1st January 1999
CHANGES AT MODELAUTO
Some years ago a transport book department was opened at the Modelauto shop in Leeds, mostly motor books, with toy and model titles and other topics as well. This book department is now closed, and much of the stock has been disposed of in the book trade. Model and toy books, along with aviation and other titles, will continue to be available mail order only, through 'Toyz', but as these books are not at the Leeds shop they cannot be viewed by visiting customers.The books took up 30% of the floor area at the shop, but only produced about 5% of the turnover, so they had to go The space at the Leeds premises was needed for expansion of the model stock, as in future Modelauto will be stocking a wider range of model vehicles than hitherto, including many in larger scales. This is in response to demand from collectors around the world who have been unable to obtain ranges which were previously regarded as widely-distributed. It is surprising that standard 'middle-market' ranges are so hard to find in many places. Previously Modelauto did not handle these ranges, as it was felt that collectors should be able to get them closer to home, and would not need to order them mail order from a specialist dealer. Now, it seems, there are few model shops left which carry a wide range of merchandise, hence the need for space to add them to the Modelauto stock.
I apologise if you think this is not MAR 'editorial' material, being an internal commercial decision of Modelauto, but it has to be spelled out. Seeing the ex-Modelauto motor books appear at another dealer's premises, a reader put two and two together to make five, and decided that Modelauto was closing down, and Model Auto Review with it.
On the contrary, both MAR and Modelauto are continuing in business! Both have expansion planned for this year, as noted in MAR 128. The aim is to serve Modelauto customers better with what they want, and to continue to develop and improve MAR for you, the reader. If this means cutting down on anything less central to our main activities (such as books), this must happen, to facilitate growth planned for the future. Keep watching this space, for news of further developments!
OUR WEBSITE CHANGES
Whilst on the subject of our changing world, I might as well note the proposed changes to our internet websites, for those readers who like to check out the news, competitions and so on, before the new issue of MAR arrives. Over the next three months we are restructuring our websites. By the time the reorganisation has finished, www.modelauto.co.uk will only incorporate model vehicles for sale and other topics related to the Modelauto retail business. Everything else will be on www.toyz.co.uk, including MAR latest news, competitions etc. If you go to your usual bookmarked destination, you will find a link to the new location. Once there, please bookmark the revised position of the page you like to visit regularly. In this issue there is an advertisement spelling out the changes in more detail, with address references you can use. This process will take time to complete, but we intend it to be finished in three months time.EFE PLANNED RELEASES
Exclusive First Editions continue to expand their 1:76 diecast range. To follow the RML (long wheelbase Routemaster bus), they have the RCL, the coach version with concertina rear door. Also new is the DMS double decker bus, for February release.In April there will be EFE's first utility double decker. It will ultimately appear on Guy, Bristol and Daimler chassis. A new truck variant is a four axle oval tanker with Atkinson cab, initially in Pickfords livery. For 1999 EFE prices will rise to £13.99 each, except Hoppas, Pointers and Bedford OBs. January planned releases include: RCL coach London Country Bristol LS Provincial Leyland PD1 highbridge Lancashire United Bristol RELL Cumberland Beford SB Skills Alexander Fleetline Selnec Reeve Burgess Hoppa Barton Leyland TS8 Western WelshTRUCK CITY TOYS
Steve Schoen, the proprietor of Truck City, bought Dave Pendleton's Master Models range of 1:48 white metal truck kits a couple of years ago. Using the Autocar kits and Conrad conversions, Steve and his builders (including Dave Pendleton) produce many different trucks: Autocar, Kenworth, White or Mack. Brandon Lewis of Buffalo Road Imports stocks those models that are available. Buffalo Road advertise in MAR, and can deal with enquiries from collectors. Steve tells us that prices are mostly in the $150 to $300 range.First Gear News
By Terry Leonard, First Gear, USA
First Gear have some new diecast truck models to announce. They are a 1:34 scale Mack R-model truck with mixer body and a 1:34 Mack B-model pumper. The Mack R-model cab has authentic badging, cast spoked wheels; chrome plated West Coast style mirrors, air horns, and sculptured Bulldog hood ornament, hand painted marker lights, door and grab handles, and fuel filler cap; and amber turning lights. The concrete mixer body has a rotating die-cast metal drum, a swivelling chute assembly with two extensions, a ladder extension that can be posed in the up or down position, hand painted rinse hose, hopper assembly and collector chute, side-mounted water tank with gauge, extended front bumper with engraved hydraulic pump detail, and over-sized flotation tires on the front wheels.The Mack B pumper is available in open cab or closed cab versions. Features include chrome plated gauges, radiator shell, spot lights, siren, emergency beacon, handrail, extinguisher, tow hooks, sculptured Bulldog hood ornament, mirrors, and wheel hubs. Hand painted parts include ladders, fire axe, CO2 extinguisher, play pipes, Indian fire pump and nozzles. There are printed gauges in the side panels and monitor is poseable. All First Gear replicas are available for custom imprinting. For more information, contact First Gear, mentioning MAR, at PO Box 52, 8668 Kapp Drive, Peosta, IA 52068, USA. Phone (319) 582 2071 Fax (319) 582 2415 email ConsumerServices@.lst-gear.com
DURHAM ANNIVERSARY
To commemorate the 20th year of the official registration of Durham Classics in Canada on November 3 1978, Julian and Margaret Stewart are producing a unique two piece presentation. Originally Durham Classics issued a range of pewter dolls house miniatures, before commencing production of hand built model cars. They have incorporated a selection of some of the early dolls house miniatures in a beautiful cherrywood presentation case. The case measures only 3 x 5 x 1 inches, suitable for display within the shelves of a model car display cabinet. These miniatures are combined with a special version of the Durham1941 Chevrolet top down convertible, with photo etched wire wheels, white wall tires, and hand-finished bright work. The model is finished in metallic burgundy with an off white interior.This presentation is in a two part individually numbered and signed gift box set, limited to a total number of 120 sets.
