Friday, February 6, 2009

REVELL 1/18 VW CORRADO VR6 BLACK 1991


The Volkswagen Corrado is a sport compact developed by German automaker Volkswagen and built by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany between 1988 and 1995. Conceived as a successor to the successful Scirocco, it is a three-door hatchback with a 2+2 seating layout. The Corrado used Volkswagen's B3 platform in the rear of the car, while using the A2 platform technology up front, which it shared with the then-current Golf and Jetta.

The Corrado offered exceptional handling for its time and was listed as one of the "25 Cars You Must Drive Before You Die" by the British magazine, Car. All models featured an innovative rear spoiler which automatically raised when the vehicle reached a set speed (45mph - 65mph depending on the region). Perceived as too expensive, it reached a production total of just 97,521 vehicles according to VWCorrado.de. However, many owner clubs exist around the world and it has become something of a modern classic.
FEATURES: Realistically recreated die cast bodywork with a dark burgundy metallic finish Opening hood and doors. Beautifully reproduced VR6-DOHC engine. Nicely rendered interior with folding bucket seat backs. Detailed chassis. Steerable front wheels. Simulated Dunlop tires with 5-spoke brushed finish wheels and disc brake detail Comes on a removable plastic base. INCLUDES: (1) Die Cast Model SPECS: Scale: 1:18 Length: 8-3/4"" (222mm) Width: 4"" (102mm) Height: 2-3/4"" (70mm) jxs 8/08/07 ir/jxs

SUPER SHELBY GT500E 1:18 'ELEANOR'


For car nuts, the star of ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ was ‘Eleanor’, a much customized 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang. There’s just a trace of a mould line on the corners of the air dam, and the big hood bulge, faired-in side pipes, and other ‘Eleanor’ details are modeled very accurately. The clear-coated dark metallic pewter paint is smooth and highly glossy with stripes and Shelby badges printed after the clear coat. A nitrous oxide bottle in the trunk means that the wired and plumbed V-8 is the mid-level 430 horsepower 351 cid option but there are no fuel lines or linkage. Underneath, the trick suspension with its horizontal rear shocks is modeled well and the nicely detailed wheels are accurate.—SMI April 2007

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

JEEP WITH HORSE TRAILER FROM SIKU


Jeep with Horse Trailer- Quality die cast and plastic Jeep towing a horse trailer. This durable Siku item has moving parts and is part of Europe's #1 line of die cast vehicles. The German engineering quality shows in the details and strength of the product. The wheels are welded to the axles & tires made of rubber for long lasting play on the farm!

Siku is the brand name of the range of diecast toys made in Germany by Sieper Werke, whose plant is situated at Ludenscheid, where the company started in 1921. he founder of the company was Richard Sieper, and initially made goods in aluminum. In 1949 it moved over toy production in plastic, although the vehicles were fairly basic. The name Siku is derived from Sieper and Kunststoffe (meaning plastic).

In 1955 the company launched a range of vehicles and accessories, using a constant 1/60th scale. The plastic toys continued in production until 1967. There was also a range of 1/250th scale aircraft.

In 1963 the company's first diecast toys appeared: at first these were also to 1/60th scale, until 1973 when the scale was changed to 1/55th. A range of farm equipment was introduced in 1983: this was to 1/32nd scale, the same as used by Britains for their farm models. In 1990 a series of smaller toys was launched.

Siku have for a long time incorporated various operating features into their toys The company also produces the predominantly 1/87th scale (there are also 1/43rd scale model) range of plastic vehicles sold the name of Wiking.--Encyclopedia of Model Collecting.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

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.

Friday, January 30, 2009

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


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.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

JAGUAR XK120 HARDTOP ORANGE

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



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.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

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.

Monday, January 26, 2009

MINICHAMPS 1/18 MORRIS MINOR MILLION PURPLE



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.

AUTO ARTS 1/18 LOTUS ELAN SE S3



Lotus launched a legend in 1962, the Lotus Elan. Following on from the previous Elite model the new Elan offered improved handling, performance and had a less fragile feel to its overall design. Below the Elan bonnet sat a twin-cam four cylinder engine which would become a legend in its own right, powering other classic Lotus models including the Cortina sports-saloons.Initially the Elan came as an open two seater, from 1964 a fixed head coupe was also available, both bodies being constructed from GRP and mounted on a separate chassis. Lotus Elan finished in bright yellow with black interior and hood, very nice detailed dash board, doors and boot open the bonnet also opens to reveal the engine. Moveable wheels with knock ons.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

