which time over a 120,000 had been built. The J2 was originally fitted with the 1489cc version of BMC's B-Series engine, which was used in many different vehicles including the Austin Cambridge and MGA. In 1962 it gained the enlarged 1622cc engine, which was been fitted in the rest of the corporation's products, and a floor change gearbox. A diesel version using the same engine was also offered. In line with BMC's thinking in the late fifties, an Austin badged version of the J2 was made, which differed only grille shape, the Austin being plainer in style and more rectangular. The BMC JU van that was announced in 1967, and produced until 1974 was actually a very heavily revised J2 under the skin.

Founded in 1937 and celebrating it's 70th birthday in 2007, Dudley Zoological Gardens in the heart of the West Midlands is set in 40 acres of parkland in the shadow of the medieval castle. It is home to more than 1,000 animals and 200 species, many of them highly endangered and heads a prestigious conservation programme. The J2 van featured as a publicity vehicle during the 1960s.

MINICHAMPS 1/18 MORRIS MINOR MILLION PURPLE

MORRIS MINOR MILLION PURPLE 118 MINICHAMPS MODEL

The revolutionary Morris Minor (the prototype was called Mosquito) was launched at the Earls Court Motor Show on 20 September, 1948. Named for an earlier Morris Minor car , it was the work of a team led by Alec Issigonis, who later designed the Mini. Sir Alec became famous for his creation of the Mini but he was really proudest of his participation in designing the Morris Minor. He considered it as being a vehicle which managed to combine many of the luxuries and conveniences of a good motor car with a price suitable for the working classes, while the Mini, introduced in 1959, was a spartan mode of conveyance with everything cut to the bone. The Morris Minor, when compared with competitor products in the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s, excelled as a roomy vehicle with superior cornering / handling characteristics. Morris Minor finished in allover lilac the model has moveable wheels in cream with chrome hubcaps, opening doors, boot and bonnet to show the engine detail, interior seating is in pale beige edged in black, the dash panel is very well represented, length approx 21.5cm.