WATCHMAKER BAILS OUT
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
As early as Spring 1997 there were rumours that the roadholding of the new Smart Micro Compact Car was suspect. This tiny two-seater was developed by Mercedes-Benz engineers, following the concept of Nicolas Hayek, inventor of Swatch watches. After the Mercedes-Benz A-Class failed the moose-test, this test was done with the Smart and it also failed. So the launch was postponed for more than six months, not only due to moose problems but qualityissues as well. At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1997 Mercedes-Benz increased their capital investment and as sales began they took over complete control, Mr Hayek leaving the ship. In the motor press the Smart has not earned much glory. In most reports, the idea of this small coupe is praised, but all testers found roadholding 'a bit difficult', the suspension very hard and the performance not very good. The Smart is now available as 1:87 model car, by Busch, and later also in 1:43 and 1:18 scales. The 1:87 Busch model comes in a special black presentation box with silver printing. It is black and 'angry red'. A second set of body-panels is included, with which the colour can be can be changed to 'hello-yellow'. The models are initially available only from Smart dealers, easily found if you look for the 'Smart tower', the extraordinary distinctive symbol at each dealership.REVELL M ROADSTER
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
REVELL Advantage 07318 BMW M Roadster. Plastic kit in scale 1:24, body with lacquer finish. The BMW M Roadster promises the legendary M power coupled with the feel of a roadster. This sports car offers power and thrills. The performance of the 321 hp six cylinder engine, combined with low weight of 1350 kg is im pressive. It reaches 100km/h in 5.4 seconds with the limit electronically fixed at 250 km/h. The new BMW M Roadster is the right sports car for people who value an uncompromising driving experience. The Revell 1:24 model is 170 mm long, with a pre-painted one-piece body-shell with structural details, accurate interior, working steering, authentic exhaust system, wheel rims and tyres. Also included are stickers with badges etc. It is easy to assemble, but for best results minor paintwork is necessary, though the seats, dashboard and door mirrors are also ready painted. The painted body shell has some marks and scratches, so some improvements to mould finishing and in the paint-shop are necessary.WIKING 1:40 REISSUES
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Once again some old 1:40 moulds have been reactivated by Wiking. This time they are three Volkswagen T1b Transporters, previously only made as promos for the Volkswagen Company. They were available only in the visitor shops in Wolfsburg or Hannover, or as presents from dealers. Now reissued are 765 01 46 Samba Bus, the eight or nine seater luxury minibus with roof windows and sun-roof. It is available with turquoise lower body, white upper body and grey chassis. The windows are glazed, unlike the older issue and there are no direction indicators. The second model is 772 01 39, a T1b van in the medium grey of the telephone department of the old German Bundespost, reading Deutsche Bundespost-Schnellbautrupp. No mould changes were made to the old issue, only a rear number plate is added, but it looks quite strange, because it is a private number, not used by postal vehicles at that time, the occupation time immediately after the war, the period before 1956 and 'American Bavaria'. Finally two different pick up s with canvas tilts have been issued, 767 01 38 in a brownish red with white bumpers, reading 'DB Deutsche Bundesbahn' (West German railways) and 767 02 38 in bright red with black bumpers and a blue light on the cab roof, reading 'Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg' (Hamburg fire service). All four models have the same grey chassis, almost unchanged from the old issues, only in the petrol tank ahead of the front axle used to be engraved Made in Germany and the WM sign. Now iit is engraved with the new WIKING logo and the word Germany. Each vehicle has with a driver figure from the old mould, wearing working clothes and a peaked cap, sitting at the steering wheel. The models have some flash, sink marks, mould-scratches and flow-lines. Mould-making and injection moulding techniques have developed a lot in recent years. It is a good idea to reissue these old models, as the originals are very rare and for many younger Volkswagen collectors too expensive. Finally always the same question arises. How many more treasures are still stored in the Wiking cellars?BEETLE COMPARISON
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
(Editor's Note: When Hans-Georg was offered a review model by V/AP of the new VW Beetle, he expected a Schuco, but when he opened the box, it turned out to be by Minichamps! So he phoned Schuco, who were also somewhat surprised, so they sent him one of their Beetles for comparison purposes.)At the end of November 1998 the new Beetle was launched officially in Europe after more than a year on sale in North America. As always in the case of Volkswagen, there is a model of every new car available, but here we have two new Beetles, so we can compare the two. Body: Schuco:Front fog lamps are missing, as here an earlier version was modelled. The roof over the rear window has a wave, which is not there on the real car. The split-lines between bumpers and body are missing, the wheel rims are also not like the production version. The headlight lenses are fluted, not clear like the real car, and the antenna is missing, but the VW emblems on the bonnet and the rear door are excellent. Minichamps: The headlights are accurate, but the door mirrors are clumsy, the wheel spokes are too narrow and the paint has many blemishes.
Interior: Schuco: The dashboard is not accurate in all details, but it has a tiny vase with white flowers in the right place on it. The inner door linings are more realistic, but the headrests are not pierced like the originals. The steering wheel has accurate alloy spokes. Minichamps: The interior is more realistic, but the vase and flowers are missing, though it is standard on the new Beetle. The steering wheel is not accurate. Baseplate: Here the Schuco model is a bit more detailed, the areas with lettering are smaller. The Minichamps has a silver exhaust end silencer. Now for the points:
Body Interior Baseplate Dimensions Finish Result Schuco : 8 9 9 10 9 45 MC: 7 8 8 10 7 40The Minichamps is better in most details, but the finish is not as good. The Schuco earns more points for the flowers in the vase, this detail is beautifully reproduced.WIKING UPDATE
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Wiking 1:87 plastic new releases late 1998.
159 01 24 Mercedes-Benz S 500, body in bright silver metallic. This is the Flagship of Mercedes-Benz and also of Wiking. Separately inserted headlights and the star on the bonnet, perfectly moulded dashboard, four spoked steering wheel.693 05 32 THW Equipment truck (GKW) Iveco. 706 40 35 MAN city bus 233 CNG BVG Berlin. 167 01 30 Porsche Spyder 50 years of Porsche, limited issue from old reactivated moulds. 798 02 33 Christmas Model 1998: Mercedes-Benz 220S Special issue, body blue green RAL 6004 and roof ivory RAL 1014. Interior brown, bumpers and grille chromed. Mouldings, door handles and emblems are silver printed. The model has white wall tyres. 830 03 13 Volkswagen Split-window-Beetle , light green, interior beige, chassis and wheel rims silver grey, headlights are silvered. 598 02 41 Mercedes-Benz Actros drawbar Vogel.St PETERSBURG NEWS
By Leonid Khoykhin
Five new 1:43 scale public transport models are out in the St Petersburg Tram Collection.
