26th January 2000
CLUB NEWS
Brooklin Collectors Club: Our old pal Jack Patrick continues to produce the BCC mag, with the usual mix of interesting articles. Almost 300 BCC members, are looking forward to the 2000 club model, a Pierce Arrow 1601 'gangster's car' with hoodlum and moll figures by Omen, £65.00 to members. To join, contact membership sec John Bowyer on 01276 473499.
Jaguar Model Club: The club model for 2000 is the 'lost' lightweight E-Type, the third car, found after its owner died in 1998, and sold for $872K The model bears race number 423 from Laguna Seca, 50 made, based on the PM 1:43 kit. If you want one, join quickly! Fax to +44 (0) 1709 372002.
Coventry Diecast Model Club: The latest issue of CDMC magazine Wheelspin had 40 pages packed with articles, news and features. No wonder the Editor is envied by other newsletter compilers. They probably don't envy the workload, however. The Club continues to attract new members, so let's hope they contribute as generously to Wheelspin as the long-standing regulars. If you'd like to join, contact the Secretary on 01203 307700.
Ferrari Model Club: Dominique Lahuec has added 27 members to the FMC, 25 from Germany, two from the Netherlands. In a world of declining memberships this is commendable. Surely there must be Ferraristes elsewhere who'd like to join, and get a fat, plushy magazine every six weeks or so? It costs DM160 in Germany, DM190 Europe, US$135 elsewhere. For more info: FMC, St-Cajetan-Strasse 13/53, D-81669 München, Germany.
Dutch Dinky Society: The DDS held its third convention in November, and for the event they had a Code 2 overprint on a DY35 VW Karmann-Ghia Cabriolet in yellow, for visitors. For those who couldn't attend, the same model in blue carried the same Millennium design. To join, contact Secretary Ronald Kaat, Postbus 85, 3930 EB Woudenberg, Netherlands Natal Diecast Model Collectors: Our interest in the grub provided at NDMC meets has been noted in the club newsletter. Chairman Geoff Sear assures us that they do quite a bit of trading at meetings, they're not just food orgies, but we note in advance notices of club meets that members are asked to bring a plate of eats to share 'and your own drinks', (presumably if they can squeeze their Merc into the car park with the others). If you want to share a Chelsea bun, contact Geoff 031 201 8729 (Durban)
Lledo Collectors Club: Ray Dowding tells us that, contrary to the impression given by certain advertisements and reports, the Lledo Collect-ors Club is alive and well. Its future is assured, as Corgi are happy for Ray to continue to manage the Club. If you wish to join, write to Lledo Collectors Club, PO Box 5959, Halesowen, West Midlands B62 8TT.
Wessex Model and Toy Collectors: Barry Lloyd has changed his WMTC role from Treasurer to be Editor of Wessex Smalltalk, the club newsletter. He challenges MAR to report the good news that any WMTC member who was paid up on 31 August 1999 gets free membership for 2000. This generous offer marks the club's 15th birthday. For more information on the generous benefits obtainable from the WMTC contact Chairman and Membership Secretary Doug Male on 01225 755043.
Maidenhead Static Model Club: The MSMC's November club night theme was Steam-related Toys & Models. Enthusiasts Paul Collins and Owen Roberts brought an impressive array of models, from such makers as Bowman, Wilesco, Bing, and Doll. The MSMC charity fund is now well on its way to the target of £1000. The club has donated over £1000 annually for many years to local children's charities. The club runs the Slough Swapmeet, Britain's longest running event, three times per year at The Montem Centre. Details from co-ordinator Gary Hames on 01703 784484.
EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS
New 1:76 diecast models from EFE:
26305 Guy Arab II Utility Midland General, . 26605 Plaxton Paramount 3500 Wallace Arnold 20422 Bristol VRIII Southern National. 27102 BET Willowbrook Leopard Midland Red 16520 MCW Atlantean South Yorkshire . 17210 Leyland National Mk I Barton Buses 13913 Bristol Lodekka FLF Eastern National 18108 Leyland Atlantean XA London TransportSt PETERSBURG NEWS
By Leonid Khoykhin
Here are the latest St Petersburg Tram Collection releases:
TRAMS
Our series of Tatra PCCs continues with the T4, first release is a Belgrade demonstrator from 1967 (179). In 1967 Tatra introduced a narrower version of the popular T3, called the T4, 2.2 metres wide instead of 2.5 metres. The same year, two demonstrators went to Belgrade, 110 and 111. In 1968 both returned to Tatra and in 1972 Belgrade ordered 20 T4s. 111 was rebuilt as a trailer car for East Germany, and became Halle 101. 110 was rebuilt as a Tour tram for Prague (5500). Between 1967 and 1987 2.635 T4s and 874 B4s were built; mainly for East Germany and also for the Soviet Union, Romania and Yugoslavia. The Antwerp PCC is available now in modern De Lijn colours (143a).RAPID TRANSIT CARS
Our second Rapid Transit model is a 1950 Chicago 6000-series PCC. Chicago Transit Authority ordered 200 PCC Rapid Transit Cars from St Louis Car Co for $7.85 million. The first batch, 6001-6130 arrived in 1950 and 1951. Only these had a Mercury Green stripe around the standee windows and twin headlights below the front windows. The remaining 70 were delivered in 1951. The 6000s entered service in 1950 on the Logan Square-Loop route. First 200 cars were a success, and the CTA started converting its postwar PCC streetcars to rapid transit cars. In 1953-60 570 Green Hornets became subway-elevating rolling stock.TROLLEYBUSES
Two new trolleybuses are ready now. First is a Tokyo Fuji-Juko trolleybus of 1954 (186). The trolleybus system in Tokyo began in November 1952. Between 1952 and 1968 there were four routes, numbered 101-104, 51.4 km long. The last (101) was converted to bus operation in September 1968. The bodies of Tokyo trolleybuses were built by Fuji-Juko on Isuzu chassis. Trolleybuses of the 201-206 series were delivered to Tokyo in Autumn 1954. They were very similar to the initial 20 vehicles in the 50 series, delivered in 1952, but with standee windows (the 50s were later also rebuilt in this body style). The 200s were withdrawn in 1968 when the whole system closed. Another new trolleybus is a Pullman-Standard 40CX Trolleybus of 1936, available in Boston (406) and Providence (406a) liveries. For more information, contact St Petersburg Tram Collection PO Box. No 16, 196158 St Petersburg, Russia. Fax: +7 (812) 164 5254.Internet: http://users.nevalink.ru/~sptc E-Mail: proserv@neva.spb.ru.ELIGOR LATEST NEWS
Latest news from Eligor's 1:43 range. They tell us that in 1999 they received the gen on Formula 1 liveries late, but they managed to get three on to the market for Christmas 1999, Sauber, Williams and Arrows.
