CONTENTS of the print edition
Model Auto Review 210
Publication 7 March 200704 Ford GT40: The early cars Dave Turner, England 08 Mattel Fuels the neeed for Speed Don Elliott, USA 10 Crayford Cortina Geoff Sear, South Africa 11 Autosculpt Maz Woolley, England 14 Correspondence 16 Partworks Roundup Maz Woolley, England 21 News: Minichamps 22 Mikansue Bristol John Hanson, England 23 The Saint Don Elliott, USA 26 News: Marqueart, Captions page 28 27 Lima Tony Steenmeyer, NL, Captions p 29 30 News: Minichamps, Captions p 32 31 News: Minichamps, Captions p 33 34 News: Minichamps, Captions p 36 36 Toy Car Collector Dana Johnson, USA 37 Brumm New Releases 38 Dinosaurs Graeme Ogg, England 39 Curiosity Corner 40 Avia Mini : Herpa, Book Reviews 42 Yesteryear Catalogues Horst Macalka, Austria 43 Competitions 44 Books 45 Club News Collated by Rod Ward 46 Freebies Maz and Rod converse 56 Canadian Capers Graeme Watt, Scotland • New Oxford Memoir 57 Oxford Releases: J2 vans and Minivans 58 Baby Railton Stuart Milne, Scotland, captions page 59 Obituary Mike Coombe, Captions page 60:Emergency 61:Bus
EDITORIAL
by Rod WardTOYS OR MODELS, SIR?
Collectors sometimes complain to me that nowadays models are too expensive, soulless (see following item) and have lost the character of the toy cars with which they began collecting. Often they comment that favourite items in their collections were made as toys, but perhaps are not very detailed models.
So it was with some surprise that I heard an overseas collector pass on some complaints from fellow collectors in his area that the new Oxford 1:43 diecasts (of which they had only seen pictures at that time) looked ‘toy-like and cheap’. I think Taff will be pleased to know that is what they think. If he were to supply only what fussier model collectors demand, he would be lucky to sell a few hundred Oxfords, and would never break even on his investment in diecasting tools. Everyone in the trade knows that these sort of comments must be filtered carefully before they are acted upon. Only a few of those who demand higher detail or accuracy ever buy anything. They demand unachievably high standards from cheap ranges, then if those standards are met by other brands, they don’t buy them, as the models are ‘too expensive’. Oxford can make the price low enough to sell to a wider buying public, and potentially inspire some of them to become collectors. Since the earliest days of MAR we have asked toy firms to make their products to scale; to make them ‘collectable’. It is unreasonable to moan that a toy firm’s products are still ‘toy-like’, if they at least make them to a recognised scale, as we asked.
CAN CAD-CAM CUT IT?
When an advance in technology is claimed to make products ‘better’, don’t take that statement at its face value; the producer may only be making a virtue of necessity. In the ‘old days’ scale model patterns were handmade by traditional methods, a sculptural process, carving from the solid, adding details, then perfecting the shape and form to represent the character of the item. When we recall a familiar object, we stress the elements we like best and don’t remember other elements at all. This enables us to get the feel of what is being represented, if not every detail. If you have to check against a real car or a photo to see if a boot handle has been correctly represented, you are just a rivet counter; if you don’t think the shape and character is ‘right’ just by looking at a model, then you shouldn’t buy it.
A good pattern maker sees the subject in the same way and (probably subconsciously) adjusts the shape and details accordingly.
Most sculptor-pattern makers have retired or died. The few that still make patterns in the old way (like Pete Kenna, who is now available for making more patterns, by the way) charge thousands of pounds for a master. So most of the ‘big brand’ diecast firms, especially those making modern cars, now use Cad-Cam computer technology, often passed on by the makers of the real cars. There is no doubt that the results are accurate in almost every detail, but many of them are soulless pieces of technology which do not capture the character of a car as old-type sculptural patterns did.
