CONTENTS of the print edition
Model Auto Review 230
Publication 7 March 200904 Cars in colour (captions page 06) 07 Talbot Alpine Maz Woolley, UK 09 Defenders John F Quilter, USA 10 AVRE 7 Graeme Watt, UK 12 Parker Maz Woolley, UK • Wiking H-GS 12 Mikansue Morris John Hanson, UK 13 OO Maz Woolley, UK 14 Automechanika 2008 Hans-Georg Schmitt, Germany 15 Gilbern Maz Woolley, UK 16-17 Cars 18 Letters 20 News: World 21 Competitions 24 Book Reviews • Truckstop 26 Club News Collated by Rod Ward • Captions to page 29 29 Buses and emergency vehicles
EDITORIAL
by Rod WardHOW WILL THINGS LOOK?
Whenever there is a major economic recession, the recovery period which follows sees major changes in how things are done.
The 1970s recession was followed by shifts in employment, away from manufacturing to the white collar service sector.
The downturn had led to the collapse of Meccano and Mettoy, among others, and a new era of artisan kits and handbuilt models had dawned. So, having suffered two building industry slumps, I ceased being an architect and took up model cars, soon opening a retail shop. The print unions were also weakened in that recession, making it possible for ‘desk-top publishing’ to develop, so production of MAR became feasible.The 1990s recession was followed by the growth of the internet, then online shopping and the disappearance of small local shops.
At Modelauto we launched the zeteo website, closed our shop, and there are now few retail outlets left selling models to collectors. The ‘High Street’ may soon revert to the way it was before over- development of shops; mostly houses with a few shops in the middle. How else will things look different after this recession is over? It is impossible to predict what will happen, but there will be major changes in the ways we do things, and there is no point in trying to stem the tide of change.Many European and US toy and model manufacturers closed in previous downturns, unable to compete with Chinese-made products. No-one offered to bail them out, unlike the calls for assistance in other sectors now.
But it is clear that we should be manufacturing more; there is a limit to how much wealth can be generated by just importing stuff and selling it to each other.
The solution will be in making whatever people will want to buy in the next post-recession period.But what will that be?
Whatever happens in the next couple of years, MAR will keep you informed and entertained.
In this issue we have a nice selection of features, but no Ford article from Dave Turner. Don’t worry; he’ll be back in the next issue of MAR. Also in the next issue will be more news of 2009 releases, once the dust has settled from the 2009 trade toy fairs. We will not, however, be producing extensive lists of promised releases, as we cannot be sure that all of them (or any of them) will actually see the light of day this year.
AUTO REVIEW: MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURERS
The latest Auto Review book is now available, on British Motorcycle Manufacturers. It includes potted histories of all the famous names, and other interesting firms, many of whom went on to build cars. There is also an appendix listing two wheeler world records.
Here is the latest appeal for material I can include in future Auto Review books: future titles include Humber, Wolseley, Sunbeam (plus Talbot), British tractors and traction engines, aviatrices (famous lady pilots), Armstrong-Siddeley, Alvis, Aston Martin, Lagonda, British coachbuilding companies, and many, many others. If you have illustrations (adverts, brochures, your own photographs etc) or personal anecdotes you can offer, please send them to me as soon as possible for inclusion in these publications.
A full list of current and planned titles is on the front page of this website.
DERREZ STANDARD GAZEL
The latest product of Derrez Models from Holland, who specialise in Triumph models, is a 1:43 Standard Gazel; a four door derivation of the Triumph Herald, built in India. For more information, see www.derrezmodels.nl
REVELL GO INTO RESIN
Different solutions are being sought to the problem of the increasing costs of producing new diecast models whilst at the same time the market shrinks. Revell are launching a new ‘composite’ range of fully- finshed 1:18 models with resin bodies. Subjects include Opel Commodore GS/E coupe 1970, Opel Kadett B rallye 1969. VW Beetle 1302 cabriolet 1971, Porsche 914/6 1971 and Artega GT supercar 2008. Most of the range will appear in late 2009.
Wiking Move Home
by Hans-Georg SchmittWiking Modellbau, the makers of HO scale plastic models, associated with Berlin for so long, have moved their complete production facilities to Lüdenscheid, the location of the headquarters of Siku, the owners of Wiking. This operation was scheduled for the turn of 2008-2009. All labour intensive assembly operations will be moved to their Polish plant. This move is necessary for Wiking to retain their competitiveness in future.