CLASSIC ESSO VEHICLES
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Esso AG of Germany has launched two more historic vehicles from their fleet in the 1950s. Both are 1:43 scale by Schuco. DKW Schnelllaster F89L 1949-1954 with two-stroke two-cylinder engine of 20 hp giving a maximum speed of 75 km/h. The body is Esso red with logo and slogan. Mercedes-Benz L6600 tanker, 1950-1954. The OM 315 8276 cc straight six Diesel engine and ZF six-speed gearbox gave a maximum speed of 70 km/h. Maximum load was 12.5 tons, payload 6.6 tons. The prototype of this model was show on at the Schuco stall at Nuremberg toy fair 1999, but the production model has an even better finish with photoetched components, and even the cab has a realistic interior. This model is also red with Esso logos, the one on the radiator-grille being photoetched. Both models are available at German Esso stations or from Mojen Werbeartikel, Postfach 11 17, 21266 Jesteburg, Germany. Tel: 04183/5737, Fax: 4587.
NEW OPEL VANS
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Opel returned to the big van business in 1998 at the Commercial Vehicle Show at Hannover Lower Saxony. The Arena and Movano were first presented there to the public. The Arena covers the weight class up to 2.8 tons, the Movano is in the class between 2.8 and 3.5 tons. Both were developed by Renault and will be built in France alongside Renault versions of the vehicles. The Movano delivery van is now available as a 1:43 model made by Vitesse, initially available only from Opel dealers, in a special promo box, printed with drawings of Movano variants and figures of little workers. The model lookis very authentic and is well detailed. The lights, rear view mirrors, steering wheel and gear lever are separately inserted. It has no opening parts and the baseplate is only just sufficiently detailed. The original vehicle will be on sale in most of Europe in both Opel and Vauxhall versions.
RED BOX EMERGENCY
The Red Box range of diecast toys from the Far East has recently gained a trio of British emergency vehicles. The police car and ambulance are respectable models and very good value for money, but the Volvo fire appliance is disappointing. Papillon Toys have re-packaged some models, at around £10.00 each, in television spin-off boxes. The police car is in a 'The Bill' pack, the ambulance in a 'Casualty' pack, and the fire engine in a 'London's Burning' pack. There is also a series of six Volvo fire appliances in LFB markings, for six different London fire stations, Bow, Euston, Heston, Ilford, Southwark and Sutton.
COP CARDS FROM PS
Candis Richardson, Vice President of PS-Publishers, tells us they have just published a collectible 50 card set of State Police, Highway Patrol and State Patrol agencies across the USA called Troopers Across America. They worked with the state agencies in creating their individual card so each card is current and accurate and they include the web address of the agency. Their website is www.PS-Publishers.com where all 50 cards can be seen.
RETURN OF THE NORMAG
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
In the early 1950s I was given a little green tractor for Christmas, with a Schuco Varianto trailer, which matched well. For years I played with them (at that time children didn't have television or computers). Then it disappeared and later, when I started model car collecting, from time to time I saw them at toy fairs but at unaffordable prices. To my surprise at the Frankfurt Motor Show Wiking showed 'my' tractor as a reissue. This tractor was originally made in the early 1950s for the Normag tractor company in Hattingen, Westfalia, one of Wiking's first promotionals. Normag Faktor l was 1:40 scale, matching Volkswagen's promotional Beetles and transporters. The detailing and quality was very high for the time, and accessories like a mowing attachment were available, when it was sold later in toyshops. In time for Christmas 1999 Wiking reactivated the old moulds to make the old Normag again, as a replica in green or blue with red wheels. The quality is just the same as 50 years ago, and Wiking say there will be more surprises in 2000. We eagerly await news of what is to come. In the range of 1:40 and 1:50 models various Tempo three and four-wheelers and a Hanomag truck were also made as promos and were sold in toy shops...