RETURN OF THE POCKET CATALOGUE
Years ago we all carried around the pocket catalogue from our favourite toy car range; Dinky, Corgi, Matchbox, Spot-On... They produced big catalogues too, but only for the trade. Somewhere along the line pocket catalogues disappeared; only big trade-type catalogues remained, costing £5.00 or more to buy. You can’t take these massive catalogues to a swapmeet, and collectors new to a range aren’t going to invest a fiver on the off-chance that they might buy a £10.00 model.
It shows the lack of understanding of our market so often displayed by the accountants, marketing folk and other ‘suits’ who now run the toy and model business that they dispensed with the ‘unnecessary’ expense of producing pocket catalogues. It must have been hard to see their value in a cost-benefit analysis, so out they went. Yet all collectors will remember marking up a pocket catalogue with what we already owned and what we still wanted. Its satisfyingly compact size, colourful contents and ever-present convenience made the pocket catalogue indispensible to the collector of any range. Now Oxford has re-introduced the pocket catalogue, and the first edition is available free from all Oxford stockists, including Modelauto Ltd. The catalogue will be updated frequently. The first edition covers all current Oxford 1:43 and 1:76 products, ‘original’ Oxford promo vans and books.
We applaud this re-creation of an important aspect of model and toy collecting; it will certainly help the future success of Oxford. Wouldn’t it be nice to also see a re-creation of the way toy and model shops used to be? Counter displays of small scale models, larger scale models in display cases, pocket catalogues...
MINICHAMPS NEWS
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
New Minichamps models, made in China for Germany:
MINICHAMPS 1:18 diecast 100 123330 Maserati Ghibli Cabriolet 1969 silver 100 060192 Super Aguri F1 Honda SA05 presentation Takuma Sato, limited edition of 1,008 pieces. MINICHAMPS 1:43 diecast 400 121432 Fiat Dino Spider 1972 green, black interior, limited to 1,008. 400 032261 Mercedes Vito van Sinalco soft drinks; limited to 1.008 pieces. 400 063603 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Salzgitter DTM 06 Jamie Green, limited edition of 1,296 pieces. 400 112331 Peugeot 205 Cabriolet 1990 blue metallic with red and grey interior, limited to 1,536 pieces. 430 856699 Porsche 956K Fast.Lap Hockenheim 1985 Bellof-Boutsen. Limited edition of 4,224 pieces. 436 137620 Aston Martin DBS James Bond Casino Royale 400 112371 Peugeot 205 three door 1990 grey metallic 400 060016 BMW Sauber F106 Heidfeld 400 050118 Jordan Toyota EJ15 F1 first podium Tiago Monteiro, US GP 2005 400 060012 Honda RA106 Button, 2006 400 061165 Porsche 911 Targa 1965 grey, limited edition of 1,344 pieces. 400 166471 Toyota Celica Fastback 1975, blue metallic, limited to 2,304 pcs 400 171202 Volvo S40 saloon 2003 silver, limited to 1,008 pieces 400 103402 Lamborghini Jarama coupe 1974. The Islero’s replacement, designed by Bertone built by Marazzi on a shortened Espada platform. In green metallic, limited to 1,536 pieces. 436 137260 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond Casino Royale, left hand drive. 400 911046 Audi V8 DTM, Team SMS, DTM 91Walter Röhrl, limited to 2,400 400 063609 Mercedes-Benz C-class, DTM06 Bruno Spengler, limited to 1,104 400 053290 VW T2b Pickup with tilt fire Eichenau, limited to 1,344 pieces. 400 082225 Ford Capri Mk III GT4 1982 red, limited edition of 2,016 pieces. 400 063602 Mercedes C-Class DTM 06 Vodafone Schneider, limited to 2,016 400 061025 Porsche 911 Coupe 2001 silver, limited edition of 2,016 pieces. 400 061034 Porsche 911 Cabriolet 2001 red, limited to 1,440 pieces. 400 063022 Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe 2004 green metallic, limited edition of 1,440 pieces. 430 069008 Porsche 911 Turbo 1977 grey metallic, limited to 3,744 pieces. 430 056061 VW Golf Mk IV 1997 white, limited edition of 1,008 pieces.