MONOPOLY '56 CHEVY SCHOOL BUS


Most of the 5th Release of Monopoly vehicles by Johnny Lightning were double ups of properties already done in previous releases. This Community Chest school bus was an original new additional. Community Chest had of course been done before with the Community Chest Ford Mustang Car from release one (and rereleased in release 2) and likewise the bus had been used for the Go Directly to Jail, Do Not Pass Go Bus (which is currently not listed on Amazon but was part of release 3). This time however the bus is yellow but surprisingly the prison bar through the windows remains from the old orange previous bus (keep them kids from escaping before they Pay School Tax of $150 which is written on the side near the back. There is also Mr Monopoly patting some nerdy looking kid on the head (same image as used in game on the card) on the side of the bus. The only disappointing thing however is that they missed a massive opportunity to do anything with the huge canvas which is the roof of the bus. It's just yellow, a nice Monopoly image would have been sensational here! Of course like all 5th series Monopoly vehicles they made the bonus token (a miniature version of the bus) silver to celebrate Monopoly's 70th year. This is a must own! --James N Simpson

MONOPOLY PARK PLACE PONTIAC TEMPEST


This nicely detailed Pontiac Tempest is one of only two properties (not including rail roads or utilities) in the first release of twelve vehicles. The other incidentally was the red '57 Chevy (Illinois Ave). This dark blue Pontiac represents Park Place the second most expensive property on the board. It is a bit of weird selection with so many more luxurious and expensive cars out there to choose from (in series two Boardwalk is a BMW) but it is one of the better looking vehicles of release one. Also like all other vehicles in series one it comes with a bonus game token which is also very well detailed even with the little top of the engine coming out of the bonnet. On the boot of this vehicle (trunk) is an image of the Park Place card you get when you purchase the property in the game. It is very well detailed with everything that is on the actual game card. On the roof is the moustache top hat guy holding his cane (like on the packaging as seen inside the Monopoly word). That very word symbol in the red rectangle is also on the doors and bonnet. I have all of the 12 first release Monopoly Johnny Lightning cars and can testify that this is one of the best vehicles of that release. These vehicles were also rereleased with an additional six new vehicles as series two, but with different packaging. So depending on if you're into keeping your vehicles in their packaging you may want to consider which series to buy from. Series one's packaging is purple on the left, and green on the right. Has the Monopoly Man in a car on the purple side and getting given some cash on the right. The five properties behind the car are Boardwalk, Luxury Tax (obscured by dice), Park Place, Chance and Short Line. There was a competition mentioned in the top left corner and on the back of the card. Series two replaced the dice with a big "bonus game token" red and yellow arrow, just in case you hadn't noticed the token before. The properties were replaced by the orange ones as well as Community Chess, and the top half of the packaging has a blue background. The initial twelve cars and their bonus token including this one are exactly the same. If you're going to take them out and throw away the packaging then it matters not which series you buy, get whichever is cheaper. Johnny Lightning cars are always well done and much better detailed than anything Matchbox, Hotwheels or anyone else puts out.-- James N Simpson.

MONOPOLY ILLINOIS AVE'57 CHEVY CAR


The Illinois Ave red Chevy is definitely one of the best cars to not just come out of release one of Johnny Lightning's Monopoly series but all the Monopoly series as well. This nicely detailed Chevy is one of only two properties' (not including rail roads or utilities) in the first release of twelve vehicles. The other incidentally was the Park Place Pontiac Tempest. These vehicles were also rereleased with an additional six new vehicles as series two, but with different packaging. So depending on if you're into keeping your vehicles in their packaging you may want to consider which series to buy from. Series one's packaging is purple on the left, and green on the right. Has the Monopoly Man in a car on the purple side and getting given some cash on the right. The five properties behind the car are Boardwalk, Luxury Tax (obscured by dice), Park Place, Chance and Short Line. There was a competition mentioned in the top left corner and on the back of the card. Series two replaced the dice with a big "bonus game token" red and yellow arrow, just in case you hadn't noticed the token before. The properties were replaced by the orange ones as well as Community Chess, and the top half of the packaging has a blue background. The initial twelve cars and their bonus token including this one are exactly the same. If you're going to take them out and throw away the packaging then it matters not which series you buy, get whichever is cheaper. On the bonnet of this vehicle (hood) is an image of the Illinois Avenue card you get when you purchase the property in the game. It is very well detailed with everything that is on the actual game card. On the roof is the moustache top hat guy holding his cane (like on the packaging inside the Monopoly word). That very word symbol in red rectangle, is also on the doors and boot (trunk). --James N Simpson See more.

Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y-18C 1918 Atkinson Steam Lorry

    Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y-18C 1918 Atkinson Steam Lorry was made in England by Matchbox International in 1986. It is 11 cm long an...