VANGUARDS FOR 2000
We now have the first information from Corgi regarding the future of the Vanguards 1:43 scale range. Some models are inherited from Lledo's Vanguards range, including hitherto-unreleased models, others are from the new Corgi 1:43 car range originally planned for 2000 release, and the rest appear to be upgraded earlier 1:43 Corgis. A very interesting range. Here are the planned releases for February to June 2000, pictures in the next issue of MAR:
VA19008 Rover P4 Ivory/Medium Grey 2-tone (February)
VA23004 Austin A35 Capri Blue (February)
VA27006 Rover 2000 city grey (February)
VA34003 Ford Capri savoy black (February)
VA35003 Ford Classic Panama yellow/white (February)
VA38000 Vauxhall Victor Gypsy red (new tooling) (February)
VA44000 Austin Cambridge cumulus grey (new tooling) (March)
VA45000 Austin Allegro harvest gold (new tooling) (March)
VA46000 Ford Zephyr Mk III Police (new tooling) (March)
VA47000 Triumph TR3 open pale yellow (new tooling) (March)
VA27007 Rover 2000 West Midlands Police (March)
VA23005 Austin A35 Graham Hill's Rally Car (March)
VA25007 Mini Cooper Pat Moss's famous rally car (March)
VA38001 Vauxhall Victor primrose yellow (April)
VA40001 Singer Chamois turquoise blue (new tooling) (April)
VA48000 Morris 1300 Trafalgar blue (new tooling) (April)
VA44001 Austin Cambridge the first Police 'Jam Sandwich' (April)
VA27008 Rover 2000 Roger Clark's rally car (April)
VA26007 Hillman Imp George Bevan's rally car (April)
VA49000 Jaguar E Type open cream (new tooling) (April)
VA26008 Hillman Imp maroon (May)
VA21007 Ford Popular 100E Ivory/green 2-tone (May)
VA46001 Ford Zephyr Mk IV Goodwood green (May)
VA45001 Austin Allegro Metropolitan Police (May)
VA40002 Singer Chamois Kenya Rally (May)
VA38003 Vauxhall Victor Kenya Rally (May)
VA50000 MGA open dove grey (new tooling) (May)
VA10007 Morris Minor Traveller clipper blue (June)
VA48001 Morris 1300 maroon (June)
VA45002 Austin Allegro Rally (June)
VA51000 Austin Healey open red/ivory (new tooling) (June)
PP1002 Dunbartonshire Police 'Pinky & Perky' 2 piece set (June)CATALOGUE REVIEW
BROOKLIN 2000 catalogue: £2.00
As fewer ranges produce catalogues of their products, it is niceg to see a new one from Brooklin. This A4 colour production pictures all Brooklin, Lansdowne and Robeddie models, plus biographies of figures in auto history and lists special models from 1999.
NEW JAGUAR 420 MODEL
By Gary Oxley
My second 1:43 model to follow the Austin Swallow is a Jaguar 420 Saloon, with full underbody detail, including IRS, exhaust with five silencers, propshaft, gearbox, sump, full ribbed floorpan etc.
CJM03 (SW): Jaguar 420 Willow Green with Cinnamon interior and Steel Wheels
CJM03 (SW): Jaguar 420 Light Blue with Dark Blue interior and Steel Wheels
CJM03 (WW): Jaguar 420 Opalescent Silver Grey with Red interior and Wire Wheels.
CJM03 (WW): Jaguar 420 Regency Red with Beige interior and wire wheels
CJM04 (DS): Daimler Sovereign in BRG with Tan interior and Steel Wheels
CJM04 (DS): Daimler Sovereign in BRG with Tan interior and Wire Wheels
The models will cost £79.95 each plus post and packing, and are available now (February 2000). Note that this model is of the Jaguar 420 (like the S-type with different front end sheet metal), not the 420G, based on the Mark X saloon. contact: CJM 11 Birchwood Drive, Ravenfield, Rotherham, S65 4PT, UK. Tel: 01709-372003 Fax: 01709-372002. email: gary@jaguarmodelclub.demon.co.uk
MODELEX 2000 DATES
Ray Strutt has now confirmed that Modelex 2000 will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on 14 and 15 October. Anyone interested in booking a stand for this year should contact Ray on 01825 768776 or fax 01825 760600.
NEW FROM K&R REPLICAS
K&R Replicas have the following new models available now in 1:24 scale:
KAR2420 Jaguar Mk II saloon, englne detail
KAR2422 Ferrari 375 Carrera Panamericana
In 1:43 scale we have these new releases:
KR105 Triumph Vitesse Mk I convertible
KR106 Triumph Vitesse Mk I Saloon
KR111 Morris Oxford Series VI saloon
KR112 Naylor MG TF (replica MG)BROOKLIN Factory Special
Our New for 2000 Brooklin list in MAR138 left the 'Factory Special' model for this year to be confirmed. It is BRK57 Lincoln Continental convertible 1960 metallic maroon, top up in ivory, available from 23 March to 4 May only.
SCi MILLE MIGLIA GAME
SCiT Entertainment Group plc has exclusive world-wide rights to develop and publish computer and video games based on the Mille Miglia. SCi's previous game Carmageddon sold over 1.6 million units. Mille Miglia will be released in the second quarter of 2000 to coincide with the race in May, initially in Playstation forma,t followed by Next Generation console systems and Internet on-line gaming. For more information contact SCi on 0171 585 3308, mentioning MAR
CROSSWAY RILEY RMB
Crossway Models are about to release their 1:43 handbuilt Riley RMB 2.5 litre saloon, available as a Plymouth City Police car and the 1951 Monte Carlo entrant. Future built models planned include a mid-1930s Morris Eight Tourer and a Morris Oxford Series Two Traveller (with half timbered body). Crossway also plan a new range of 1:43 kits, Abbey Classic Kits. No existing Crossway built subjects will be in this range, which includes a Ford Cortina Mark III (basic L version) and Mini Clubman (basic and 1275 GT).