ARGUS ON CONRAD AND NZG
The latest 44 page issue of French quarterly Argus de la Miniature lists trucks and construction equipment made by Conrad and NZG of Germany, plus the annual listing of shops and manufacturers in the model car business. This is a much smaller list than it was some years ago, reflecting the shrinking nature of the model car world. Argus 236 costs 13 Euros in France, 13.50 Euros in the rest of Europe (about £9.00) from SAFAM, BP40, F-78230 Le Pecq, France.
BUSCH UPDATE
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
New 1:87 plastic models from Busch of Germany:
40782 Mercedes-Benz LP809 fire turntable ladder Bad Camberg. 41556 Mercedes-Benz 170V pickup Basinus mineral water 44010 Dodge Power Wagon US Air Force 47835 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Fire Düsseldorf 47975 Iveco Daily Fruits & Vegetables Claus 48222 Chevrolet Pickup DPW Aspinwall 48965 Smart City Coupe Breakdown rescue service 48966 Smart Fortwo Municipal public affairs Berlin 49220 Audi A4 saloon facelift 49270 Audi A4 Avant (estate) facelift 49460 Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate fire Admond Austria 49461 Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate Police Saxony-Anhalt 49603 Audi A6 Saloon Police Bavaria
MARQUEART FOR 2007
All these 1:43 handbuilt models are planned for 2007 by Marqueart for various ranges. They say, ‘We aim to release all these models in 2007, though a few may run into 2008! Details of all of these models can be seen in Future Models on www.marqueart.com. We also expect to release other models, but it is too early to give out details at the moment’.
Alvis Models (J & M Classics) Alvis Speed 20 Cross & Ellis Tourer. Alvis Speed 25 Charlesworth Tourer. Alvis 12-70 Saloon/Drophead/Tourer. British Sports Cars (Autotorque) Lagonda LG45 Tourer 1937 Lagonda V12 1936 The Midget Range (Autotorque) MG TF (including police car) 1953/1955. (Feb 2007) MG J1 4 seater 1932. MG J1 Salonette 1932. MG C Type 1931 The Daimler Collection (J & M Classics) Daimler Conquest Saloon Mk II (February 2007). Daimler Conquest Saloon Mk I, Daimler Conquest Drophead. (2nd quarter 2007). Daimler Conquest Century Saloon. Daimler Conquest Roadster. The Healey Collection (J & M Classics) Healey Elliott Woodie Healey Duncan Coupe. Jowett Models (J & M Classics). A new range. Jowett Jupiter model SC Mk 1A version. Jowett Jupiter model SA Mk I version. Rolls-Royce Series Phantom II Henley 1931 (Feb '07) Phantom II Brewster Newport Town Car 1930 (April 07) New Series. A new range: title still undecided. Delage D8-120 De Villars
BRUMM NEW RELEASES
1:43 diecast models from Brumm of Italy, mostly released in late 2006:
AUTOSTORY mini-dioramas AS11 Ferrari 375 Silverstone 1951 Froilan Gonzalez, first Ferrari F1 win (with race director model) AS18 Ferrari 330P4 Targa Florio 1967 Vaccarella AS25 Auto Union D type Donington 1938 Tazio Nuvolari (with deer shown still alive, before its fatal accident) AS35 Auto Union B type Hans Stuck: world speed record: 320.267 km/h on Firenze-Lucca highway AS40 Mercedes 300SLR Mille Miglia 1955 Moss-Jenkinson #722 damaged winning car at the finish AS41 Ferrari 312PB Targa Florio 1972 Merzario AS42 Fiat Panda 45 open roof 1981 Football World Champions Italy 2006 with two celebrating figures ASP01 Aluminium tower: Auto Union Eifelrennen 38 ASP02 Mille Miglia start ramp + railings 1950-60 REVIVAL series R191B Ferrari 375 Silverstone 1951 Gonzalez R108B Auto Union B type Hans Stuck: world speed record: 320.267 km/h on Firenze-Lucca highway R190B Mercedes 300SLR MM 55 Fangio # 658 R190C Mercedes 300SLR MM 55 Karl Kling # 701 R190D Mercedes 300SLR MM 55 Hermann # 704 R261B Ferrari 312PB TF 72 Merzario-Munari