IN A COMFORT ZONE
The next issue of MAR will be our last one this year, traditionally our'Christmas' issue. My apologies to anyone who doesn't celebrate thisparticular festival - my excuse is that it is an almost totally secularevent, based on the pre-Christian Saturnalia. Let's hope that we willfeel like celebrating, after the horrific events of this Autumn, andwhatever is still to come in a grim future for the planet, with so muchmedia coverage of warlike events and economic difficulties which may ormay not be connected.
Past experience of insecurity due to recessions and other depressingevents in the outside world tells me that it tends to encourage peopleto move into a comfort zone, to spend more time with their loved onesand do things they really like to do.
Often it makes them appreciate their blessings and concentrate on morepleasurable activities, including their favourite hobbies and pastimes.Whenever there have been troubled times over the past quarter century, Ihave noticed increased activity among collectors, buying more models,building more kits, doing more chops and conversions, and even offeringmore contributions to Model Auto Review!
So, if you are now spending less time gadding about, and you are sittingat home enjoying your collection, perhaps now is the time to put pen topaper (or finger to keyboard) and write that article you always meant todo for MAR.
We already have some really nice stuff awaiting publication in futureissues, but we can always use more. You'll probably have time on yourhands over the festive period, but don't wait until MAR 158 - do it now!
TWO DECADES OLD
So, bearing all of the foregoing in mind, here is another thought:
In February 2002 we will complete 20 years in continuous publication ofMAR. Does that spur you into action? Does it make you think about anytopic that has stirred you over the last two decades? Does it prompt youto think about what should happen in future years, to this publication,or to collecting in general? Are things going the way you want, or issomething missing?
Your thoughts are invited.
If you have any suggestions as to how we might mark two decades of MAR,I would be interested in any interesting ideas. In 1982, around the sametime that MAR started publication, we commissioned a special BrooklinFord van in Modelauto livery. Only 50 were made, to sell at less than£20.00 each, but we had great difficulty selling them, eventuallyswapping some for other Brooklin specials.
So, maybe a special model isn't a good idea. We couldn't sell 50 of arare and interesting limited edition! The special models are nowapparently worth a lot of money, so maybe we should have put some on oneside for future investment.
We didn't, of course.
And yes, I know it would be a nice idea to give everybody a freesubscription as a 20th anniversary present, but I don't think MAR wouldsurvive to celebrate its 21st anniversary if I did that!Serious suggestions only, please.
At the very least, it would be nice if MAR 159 could reflect on 20 yearscompleted.A favourite article updated? All the old jokes repeated?What would you like to see?We have three months to put it together.
MODELEX CONFIRMATION
In confirmation of the cryptic news item in MAR 156, Modelex will returnnext year.On 19-20 October 2002 it will take place at The Warwick Room, NationalAgricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Coventry. It will be held in asingle fully carpeted room slightly larger than the combined area of thetwo rooms used at the National Motorcycle Museum in the ten previousyears.
In future Modelex will be organised by Mike Kennington, who was untilrecently Exhibition Manager of the Classic Car Shows held at theNational Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.Ray Strutt will continue his involvement, in a 'supporting role' toMike, and the new team are confident of success. (Lucky red trousers allround?) There will be some changes from next year, but the Modelex ethoswill remain the same, as both organisers are collectors of handbuiltmodels, though it is now accepted that some diecast and other modelswill now be included, to reflect changes in the market over the pastdecade. There will be a similar standard of presentation to previousModelex events, with booths or shell stands for exhibitors, andilluminated glass display cabinets available for hire. Saturday will besetting-up day for exhibitors, with exclusive trade access at the end ofthe day. Sunday 20 October 2002 will be the day for public access.More details will be published in future Model Auto Review issues, as wehave them. The main publicity push for the event will begin at the endof 2001, and will continue through 2002. The organisers are ready toanswer queries, and to accept any suggestions for consideration. Formore information on how to book exhibition space at Modelex 2002,contact: Mike Kennington, 12 Alcester Road, Lickey End, Bromsgrove,Worcs B60 1JX, UK. Tel: 01527 871150.email: mikekennington@hotmail.com
PEAK HORSE METROBUSES
Among their assorted ranges of model buses, Peak Horse of Hong Kong havenow slotted in another type. This is a very small (approximately 1:125scale) MCW Metrobus double decker in various versions including Mk I(asymmetrical) and Mk II (symmetrical) windscreens and single or dualdoors.UK liveries proposed include:
7001 London Transport Mk I single door
7005 Capital Citybus Mk I single door
7102 London Transport Airbus Mk I dual door
7201 Travel West Midlands Mk II single door
7301 London Transport Mk II dual door
John Ayrey Diecasts Ltd, who provided this information, say that theretail price is likely to be around £3.00.MOTORISED TRAMS
Bachmann Industries Europe Ltd have commissioned from Peak Horse of HongKong a 1:76 motorised tram, which will run on 00 scale track. Theirfirst release is the Birkenhead tram, now a tourist attraction oppositeLiverpool, on the other bank of the Mersey. The Birkenhead double decktram car is finished in Corporation livery, has a working headlight, andcosts £39.95.Peak Horse have also produced motorised versions of their 1:76 Hong Kongtrams. Over a dozen different liveries are available at £36.95 each.
