Tuesday, December 15, 2009

CAR OF THE STARS; DUESENBERG SSJ


If you were somebody in the 1930's, you drove a Duesenberg. If you were really somebody you drove a supercharged Duesenberg SJ. And then there was the special short-wheelbase SSJ; only two were built, one for Gary Cooper (chassis 2549) and the other for Clark Gable (chassis 2595). There were minor differences in the rear fenders; Gable's car had a slight upturn, or reflex, at the end and its taillights were vertical. Cooper's SSJ didn't have the reflex and its taillight supports angled outboard. Although they've been popular subjects, all the SSJ models to date have been hand-built models in the $200.00 range.

The SSJ's diecast body is clean, smooth, and very well detailed. The two-tone black and blue paint is equally fine, with razor-sharp seperation lines, but neither car was ever painted in these colours. Overall body lines and propotions are exactly right. There are no chromed parts; all the trim, including the bumpers and grille, is painted silver. See more

Monday, December 14, 2009

VITESSE 1/43 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO VI




From the Vitesse Skid porfolio comes this enchanting Mitsubishi Lancer Evo mould this time celebrating the flying fins of Makinen and Mannisenmaki who won this year's Monte Carlo Rally. Devoid of its Marlboro sponsor lettering it still makes an arresting sight. The cockpit is excellent, as is the mean-looking frontal treatment with the Mitsubishi crest placed proudly on the front radiator. The model also comes complete with a well replicated official Monte Carlo Rally plaque. Buy it now

24ct GOLD-PLATED 50th ANNIVERSARY AUSTIN MINI


Following Corgis tradition of celebrating significant anniversaries of the Mini, this special gold plated model of a Rover Mini is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the special car which was launched in 1959 and designed by Alec Issigonis.

CORGI - GUY ARAB UTILITY BUS - SOUTHAMPTON CORPORATION TRANSPORT 50th ANNIVERSARY 1994


Yet another variation of Corgi's purposeful Guy Arab bus - this time looking handsome indeed, in a red over yellow colour scheme. Carrying TyPhoo advertising, perhaps it's not everybody's cup of tea but you can't knock the detailing of this batch of 2600 production runs. DTR44 was frequent sight on the dock run and was part of a 185-strong fleet commissioned between 1946 and 1955. See more

AUTO ART 1/18 FORD CROWN VICTORIA LAPD POLICE CAR


This Los Angeles Auto Art Victoria is bristling with features and one of the finest ever police models in 1/18th scale. It is a black and white from the Los Angeles Police Department which nost certainly does carry extras. The Federal Signals StreetHawk bar light looks good enough to illuminate, and the take down lights have the pistol grips and trigger inside the car. Until now we have have had to accept just the outside detail of these lights, now Auto Art have given us the full system. In the boot (trunk) you get a spare wheel and a shotgun, placed in a rack. The paint finish and graphics are superb. See more.

MATCHBOX NO.12 LAND ROVER


Prior to 1956 the range consisted of comercial and construction models. The Land Rover was the closest Lesney came to producing "car" before 1956. The original Land Rover was produced in dark green with silver trim and a tan driver. See more

Saturday, December 12, 2009

THE BIG BOOK OF SUPERFAST MATCHBOX TOYS


When Mattel's Hotwheels toy cars exploded onto the market in 1968, venerable Matchbox Toys met the challenge with its Superfast line. The successful result is now presented in the largest book on Matchbox Toys ever produced - so big it is two volumes that celebrate 35 years of Matchbox Superfast production with over 7000 color photos and over 10,000 listed variations! The detailed, beautiful photographs are a great assistance to collectors for identification and color reference. The Variation Listings, found in Volume 1, are arranged alpha-numerically by product numbers, making location and cross-referencing easy. Photos are arranged by major product lines, with Basic Models in Volume1, and everything else from Adventure Pack to White Rose Collectibles arranged alphabetically in Volume 2. Superfast models from late 2004 and early 2005 also appear in Volume 2. Each photo includes the product number and name for easy reference to the Variation Listings. To further aid in identification there are helpful indexes by MAN number and model names (actual base names), as well as a general alphabetical index. The model variations have current market prices for each variation. Taken together, these two great books are a must for Matchbox collectors everywhere, a monumental effort by one of the world's greatest authorities! Volume 1: Over 2050 Color Photos of Basic Models Illustrated Promotionals Miniature 1-75 Basic Listing Variations Listing with Values Volume 2: Over 5000 Color Photos of Adventure Packs & Action System to World Class Models with late 2004 Models Alphabetical Index Index to Annual Basic Range Listings 1998-2004 by Issue Numbers (MW numbers) MAN Number (frame number) Listing Alphabetical Index by Actual Base Names. Read 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...