R281B Mercedes W196C Stirling Moss test Monza (with aerodynamic shovel nose) R352B Auto Union C type Bernd Rosemeyer speed record test Frankfurt-Darmstadt highway ECURIE FRANCORCHAMPS COLLECTION EF01 Ferrari 500 F2 Avus 53 #18 Jacques Swaters EF02 Ferrari Dino 156 F1 Belgium 61 #8 Gendebien EF03 Ferrari 330P4 Coupe LM67 #24 Mairesse EF04 Ferrari Dino 246 F1 Belgium 60 #22 Mairesse EF05 Lancia Ferrari D50 Belgium 56 #20 Pilette . EF06 Ferrari 512S Coupe Spa 70 #23 Bell-De Fierlant EF07 Ferrari 250GTO 62 TdeF 64 #172 Bianchi-Berger EF08 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Sicily 57 #315 Gendebien EF09 Talbot T26C chassis Belgium 51 #24 Pilette EF10 Jaguar D type LM 55 #10 Claes-Swaters EF11 Ferrari 512BB LM 79 #61 Blaton-Dryver-Faure EF12 Ferrari TR 58 chassis LM58 #21 Beurlys EF13 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta TdeF60 #157 Mairesse EF14 Ferrari 750 Monza spyder Spa 55 #33 Swaters EF15 Ferrari 166MM Barchetta Touring G. Agnelli OFFICIAL ‘MART’ MITOMACCHINA COLLECTION (Conceived for a car design exhibition 2 December 2006 to 1 May 2007 held at MART Trento-Rovereto) S06/21 Fiat Panda 1976 clay styling model S06/22 Fiat 600D 1965 APT Rovereto pin009-10-11 Pin badges: MG EX 181 1959, Fiat 500 nose 1957, Fiat 600 engine cover 1955BRUMS: Italy: 2006 Football World Champions
POP004 Display with 12 Fiat 500s Campioni del Mondo: 10 light blue + 1 gold + 1 blue: The Italian football team is represented in the form of Fiat 500s (ten ‘players’ in blue, plus gold for the goalie, and a blue referee with a white roof). The wheel hubs are world cup football design.
Book Reviews
Forty Years Of The Ford Transit by Robert Berry MERCURY Tutta la produzione by Roberto Bocco, Massimo Clemente, Gino Coen, Andrea Perego and Giorgio Pontoni, Pub: Libreria Cortina Torino, Corso Marconi 34/a. 10125 Torino, Italy. Text in Italian and English. 470 pages 285 x 285 mm hardbound, ISBN 88-8239-109-4. Price 160 Euros
Mercury was the most famous Italian diecast toy maker, but up to now it has not had a major book devoted to its history such as those on Corgi, Dinky or Solido. This massive tome fills the gap at last, telling the story of the firm and describing every product. Each of 17 chapters looks at a different aspect; racing cars, trucks, aircraft, ships, motorcycles, etc, with every model pictured. Unlike their competitors, Mercury produced few catalogues, so the work of the authors was tricky, but the result will be useful to any collector or historian. After three years of research, with access to the Mercury archives, this is as comprehensive a work as we will ever need. The two founders had an industrial casting company which ran out of work with the end of war production in 1945, so they decided to make household items and toys under the Mercury title. The first toy car was a promo item made for a radio manufacturer. Models were sold to Fiat, Lancia and Solex, and offered with sales promotions by firms all over Europe. They were spotted by Count Giansanti Coluzzi of Lausanne (an MAR subscriber from the beginning until his recent death) who set up Swiss distribution. Materials shortages (cardboard boxes as well as metal) slowed production, but demand was high. The last big promo order was in 1969 for a million Speedy cars for a biscuit promotion. In addition to cars, they made aircraft, 1:1250 ships for Italian cruise line companies, and earthmoving machinery for a US firm also called Mercury. Unfortunately this deal went sour, when the US factory burned down and the owner disappeared, leaving Mercury’s bills unpaid. Mario Clemente, export sales manager, recalls how hard it was to persuade the bosses to make models in the standard international scale, and only after Solido produced a Flaminia did Mercury realise how they had missed the opportunity and made their own 1:43 models. 