TRAMS: Our next European tram is: 147 1981 RET Rotterdam Duewag ZGT 700-series Articulated Tram. Ltd edn of only 60.
TROLLEYBUSES: Two new post-war Pullman-Standard Trolleybuses are out now, all from Canada:
130c 1947 Pullman-Standard 44CX trolley-bus (Metro Winnipeg, ,ex-Prvidence). Ltd edn of only 50.
130d 1947 Pullman-Standard 44CX Trolleybus (NSL&P Halifax, ex-Providence). Ltd edn of only 50. Both models are ex-Providence Pullmans, sold to Canadian operators in 1956.
The first export version of the ZIU-9 trolley-bus is ready now:
146 1973 ZIU-9 Trolleybus (Helsinki 601-603 series). Ltd edn of only 50.
Next will be Athens, Budapest and Cordoba (Argentina).
BUSES: Our second pre-war American bus is:
226 1936 ACF H-17S Transit Bus (Springfield Ry, MA). Ltd edn of only 100.
This new under-floor engine design was introduced by ACF in 1933. Between 1935 and 1938 551 H-17S buses were built; only one bus of this type survives now in preservation in Connecticut Motor Coach Museum in the livery of Springfield Street Railway. More versions will be released soon, including Boston and Baltimore.
For more information contact St Petersburg Tram Collection, PO Box No 16, 196158 St Petersburg, Russia. Fax: 7 (812) 164 52 54. Worldwide Mail Order Service is available. Internet: http://users.nevalink.ru/~sptc E-Mail: proserv@neva.spb.ruK&R FUTURE RELEASES
These are forthcoming 1;43 kits and handbuilt models promised from K&R:MG J2 Swept wing (ACE 52) MG J2 Cycle wing (ACE 53) More Farina bodied saloons and estates will be released later this year. Ford Sierra Sapphire 4x4 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 Ford Escort Mk2 Popular (KR101) Ford Rally Car: KRRL38 Ford Escort Mk2 Rothmans Mintex Rally 1978 Ford Sierra Sapphire Race and Rally Ford Sierra RS500 Ford Escort Mk2 Race and Rally NSU Ro80 (KR96) POLICE VEHICLES MG TC Midget, MGB Roadster, MGC Roadster MGA 1500 and 1600, MGB GT, Triumph GT6 Mk2 Ford Escort Mk2 Panda Car Nottingham Police Panda Ford Escort Mk2 Panda Car (Metropolitan Police Both pre and post 'N' Reg) Ford Escort Mk2 Heathrow Police Panda Car Ford Sierra Sapphire (Northumbria Police) Triumph Vitesse (Devon & Dorset Police) 1:24 scale planned model KAR2420 Jaguar MK2 Saloon 1:72 scale planned modelS Ford Anglia 105 E Road & Police Jaguar E type series 1, open, closed and hardtopRoadscale 1:76 Models
By Tony Asquith
Recently introduced in to the Roadscale range of 1:76 (4mm) scale lorry kits is the Bedford O series. This is available with a range of different body types including a British Railways style box van, flat, sided, refuse wagon and each comes as a complete kit at £12.50 . Also now ready are a Horse Box and a Furniture Van at £14.50 plus a Bedford O type wartime version. The kit comprises metal cab and parts and resin body with new style push fit solid rubber wheels introduced earlier this year Another recent addition is the Ford Thames 400E van at £7.20. Available in the waterslide transfer range are a full selection for BRS and Pickfords, plus British Railways totems in maroon or cream with cream fleet numbers regional letters and combination number plates. Please include £1.00 p+p on all above prices or send sae for a full list to Roadscale Models, 16 Glebe Crescent, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1BJ, UK.LITTLE BUS COMPANY
By Tony Asquith
New bus kits in The Little Bus Company range in 1:76 scale resin and white metal are Bristol RELL Series 1 single deck at £22.50 Bristol KSW Lowbridge double decker with or without platform doors at £26.00 (a Highbridge version will be available next year), and a Bedford-Beadle lightweight integral bus at £21.50. Also new is a London Transport Weymann 14T12 and a regional version with front entrance at £21.50 New items in waterslide transfers are 36 new London Transport routes, destination screens for Bristol Omnibus, Bath Services, Royal Blue and Western Welsh plus fleet names for same Please add £1.00 postage to above prices or send sae for full list to Little Bus Company, 57 Queenswood Avenue, Hutton, Brentwood, Essex, CM131HU, UK.HERPA NEWS
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Herpa 1:87 plastic new releases late 1998.022637 Volkswagen Golf IV two-door-saloon, pearl-blue - candy white. 032636 Volkswagen Golf IV two-door-saloon, jazz blue-metallic - black magic. Both have separately inserted headlights, hot stamped on the back to get the appearance of the original. 022620 BMW 7 series facelift, black - green 032629 BMW 7 series facelift, brokat red metallic - biaritz blue metallic. Headlights and indicators have been altered, there are engraved windscreen wipers and a three dimensional internal rear view mirror. 044042 Mercedes-Benz E 200 T Binz BTW 'KBH Hannover', with yellow wheel covers. 188203 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter pick up with tilt, Fire, Winnenden, Swabia. 051354 Roll cage motorsport interior set for Opel Vectra, Peugeot 406, Audi A4 and BMW 3 series. 188159 Volvo FH XL artic bulker Faxe. 145312 Mercedes-Benz Actros L frig drawbar Bi-Fi - Oppel, Ansbach, Franconia. 145305 Scania 124 interchangeable cargo-box drawbar, Thiel. 188142 Scania 144 Topline frig artic Verpoorten promotional truck operated by Wirtz, in Bornheim. The expensive livery promotes Verpoorten advocaat. 187831 Setra 228 DT Bus Ice-Tigers, travel agency Dr Krugmann from Erlangen in Franconia provides this team bus for the Nuremberg Ice Tigers. 20 Years of Herpa Miniature Models: 187503 Mercedes-Benz 500SE saloon and Mercedes-CLK Coupe both silver with red interior, in special box. 188029 DAF 95 artic Christmas 1998RIETZE RELEASES