1:76 SCAMMELL SCARAB
Fans of Scammell Scarabs will be pleased to know that there is a diecastmodel available from Intertrans in 1:76 scale, appropriate for all themodel railway layouts where it will find a home. The little 1950s-stylethree wheeler tractor unit is available in BRS parcels green or BritishRailways carmine and cream livery, with trailer and container. The UKretail price is £16.95.
REVELL 1:24 plastic kit: By Hans-Georg Schmitt.
07560 DAF 95 XF Space Cab tractor unit. When DAF revealed the 95XF in1997 they set new standards. Thanks to new technology the 12.6 litre sixcy1inder in-line engine delivers 530 bhp, the highest performance percubic capacity of any European in-line truck engine. As the DAF 95XF hasa larger radiator and improved engine cooling compared to itspredecessors, it can sustain high average speeds, not to beunderestimated in the face of ever-tighter deadlines. Its handling isalso exception-al, and even at low speeds its tractive effort isimpressive. In addition to ample performance the DAF also offers amagnificent cab, specially designed to please drivers. The internalheight of the Space Cab, the most popular version, is about 1.90 metres.The 95XF also contains a range of practical cubby-holes and storagecompartments with a total volume of 170 litres, arranged round thedriver's seat. Another positive feature is the simple steering wheel andseat adjustment. The comfortable cab of the 95XF Space Cab offers awell-designed driver-orientated workspace. This kit has an accuratelyshaped cab with detailed interior, realistic chassis and wheels. Thesteer-ing works, and the spare wheel is mounted on a bracket. Thecomponents are nearly all flash free, and fit well, but the cab partshave some flow-lines, so painting is needed. The suggested skill level'5' sounds realistic, as the kit contains more than 150 components.
MINICHAMPS Tempo - By Hans-Georg Schmitt.
Minichamps 1:18 diecast in China for Germany: 180099040 Tempo Hanseatthree wheeler van Phoenix Tyres 1949-56. In July 1945 the still-intactTempo plant in Hamburg re-started production of the prewar A400. As theModel 1949 the Hanseat had better quality and was better equipped. InMarch 1950 it was given a four speed gearbox and a bit more power forthe engine, now a straight two cylinder two stroke engine of 12.5 hp.Later the output was raised to 15 hp, enough performance, to tip thethree wheeler over if cornered too briskly. The 1:18 model exactlyreproduces this odd-looking design, the bonnet and rear doors open, butthe doors of the driver-cabin are fixed shut. The interior is excellent,the authentic spartan dashboard and three spoke steering wheel emphasiseits accuracy. Under the hinged bonnet is an exact copy of the engine.The blue van wears the livery of Phoenix tyres, also based in Hamburg.The number plate is correct for a vehicle registered in postwarBritish-occupied Hamburg. (Photo Hans-Georg Schmitt).
DNIEPER MINI-CLASSIK
News from the Dnieper Mini-Classik model group from the Ukraine. All ofthe following are new limited edition 1:43 diecast models:
Mini-Classik: ZiS-6 with Maxim anti aircraft machine gun, ZIS-6 crane,
and ZIS-5 with DShK anti aircraft machine gun Red Army.