1960s expansion was achieved by distribution deals with Märklin in Germany, Tekno in Denmark, Meccano in France, Lilliput in Austria, and Nacoral in Spain. Mercury was still doing commercial casting for the car industry, which was having financial problems. The resulting cutbacks, along with quality problems with models supplied to Märklin, and the deaths of the two founders, led to the rapid decline of the company. Some moulds were sold to other firms, such as Old Cars, Ziss and Nacoral, then production ceased in 1979. High production values have produced a sumptuous book, though most of the toys are pictured bigger than life- size in the 500-plus photos, something most collectors dislike, as it exaggerates any faults. The text is clear, giving exhaustive detail on production processes, casting variations and personal background stories, making up an excellent book, for which we have waited too long Rod Ward
ASHTON & MANCHESTER Trolleybuses by Bob Rowe, Super Prestige series 11 170mm x 240mm softbound, 128 pages, ISBN?978 1905 304 134. Pub: Venture Publications Ltd, 128 Pikes Lane, Glossop, Derbyshire. SK13 8EH UK. £16.95.
This book marks the 40th anniversary of the closure of these systems. In 1925 Ashton and Oldham began a joint trolleybus service, but a year later Oldham pulled out. In 1936 Manchester was planning tram replacement with motorbuses or trolleybuses. This was a difficult decision, as trolleybus operators paid a high price for electricity, not getting the same favourable rates paid by industrial firms, so the other advantages of the vehicles were outweighed by running costs. Crossley Motors were based in Gorton, between Ashton and Manchester, so their trolleybuses and others by Leyland (but all Crossley-bodied) replaced the trams in both towns. Trolleybuses proved their worth in wartime, saving on fuel oil, and the system expanded under difficult working conditions, with utility buses added to cope with heavy demand. More vehicles were ordered in the mid-1950s, just in time to help during the Suez crisis, when reduction in oil supply meant that motor bus operation was reduced. Once normality returned, however, the economic situation was that it was (oddly it seems today) cheaper to buy diesel fuel than to buy electricity. New urban expansion would need heavy investment in more overhead wiring, so the writing was on the wall. 1966 saw the last joint trolleybus operation in Britain close. This book is full of fascinating illustrations, even for those unfamiliar with the localities. Rod Ward
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod WardCape Model and Toy Club:
The Cape Model Collector, newsletter of the CMTC, continues to arrive in Yorkshire, thanks to Honorary President and MAR contributor Ron Gersbank. I see that the Club has gained three new members since the last issue. Most UK?clubs would be grateful for growth in membership at such a pace. We could all see from Ron’s account of ‘Classics in the Bay’ in MAR 209 that the local collecting scene is vigorous and friendly. I even note from the pictures in the newsletter that not all the members are grey-haired or bald. Amazing.
And one of the local shows, at Hermanus, is so big that it accommodates ‘whales and wheels’. Mind you, some of the locals are pretty large too. A Verem Ferrari racing car was described as being ‘occupied by an armless, legless and overscale driver. Sounds like an inebriated Springbok full-back’. If you are big enough to be a member, contact Secretary-Treasurer Graham Ramsay on 072 156 6806 ‘at any hour’.