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
RIETZE late 1998 releases, all 1:87 scale plastic from Germany.10940 Audi TT Coupe, first in yellow, red and green, soon in metallic colours. 20930 Audi A6 saloon, in blue, violet or dark grey met. 20970 Ford Focus Turnier estate dark grey, blue met. 30487 Opel Astra Caravan Swiss PTT. 30723 Ford Transit Austrian Post. 30773 Ford Transit Schenker 30858 Volkswagen Caddy The Johanniter 30861 Ford Ka The Johanniter 40209 Mercedes-Benz O 404 HSV 1997-98, soccer team bus. 50672 Audi A6 Avant First Response. 50890 Ford Mondeo Turnier Bavarian Red Cross, City of Wurzburg. 61357 Setra S 315 NF Swiss Post PTT. 61603 Volvo B12-600 bus Backer . 62201 Mercedes-Benz O 404 SBG-AirBus. This dark blue Mercedes has the same 'airliner' livery as the earlier Setra S 315 GT. 62406 Setra S 319 NF WVG Munster Schnellbus. 62508 Mercedes-Benz Citaro VZO/CH. 62700 Neoplan Centroliner Citybus. 64102 Setra 315 HDH Eurolines. 1:160 (N-scale) releases: 16023 Neoplan Megaliner Janssen 16020 Ford Transit Ambulance & Politie (Police NL)NEW IGRA MODELS
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
IGRA 1:87 plastic from the Czech Republic, samples supplied by Rietze.755 LIAZ artic.box-truck Gambrinus Beer Pilsen 756 LIAZ box-truck Velkopopovicky kozel beer 757 Avia box van Velkopopovicky kozel Beer.MINICHAMPS UPDATE
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Minichamps 1;43 diecast late 1998 releases:430 015900 Wartburg A 312 saloon blue and white This was the modified version of the type 311, built between 1962 and 1966. It was fitted with a three cylinder 992 cc two stroke engine, developing 45 hp and was available as saloon, estate, convertible and coupe. It was built at the Wartburg Motor Works, Eisenach, Thuringia. The model is of the luxury two tone version but has a mistake:, the border between the blue and lower white areas is curved like the coupe and not like the saloon, were the bend comes before the rear wing. The body, baseplate and interior are very accurate, so if it had correct paintwork it would be a very good souvenir of socialist automobile production.
430 045600 Opel Kadett C two-door saloon 1973-77, blue. The Kadett type C came on to the market in 1973 and was built until 1979. In 1977 the car had a facelift with some modifications at the front end. The model is of a pre-facelift car, in the luxury version with 1200 cc engine, developing 60 hp. The interior is accurate and the body is also very well shaped, but the outer details are a bit mixed up. The front end looks like the standard version, but the rear end has the black paint of the luxury model, from which most chrome-strips are missing. The side window frames are black painted like the SR version, not anodised silver like the high-spec version. The Chinese product engineers did not get the right sales brochures. In spite of these minor problems, this will fill a gap in many Opel collections.
430 086520 Ford Puma 1997 Coupe; black metallic, 430 086400 Ford Ka 1997 saloon; red, new colours.
430 033530 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet 1994; blue-black metallic. Four-seater cabriolets have a long tradition in the Mercedes range and his E class cabriolet found customers, but not enough of them, so its successor was developed on the basis of the CLK Coupe with a similar front end to the E-Class cars.
430 057100 SEAT Arosa saloon, 1997, red. The Arosa is the smallest and cheapest car in the Volkswagen group, initially built in Wolfsburg, Germany, but for the launch of the sister car, the Lupo, production moved to Spain. The Lupo has the same body, only the front end is different.
430 125022 Lancia Stratos 1972-1978, red. The Stratos appeared in its final version in 1972, but development goes back to 1970, when Bertone showed a mid-engined dream car with a wedge shaped body. In 1974 production started of this small two-seater coupe with tubular chassis and glass fibre body, which was capable of 230 km/h.
430 130600 Jaguar Mk II Saloon 3.4 litre 1959-67, dark green. This model is outstanding, with realistic headlights, accurate grille and photo-etched Jaguar mascot. With its nice interior and detailed base-plate, it is a real highlight in any collection. The spoked wheel rims set an example to their competitors.
Schuco For Sale?
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
It is rumoured that Dr Mangold, who has already sold the well known Trix model railway brand to Märklin, is now planning to sell Schuco as well. The buyers should be decided soon. Let us hope that they will continue the previous model policy.Late 1998 releases included classics and some modern models.