OO-Overview of 2008
1:76 scale models noted by Maz Woolley008 was an exciting year for anyone who collects 1:76 scale car models. Oxford, Base Toys and Pocketbond all had ambitious release programmes which all look set to be released, albiet with a little slippage to early 2009. They all more than made up for the Corgi Trackside offerings turning out to be overscale, basic in construction (and detailing) and unexciting.
To my eye Pocketbond’s Classix have been consistently the most attractively made and finely detailed of the small cars, but there are some really first class models from Oxford too. I found the initial Base Models a little disappointing. Some, like the A40, are particularly poor, but the latest pictures of their police Rileys suggests that they may be improving.
There has, however, been a downside to the entry of industrial players to the 1:76 market. Many artisan makers did not add to their ranges at all in 2008; ABS and Springside for example. Others left this market sector; RADDS are no longer listed by Steve Flowers, Weico pulled out of 1:76 altogether, and the revived John Day Vehicle Scenics seems to have stopped advertising. Others, such as Parker Models, plan to diversify and release smaller numbers of new 1:76 castings. The only artisan ranges which continued releasing models are Parker (in the first half of 2008), W&T (adding to their range based on subjects originally made by Matchbox and Dublo Dinky) and SMA (who introduced some Japanese Kuragane 1937 and 1940 pickups). With the flood of relatively cheap models from the industrial makers the artisan makers will not find as many buyers except where they fill in any niche the Big Boys manage to leave.
Speaking of the Big Boys, seeing the Oxford 2009 range, I am jumping up and down and hugging myself. They are way beyond good: Humber Hawks, Vauxhall estates, the Minor MM, Sunbeam Rapier III and Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire!
MORE BIG RIVER BRISTOLS
John Halcrow tells us that he is well advanced with production of the next two Big River models, the Bristol 402 convertible and the Bristol 405 saloon or convertible.
There will be a delay of three or four months before we see them, however, as John is in process of moving house as we go to press.
ALEZAN 1:43 BIZZARINI
the latest 1:43 handbuilt model in the Alezan Collector range is AC26 Bizzarini Ferrari BZ2001, from 1993. Michel Ducleux plans to make only 250 of them, all in red.
TIN WIZARD ASTON MARTINS
Thomas Wolter can now reveal that the next 1:43 models in his Tin Wizard range will be various road and race versions of the Aston Martin DB2. They will be followed by a Maybach DS8 Zeppelin streamliner by Spohn from 1932, and the Horch 853A Manuela coupe of Bernd Rosemeier, from 1937.
GANGLOFF BY MA COLLECTION
The latest 1:43 handbuilt model in Michel Sordet’s Ma Collection from Switzerland is 112B 1938 Bugatti T57 convertible, chassis 57749, produced by Gangloff for Marseille watchmaker Charles Olivero and used by the French General de Monsabert during the war. It was a very impressive car with many chrome plated parts. The car was modified in the 1950s with a longer bonnet and repainted black. Only 28 models have been made of this version. Also available is 112A, the original and now-restored short nose car, in two tone grey.
MARSH MODELS
1:43 kit or handbuilt from UK: MM140 Shadow DN1 1974 Argentina GP Jarier. For 1974, Shadow had new drivers, Revson and Jarier. For the first race of the season Revson was entrusted with the new DN3 whilst Jarier drove an updated DN1. His race ended on the first lap after he collided with Revson..
REVELL 1:35 plastic kit of KV-1 tank
by Hans-Georg SchmittRevell 1:35 kit: 03085 Soviet Heavy Tank KV-1 Model 1940 LKZ, the most powerful Soviet tank at the beginning of the Second World War. The KV-1 heavy tank was named after Defence Minister Marshal Kliment Voroshilov. Its massive armour and 76,2 mm F-32 cannon made it a tough opponent for the German army in Operation Barbarossa. When German troops entered the Soviet Union in June 1941 264 KV-1s were in service. This kit needs Revell’s skill level 5 to build a choice of two 1942 versions.