AUTO REPLICAS FOR SALE
Barry Lester is one of the pioneers of the specialist model vehicle business, and his work has been described many times in MAR, notably a feature on his life's work by Max Tomlinson. Now, with almost 30 years under his white metal belt buckle, and looking forward to his retirement in France, Barry has decided to put the range up for sale. Any interested parties can contact him direct at the advertisement in this issue. Barry will continue to make patterns for other people, to restore models, and will continue to develop his activities with his wife Genevieve. They draw and paint, and both are involved in language teaching. Genevieve teaches French to expatriate Brits, whilst Barry teaches English to the native French in Brittany. So, if you fancy the manufacturing equipment and/or patterns, moulds etc for the many Auto Replicas 1:43, 1:24, 1:87, 1:50 and 1:32 white metal ranges, get in touch soon.
LATEST JPS RELEASES
1:43 prepainted resin kits from JPS of France:
197 Peugeot 306 Gr N T de C 99 etc
198 Lola T298 LM 80 no 27, LM 81 no 33
199 Lola T298 LM 81 no 31
200 DB Panhard 'Le Mans' cabriolet road car
201 Peugeot 104 ZS Gr 2 T de C 77 no 51
202 Porsche 924 LM 80 nos 2, 3, or 4
203 Jide 1600-Renault Cevennes 71 no 57ARGUS 200th ISSUE
Argus de la Miniature marks its 200th issue with special coverage of Police and Gendarmerie vehicles, plus the Argus annual lists of shops, dealers, clubs etc. The price is 72FF (78FF Europe) from SAFAM, Argus 200, BP40, 78231 Le Pecq, Cedex, France.
NEWS FROM ABC-BRIANZA
Some news from ABC-Brianza of new items available in Italy, all 1:43 scale handbuilt models unless noted otherwise:
ABC 120 Ferrari Pinin Quattroporte 1980 (handbuilt model or kit)
ABC 126 Ferrari Prototipo Scaglietti (handbuilt model or kit)
Gamma Models 77 Alfa Sud 4 door
Gamma Models 78 Alfa Sud 2 door
Microspeed 1:24 Ferrari 312 PB Targa Florio, Ferrari 312 PB Monza Microspeed 1:24 Ferrari 312 PB Sebring
Southern Cross Miniatures Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage LM 1960
Irmscher Ascona A Racer 1973 Rohrl-Berger
Irmscher Kadett B Schauinsland 1971 Mander
Irmscher Commodore B MC 73 Rohrl-Berger
Irmscher Kadett B green-yellow Ring 1972
Irmscher Commodore A Touring car racer 1970SCOTTOY PLANS FOR 2000
Jonathan Scott tells us of his plans for the Scottoy range. The first new model, derived from the old Mercury 1:48 model, will be the Volkswagen Beetle. Other models include the Alfa Giulietta saloon and Giulietta Police green 1960.
TELMODEL 1:43 FIAT 850
A new 1:43 resin handbuilt model will appear under a new name, Telmodel. It will be the Fiat 850, originally promised from Scottoy, but actually to be made under this new range title.
DAIMLER HOUSE NEWS
Henk van Asten gives us news of new 1:43 handbuilt models in his Conquest and Madison ranges from Daimler House, made in the UK for the Netherlands:Conquest 31 1955 Studebaker President Speedster hardtop, two-tone and three-tone versions (February)
Conquest 37 1947 Chevrolet Stylemaster four door sedan (April)
Conquest 36 1949 Frazer Manhattan four door sedan, two-tone (June/July)
Madison 22 1947 Kaiser Special four door sedan (June/July)
Conquest 38 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Custom Safari station wagon, two-tone (October)
... and last but not least for the year 2000, Conquest 120 1964 Rover 2000 P6 saloon 1964 (October)
(Madison 19 1947 Plymouth Special de luxe four door sedan will have to wait another year).DC MODELS DREAM CARS
DC MODELS is a new 1:43 range from Malaysia, of Dream Cars. The first is a Project Canto Supercar 1998, and painted silver., a solid pewter casting with no interior detail (the windows are painted black) priced around £60.00. For more details contact DC Models, PO Box 9152, Pejabat Pos Kelana Jaya, 46806 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Email dcmodels@hotmail.com
NEW ROAD CHAMPS
By John Whitehead
New in the USA 1:43 scale diecast models from Road Champs:
1949 Ford Custom two door station wagon (woodie). The shape is quite good, but the colour is an unrealistic bright yellow (but may be accurate after a surfer got hold of the car). The usual Road Champs short cuts are there, window frames missing from opening doors, and the top tailgate section also missing. It is, however, well finished and packaged for the reasonable price.
1949 Mercury Club Coupe (stock version seen without fender skirts, custom version with flames on the nose and fender skirts)
1955 Chevrolet Nomad
1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am coupe
Also indicated on the packaging as available is a 1969 Oldsmobile Hurst, but I've not seen one. These toys cost about $7 each, colours are sometimes correct, sometimes not. Tampo printing is good. Operating doors usually compromise accuracy if the vehicle had wind wings or had frames on the windows in the doors.DEL PRADO MODELS
By Maz Woolley
I have a few observations on the Del Prado models mentioned in MAR 138 by Brian Warne. The partwork consists of pages from a book on cars of the 50s and 60s by Michael Sedgwick, available at discount bookshops. It is divided inelegantly, for example double page spreads cut in half between issues. The model car baseplate errors are entertaining, anyone for a Renault Apline or a 1950 Aston Martin DB5? The models seem to be from various factories in China, copies of existing models or made with components from other ranges mated to a Del Prado base. Finish is variable and tampo printing and hand finishing differs wildly between models. Part of the fun is playing spot the original, my attempts are noted below. I would be interested to hear the opinion of experts!