02364 Mercedes-Benz 170V saloon Polizei (German Police), medium green. The front, with well detailed and photo-etched radiator grille makes up for the less well-shaped rear end of the roof. This type really was used as a Police car, but in the era 1946 to 1953 it is hard to imagine that any was ever fitted with a blue rotating beacon. A blue spot-lamp would have been more appropriate 02461 Mercedes-Benz 170V Cabriolet, closed, in grey,black and green. This excellently detailed model has already been seen in an open version. The shape of the closed hood is very realistic, but the mould split lines could have been matched together much better, and the hood has more flash than usual. 04394 Volkswagen Passat Variant estate German Taxi, ivory with Taxi sign. 04395 Volkswagen Passat Variant estate Polizei, white, green panels, blue light-bar. Schuco Piccolo 1:90 diecast: Two completely new models: 01671 Porsche 356 Cabriolet 01601 Lanz Bulldog tractor. In this two models a huge contradiction is seen. The Porsche is typical of the Piccolo range, a bit clumsy, but the Lanz tractor looks very fine and is very exactly detailed, especially in exhaust system and headlights. Piccolo Gift Set III, 01238. It contains three existing models, but two of them in new colours: Austin Mini, British Racing Green with white roof, Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet light blue with white interior and Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing-coupe in bright red.BUSCH BABIES
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Busch 1:87 plastic models, late 98 releases:48501 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, in two original colours: ruby-red with beige interior and turmaline-green with grey interior. The model is fitted with an original looking chromed front-ram-bar. 48601 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Avantgarde in meteor-grey metallic, with dark red interior or deep-sea-blue with grey interior. Fitted with open sun-roof, silver painted radiator grille and five-spoke wheel-rims. 43298 FIAT Ducato MTW crew-bus Fire Brigade City of Ulm. 44353 Mercedes-Benz 507 Emergency Diver Transport, Fire Service, Vienna, Austria. 44354 Mercedes-Benz 507 transporter of Belgian Civil Protection. 45211 Ford Thunderbird Convertible, closed, with chrome bumpers and sport wheel rims. Available in two colour combinations. 47321 Fiat Ducato private Ambulance Rettungsdienst Stadler. 47811 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ELW Fire Service, Reinbek. 47816 Mercedes Sprinter crew-bus Polizei 47910 Iveco Daily ANWB Road Service NL. 48106 Volkswagen Passat THW staff car. 48206 Chevrolet Pickup US Air Force 47407 Ford Probe US County Sheriff 49070 Ford Crown Victoria Ohio State Highway Patrol 47678 Chevrolet Caprice Tennessee Highway Patrol 48900 Smart City Coupe, now available from model dealers, the first batch was only for promotionals. Busch supplies the model in a special package with integral ramp, designed so it can be pushed into a Smart-tower model. Due to licensing problems, the Smart tower model could not be supplied until this year. The finely-detailed Smart model is available in five colour-combinations: Tridion black, body panels red, seats blue Tridion silver body panels black, seats orange Tridion silver, body panels yellow, seats blue Tridion Silver, body panels white seats orange 47906 Iveco Daily Ambulance DRK Karlsruhe 49924 Fire Brigade Set Berlin, containing three models: Volkswagen Passat fire chief car, Iveco Daily Ambulance, Mercedes-Benz LP809 equipment transporter, limited to 3000 items in a special pack. Special Models for special occasions: 41546 Mercedes-Benz 170V Gaffel Kolsch for the International Model Railway Exhibition 1998 in Cologne. 49923 Mercedes-Benz Zero Emission Set for Idee+Spiel: Mercedes ML-Class with trailer and A-Class with fuel cell as load. This set is only available in Idee+Spiel shops. 49926 Fiat Rallye set for Toy-federation Vedes: Fiat Ducato box-van with trailer and Fiat 500 in race trim. 00000 Porsche 356 Veterama Mannheim 1998 00000 Fiat 500 Karstadt 00000 Chevrolet Pickup Al's Victory Service, specially made for Walthers Inc Milwaukee, USA. The model can be ordered directly from Walters (ref 48291) via the Internet. 00000 Fiat Ducato DRK Landesschule, made for the German Red Cross country school in Pfalzgrafenweiler, Baden-Wurttemberg. BUSCH Christmas Specials: Merry Christmas 1998: Christmas diorama of Mercedes-Benz A-class with a snowman, two figures and a Christmas-tree. Merry Christmas Nice distribution of presents: Busch Christmas diorama.ROCO REVELATIONS
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Roco mostly 1:87 plastic models from Austria, late 1998 releases:1451 Ford FK 1000 (new mould). Between 1953 and 1965 the Ford plant in Colgne, Germany made 255,832 of this small transporter, from 1961 called the Ford Taunus Transit. The body and baseplate are well detailed, the interior is quite good. Outer rear-view-mirrors have to be fixed separately. The model has rubber wheels. 1450 Ford FK 1000 volunteer fire, Perwang. 1647 MAN 5 ton off road truck Pro-Log. Former military vehicle in white, used by the Pro-Log company as a training and service vehicle. 1:120 (TT scale). 3202 Volkswagen T4 Microbus THW. 1:160 (N-scale). 1873 Scania artic Giuliani Innsbruck, Austria Minitanks 1:87: 631 Volkswagen T4 micro-bus BGS (German Federal Border Patrol).BRITS FROM JOHNNY
By John Whitehead
Surprise Britain! An American toy maker has actually produced some diecast model cars that should interest you. No, not yet another 57 Chevy. Not another Jeff Gordon NASCAR. Not another muscle car. These are real English cars. And they're good ones too.Playing Mantis - Johnny Lightning doesn't care about the history of English automobiles. But they do like to market cars that have some tie in with entertainment. So you benefit when English cars somehow get tied up with celebrities. As part of an Evel Knievel series, Johnny Lightning has released a very nice black Aston Martin Lagonda in about 1:64 scale, the first diecast model of that stunning car I've seen. As part of a James Bond series you get a bunch more English iron. They are a silver Aston Martin DB4, a grey Aston Martin Vantage V-8, a blue 60s Sunbeam Alpine (or Tiger) roadster, a white Lotus Esprit and a reddish metallic Lotus Esprit. None of these cars is identified. The only reference on the model or on the packaging is to Evel or James, and in the case of James also to the appropriate movie. Scales are all approximately 1:64. The finish and build quality are very good; fidelity is only fair to good. Wheels used are probably not accurate. Price is about US $4 each. They're all made in China, of course.
These are all models of interesting English cars. Why does it take the nonsense of an entertainment relationship to get production of these vehicles? Shouldn't Vanguards forget about silly cars like the Austin A35 and the Hillman Imp and make some decent ones like Johnny Lightning has done?
Editor's Note: I'm not sure that everyone will agree with John that an Aston Martin is always more interesting than an Austin. More expensive, certainly, but not necessarily of more interest to collectors.
