CONTENTS of the print edition
Model Auto Review 224
Publication 7 August 200804 Cars in colour (captions page 06) 07 Chinese Crackers Graeme Ogg, UK 08 Lincoln 1966-69 Dave Turner, UK 08 Morris Story John Hanson, UK 12 Brooklin Buicks Geoff Hodgson, UK 13 Polish Partwork Gerald Watkins, UK 14 Militaria 15-17 Cars 18 Letters 19 Competitions 20 Minichamps Hans-Georg Schmitt, Germany 24 A Very Rewarding Exercise Graeme Watt, UK 25 Truckstop 26 Bus Stop: EFE Captions to page 29 27 Club News . avia mini Book Review Hans-Georg Schmitt 29 Buses and emergency vehicles in colour
EDITORIAL
by Rod WardTOYZONE COLLAPSES
Further to our note in MAR 222, toy retailer members of the Youngsters buying group in the UK apparently left the group when it went into administration in April, mostly defecting to the competing Toymaster buying group.
Youngsters was bought out of administration, but it could not survive solely on the business of its subsidiary toy shop chain Toyzone, without orders from any other members.
So in May the whole edifice collapsed, including the parent company, the Youngsters buying group and the Toyzone retail chain.
All of the UK Toyzone stores are planned for closure during the summer. This will leave many high streets and malls without a toy shop (or model shop) and it seems unlikely that anyone will open up new shops in those locations, in the current difficult business climate for this type of retail outlet.
SUNSTAR CUTBACKS
We also hear of some changes in other sectors of the toy and model industry. In the wake of cutbacks to the range and price increases by SunStar, their UK operation is in doubt.
Colin Hill, who was responsible for SunStar's successful production of diecast models of interest to the UK market, has retired from the company, and future plans are in limbo.
BEWARE! FALLING PRICES!
Remember when the diecast manufacturers were claiming that higher prices they were charging were not their fault? They were not profiteering, it was due to the increased price of zinc, the main metal they use. Well, now the zinc price has dropped again. In June it was less than £2000 per tonne, under 40% of the price in 2006. So now will we see diecast model prices falling? What do you think?
BACK IN HARNESS
You'll gather that we are back from our annual holiday slightly refreshed, and I completed a few paintings whilst on holiday, for a run of art exhibitions over the next few months. I am going to be busy from now on, putting together five issues of MAR and five Auto Review books, all to be published by the end of 2008.
DISRUPTION TIME
For the past few months we have had the builders in, making some extensive alterations here, which has disrupted my work schedule from time to time and resulted in one or two small bloopers appearing in MAR, for which I apologise.
AUTO REVIEW BOOKS
The latest Auto Review book is now available, an MG Album. Here is another appeal: among Auto Review books currently in preparation are Electric Vehicles, Riley, Fast Boats, Jowett, British motorcycles, Standard, Daimler (+ Lanchester and BSA), pedal cycles (incl mopeds), Sunbeam (+ Talbot) Wolseley and Vauxhall. If you have illustrations (your own photos, adverts, brochures etc) or personal anecdotes, please send them to me as soon as possible for inclusion in these future publications.
KYOSHO 1:64 VOLKSWAGENS
By Robin GodwinThere are two 2008 issues from Kyosho in their MiniCar Collection Series, a Volkswagen 1303 and a Beetle Convertible, apparently only available in the Far East. These are as good as any 1:43 scale renditions, with outstanding detail. The cabriolet is spoiled a little by the separate plastic windscreen casting that extends into the bodywork, although I have seen the same type of execution in 1:43 scale. The colours on the body and the windscreen don't match perfectly.
The MiniCar Series are sold Gashapon style (as per my earlier article in MAR), in which the individual box does not specifically identify the model inside.
Kyosho have produced a number of MiniCar Series in 1:64 scale, including Alfa Romeo, Porsche, British sports cars, Ferrari and others. These are from the Volkswagen Series, and includes these two plus a Karmann Ghia, Transporter T1, Type 181 (Thing), New Beetle, Nardo V12 Coupe, Touareg, Golf R32 (Generation 5 Golf), Golf GTI (Generation 1 Golf). Each of the models comes in three colour variations. Mine were purchased via the internet from Hong Kong and Chinese dealers.
Big River 1:43 Bristol 404
John Halcrow tells us from Australia that the 1:43 handbuilt model of the Bristol 404 Coupe in his Big River range should be available, in ten colour choices, by the time you read this. We hope to have some photos in MAR 225.