Vector Models: Magirus Mercur, Mercedes-Benz O302, Fiat-421, Berliet
PLH-70
Kimmerija: BTR-40, BTR-152
Kherson Models: ZIL-111G limousine
The group produces diecast models of the ZIS series, and metal figuresin 1:43 scale. Their catalogue contains more than 20 buses, trucks,workshops, Katyusha rocket launcher, figures etc. Also some 1:87 plasticmodels, including a BA-64, GAZ-67, UAZ-469, IFA-Multicar etc. For moreinformation, go to www.russianscalemodels.com/mgd.asp, or emailnovo@fregat.comDERREZ TRIUMPH TR-1
A new name to us, Derrez Models, from the Netherlands, are making whatthey call a 'Triumph TR-1' in 1:43 scale. The so-called TR-1 (factoryname 20TS) was the prototype of the famous TR range, and appeared at theEarls Court Motor Show in 1952. The car was heavily redesigned, goinginto production in 1953 as the TR-2. Derrez Models have made what theydescribe as a '1:43 code 3 model with several plated parts and parts inwhite metal'. From that we gather it is a transform-ation of an existingdiecast model, with new parts added, and then totally reassembled.In 1939 the failing Triumph company staggered into the ownership ofThomas W Ward Ltd, who were not really interested in car-making, just ina good deal, so they sold Triumph to Standard in 1946. Sir John Black,the autocratic and erratic head of Standard developed a Triumph carrange, powered by Standard engines (see page 8038). He wanted to buildnew sports cars for the US export market, and after the pedestrianRoadster and the disappointing TR-X prototype, a totally new design wasdeveloped in 1952. This was the Vanguard-powered 20TS (from the 2.0litre Triumph Sports). The concept was regarded as interesting by thepress, but they were less impressed when they actually drove it. Notonly was there no boot space, but it was also a pig to drive. Amechanically revised and improved 20TS was tested, with a slightlylonger tail, and MAR was once told by an ex-Triumph employee that thisis the car that might have been called the 'TR-1', if something has tobe. Finally the whole body was widened to get more cockpit space andgiven the now-familiar boot design. This car was launched at Geneva in1953 as the TR-2, which went on to great sales success. Someenthusiasts, however, refer to the 20TS as the 'TR-1', and this is thecar made by Derrez in cream with a brown interior. The price is £59.00(94 ¤uros). For more information contact Derrez Models, Marga Klompelaan48, 6532 SC Nijmegen, Netherlands. Tel: 0031 2435 41604. email:maxderrez@hotmail.com
NEW GM MODELS - By John W Whitehead
These models are new in the USA, the first is the Maisto Cadillac Evoq(1:37). The Evoq has been a show car and will be sold, in a similar formto this model, by Cadillac dealers in about the 2004 model year. The caris based on Corvette mechanicals. The other model is of the famousChevrolet Corvette Mako Shark. a superior diecast model from Auto Art (#51061) in 1:43 scale. The Maisto is crude but cheap, and the only modelavailable of the much-anticipated Evoq.
CLUB NEWS
Coventry Diecast Model Club: With the August 2001 issue of Wheelspin, the 150th issue was reached. The CDMC proudly notes that they have now completed ‘twenty-six years non-stop’. This was also the issue which saw Paul Kennelly hand over the Editorship to Mick Russell (known as ‘Mick the Mixer’, due to his involvement in concrete mixers, both professionally and in model form). It was nice to see so prompt a volunteer as Mick stepping up to offer his services as soon as he heard that there was a vacancy. Thanks to the high level of contributions from CDMC members, and to his hard work, Mick’s first effort in charge of Wheelspin is well up to the standards set by Paul (and by his predecessor, Will Roe). Mick is into pictures, so there are even more illustrations than usual, all nicely reproduced. These nicely complement accounts of members’ holiday jaunts, trips to collectors fairs, shops, jokes, chops, model news and the rest. Paul has a worthy successor, but of course when he runs off (to Wales perhaps?) to set up a Museum of Childhood cum Tea Shoppe cum caravan site, Hilary will go along too. This means that the CDMC now needs a new Secretary as well. Should be a doddle to find one, with all those keen and helpful members to choose from. If you would like to join the CDMC and see how it all pans out, phone 024 7630 7700.
