SCHUCO 1:43 OPEL CORSA - THE CITY OF NURNBERG

The front-wheel drive Opel Corsa was first launched in April 1983 to replace the Opel Kadett C. The first Corsas were three-door hatchback and two-door saloon models, with four-door and five-door versions arriving in 1984. The basic model was called just the Corsa, which was followed by the Corsa Luxus, Corsa Berlina and the sporty Corsa SR. Six years later, the Corsa received a facelift, with a new front fascia and some other minor changes. The models were then labeled LS, GL, GLS and GT. Power came from a variety of displacements including 1.0 liter, 1.2 liter, 1.3 liter and 1.4 liter gas engines which were short on performance but strong on economy. There was also a 1.5 L diesel engine available.

Feature:
Limited Edition of 1000 pieces worldwide
Accurate 3.25" long model of Opel's supermini painted for the city of Nurnberg Public Works
Exquisite detailing including orange roof beacon, multi-color Nurnberg city crest, gloss orange paint with corner warning markers, windshield wipers (including rear window), clear plastic headlight lens and tinted tail light lens
Superb interior includes steering wheel, floor-mount shifter, legible dashboard dials, rearview mirror and even red seat belt recepticles
Diecast metal construction with plastic detail parts Includes clear display case and base

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ITALIAN WITH BAGGAGE

In the same month of July, the Fiat 1500 (56b) with a roof-rack joined the range. It is probably one of the most common regular wheel models to be found at swapmeets and of course the real vehicle can still be seen today as a Lada with only minor alterations.

The plastic interior was modified to include extensions ahead of the ‘M’ in Matchbox on the base. The roof luggage was originally brown but this was subsequently changed to tan. The main variation came in the 1968 GI Gift Set, when the Fiat was painted in all-over red with tan luggage. This is considerably harder to find than the normal green version.—Model Collector

THE TAYLOR JUMBO CRANE

The Taylor Jumbo Crane (11c) replaced the ERF Petrol Tanker in June. It was usually found in all-over yellow with a red double chain hook. When the weight box was painted red, a few hooks appeared with single chains in either red or yellow plastic.
The jib was subject to a number of casting changes. These centered upon the top and bottom lattice work which originally was cast open but this gap was later closed. The final jib version included a small cross brace between the top plates.

A King size version, also in plain yellow, was released at the same time. The miniature model was available for five years before it was replaced in April 1969 by the Scaffolding Truck.

ERTL 1/18 - 1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS-AM

The 1996 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is a sleek-looking car, and this model certainly captures the shape. While it does have such features as steering, opening bonnet and doors, perhaps by today's standards it is lacking a little. For example, the interior looks somewhat plain, while the seats do not tilt; equally on our sample the side doors were not a perfect fit. However, if such details do not worry you, this will prove an enjoyable model to own. Buy it now

CORGI 1/43 ROVER MINI AND BMW MINI

The two cars depicted in this boxed set are two of the cars which took part in the 2004 Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London. In this show the Mini Cooper Register supplied 45 cars, to celebrate 45 years of Mini – H314 AEC is a 1990 Rover Mini Cooper which actually led the Mini Cooper Register display of 45 cars in the 2004 Lord Mayor’s Show, as it did in 1994, 1996 and 2001. The most modern car is the September 2004 built New MINI ONE D, 8996 DF. This is the 4th time that the Mini Cooper Register has supported the Lord Mayor’s Show, the previous times being 1994, 1996 and 2001. Shop here

SCHUCO 1:43 MERCEDES-BENZ 170V WOOD FUELED

Bio fuels are nothing new. In the fuel-starved Germany of the 30’s and 40’s, “wood gasification” generators were fitted to cars when gasoline wasn’t available. This novel model replicates the burner affixed to the rear of a Mercedes-Benz 170 sedan, with plumbing to the front part of the device that fuels the engine. Completing the scene is an extra bag of wood slung over the right front fender. A fascinating model made all the more interesting because of its scarcity. Buy it now

VANGUARDS 1/43 BEDFORD S TYPE TANKER 'REGENT'

The Bedford has the oval tanker body and is finished in the red "REGENT" livery with front mounted ladder, which looks correct and is certainly not over-scale. The tank is all metal and is painted, avoiding the problem of trying to match the colour of plastic tank to metal parts. . In addition to admiring the basic model, look at the 'By Appoinment' coats of arms on the cab doors, which have been superbly printed. Buy it now