SIGNATURE MODELS 1/32 - 1963 STUDEBAKER AVANTI

The unconventional fiberglass body of the Avanti coupe, which was designed by French born Raymond Loewy, still looks modern and contemporary today. The interior theme was aviation with some controls even on the ceiling. The car was built on the shortened version of Studebaker's Lark convertible chassis and was powered by Studebaker's 4.7-liter 289cid V8. However, because of production problems related to itd fiberglass body, only 3,834 Avantis were built in 1963 and 809 in 1964. The problems meant the car was unable to be the promised savior of the troubled Studebaker, which ceased operations in 1966. However, two Studebaker dealers in South Bend, Indiana, bought the rights to the Avanti in 1965 and continued to produce their Avanti II until 1987. See more

BEGINNING OF THE PORSCHE DYNASTY - 1950 PORSCHE 356

Dr. Ferdinand Porsche is the legendary engineer who is best remembered today but it was his son Ferry who gets the credit for the development of the Porsche 356. While his father was serving a 2-year jail term for the crime of developing the VW Beetle for Hitler, Ferry decided to build a sports car using the Beetle's engine, suspension and transmission. The first 356, the number came from it being the 356th design project for Porsche since its start in 1930, was made in Austria in 1947. In 1950 Porsche opened up its first German factory in Zuffenhausen. This also marked the first steel-bodied 356.

Although production in 1950 was only 410, this was the start of the Porsche dynasty. In 1951 the Carrera followed and the rest is history. The 356 was not easy to drive as it put a lot of pressure on parts that were built for the slower moving Beetle, but it was from these humble beginnings that a sports car dynasty was built. Buy it now

SIGNATURE MODELS 1/18 MERCEDES BENZ 770K PULLMAN

The 1938 Mercedes Benz 770 SK Pullman limo was the first Grand Mercedes to feature an oval tubular frame, independent suspension and hydraulic brakes. This evolutionary 770 was strtched 40 centimeters to 6 meters in length, its wheelbase was 3.88 meters. Since its debut in the autumn of 1930 at the Paris Automobile Show, the sensational appointments and exquisite finish helped the 770 to find itself in the fleets of many aristocratic courts and government leaders around the world. It was big and sold for big money (the price was equivalent to that of a single-family home in Germany). When equipped with armor plating (a much requested option as those who rode inside became less popular), the vehicle weighed as much as 4,800 kilograms, which required a supercharger to be added to the straight-eight 7.6 liter engine, boosting the motor's outoput to 230 horsepower. By 1938, the supercharger had become standard equipment and could produce a top speed of 170 kilometers per hour; however, the armored versions were limited to 80 km/h because of the bulletproof cell-type tires. See more

The BMW Z3 is one of the most handome sports convertibles around. James Bond's Corgi version - based in the car from Golden Eye - has one feature not found in production cars. Press the headrests and stinger missiles are launched from the neat headlights. So, as Bond told Felix Liter: 'Don't start pressing any buttons'

Pierce Brosnan's partner on his first outing as the suave spy is reproduced here to 1:36 scale in an authentically detailed die-cast replica. Working features include re-loadable Stinger missiles hidden behind the headlights, the metallic blue paintwork is precisely matched, and the model comes with figures of Bond and Natalya Simonova See more

CORGI 1/43 THORNYCROFT NIPPY - GWR DROPSIDE

The Great Western Railway was created by an Act of Parliament in the 1830s to provide a double tracked line from Bristol to London. Construction of the line started in 1836 at two locations; between Bristol and Bath, and Reading and London. 1935 was to see the Great Western make history by becoming the first British railway to celebrate 100 years of corporate existence. GWR was known to some as ‘God’s Wonderful Railway’, to others as the ‘Great Way Round’ (some of its earliest routes were not the most direct), and by some as the ‘Goes When Ready’ due to the casual way in which some of its branch lines were run. Buy it now

VANGUARDS 1/43 HILLMAN IMP RENFREWSHIRE & BUTE POLICE

As the Hillman Imp was built in Linwood, Scotland, it was obviously a first choice vehicle for panda car duties in the area. One of the forces that used the Imp was the Renfrew & Bute Constabulary who chose this very unusual colour scheme for their vehicles, which certainly stood out well. In May 1975 the force ceased to exist when it was merged with several other constabulary's to form the Strathclyde Police. Buy here

MOTORMAX 1/18 - 1949 BUICK CONVERTIBLE

After 3 years of work, 1949 marked the first new post-war styling for General Motors cars. The all-new Buicks, designed by Ned Nickles from GMs new C-body, lived up to its ad slogan of looking fine for 49. The Roadmaster convertible led the way, both in design and performance. From its aircraft-inspired low silhouette, Art Deco tail lights, 25-tooth Dollar Grin grille, and for the very first time, its legendary 4 Ventiports, the design was completely new. Under the engine the changes were as dramatic. Not only did the Roadmaster come with the Fireball straight-8 150 horsepower engine, but also Dynaflow Drive, the worlds first conventional torque converter automatic transmission. See more

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

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

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