South Hants Model Auto Club: Stu and Sue Leake, editors of the SHMAC magazine, note our praise in Model Auto Review for their efforts producing the publication. The praise is deserved, after a long period in which the Club was rarely mentioned in these pages. On more than one occasion, leading lights in the SHMAC queried why we never mentioned their Club in MAR. The reply was fairly obvious. A Club only gets a mention in MAR if we know something interesting to say about it, and most such information is gleaned from the club magazines and newsletters we receive. For a long time we didn’t hear anything from the SHMAC, and it wasn’t clear whether this was because they didn’t publish a newsletter, or just didn’t send us a copy. The message must have hit home, because Stu and Sue have taken the project by the scruff of the neck and booted it into the 21st century, with clear layout, nice typesetting and lots of colour pictures. They now have so many contributions from members that they have to hold some over, as they won’t all fit in. Some other club magazine editors will be very envious of their situation. And herein lies a message for other clubs: if you think you are not getting sufficient coverage in MAR, are you ensuring that we are kept up to date with what you are doing? Do you send us your magazine or newsletter? If you don’t publish one, perhaps you should consider doing so, and then send us a copy. If you want to read the South Hants Model Auto Club magazine, you'll have to join the Club: just contact secretary Dave Painter on 01264 366408.
Maidenhead Static Model Club: Bill Alexander is still having computer problems, but is managing to put the MSMC Newsletter Wheel Bearings together, despite all his Microsoft-induced problems. Apple Macintosh Operating System anyone? (Maybe the MS in MSMC really stands for Microsoft?) Anyway, back to the real world, where Toy Fair attendances are down, and thus Club income is lower, so this year the Club has to ask members to contribute part of the cost of the annual club model. It will be a factory-made Lansdowne model, in a special colour, available at a reduced price, (rather than free of charge as last year), to all members. The Christmas party, however, will still include free food and drink for members and their guests. Once again Wheel Bearings has a cautionary tale for toy traders. Bill Alexander’s daughter sold some of her unwanted toys to a customer she met at a swapmeet. There was a dispute after the event, a cheque was stopped (illegal in many countries) and Bill’s daughter took the buyer to Court, where she obtained full restitution, though the aggravation and the time expended make one wonder if it is worth the effort. Bill suspects that the whole thing was a set up, as it turns out that the buyer was a dealer, and there never were sufficient funds in the buyer’s bank account to support the cheque that he issued. It does prove, however, that the British Small Claims Court procedure works most of the time. What a pity that the British banking system does not enforce the law on bouncing or stopping cheques. If you do it in France, for instance, you are banned from having a bank account for five years (until recently it was ten years). If you would like to attend the Maidenhead Static Model Club Christmas Party, to discuss all this, contact Membership Secretary Alan Simpson on 01494 813903.
Lledo Enthusiasts Club: With his other hat on, Bill Alexander runs the Lledo Enthusiast and Variations Club, so he has a bi-monthly publication to produce alongside the monthly MSMC newsletter. There is so much news to fit in about all the new releases from Lledo, Days Gone and Vanguards (as well as analysis of all the variations ever made on obsolete models) that Bill can’t get it all into 16 pages every other month.
Among the topics he discussed recently is the vexed subject of add-on bits provided with Vanguards, ‘trying to give the handbuilt white metal look at diecast prices.’ As Bill notes, ‘The most recent castings, delightful as they are, have provision for fitting door mirrors in prototypical manner. Now, speaking personally, I don't go for these. The empty holes look like damage. If fitted, the mirrors are somewhat exposed, and worse, the model won't go back in the box.’ Bill invites comments on the desirability or otherwise of added bits, and the tendency to ‘make every model into a Christmas tree’. The general opinion at MAR in regard to external mirrors is that if the vehicle was supplied with them from new, then a scale model will look incomplete without them. If, however, they were an optional extra, or only offered as an aftermarket item, they should be omitted, and no fitting holes should be cast into the model. They should also be ‘in scale’, with slim posts and thin mirrors. Better no mirror than an overscale one. Windscreen wipers are another knotty problem. On most cars they rest at the very edge of the windscreen and look grossly out of scale if they are parked a scale 100mm up the glass. Thus in most cases, a neatly cast ‘parked’ wiper at the very edge of the body casting, on the screen frame, gives a better scale effect. This is particularly true of the small and simple wipers fitted to 1950s and 1960s cars. The more complex articulated and sprung wipers fitted to modern cars and competition cars may demand a photo-etched component, if it is a characteristic feature of the car, but this is not relevant to Vanguards ‘classic’ subjects.