Coventry Diecast Model Club
Mick Russell is not only Editor of the club magazine, Wheelspin, he is also Club Chairman as well. He does a good job in both roles, and is lucky enough to get lots of members’ contributions to the newsletter, describing foreign trips, visits to shows and exhibitions, and club events. So their club sub-title of the friendly one must be correct. If you’re short of friends, join the CDMC. Telephone Mick on 0779 9882016 or email him at cdmc@ntlworld.com
West Australian Model Collectors Club:
In Showcase, the WAMCC Club publication, edited by Ian Hind, Club Secretary, a lot of the information is gleaned from the internet. Iain obviously spends a lot of time looking at eBay, where he came across a lot of pre-production samples, masters and packaging being auctioned by Corgi. Looks like they were trying to pay a few bills in the run-up to the merger with two other companies to form Corgi International. Let Iain check out all this stuff for you; join the WAMCC; phone 934 9369, or email jhind@iinet.net.au
Natal Diecast Model Collectors:
‘Position vacant: volunteers needed urgently’ it said where the name of the NDMC newsletter Editor should be. Chairman Geoff Sear has now found someone to edit the club newsletter. Simon Bruton is a new member, who was keen to take on the task. ‘And he is a young chap as well’, Geoff tells me. So perhaps he will last as many years as Geoff did as Editor? Geoff is still Chairman, but after his battle with colon cancer he feels it is time for someone else to take over that role as well. Geoff is helping Simon to develop in his new job (he is already doing it very well), and is still happy to accept correspondence about model matters, or potential membership at 7, Dryden Place, Umbilo, Durban 4001, South Africa.
Danish Model Car Club (Dansk Modelbilklub):
John Toldsted, Chairman and long-time MAR contributor, must have a high opinion of my language skills, as he has sent me a copy of Bilmodellen, their club magazine. I must say I struggle with Danish more than most languages, though if it is read out loud it can sound a bit like Geordie. They manage to pack 40 pages of Bilmodellen every other month, so there must be lots going on in Denmark. Wonder what it all is? If you would like to know, contact John Toldsted, Bøgeparken 186, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, tel: 45 938206, email: toldsted@privat.dk
NEW OXFORD MEMOIR
A few new Oxford Diecast releases are pictured opposite. A new book has been published for those interested in the background to the Oxford brand. Founder and MD ‘Taff’ has written his autobiography in the world of diecast toys, from leaving school in Swansea to work for Mettoy. His progress through Corgi, Microlink and Oxford is described from 1977 to 2006, and every Oxford product is listed. A Journey Through Time is A5 size, illustrated in colour and costs £7.99 from your usual Oxford stockist.
OBITUARY:Mike Coombe
By Oliver Strebel-RitteIt is with a very heavy heart that I report the unexpected and tragic death of Mike Coombe, who was taken ill during the BRDC Christmas Lunch and passed away on Christmas Eve. Our thoughts are with Sandra, Simon and other members of his family.
Michael started club racing in 1962 with an Elva Courier. He then raced an ex works Le Mans Sunbeam Alpine in 1963, an ex-works Sunbeam Tiger rally car converted to Modified Sports Racing with a Ford 289 Cobra race engine from 1964-67 and a lightweight Lotus Elva in 1968-69. He competed in the first year of Formula 5000 in 1969 with a Cooper T66-Ford, raced a Porsche 906 Carrera in 1970, and in 1971 a Lola T70 Mk3B. In 1972-73 he built a March 3 litre DFV prototype for 1000km races and Interserie. He retired from racing in 1973 and started Midland Models, specialising in handbuilt models.
I first met Mike at Goodwood in 2001 and I went on to enjoy many lunches and drinks with him. Mike lived and breathed racing cars, leading him to make a success of Midland Models. Many MAR readers will remember his shop in Rugby and his stands at the Modelex shows. There are images of Mike and his racing at www.worldcollector.co.uk click on auction then click Mike Coombe. His memorial service was held at St Mark’s Church, Bilton, Rugby on 15 January 2007.
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