DATSUN 240Z - EAST AFRICAN SAFARI RALLY

The Datsun 240Z was a popular sports coupe in the 1970s, and successful in rallies, like the gruelling East African Safari.

FABULOUS 1952 HUDSON HORNET CONVERTIBLE

The 1948-1954 Hudson’s ‘step down’ unibody gave it a much lower center of gravity – and better handling – than any other American car of the period. And ‘Twin H-Power’ dual carburetors gave its 308 cubic inch six gobs of torque and enough power to win the NASCAR Championship from 1951 through 1953 and finish second in 1954. The Fabulous Hudson Hornets won 31 of the 35 races they started in 1952! Once in a while there’s a model that’s just right in every respect and Highway 61’s ’52 Hudson Hornet Convertible is one of them. There’s not enough space to fully describe this one, you’ll just have to see it. Start with flawless glossy dark metallic grey paint, with every piece of trim done with separate chrome parts; even the Twin H-Power trunk badge is film-thin chrome. The hood opens on scissors hinges with over-center supports and the wired and plumbed engine matches photos in the June 1986 ‘Collectible Automobile’ perfectly. I’m even more impressed with the interior; properly hinged doors, soft carpets, exceptionally realistic upholstery with separate plated handles and cranks, the rarely seen but authentic leather-grained dash and door trim, and legible instruments and radio face. Underneath, the diecast chassis is separate from the baseplate, as are the drivetrain and suspension components, and there are even value stems in the wheels. Body lines match photos from all angles, details are all present and correct, dimensions are right on 1:18 scale, and best of all, this beauty is only $62.99 from amazon.com. (SMI)

PHANTOM’ NOVA; STEVE STROPE NOVA Z/28

Chevrolet Nova Z/28 Steve Strope Diecast Car Model 1/18 Orange Die Cast Car 1 of

Steve Strope’s ‘Z/28 Nova’, a car Chevrolet never built, was the hit of the 2006 Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (SEMA) show. A Z/28 Camaro style spoiler, classic ‘Hugger Qrange’ and white paint scheme, ‘cowl induction’ hood, and Z/28 ‘blackout’ grille treatment transformed the stock 1969 Nova body. A ‘mouse motor’ 302 V-8 with a Trans-Am style cross-ram twin carburetor manifold, modern Tremec transmission, and 4-into-1 headers provided the ‘go’ while wide Budnik wheels with Corvette C-6 dusk brakes all around handled the ‘whoa’! The Nova’s interior was replaced with a Camaro dash and gauges, bucket seats, and the ‘Rally Pack’ console, with ‘Hound’s Tooth’ upholstery. GMP’s new Nova Z/28 has a flawless heavy diecast body with mirror-smooth authentic paint and printed stripes. Running light bezels and Z/28 badges are foil-thin chrome, door handles are painted, and everything else is bright chrome. The hood opens to show the accurate small-block engine which has coolant hoses and spark plug wires but its alternator is supported only by the drive belt. Inside, the accurate Camaro dash has a full set of legible instruments an printed chrome trim but the relief-moulded inner handles haven’t been pick out. Chassis detail included separate drive train and exhaust system (the headers have small mould lines) and relief-cast, neatly painted hydraulic lines. Those big ventilated disks are easily seen through the big bright chrome wheels. (SMI)

SCHUCO 1/43 BMW 507 DIECAST CAR MODEL

The BMW 507 made its debut at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York in the summer of 1955 and production began in November 1956. The body was almost entirely hand-formed of aluminum. The engine was the aluminum alloy BMW OHV V8, 3.2 liter displacement, with pushrod overhead valves. It had a pair of Solex Zenith two-barrel carburetors and was rated at 150 hp. The V8 was mated to a four-speed manual transmission with a variety of rear-differential ratios available. The 507 was capable of 0-60 mph in about 10 seconds, and the factory claimed a top speed of 141 mph, depending on gearing. The high level of craftsmanship BMW invested in every car made led to increasing production costs, ultimately pushing the U.S. price to $10,500, an amazing amount in the late '50s. Still, BMW lost money on every 507 built, and production was terminated in late 1959 after only 252 were built, plus two prototypes. Today the BMW 507 remains a milestone model for its styling. Of the 252 made, 202 are known to survive, a tribute to the car's appeal. Schuco is a legendary German toy manufacturer, founded in 1912. The company achieved worldwide fame with its toy cars manufactured in the '30s, '40s and '50s, many of which were patented. While Schuco continues to issue a limited number of metal retro-toys for collectors, today the company is better known for its amazing diecast vehicle replicas. Working directly with manufacturers and car collectors, Schuco painstakingly re-creates each vehicle in miniature, often incorporating tiny details only visible with a magnifying glass. Most Schuco models are issued in specified limited quantities, and once gone, will not be made again. That’s why wise collectors know that a Schuco model isn’t just a purchase: It’s an investment with a lifetime return of enjoyment. See more

SCHUCO 1:43 VOLKSWAGEN T1 SERVICE VAN FOR JOHN DEERE-LANZ

The classic Volkswagen T1 Minibus was first produced in 1950 and continued to be made until 1967. Its duties ranged from functional to fun, seeing duty as delivery van, service truck, emergency vehicle, family car and getaway camper. With its low cost, high reliability and ease of maintenance, it was a hit with all its owners, but is probably best remembered as an iconic symbol of '60s counterculture. The VW van was among the first 'forward control' designs in which the driver was placed above the front wheels. Thanks to wind-tunnel testing, the Minibus was aerodynamically superior to the Beetle despite its slab-sided shape. Never known for its power, the Minibus started out with only an 1131cc engine making 25 hp. By the end of its production, engine displacement grew to 1.5 liters, producing a whopping 42 hp. No matter the size, however, the engines were always air-cooled, a VW hallmark. Schuco is a legendary German toy manufacturer, founded in 1912. The company achieved worldwide fame with its toy cars manufactured in the '30s, '40s and '50s, many of which were patented. While Schuco continues to issue a limited number of metal retro-toys for collectors, today the company is better known for its amazing diecast vehicle replicas. Working directly with manufacturers and car collectors, Schuco painstakingly re-creates each vehicle in miniature, often incorporating tiny details only visible with a magnifying glass. Most Schuco models are issued in specified limited quantities, and once gone, will not be made again. That’s why wise collectors know that a Schuco model isn’t just a purchase: It’s an investment with a lifetime return of enjoyment. See more

NOREV 1/18 PEUGEOT 207 GREEN DIECAST CAR MODEL

Our French cousins have been fast off the mark with a 1/18 scale model of the updated 207 and very nice it is too, resplendent in its metallic yellow paint schme. The detailing is all you would expect from Norev and the glass roof has been perfectly executed. See more

MAISTO 1/18 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28 1968 DIECAST CAR MODEL

The Camaro was initially advertised on Top 40 AM radio stations of the day in an attempt to woo the young adult market. Although it was technically a compact car (by the standards of the time), Camaro may also be classified as an intermediate touring car, a sports car, or a muscle car.Though the car's name was contrived with no meaning, GM researchers reportedly found the word in a French dictionary as a slang term for "friend" or "companion." The Automotive press asked Chevrolet product managers "What is a Camaro?", and they were told it was "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs. See more