Chevy Corvette 1963: Yet another! Heavy in proportions, it looks like an older Ertl, though it may be a scaled-down bigger model. Ford Mustang 1967: Not bad. Similar standard to older Ertls or better recent New Rays. VW 1303: A surprise in the 50s-60s section! Obviously from the same origins as the Jouef but finished more simply, no number plates. It is so similar that I can't believe it is not from the same factory. Good value at a fiver.
Lamborghini Miura 1966: Simple but lovely. No separate wipers or mirrors just a really good shape and wheels. Is this based on a Vitesse? Pick of the crop so far, in my view. Renault Alpine: Nice model. Next best to the Lamborgini. Could be a Solido copy but is too finely detailed for that. Has a Vitesse look. Aston Martin DB5: Rubbish. No other way to describe it. Poor wire wheels, grille atrocious. Put it next to the Vitesse and weep! The Danbury Mint 007 model has the same inappropriate flasher on the front wings and rather low roofline, so I guess that it is a scaled down copy. A good companion for the dreadful New Ray MGB Roadster!
Porsche Carrera soft top 1989: Simple, nicely proportioned, well finished. An odd choice for the 1950s-60s section of the part-work. Fiat 500: I haven't studied this in detail, as it is in the shops but not yet sent under my subscription. This has to be derived from the Vitesse. It looks to be a nice model. Jaguar E-type 1961: Quite a nice model and in a totally different league to the larger Maisto. However it is definitely not a Kyosho, which is a gem. The wheels and detailing resemble the Dinky, but slightly poorer. It has no head-light fairings so I am not sure that it is an accurate 1961 model, especially as it is rhd.
Mini Cooper: Looked at from some angles this is almost OK, but unfortunately any view of the front end makes one wince. Scarcely any more hideous than Corgi's offerings, but nowhere as good as the Vitesse or Lledo or even the Heller 1:43 plastic kit. Another car out of its period (50s-60s supposedly) as it more accurately depicts a Rover Group Mini than a British Leyland one. Mercedes Gullwing 300SL: Every model range has to have one. I've not been able to look in detail but looks like another average model. At first sight it is reminiscent of the Dinky but with a non-prototypical gap between top and bottom castings. .
BMW Roadster: This restores the balance a bit., a nice, though simple, model of the late 50s Goetz-designed V8 Roadster. Not sure of its origins, but a more delicate casting than many others and has a reasonable level of detail on a par with Vanguards for example. (Maybe the ex-Doorkey-Schuco model? Ed.). Future Treats: Having now got the first part as a back number, I have got the blurb about some of the models to be included. I nearly fell off my chair when I found that it included a Vauxhall Viva. No clue as to whether a HA, HB, or HC. Has someone commissioned a master in China in the past and rejected it, or has a series editor a fond memory of one? Maybe I shouldn't get too excited, it may only be a copy of the old Dinky HA or even end up being an Opel! There are many of the 'usual suspects' proposed: Citroen DS, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Ferrari for example. But also some more unusual ones, at toy prices, including Maserati Bora, Pegaso and Facel Vega HK 500. The pictures in the flyer show a couple of subjects already available for around £5.00 in other series, such as Karmann Ghia Roadster and the first Ford Thunderbird. A mid 50s Alfa Romeo saloon is also shown. Despite my criticisms of individual models this series is not a bad way to introduce people to the hobby. Each model is of a real vehicle and priced similarly to some of the 'collectable' Model T Vans in ludicrous liveries. With a starter collection of these models, an interest in other ranges may grow. At least the publisher does not make spurious claims about them being special edition heirlooms! The Sedgwick book, split into a part work, is a bonus for those who don't have it already. The fact cards with each model are 'prepared by experts'. It is debatable where their expertise lies, however, given the number of errors! It'll be interesting to see if the quality balance of the models remains the same over the next few issues. About half of what I've seen are good value at a fiver, others are less desirable. I invite comments from readers, and pictures, if available, for publication in MAR.
MORE PARADISE GARAGE AUSTRALIAN FORD FALCONS
There are some new colours available on the Paradise Garage Australian Ford Falcon XR-8 models. The new colours are Quick Silver Metallic and Galaxy Blue Metallic (a Royal Blue). There is a new body being made for the Tickford TS-50 (an upmarket XR-8 without Falcon badging) and this will also appear in two colours, Quick Silver metallic or Sparkling Burgundy Metallic. In March 2000 the Australian Ford Falcon XR-8 will be revised to a Series II version, so presumably an updated Paradise Garage model will follow in due course.