PARIS-DAKAR ARGUS
The latest special issue of French magazine 'Argus de la Miniature is devoted to the Paris-Dakar Rally from 1979 to date. It costs 67FF (around £8.00) from SAFAM Editions, Argus Miniature no 194, BP 40, 78231 Le Pecq, Cedex, France.J-TOP MINI JEM
by Kiminori Shiratori
The first model in the new J-Top range of 1:43 handbuilt white metal models from Japan, made by K-Models, is a Mini Jem GT 1973. It is the first model of this Mini-based kit car, in a choice of white, red, yellow or green, a limited issue of 200 pieces. Also being made by J-Top is the superficially similar Mini Marcos GT 1966, also available in a choice of four metallic colours, silver, black, red or blue, limited to 200 pieces.DURHAM COMPETITION
This time we have a competition prize of a 1:43 Durham Classics model, handbuilt in Canada, and donated by makers Julian and Margaret Stewart. It is DC-26C, a 1953 Chevrolet three quarter ton pickup with dual rear wheels. The model is based on a combination snow plough - tow truck ('tow plow' in American) which was an emergency vehicle used by Lucky's Garage, located at Lake Tahoe, Northern California. The model is equipped with cab light bar with Lucky's Garage decals and dome light. The truck bed has a small crane with removable jib (to enable repackaging of the model), tool box and snow shovel. This is Durham Classics' third vehicle in a Shell livery, 300 made. The questions all relate to weather conditions in some (maybe obscure) way.RECORD A90 ATLANTIC
By Den Barlow, President, Austin Atlantic Owners Club
Alan Hess, the public relations officer for Austin, approached l.eonard Lord with the idea of attempting a number of speed and endurance tests in the USA with an Austin A90 Atlantic. The intention was to boost American confidence in Austin cars in general, and sell them on the high perf'ormance and reliability of the Austin Atlantic in particular. So, with the approval of Austin's Chairman, and MD, L P Lord in the bag, Alan decided to attack the stock car (standard car) records held in America by Studebaker. They also decided to go for the Class D Open Car Division, and, to prove the project viable, took an early production convertible to the Montlhéry race track near Paris. Here, for 48 hours, on 6 and 7 December 1948 they ran the car at full power continuously round the track, except for pit stops, and the result was a definite 'Yes'.A totally standard Atlantic was then taken from the production line and registered JUK 866 in the name of Austin on the log book. After much preparation, the actual record attempt started at the Indianapolis race track on 12 April 1949, and finished after seven days and seven nights on 14 April 1949. The weather was atrocious, snow, ice, and high winds, the worst conditions for a number of years. However, the three drivers, Alan Hess, Charles Goodacre and Dennis Buckley, aided by their driver-mechanic George Coates, succeeded in breaking 63 existing stock car records, and establishing 46 new ones. The Austin A90 Atlantic convertible therefore returned to England in glory with 109 records and American Automobile Association contest board certificates to prove it. It covered 11,850 miles at an average speed of' 70.54 mph. Af'ter one of the pit stops, a mechanic failed to secure the bonnet on the Seafoam Green car. Consequently shortly after re-starting, it flew open and was irreparably damaged. It was replaced with the bonnet from the test car, which was Ensign Red.
Alan Hess issued a challenge to American Automobile manufacturers to beat the new records. To date this challenge has not been taken up. The actual record car is now in the British Science Museum in Birmingham. It was donated to them by Austin Cars.
To celebrate this historic achievement the Austin Atlantic Owners Club has commissioned, from Minimarque, a 1:43 scale model of the A90 that was used. A perfect replica, in metal, showing very fine detail, authentic and correct in every aspect. Produced as a Limited Edition, with a maximum of 200. Printed for presentation with each model will be a brief history of the car, and a certificate of authenticity, numbered and signed by both the Pesident of the club and the model maker. For further information contact: (UK) Chris Norris, Tel 0181 257 9389 (eve) or (outside UK) Den Barlow Tel/Fax + 33 (0) 254 285 571.
REVELL AUDI TT
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
The Audi TT, an extraordinary sports coupe, developed in Ingolstadt, will be built on one of the longest production lines in the world. (Only that of the Cadillac Allante Coupe is longer). The body is welded and painted in Ingolstadt, then shipped by rail to Gyor in Hungary for final assembly. This pure sports car is available with front and four wheel drive and has unusual styling. In Spring 1999 an open version should follow, maybe at Geneva in March. From every angle the new Revell 1:18 diecast model looks like the original. Bonnet, doors and rear door open, and the steering works. Engine, interior, dashboard, steering wheel, alloy wheels, brake discs and tyres, baseplate with suspension, all are almost perfect. Regrettably, under the paint the surface of the body still has lines from insufficient mould polishing, but the doors hinge just like the real car, so all in all this model is a real highlight in modelmaking a must for all sports car and Audi collections.MAISTO PORSCHE No 1
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Fifty years ago the first automobileto carry the Porsche brand name was assembled in a wooden barracks in an obscure Austrian valley. It was a roadster, with chassis number 356001. A modified Volkswagen 1.1 litre engine developed 35 hp at 4000 rpm, giving a maximum speed of 135 km/h. The engine, mounted behind the seats was turned 180 degrees. So, the first Porsche ever built was a mid-engined sports car. Up to that time the Porsche company had developed and constructed only to order from other companies, the best known project being the Kraft durch Freude Wagen, later to become the Volkswagen Beetle. On 17 July 1947 the first construction drawings were done, and on 8 June 1948 the prototype got its license plate from the government of the Austrian county Karnten and up to 1965 78,000 cars were built.From the Motor Show in Frankfurt 1963 the upholder of the Porsche name was the 911. The son of the late Ferdinand Ferry Porsche, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, nicknamed Butzi, designed the successor to the 356, the type 911, which was launched as the 901 , but added ten when Peugeot's objections were upheld. Afterwards more cars were launched. The 914 and 914-6 were also mid-engined like the Type One. The 924, an assembly job, with Porsche body and Audi engine, was developed into the 944 and 968. From 1977 to 1995 the type 928 was built in Zuffenhausen, a sports coupe fitted with a sturdy water-cooled V8 engine. After some bad years, with lean production with Japanese assistance, and with two new models, the Boxster and the redesigned 911 (development number 996) Porsche came back into profit. For the 50th anniversary of the make, Maisto of Thailand have launched a 1:18 model of the grandfather of all Porsches, the 356001 roadster. On the anniversary the type 1, it was pictured in many magazines, so comparing with these photos the Maisto is a real masterpiece. Body, interior and baseplate are finished with much love for accuracy. Hopefully the real car will also look as true to these photos after its restoration, as it was badly damaged on its last excursion to America. On the model even the colour of the oil filter is identical with the original car.