RECENT MINICHAMPS RELEASES
By Hans-Georg SchmittMinichamps diecast models released in the first half of 2008, but mostly not pictured in Model Auto Review this year so far:
MINICHAMPS 1:18 diecast in China for Germany: 100 914425 Opel Omega 3000 24V DTM 1991 Klaus Niedzwiedz. 100 014402 Audi A4 saloon 2005 silver limited to 1,788. 100 023001 BMW 730i Saloon 1986 red metallic. 100 066473 Porsche 911 GT3-RSR Ice Pol Racing Le Mans 2006 Lambert-Lefort-Ianetta. 100 060021 Scuderia Toro Rosso Cosworth STR1, F1 2006 Scott Speed. 100 840020 Toleman Hart TG184 F1 1984 Cecotto 439 144071 Magirus-Deutz 150D10 LF16 Fire appliance Düsseldorf, 1960s wedge bonnet version. 100 014410 Audi A4 Avant 2005. The current estate in Dakar beige metallic. . 100 070009 BMW Sauber F1.07 2007 Nick Heidfeld. 100 070010 BMW Sauber F1.07 F1 2007 Kubica 400 060020 Scuderia Toro Rosso Cosworth STR1 F1 2006 Vitantonio Liuzzi. 100 139461 Bentley Continental Flying Spur 2005 white right hand drive. 100 713438 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 Hockenheim Hannen Alt 1971. At the end of 1971, Hans Heyer drove this car, prepared by AMG. MINICHAMPS 1:43 diecast in China for Germany: 400 050239 Jordan Toyota EJ15 Test Silverstone 2006 Yamamoto, limited edition of 2,016 pieces. 400 050021 Minardi Cosworth PS05; F1 2005 Albers. 400 137600 Aston Martin DBS 1969 silvergreen metallic a limited edition of 3,024 pieces. 400 084122 Ford Mustang GT 2005 blue metallic, limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 436 068446 Ford Focus RS WRC, Monza Rally figurines of Rossi-Cassina. Limited to 4,946 pieces. 400 039002 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe 1954 silver, assembled from 52 components and finished with 91 different decorations. Limited edition of 2016 pieces. 400 073705 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Salzgitter DTM 2007 Jamie Green, limited to 1,008 pieces. 400 070015 Red Bull Renault RB3 F1 07 Mark Webber 530 064399 McLaren Mercedes MP4/21 F1 test Barcelona 06 Hakkinen limited to 3,333 pcs 400 706125 Porsche 917L; Team Porsche Salzburg; LM 1970 Elford-Ahrens Jr; limited to 3,504 pcs 400 163501 Mitsubishi Colt saloon 1978 red, limited edition of 2,016 pieces. 400 060116 BMW Sauber F1.06 1st Podium Heidfeld. 400 751202 Alfa Romeo 33TT12 WKRT, ist 1000 km Spa 1975. Pescarolo-Bell. Limited to 2,304 pcs 400 071521 Audi A4 Castrol; Team Kolles TME; DTM 2007 Vanina Ickx, limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 079611 Audi A4 S-Line DTM 07 Mike Rockenfeller, limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 073514 Mercedes-Benz C-Class DTM 2007 Susie Stoddart, limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 073618 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Trilux DTM 2007 Mathias Lauda, son of Nikki, ltd to 1008 pcs 439 031180 Mercedes-Benz O321H 1954 Citybus Wiener Lokalbahnen Vienna limited to 1,008 pieces. 430 112834 Peugeot 306 Cabrio yellow limited 1,008. 400 070093 Super Aguri F1 presentation 2007 Davidson. Limited edition of 1,152 pieces. 400 120334 Alfa Spider 2003 blue met limited to 1,104 400 120510 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon 2006 black limited edition of 1824 pieces. 400 079616 Audi A4 Playboy Audi Sport Phoenix, DTM 2007 Christian Abt, limited to 1,104 pieces. 400 045102 Opel Senator A 1980 blue metallic limited to 1,200 pieces. 400 045121 Opel Monza 1980 coupe based on Senator A, re-issued in red, limited to 1,536 pieces. 400 014001 Trabant 601S saloon 1985 re-issued in yellow, limited to 1,008 pieces. 400 079612 Audi A4 Philips; DTM 2007 Lucas Luhr. Limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 070009 BMW Sauber F1.07 2007 Nick Heidfeld. 400 033031 Mercedes-Benz 500SL 1999 re-issued in metallic silver limited to 2,064 pieces. 400 045122 Opel Monza 1980 coupe based on Senator A re-issued in silver, limited to 1,200 pieces 400 060022 Super Aguri Honda SA05 F1 2006 Sato. 400 036950 Porsche 911 GT3-RS Freisinger Spa 2003 Ortelli-Lieb-Dumas, limited to 3,984 pieces. 430 748002 Ford Capri RS3100, Eifel Race 1974. 1st Rolf Stommelen. Limited to 2,784 pieces. 400 063122 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 red, limited edition of 3,024 pieces. 