EUROPEAN MODELS
J M Deroy of Brussels gives us more news of European Models Production 1:43 ranges: Grégoire Cabriolet 1956: This Chapron-bodied cabriolet was first shown at the Paris Show in 1956, front wheel drive of course. A figure of Jean Albert Grégoire is included with the model, at a price around 875 Francs, handbuilt only. The real car is displayed in the Museum at La Défense in Paris, and the model is produced to the highest possible standards to mark EMP's fifth year in production. (Far right). Simca 9 Sport Cabriolet 1952. (Above left). Originally shown at the 1952 Paris show, this car did not enter production until 1955, slightly modified. This model follows the Simca 9 Coupe released in 1999. Simca 8-1100 Saloon 1939. (Above and below) Part of the ongoing series of Simca 8s from 1937 to 1951 (the 1939 and 1950 coupes are already available), this is a Grande Luxe from 1939. ECMA offers, for direct sale only, the standard version of the same car. Only 75 made at 425 Francs from ECMA, 56 Avenue Louis Jasmin, B-1150 Brussels, Belgium. The standard version is only available from ECMA, the Grande Luxe from retail stockists. Future releases include the Grégoire Sport Coupe 1957, and the Simca 9 Sport 1955 coupe and cabriolet, the latter as owned by Brigitte Bardot (figure included). There is also a totally-new model of the Peugeot 403, with detailed interior including two tone dashboard etc (above). M Deroy says that the quality and accuracy of this model is such that it has been possible to reproduce the entirely cut-away version, as exhibited at the 1957 Paris show (below left). Not only is there a detailed interior, but the mechanicals have also been made, and even luggage in the boot. The 403 saloon will appear in Spring 2000, possibly with a version exclusive to CAMP (the Peugeot Model Club).
MORE AMERICAN CARS
By Bruce Arnold
Here is some news of my latest 1:43 scale productions. First there are two Daimler House models. These are 'patternmaker's editions' of 25. They are more fully finished, initialled and tweaked by me. A few are pictured here, above and right. There are four patterns currently in production, one of which is for another manufacturer, 1953 Cadillac Eldorado, 1953 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special, 1952 Pontiac Chieftain wagon and 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood 75. Each of these models will have variants. Each pattern has undergone at least another 30 hours of refinement since these pictures were taken.
SCHUCO BUGATTI T35
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
In the Studio range, Schuco's long awaited 01740 Bugatti T35 is now available, in a black card box, called Studio IV Bugatti Schuco-Classic, around 1:24 scale, with jack, tools, spare parts and a crank handle. The first version is painted in typical Bugatti blue, the detachable wheels are Bugatti alloy wheel rims, but for the front axle Schuco had to use the standard Studio component, used for all other racing cars in this range. The Type 35 was revealed by Ettore Bugatti in 1924, when it took part in the Grand Prix of Europe in Lyon, organised by the Automobile Club of France. It had two Solex carburettors and would have been successful, but the tyres were not up to the high speed of the cars and no Bugatti reached the finishing line. Later, when the tyre problem was solved, the T35 and its later derivations became the most successful racing cars ever built.
CMC MERCEDES W165
The latest 1:18 scale model in CMC's range, diecast in China for Germany, is a Mercedes-Benz W165. This is the car in which Hermann Lang drove to a spectacular victory at Tripoli in 1939. Features of the model include:
The detailed V8 engine is visible under the removable bonnet. The hand-drawn steel bars of the radiator grille are assembled by hand. The wire wheels are each hand assembled from 30 pieces of steel wire. The two transparent monitoring windows which were integrated in the body to check the petrol level are included The seat is covered in textile, and the rest of the interior is highly detailed. In all, the model is hand-assembled from 429 parts and is now available at retailers. It will be pictured in the next issue of MAR.
REVELL BORGWARD
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Fraulein-Wunder (Wondergirl) is the title of a book about the Borgward Isabella, their best-seller in the 1950s. The saloon and estate were joined by a coupe in November 1956 and continued with minor changes until the collapse of Borgward in 1961. The prototype, dark red with white interior was a Christmas present to his wife by Carl F W Borgward in 1956, and it is still owned by the Borgward family. A prototype 1:18 Isabella Coupe was shown Revell at Nuremberg Toy Fair in February 1999. Now model 08982 is on sale, the Coupe from late 1958 to 1962. It is white, with gloss black roof, the interior bright red. The body shape is exactly reproduced, but the back of the roof and rear window are slightly too steeply sloped. The bonnet and doors open correctly, no drainpipe-size hinges here, the steering works, and under the bonnet is an accurate engine replica, even the fuse box is included. The interior is detailed and authentic, but the red plastic door linings are a bit transparent. The floor is painted matt light brown, looking just like carpet. Finally I note that the roof is a separate component, so a convertible version can be expected soon.