LLOYD FROM REVELL
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Normally I report on new models without bringing in my personal feelings, but this is an exception. Revell have enlarged their 1:18 diecast range of German post-war small cars, with the Lloyd Alexander TS. Lloyd was the small car brand of the former Borgward concern, which went bankrupt under strange conditions in 1961. The man who was charged with rescuing the Borgward group after it got into financial trouble also happened to be on the payroll of BMW. When I took the model out of the box to look at it, suddenly memories of my first real car flooded into my brain, because it was just such an Alexander TS. Mine was charcoal with a white roof, but otherwise identical. The car was built in 1959, and already at that time was fitted as standard with asymmetrical headlight beams, laminated windscreen glass, folding rear seat to enlarge the luggage space, parking lights and swivelling sun visors to the side windows. All these things were available only as optional extras even on bigger cars at the time. The model reproduces the original accurately, only the indicators on the front wings are not exactly like the real car. Under the opening bonnet cowers an exact copy of the tiny 600 cc engine which, with 25 hp, gave the car a maximum speed of 125 km/h on the flat. Enough power to get me reliably to my army camp in Hamburg and back within a weekend every time. During the winter I could beat much bigger Mercedes on snowy roads, due to the front wheel drive, which was not very common at the time, but sometimes the carburettor was coated in ice, and then the performance waned. On the model the horrible rear-hinged suicide doors can open, with correct hinges. The interior is almost right, only the rear view mirror is in the wrong place, in the real car it was fixed on the dashboard. Also the ash tray is shown, I sometimes had to remove it to move the defective windscreen wipers by hand. The baseplate with suspension and the disc wheels with the narrow tyres are also very accurately rebuilt. When I remember that I raced at a speed of 140 km/h downhill on the autobahn, I get a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach.My Lloyd actually came to grief at a much slower speed on a bendy country road. If it was the suspension that couldn't cope, if I was going too fast or the road was at fault, the real reason for my roll-over was never established. All that was left was a pile of scrap. Another TS, a yellow one just like the outstanding Revell model, also comes to mind. An old age pensioner, who I met sometimes at the filling station, drove his TS with great enthusiasm. One day he had to take it to the filling station for greasing, necessary every 6000 km. The apprentice did not fix the TS properly on the car lift and during the raising process it fell off. The old man burst into tears when he saw the damage. Revell have started their Lloyd range with the high-spec version Alexander TS, other more basic versions are still possible, including race and rally versions.
HERPA LATE 1998
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Herpa December 1998 releases, all 1:87 plastic from Germany:022644 BMW M 5, red-yellow 032643 BMW M 5 metallic techno violet-lagoon green 022651 Opel Vectra STW 98, plain white. 188166 MAN F2000 TLF Fire, Kassel, bright red with yellow stripes. 145329 DAF 95 XF tilt artic Weyand, Wermelskirchen. 145336 Mercedes-Benz Actros L artic glass transporter Offergeld. 145343 Mercedes-Benz Actros LH low load artic with pipe, Baumann. 145350 Volvo FH XL artic chrome plated tanker de Jongh (Talke Group). 145367 Mercedes-Benz Atego 18 ton dumper. 188197 Mercedes-Benz Actros LH tilt artic Stute. 187862 Mercedes-Benz Actros LH frig artic, Pfluger, the main haulier for Stollwerck Chocolate of Cologne. 188135 Mercedes-Benz Actros LH frig artic show truck Culina, based in Saxony. 188173 Scania 144 Topline artic Starlight Express. 037235 Honda Accord STW no. ll, Altfried Heger. Jubilee Range 20 Years of Herpa Miniature Models 187558 Mercedes-Benz dump trucks.KLASSIK PICCOLOS
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
If you subscribe to the German Oldtimer Magazine Motor Klassik you can get a set of three Schuco Piccolo 1:90 diecast Porsche models in a special wooden box: Porsche 356 Coupe blue, a Spyder black and 911 yellow. Details from Motor Klassik, Postfach, D 20080 Hamburg, Germany.FRENCH EXEMPLAR
Readers outside the UK will probably have read between the lines in references to British swapmeets that they are 'too frequent, too big' or just 'too many'. Thus the feeling is that, with customers spread too thinly, neither exhibitors nor organisers do well enough, and with dealers spread over a number of events on the same day, buyers often can't decide which event to patronise. Here is an example therefore, for British swapmeet participants, of the tariff for an event in France. I won't reveal which one, but how about a two day event which costs stallholders 180FF (± £20) for a two metre table for two days, 130FF (±15) for one day? The 1998 event had 10,000 visitors, who each paid 40FF (± £4.50), and there were (only?) 55 exhibitors. And it is in a part of France where the weather is wonderful, not to speak of the food and drink. How do they do it?CROSSWAY PLANS
There has been a re-grouping at Crossway 'to bring the production of models more under our own control' to quote Roger Tennyson. This has slowed production and reduced the number of new models to be made each year, but there are no changes to future planned releases. The Rover P4 drophead and the Van den Plas Princess 1300 are slated for release in the first half of 1999, with the Morris Oxford Series III to follow. Somewhat later will be the reintroduction of the Austin-Morris 1300 GT. There will also be various police vehicles to follow later, including a Metropolitan Police Minivan dog patrol.MCM and TOP QUEENS
Christian Gouel continues to develop his two 1:43 ranges of kits and handbuilt models. The two latest models in the MCM range are both Bugattis, a T43 Grand Sport 1927 and a T51 from Le Mans 1935. In the higher-spec Top Queens range, the latest release is a Miller 91 from Indy 1929 and the next two will be a Mercedes-Benz W154M163 1939 and Vanwall F1 1958.BUM SLOT STORY
The Spanish magazine Mini Auto reflects a still-strong interest in slot cars, which has largely faded away in many other countries. In their December 1998 issue they featured the 'BUM Slot' history since 1993. BUM is of course Barcelona Universal Models, makers of slot cars which, strangely don't seem to have found an export market in Anglophone countries. We'll cut this story short here, as it might get out of hand.NEW MODELS IN ITALY
By Bruno Boracco
Majorette: the new Fiat Multipla has appeared, it is 1:43 scale diecast without opening parts and with plastic wheels. The Fiat badge and lights under the windows are decals. The colour is dark blue with red interior or red metallic with blue interior.
RIO 1:43 diecast latest releases include a Fiat 18BL bus Trivento-Campobasso with white body and black mudguards, a Volkswagen Beetle oval window with skis on the back, and another VW Beetle, in Swiss Police livery.
GIOCHER: Fiat Ducato lwb in metal in these ambulance liveries: Italian army, Carabinieri and Croce Bianca di Milano.
PB: resin 1:43 scale kit or built: Lancia Appia Coupe Pininfarina, Lancia Flavia convertible Vignale, Lancia Delta 1986, and Lancia Omicron bus 1935.