Bill also notes that Lledo stopped producing ‘commissioned standard Days Gone range’ models, intending to mark all ‘exclusive’ or ‘special’ models as Lledo Promotionals. Now, however, there seems to have been a change of policy, with many promo releases turning up in standard Days Gone or Vanguards guise, without any information forthcoming from Lledo about them. This all adds to the fun of collecting, of course, but can be frustrating for anyone trying to record these releases for posterity. MAR used to attempt to record promotional releases, but the flow of information from Lledo dried up after the Corgi takeover, and when we queried the situation, we were told that many companies which commissioned promo models did not want them to be publicised to collectors! The intention is to promote the goods or services which are the promoter’s core business, not to sell promo models. This seems odd. If you commission a Lledo model in order to sell more bags of sugar, surely free publicity about your campaign in the specialist press will sell more sugar to collectors as well? Our feeliing is that such companies are not aware of the collectors market, clubs or publications. If they were, they would certainly appreciate the free publicity, and any extra sales thus generated. It is up to Lledo to tell them how to get this free publicity for their promotions. If you would like to contribute to the various discussions, all you have to do is join the Lledo Enthusiasts Club and send your comments to Bill at The Lledo Enthusiast, 33 North Town Moor, Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 7JR. Or if you prefer, you can email him at lledoenthusiast@yahoo.com
VOISIN • Straight Eight Record Car 1927 •
Gabriel Voisin was born in 1880 and originally studied architecture, but became renowned as a pioneer aviator, eventually owning a large aircraft factory during the Great War. He was an inveterate inventor, and went on to have a second distinguished career making some of the most advanced luxury cars in France between the Wars, which bore the famous stylised Icarus mascot, reflecting his aeronautical background. Another aircraft firm, run by the Morane brothers, had financed a sleeve-valve car, designed by Artault of Panhard for postwar production in conjunction with André Citroen, but Léon Morane, a fighter pilot, was killed.
His brother pulled out, and Citroen also lost interest in the project, but he arranged a meeting between Artault and Voisin at the famous restaurant, Maxim’s. So Voisin was suddenly in the car business, alongside two other projects conceived with his architect friend from college, Nöel Nöel. These projects were to make inflatable aircraft hangars and prefabricated houses. Voisin was regarded as the most original and visionary car designer of his day, on a par with the architect (and his friend) Le Corbusier, producing extraordinary advanced shapes, painted in tartan pattern (really!).
In fact Nöel designed much of the coachwork, and also shared an extravagant house with Voisin in the Boulevard Exelmans, Paris. Voisin’s futuristic, often angular cars were owned by crowned heads, politicians and style leaders of their day, such as Rudolph Valentino, various Rothschilds, Vanderbilts, Martell, Lanvin, and the Prince of Siam.
THE STUD FARM
The French public, however, did not know Voisin for his aviation or motoring exploits, but because of his lurid private life. The Boulevard Exelmans house was known locally as the ‘stud farm’, due to the goings-on there. Voisin was a famous womaniser, though a married man, and would entertain two or three dancing girls per day! He had put the company in his wife’s name, presumably for tax purposes, so when he needed a 200,000 Franc loan, he had to ask her to sign the documents. She refused, and he walked out on her forever (though in truth he hadn’t been around much anyway). His energy was such that he was able to keep his factory working efficiently, and he had time for other projects as well as maintaining a very busy private life.
COMPETITION FOR GROWTH
In the 1920s the best way to achieve sales growth was through success in competition events, and the Voisin C3 design of 1922 was so successful that the ACF produced rules demanding four seater cars of standardised dimensions, effectively excluding Voisin from the Touring Car Grand Prix. He therefore decided to participate in the Racing Car GP, with the famous low slung and streamlined Laboratoire which illustrated his iconoclastic approach and his commitment to streamlining to make his cars run efficiently. This process continued with the C5 engined record breaker of 1925, which took many class records. Voisin designed advanced engines, including a ‘silent six’, a less successful V8 and a straight eight.