NEW WELLY DIECAST RELEASES
By Maz WoolleyWelly have several new items coming soon:
1:87 scale: VW T1 Double Cab Pickup, Porsche 928, 964 Turbo, and Cayman S, Audi A4, Citroen DS 19 Cabriolet, Peugeot 404 Cabriolet, Lamborgini Countach LP500S and Muira P400 SV, New Mini Cooper S
1:60-64 scale: Hyundai i30, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Toyota Camry
1:43 scale: Porsche 928, 964 Turbo, Cayman S, 911 GT3 RS, Audi A4, New Mini Cooper S
Some of the models described as being already available in the ‘existing’ range don't seem to have come out yet. The 1:87 Jeep Wrangler, for example, is still eagerly awaited by American collectors. There are some others I have still not seen on sale under any brand name. The model of an early FX4 Taxi has eluded me; perhaps they are all sitting on shelves in Oxford Street for tourists. And I haven’t seen their Jaguar XF either; it would be nice to have one of those in the collection.
BOOK REVIEWS
DINKY TOYS by Dominique Pascal, French text. Published by and available from Chene–EPA, 43, quai de Grenelle, 75905 Paris Cedex 15, France. 448 pages 240 x 290mm. Hardbound with dustjacket. 4000+ vehicles pictured, every French and British Dinky Toy. ISBN 978-2-85120-572-8. €49.90
Most books on this subject are organised chronologically or in catalogue number order. This book is different; the models are arranged alphabetically by marque name, as it is targeted at car and truck fans. So all Citroens are together, as are Berliets, Vauxhalls or Volvos. Excellent sharp photographs show all details of the models, and in most cases their boxes are shown as well. A large number of Dinky catalogue pages are reproduced, and the layout of the book recalls the graphic style of the 1950s and 1960s. This book will very useful for all Dinky collectors.
Hans-Georg SchmittBUGATTI: Journal d´une saga by Serge Bellu. French text. Published by and available from E-T-A-I; 20 rue de la Saussiere, 92641 Boulogne- Billancourt Cedex, France. 384 pages 240 x 290mm, hardbound with dustjacket. 532 photos. ISBN 978 2 7268 8809 4. €92.00
Only a decade ago Bugatti arose again from the ashes as part of the Volkswagen group. After a long period of disuse of the name, and an unsuccessful rebirth in Italy, the Bugatti Veyron breathed new life into the brand. Serge Bellu, author of more than 30 books, tells the story, beginning with Ettore Bugatti, whose artistic flair came from his grandfather Carlo. Ettore went into the car business in the early 20th century, working for a number of firms, but his individuality drove him to set up his own company. During a legendary two decades between the wars the work of Ettore and his favourite son Jean invigorated the French motor industry. The drama unfolds in six acts, and it is illustrated with rare early photographs and excellent colour pictures of the resurrected marque under Artioli and Piech. Every prototype and production car is pictured and described, thanks to the author’s painstaking research.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Club News
Collated by Rod WardSue Leake, editor of Wheel Nuts, the South Hants Model Auto Club publication, has heartening news regarding disposal of collections. Her late husband Stu had an extensive collection of Stirling Moss related models and memorabilia, and he always wanted it to be kept together. Sue is pleased that Oliver Strebel-Ritter managed to find a buyer for the lot only an hour’s drive away from her home, the Haynes Motor Museum. The Maidenhead Static Model Club newsletter, Wheel Bearings, notes that the Club’s Christmas gift for 2008 was a repro of a Dinky Mersey Tunnel Land Rover, with a crane etc added, in MSMC blue livery. Showcase, the West Australian Model Collectors Club magazine, includes an extensive dissertation on heavy haulage rigs, but mostly illustrated with Corgi or Lledo models rather than the nicer handbuilt creations. The Cape Model Collector, organ of the Cape Model and Toy Club, gives tips on casting white metal bits in plaster of Paris. Don’t let the health and safety folk read it; they’d have kittens! Brooklin Collector, the journal of the Brooklin Collectors Club, clarifies the situation regarding the special Club model for 2008. Everyone who ordered a Marmon in chocolate and caramel also received the surprise gift of a Marmon in tangerine and silver. Also those who ordered a Chevrolet 3100 van in blue and collected it at the Club AGM received a special version with a bull bar and spare wheel fitted. Those who did not attend the AGM got a model without these features added. For anoraks, there are also different colour shades on the Chevrolet van with bull bars and on the tangerine Marmon. Too late now though, they’ve all gone. Lastly, I was sad to hear that our old friend Susan Pownall has been removed from her long-lasting role editing the magazine of the Corgi Collector Club. Shame...
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