400 014011 Trabant 601 S Universal 1985 estate re- issued in blue limited to 1,008 pieces. 400 132531 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1975 open yellow, limited edition of 1,296 pieces. 400 766301 Porsche 935 Martini 1000km Nurburgring 76 Stommelen-Schurti. Limited to 5,472 pieces. 400 071703 Audi A4 DTM Red Bull 2007 Ekstroem, limited edition of 1.440 pieces. 436 830005 Brabham BMW BT52, Nelson Piquet 1983 400 070110 BMW Sauber F1.07 first GP 2007, Sebastian Vettel, limited to 1,800 pieces. 400 863508 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 DTM 1986 Volker Weidler, limited to 2,304 pieces. 400 070004 ING Renault R27 F1 07 Heikki Kovalainen 400 060118 Spyker MF1 Toyota M16, Tiago Monteiro, Limited edition of 1,656 pieces. 400 060119 Spyker MF1 Toyota M16, Christijan Albers Limited edition of 1,944 pieces. 400 071708 Audi A4, DTM Audi Top Service; 2007 Timo Scheider, limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 079617 Audi A4, DTM Audi Bank 2007 Alexandre Premat; limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 772308 BMW 320i DTM Fruit of the Loom Peter Schneeberger; limited to 3,072 pieces. 439 140075 Magirus-Deutz S6500 DL30 Turntable ladder fire appliance Bombeiros Albufeira. 400 863509 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16; Marko RSM; DTM Klammer. Limited to 2,400 pieces. 400 045720 Opel Calibra Coupe 1991 bright red, limited edition of 3,024 pieces. 430 043308 Opel Kapitan saloon 1951 light blue, limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 070014 Red Bull Renault RB3 F1 2007 400 166570 Toyota RAV4 SUV 2005 silver, limited edition of 1,200 pieces. 400 071704 Audi A4 DTM Red Bull 2007 Martin Tomczyk; limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 071797 Audi A4, Audi Sport Abt, DTM Siemens Frank Biela 2007, limited to 1,008 pieces. 530 074302 McLaren Mercedes MP4/22; Vodafone McLaren F1 Lewis Hamilton 2007. 400 076483 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup; Araxa Racing, Westbrook 2007. Limited to 1,008 pieces. 400 830003 Tyrrell Ford 012; Dutch Grand Prix 1983, Alboreto. Limited edition of 3,024 pieces. 400 830004 Tyrrell Ford 012; Dutch Grand Prix 1983, Sullivan. Limited edition of 1.800 pieces. 100 060020 Scuderia Toro Rosso Cosworth STR1; F1 2006 Vitantonio Liuzzi 400 071707 Audi A4, Audi Sport Abt, DTM Siemens Tom Kristensen, 2007. Limited to 1,104 pieces. 430 046128 Opel Rekord C Coupe 1966 light blue, limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 065321 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe green metallic, limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 060040 Scuderia Toro Rosso Cosworth STR1; F1 2006, third Driver Neel Jani. 430 168922 Toyota Celica 2000 re-issued in white, a limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 540 914305 Williams Renault FW14; British GP 14.07.91 Mansell giving Senna a lift back to the pits. 400 120700 Alfa Romeo 164 Super 3,0 V6 24V 1992 blue metallic limited edition of 2,496 pieces. 400 073519 Mercedes-Benz C-Class DTM JAWA4 2007 Paul Di Resta, limited to 1,200 pieces. 400 050020 Minardi Cosworth PS05 F1 05 Friesacher 400 065690 Porsche Cayman S Follow Me Hannover Airport. limited edition of 1,200 pieces. 400 766304 Porsche 935; 6 hours of Watkins Glen Martini 1976 Stommelen-Schurti. 400 772315 BMW 320i DTM Jaegermeister 1977 Hans- Joachim Stuck, limited to 5.328 pieces. 400 071787 Audi A4; DTM Siemens 2007 Markus Winkelhock, a limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 045501 Opel Manta A Coupe 1971 re-issued in bright red, a limited edition of 1,200 pieces. 400 830103 Tyrrell Ford 012; Practice Austrian GP 83 Michele Alboreto, limited to 2,016 pieces. 400 015030 Audi TT Roadster 2007 re-issued in grey metallic, a limited edition of 1.200 pieces. 436 139401 Bentley Arnage R saloon right hand drive, silver and black limited edition of 799 pieces. 436 139074 Bentley Arnage T rhd, silver, limited to 699. 436 139005 Bentley Arnage R right hand drive, finished in 'sunset', a limited edition of 555 pieces. 400 060043 BMW Sauber F1.06. Third driver Sebastian Vettel, limited to 1,296 pieces. 400 706103 Porsche 917L Martini Racing Hippie LM 70. Larrousse-Kauhsen. Limited to 7,999 pieces. 