THE 1927 RECORD CAR
This latter engine was made from two C5 four cylinder engines, as used in the Lyons Touring Car GP, and the 1925 records. This engine was fitted into a new record car in 1927, which was taken to the Montlhéry track. There they took these endurance records: 1000 miles, 2000 km, 3000km, 3000 miles, 4000 km, 12 hours and 24 hours. The car ran again at Montlhéry in 1928, but it crashed, injuring Marchand, the driver, and it was written off. CCC have now made an excellent model of this car in 1:43 scale. It has full straight eight engine detail, which makes it slightly more difficult to build as a kit, and somewhat more expensive than usual in handbuilt form.
BEGINNING OF THE END
In 1928 Voisin was out of money, and the forthcoming financial slump was looming, so he set up a new company jointly with Imperia-Minerva of Belgium, to market the latter company’s smaller cars in France. This meant Voisin had to commit all his existing shares to the new venture, but at least in could raise some new capital which meant that the Voisin range survived into the 1930s, even managing to make another record car, this time with 12 cylinders. The end of Voisin is well-known, with interesting body shapes, (often one-offs like the Ambassade), continuing to appear until 1936, but in numbers only just big enough to keep the wolf from the door. Gabriel gradually lost control of the firm to his financiers, so he withdrew to the house at the Boulevard Exelmans, where, as L’Aéroméchanique, he set up a design studio financed by the new owners of the factory, Gnome-Rhone, the aero engine makers. When War broke out Voisin moved to the unoccupied zone of France, but when the Armistice was signed, he was forced to return to manage his old factory producing aero engines for the Axis war effort. Thus after the Liberation, like Louis Renault, he was accused of collaboration and his factory was confiscated, becoming part of SNECMA, the nationalised French aero engine organisation. The association with Gnome-Rhone continued, however, and with their help he designed a minimal car called the Biscooter, which failed to enter production in France. Voisin sold the licence to a Spanish company who sold over 20,000 Biscooters.
TWILIGHT PROJECTS
In his seventies and eighties he continued to produce imaginative new projects, many for military vehicles and aircraft, including canards and supersonic airliners. His final project was for a futuristic car which featured the ‘lozenge’ or ‘diamond’ wheel layout (see MAR 151 page 7736) in 1973, the year of his death.
WIKING NEWS - By Hans-Georg Schmitt
WIKING 1:87 plastic from Germany: 814 05 22 Porsche 356 Coupe, now red with beige interior. 811 02 24 Ford 17M saloon now in two tone red-white. 821 03 23 Ford Capri 1969 now blue-grey, 864 04 24 VW T2 microbus Police, Dortmund, North Rhein Westfalia. 696 16 34 Demag Crane truck German Bundeswehr. re-issue from an old mould, now in NATO olive, as used by the West German army in the 1960s to change tank engines (one was in service at Mendig-Eifel airfield until recently). The Wiking logo on the bottom has been updated, to ensure there is no confusion as to which is the re-issue. 859 04 26 Mercedes-Benz L 6600 with beige cab and body, dark red chassis, interior and tilt. 840 03 24 Opel Blitz 1938 moss-green, brown chassis and wings and beige tilt, Fruit Import Simplex Hamburg-Berlin-Dresden. (Via Schmitt).