A TRIBUTE TO JOHN SHELFORD
By Jim Marsden
THE announcements in MAR 137 were a sobering and sad reflection on our hobby. We are not eternal except in our own minds, and good friends die. John Shelford was a friend I met through the pages of MAR in the early 1980s, and eventually met in 1986 at his pink Heybrook Bay Hotel. Self-effacing and truly modest, John enjoyed himself carving models from his favourite obeche wood. they were perfect, humanistic and unique. John liked racing cars, I guess, and responded to the slot car craze of the sixties with various carved models of his favourite marques and driver figures as seen in these photos taken in June 1998 at his own Fawlty Towers. My interest in his craftsmanship began with the cars of Briggs Cunningham, and I commissioned the road cars, which had not been modelled by anyone in any scale. John responded over the years with models that don't exist anywhere, He did a few others, but not all the C1 and C3 Cunninghams in the photo. At some point I told John that he should catalogue his replicas; his response was to number them chronologically, regardless of marque, year or class of car, and thus, my Lotus 30 is number 110 on a decal with a thin brass plate proclaiming by J Shelford. Models which will never now be finished are two Lotus 18s and a rough pattern for a Cunningham C3 cabriolet. Other Lotus models which I will now only have in photographic form are the Marks I and II. John laminated an aluminium skin to wood for Colin Chapman's Trials car and added a copper cowl! He was also making a couple of Mark IIs for me and for Nigel Halliday who has the 1:1 scale car. How John had these projects laid out is seen in the photo of the plastic storage bin. Although he loved racing cars, I think he revered classics, including Bugattis. I don't know whether he kept those in the photos, but he would have been as happy to put them on the shelf as to part with them. John loved passionate collectors, as seen by the Plymouth convertible and similar scale Mercedes GP slot car. Someone did a cartoon of a Bugatti twin-engined pursuit plane, and John crafted a model of the cartoon. Replete with Bugatti T41 cockpit and Type 37-51 nacelles, John was preparing it for someone in the Bugattistes Club when I saw him last. Ironically, I was chronicling the Bugattis for a friend here in Colorado, Ed Collins, who migrated to a love for Bugattis after Porsches, and who had thrown himself into all things Bugatti. Ed died in 1999, after going to the Strictly 43rd show in Chicago, where he won awards for his modelling abilities. I hope that John and Ed can get together in the other world where issues about fit and finish are more important.
MARPYTOYS CITROENS
Marpytoys specialises in Citroen model cars and has recently released:
2 cv Hoffmann cabrio 1:43 resin handbuilt
ZX Vent d'Ouest, ASC-Heuliez prototype cabrio on Citroen ZX 1:43 resin handbuilt
Marpytoys is using Rialto Models as the main supplier for all resin components.
For 2000 they plan to make (all 1:43 scale):
C25 Camping car (motor caravan)
Jumper Camping car (motor caravan)
XM Hoogovens-CXA Cabriolet
HY Heuliez horse transporter
Marpytoys can be reached at: Meidoornstraat 126, 2691 VE 's-Gravenzande 0031-174421877 (phone only)
OR: RIALTO-MARPYTOYS 1:43 handbuilt in the Netherlands: Citroen 2CV Hoffmann two seater Cabriolet.Obtainable from Rialto Models, Park-dreef 173, 2724 ET Zoetermeer, Holland, tel-fax- +31 79 331 76 76, e-mail: rialtomod@hetnet.nl or from Marpytoys, Meidoornstraat 126, 2691 VE 's-Gravenzande Holland, tel: +31 (0)174 121877. colour choices are green, white, red or orange.
Rules of the Road
A follow-up to correspondence in MAR 137
LEFT, LEFT
Dear Rod
I was interested to see Tony Galvin's letter in MAR 137 regarding driving on the left or right. Nothing to do with models, but my understanding of the history is as follows: As you say, traditionally, armed horse riders always passed to the left in order to keep their sword arm free to defend themselves. However this was only a convention. No doubt in certain areas people would ride on the 'wrong' side preferring to keep away from ditches or mountainsides. This would lead to a dispute when they met up with someone else doing the same thing but at least they were unlikely to be hurtling towards each other at speed! The change came about with the French Revolution. The revolutionary government were determined to change everything which reminded them in any way of the old order. They ruled that traffic (which by convention previously passed to the left) should travel on the right, which had the advantage of defining in law who had the right of way, and which was a radical enough change to please their revolutionary followers. The more sensible laws and conventions (for example the metric system) invented by the Revolutionaries were incorporated into the Code Napoleon set down by Bonaparte when he took power and form the basis of French law to this day. Napoleon then went on to capture large chunks of Europe, set up new governments which gave a 'grateful' population their own local versions of the Code Napoleon. No doubt outside of towns which side of the road traffic travelled on was not considered of great importance, so most travellers would have kept to the old convention. In fact I seem to remember that in one European country the law made traffic drive on the right in town and the left out of it! probably by the 1920s growth of traffic made it important to make it clear which side traffic should drive on and the drive on the right rule, as imposed by the French, was remembered. As you say, many car manufacturers, particularly luxury ones, persisted with right hand drive. I suspect that the convenience of stepping straight off the pavement into the driving seat was considered of more importance than being on the correct side the the car when driving. Countries untouched by the French Revolution and Napoleon would of course have persisted in driving on the left, Sweden falls into this category and only changed in the 1960s to comply with its neighbours across the borders. Britain (with no land borders), and hence most Commonwealth countries, would have continued to drive on the left, there being no reason to change. This leaves the USA. I cannot think of a reason for Americans to drive on the right, unless it was, like the French, change for change's sake; an attempt to distance themselves from the early Colonial days?ROD HUNT, BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER, GLOS
It's likely that Revolutionaries of the fledgling USA followed their French Revolution-ary counterparts in the Rule of the Road, as they did in so many other respects, though oddly metrication is resisted across the Atlantic to this day. The Rule of the Road was indeed less important once you left population centres. I live next to the first road which was adopted in Yorkshire under the Turnpike Acts (and among the last in England, the cussed tykes being resistant to paying to use roads), and my house is only 20 feet or so away from the pub opposite. In pre-Turnpike days, the unmetalled quagmire which pretended to be the main route to the east from Leeds could only accommodate one abreast of the massive carts which carried wool to the coast. Liquid mud could be four feet deep, so special cart wheels six feet wide (like road rollers, but tapered in to the outer rim) were fitted to enormous wagons, pulled by teams of dozens of oxen. Try persuading the carter move to the 'correct' side of the road, even if he didn't already take up all the road width anyway! Once the metalled Turnpike opened, speedy coaches on narrow wheels competed to connect to packet boats for the continent, and it was important to know which side the fellow coming fast the other way would take. Thus the 'keep left' convention was enshrined in law, the coachman sitting on the right to ensure that wheels did not lock. Ed.
LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT...
Dear Rod
I was interested in Tony Galvin's letter regarding countries driving on the left. Most European countries always apparently drove on the right, with these exceptions:AUSTRIA. Vorarlberg went right in 1921, most of the Tirol on 2/4/1930, Karnten and east Tirol on 15/6/1935, butt Vienna and the rest of the country changed 19/8/1938. *
CZECHOSLOVAKIA changed on 15/3/1939. *
FAEROES. Vagar Island changed to driving on the left on 1/1/1943 then back to the right again on 1/1/1945.
CHANNEL ISLANDS. Guernsey and Jersey changed to the right on 25/6/1941 and back to the left again on 14/5/1945. *
GIBRALTAR changed to the right, 16/6/1929.
HUNGARY changed 6/7/1941 but Budapest did not until 9/11/1941. *
ITALY. The countryside changed in 1910 but the cities did not until 20/10/1924. *
ICELAND changed on 26/5/1968.
PORTUGAL changed on 1/6/1928.
SWEDEN changed on 3/9/1967, much publicised in the British press at the time.
Other most recent changes have been:
YEMEN (formerly Aden) changed, 2/1/1977.
MYANMAR (Burma) changed in 1970.
GHANA changed on 4/8/1974.
EAST TIMOR changed in July 1976. *
SUDAN changed in August 1973.
TOGO changed on 4/8/1974.
SIERRA LEONE changed on 1/3/1971.
NIGERIA changed on 2/4/1972
British Indian Ocean Territories changed 71
I could go on!
JIM McLACHLAN, FALKIRK, SCOTLAND
I'm sure you could, Jim. Thanks for all that. We can see (by the asterisked * items), how often the advent of a totalitarian government, internally or by invasion, led to a change in the Rule of the Road. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a left-driving area, until they were absorbed into a Greater Germany, including parts of the old empire such as Czechoslovakia. Mussolini's March on Rome in 1922 was soon followed by a switch to the right side of the road (with the switch to the right of the political road). German occupation of the Channel Islands led to the short-lived change, rapidly going back with liberation. Driving on the 'wrong' side equates with fighting for the wrong side, it seems. Am I right that the same happened during the Argentine occupation of the Falklands Islands (Malvinas) in 1982? The invasion of East Timor by Indonesia led, it now seems inevitably, to a change in the Rule of the Road. Now that East Timor has painfully achieved its independence, will the Timorese change back? Ed.
LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTRE
Hi Rod!
I just got MAR and read about rhd and lhd. Sweden changed in September 1967. India? I've been there. Officially, I guess they do drive on the left. And in places like central Dehli, this is true. Otherwise, it seems to me that it's very much a question of driving where you find room to do so. Streets are packed with cars, lorries, buses, bicycles, scooters, motorbikes, three-wheelers, cows, buffalo, pedestrians and dogs all over the place. Not many of them know the rules, but I did see one big buffalo-like, long horned animal that actually waited for the lights to turn green before crossing the street! LHD? RHD? DWP: Drive Wherever Possible is a better explanation of the system in India!GUNNAR BERNSTRUP, SWEDEN
So, September 1967 Sweden changed over to the opposite side of the road. When I first visited Sweden in the early 1970s there were still lots of rhd vehicles around. And rather a lot of trees, I seem to remember. After his original letter which sparked this correspondence, Tony Galvin has written again... Ed.
... AND BACK AGAIN
Dear Rod
Going back to my last question on right and left hand drive, I have upgraded my computer from a humble 486 with a new rocket powered mother board etc. lobbed in an encyclopedia and came up with some more info on this subject.Tony Galvin, Fleetwood, Lancs
Thanks Tony. Much of what your encyclopedia says is covered by others here, but other factors include:
Riders mount horses on the left, so a rider would then keep to that side of the road. Mounting posts on early English roads were on the left. If coachmen drove on the right in narrow city streets, walls could impede use of the whip or they could injure pedestrians on that side of the road. On country lanes, the whip might catch in hedges. The earliest known official keep left regulation was in 1756 for vehicles crossing London Bridge. Scotland was first in 1772 to make left-hand travel a national law, applying to all city traffic. England and Wales followed in 1835.
Traditionally, battles started with an attack from the left, but Napoleon changed the side, to take the enemy by surprise. Attacks from the right meant that his army travelled on the right as well. Napoleon carried his new order of march wherever he went, but two countries Napoleon did not reach, Britain and Sweden, kept to the left.
It is said that it was the Pope who ruled that traffic must keep left, so Robespierre, the French atheist revolutionary, determined to break the power of the Church. Changing the rule of the road symbolised his new order. It became a French law in 1835, the same year England prescribed the left.
America chose the right side, but why? America is a former British colony. It was not a gesture of defiance or expression of independence, nor imitation of the French. A likely reason is due to the postillion who was in charge of the many horses necessary to pull large wagons. He was mounted on the rear left horse where he could control all of the horses with his whip. His left leg stuck out and risked injury from walls, trees, etc if he kept to the left of the road.
So, to protect their postillions, US traffic today keeps to the right. Ed.
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