430 019107 Audi 100 Saloon 1969. re-issued in beige, limited to 1,008 pieces. 400 079667 Audi A4 DTM Audi Bank 2007 Marco Werner, limited to 1,008 pieces. 436 139072 Bentley Arnage T 2001right hand drive re-issued in black, limited to 799 pieces. 436 139400 Bentley Arnage R 2001 right hand drive re-issued in light blue, limited to 899 pieces. 400 065621 Porsche Cayman S 2005 re-issued in white, limited to 1,488 pieces. 400 012104 BMW M3 GTR 2001 with 4 litre V8 engine, green metallic limited to 2,016 pieces. 530 074301 McLaren Mercedes MP4/22 Vodafone F1 Fernando Alonso 2007. 400 036000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2006 re-issued in silver limited to 1,872 pieces. 400 080075 Renault R28 ING Renault F1 presentation 2008 Alonso. Limited to 3,333 pieces.
EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS
By Frank JoyceWe were greeted by deep snow in April at this year's Cobham Bus Museum Open Day and Rally. Visitors there and at the Acton event made enthusiastic comments about our new RLH bus and the 2RT bus. Inevitably I was asked what are the next models they can look forward to. At this moment I am not ready to confirm the identity of these vehicles, but we are currently making tooling for three new 1:76 buses plus the 1:24 AEC RF bus and new station and truck accessories already announced; a lot of good things to look forward to.
We have been considering making special models for our direct subscribers to celebrate our 20th Anniversary. I started tooling the first models in June 1988 and the first model to be released was at the beginning of August 1989. After much deliberating, therefore, we have decided to produce a series of models in small numbers that will be released one at a time over a 12 month period. Each model will have a commemorative certificate and be suitably decorated to mark the occasion. They will be offered to our direct subscribers only at the special low price of £16.50 inclusive.
The first model in this series is pictured above, E28004AS Daimler DMS in 'EFE' blue livery. Other models include Bedford TK of Fremlins brewery, Alexander Y Type Premier Travel, Guy Arab II Utility Stockport and MCW Atlantean Portsmouth.
Special Australian Models
The mailing out to our subscribers of both of the 1:76 scale Melbourne W6 tram car models is now completed. The other Australian special model, the Plaxton Minibus 24816 Toronto The Train has also been mailed out and there are just 36 left in stock at EFE. duce in print form. Files reduced in size for use on the internet are rarely large enough for use.
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod WardMore snippets gleaned from club publications: I see in Wheel Bearings, the Maidenhead Static Model Club journal, that their Toyfair Secretary John Garside was taken into hospital after a stroke, so all members were asked to join in and assist with organising the June Windsor Toyfair. If you'd like to help as well, join the MSMC by contacting Alan Simpson on 01494 813903. Another couple of comments on items in Wheel Bearings; first the term rookie is queried, as applied to Graham Hill in his win first time out at Indianapolis. Rookie just means someone doing something for the first time, so it was accurately applied to Hill. Also there is a question about pre-war Dinky Toy literature. In fact there was hardly any; Dinky Toys were pictured in Meccano whole-range catalogues.
In Smalltalk, the Wessex Model and Toy Collectors journal, Editor Barry Lloyd notes that all members had to get their forms in by the end of July (too late you say?) for the 2008 Club model, a Lansdowne 1949 Humber Super Snipe Mk III for delivery in October.
The Club has been aviating of late, with a Clubnight devoted to aircraft models, and a visit to the De Havilland Mosquito museum. Nice to see that the members are not too narrowly car-focused in their interests...
Also to hand: Wheel Nuts, the South Hants Model Auto Club journal, (membership enquiries to Dave Painter on 01264 366408) and Showcase, the West Australian Model Collectors Club (Inc) publication. To join this club contact Martyn Overy on 9310 1790.
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