EXCALIBUR set in a box of six Carabinieri in summer uniform, six Carabinieri winter uniform or six Poliziotti. All 1:43 scale resin ready painted. And a series of Poliziotti and Carabinieri in 1:35 scale. We are waiting for the Moto Guzzi Falcone motorbikes as used by the Polizia and Carabinieri. New is the Willys Jeep used by the Carabinieri after the Second World War in 1:43 scale.
BARNINI: 1:24 scale resin and metal Abarth 2000 Sport. Driven by A Merzario at Bologna-Passo della Raticosa 68.AUTO UNION TRANSPORTER
By Rudolf Seidel
At the Audi swapmeet in Ingolstadt, organized by my friend Georg Amtmann, Audi presented the prototype of a Büssing-NAG race car transporter together with an Auto Union streamlined Avus Racer. The set will be delivered next year at a price around 600 DM and made in Russia, like the models from Hans Boyer.Beacon Transits
Following the introduction of the 1994 lwb Ford Transit van kit in Summer 1998, the Beacon Models range of 1:76 scale road vehicles now includes the lwb dropside and chassis-cab options. The dropside may be completed with the sides folded down for loading, or up as in the photograph. The chassis-cab enables scratchbuilders to model many of the special purpose vehicles seen on our roads today. Cast in resin with pre-glazed one piece cabs, the van and dropside versions cost £6. 00 each, the Chassis Cab £5. 00, including UK p&p. Contact Beacon Models, 39 Leighton Close, Great Barr, Birmingham B43 7HY.SCOTTOY FOR 1999
Scottoy continue their programme of re-introducing models familiar from the old Mercury range, and then altering them to make other versions as well.
The lovely Viberti road tanker will be the first commercial vehicle release, two or three liveries being released this year, and ultimately all the original Mercury liveries. A very small quantity of the Innocenti 950 spider will be re-released, in three colour choices. This was the Italian-built Spridget, and was not, in all honesty, the most convincing Mercury replica.
After that the next new Scottoy issue will be the Fiat 1800 in three colours. Then the reissue of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, with glazing and interior added, in sedan and two police versions.
In 1998 Scottoy produced various taxi versions of their base models; this year there will be fire versions of some cars, including Fiat 1100, Lancia Appia S3 and Appia S1.
There will also be a special limited range of AGIP petrol service cars from the 1950s. Less than 80 of each will be made of Fiat 1100, Fiat 1800, Lancia Appia S3 and others. A similar quantity will be made of the Alfa Giulietta 'Marmitte Abarth' Mille Miglia car. All of these cars are, of course, 1:48 scale. In Scottoy's 1:30 scooter range they will be making gold versions of two Lambrettas for the marque's 50th anniversary this year.SOLIDO RE-CLARIFIED
By Bryan Evans, Stretton Models
Regarding the article on page 6650 of MAR 128 (comments on a recall of a 1:43 model): Although I have a very high regard for Mr Azéma's knowledge of Solido models, in this instance he is wrong. A total of 1608 models of the Solido Land Rover Coastguard version were made. All of these were in the same colour, a medium blue. The Coastguard organisation had ordered 200 of these models for their shop and mail order department, but on seeing the first sample they decided the colour was too light. Solido UK, not wishing to lose their order, asked Stretton Models to repaint 200 in a darker colour and re-transfer them. This we did, leaving the wheels in the same plastic light blue colour. The Coastguard saw the new colour, and liked it, but they decided that due to a change in their buying policy they were no longer interested in purchasing the models. Hence 200 dark blue models were then offered onto the UK market. At no time did Solido UK use 'old surplus stock' to make these models. All were light blue ones, repainted, so in total 1608 Coastguard Land Rovers were offered for sale.TEKNO TRUCK NEWS
Latest 1:50 diecast trucks from Tekno of the Netherlands:DAF 95 XF-380 Space Cab Heebink DAF 95 XF-380 Super Space Cab Chickliner DAF 95 XF430 Space Cab Cargofloor DAF 95 XF380 Comfort Cab de Rijke Scania T124L-400 Silo van Bentum DAF 95 XF-380 Space Cab frig Hollander DAF 95 XF-380 Space Cab Bas van Buuren DAF 95 XF-380 Space Cab Euroveen Scania R124 L-400 Topline Wezenberg Scania R124 L-400 Topline frig Wezenberg-AtropTELMODEL FIAT 850
A new 1:43 model range from Italy called Telmodel begins its range with the Fiat 850, the standard saloon being issued first. It will be fully finished, with a resin body, and should cost around £30.00 when released in April. Many versions will follow, including, we are told, the Editor's old pale blue rhd car. So unhappy was it to leave Ward ownership that, whilst being test-driven by a prospective buyer, it burst into flames and self-destructed.OFF'43 FIAT FIORINO
Off'43 of Italy are expanding their range of commercial vehicles. Next release is the Fiat Fiorino (Uno-based) van, fully built with a resin body in two colour choices. A double cab version of the Alfa Romeo F12 pickup will follow, as will more F12 ambulance variants. Master 43, the off-shoot of Off'43 which has up to now re-finished diecast models, will make a resin-bodied Fiat Marea Capri taxi in 1999.NEW EBBRO MODELS
By Soichiro Takabatake, Tandhaus
New 1:43 diecast cars from Ebbro of Japan:43028 Honda N360 white 43029 Honda N360 red 43030 Honda N360 light blue 43031 Nissan Fairlady Z white 43032 Nissan Fairlady Z red 43033 Nissan Fairlady Z green 43034 Toyota S800 yellow 43035 Toyota S800 dark blueJPS LATEST RELEASES
Here are the latest 1:43 pre-painted resin kits from JPS of France:167 Chevrolet Styleline 1952 168 NSU 1000 'Pickup' (rear-engined racer!) 169 Mercedes SLK Carlsson 1998 no 44 170 Alpine A310 TdeF 76 no 432 171 Debora LMP 296 LM 98 no 22 172 Matra 630 LM 68 no 24 173 Gillet Vertigo VdeV LM 97 no 69 174 NSU 1000C road carNO MODELEXTRA SHOW
Ray Strutt has announced that the proposed 'Modelextra' Show for the specialist model vehicle industry, planned for 21 March in Maidstone, will not now take place. The number of potential table bookings fell well below the minimum needed to make the show viable, so with regret Ray has had to drop the idea.
Copyright 1999 Modelauto Ltd and Solnet Systems Ltd
e-mail mar@zeteo.com