MORE BAVARIANS - By Hans-Georg Schmitt
BMW 3 Series Compact in 1:18 scale
At the Geneva Motor Show in March this year the 3 Series range gained the Compact, a two door saloon with a chopped-off tail, different looking nose, a large tailgate and new rear lights, which look as if they were pinched from a small Lexus. It is available with two different petrol engines, a 1796cc 115 hp four cylinder or a 2.5 litre 192 hp six cylinder, both rear wheel drive. The new car is made in 1:18 scale by Kyosho, accurately shaped, with light green metallic finish. The bonnet, doors and tailgate all open, the steering and suspension function realistically. The highly detailed engine replica even includes the dipstick. Inside, the wood trim, instruments and cloth-textured seat belts are worthy of note. The baseplate shows the lower side of the engine and gearbox, drive shaft, suspension and much more. The matt silver exhaust system, with two chrome plated tail pipes, looks good. From BMW dealers: part no 80430024439BMW 1600 1966-1971 in 1:43 scale
This two door car, called 1600-2 to distinguish it from the four-door cars, was not exciting, but many contented buyers liked its coupe looks, its efficiency and sporty character. The 1573cc 85 hp four cylinder petrol engine, four speed gearbox and rear wheel drive could reach 162 km/h. Now the 1600 saloon is made by Minichamps, initially only for BMW. The body and interior are shaped accurately with many separate components. The radiator grille and bumpers are chromed, seats are two tone grey, the body metallic blue. Available from BMW dealers: part no 80429418125.BMW R60/2 Motorcycle 1960-69 + separately available sidecar, 1:10 scale
In the 1950s motorcycling was an ordinary means of transport, rather than a hobby activity as it often is today. Consequently, the emphasis was on factors such as reliability, robustness and economy. After all, these two wheels had to get you to work and back on a daily basis. Small families could buy a motor-cycle and sidecar, allowing three people to travel in some degree of comfort. The BMW R60 provides a good example. This top quality highly detailed model, made by Schuco, has moving handlebars and wheels, photoetched spokes, working suspension and kick-starter. The real leather seat cover, delicate rear view mirrors and careful pinstriping make this model an outstanding collector’s item, particularly with the sidecar, which also has realistic working suspension. The sidecar is easily attached to the bike, using a strong four point fixing. The engine has all details, ignition cables, chromed exhaust pipes and even the Bowden cables. The sidecar has a luggage rack and roll-bars. Both are available from BMW dealers:, part nos: motor-cycle 80430017548; sidecar 80430017553REVELL METAL EDITION 1:43 - By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Revell Metal Edition 1:43 is a new range of cheap 1:43 models to encourage a new generation of collectors. The models mostly originate in the former Del Prado range,
28100 Mini Cooper: metallic green, white roof, black interior, right hand drive. Chrome bumpers, grille and hub-caps. Lights and other parts are separate, baseplate is sufficiently detailed.
28101 Fiat 500 saloon, late version with front-hinged doors. White body with closed black sun-roof. Plain black interior, chromed bumpers, hub-caps, separate headlights, baseplate sadequate.
28103 BMW 507 cabriolet 1956-59, open body in white with black interior, chrome bumpers, head-lights etc Baseplate and wheels well detailed. Overall the model looks like a Minichamps copy, especially in the wrinkling of the hood-cover.
28107 Citroen 2CV. This is from the same mould as the Del Prado 2CV, green with a grey interior. The radiator grille is chromed, the bumpers painted black. Some mouldings are silver printed.MINICHAMPS 1:12 BIKES
Minichamps made some 1:12 scale Ducati superbikes for the 2000 season, and will now follow them with five Ducati superbikes for release in the first quarter of 2002, plus two others in December 2001. They are 500cc Grand Prix bikes, Max Biaggi’s Yamaha and Rossi’s Team Nastro Azzuro Honda, costing around £40.00 each retail in the UK.
MINICHAMPS UPDATE - By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Minichamps 1:43 diecast in China for Germany: 430 120710 Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon. After the success of the 156 saloon, Alfa Romeo’s designers continued to create exciting bodies. The 156 estate, called the ‘Sportwagon’ was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show 2000. The model reproduces the body very realistically. Lights, emblems, grille and other details are separate parts, and the interior is authentic and carefully finished. The black body contrasts well with the beige interior. The wheel rims look like aluminium castings, the unusual design with one outer ring, five smaller rings and the five tiny rings around the wheel-nuts exactly done. The base plate is well detailed, and the model is a limited edition of 3312 pieces.
Minichamps 1:43 diecast in China for Germany: 430 010400 Audi 50 1974-78. The Audi 50 was the first German ‘supermini’, and with this creation the well known Audi design chief retired. For decades small cars were left to British, French and Italian car companies on the incorrect assumption that small cars are not profitable. The small two door Audi had an 1100cc four cylinder petrol engine of 50 or 60 hp., good for 142 or 152 km/h. The bright ‘cliff-green’ body with dark green artificial leather interior is authentic for its period. The design is very exactly translated into the small scale. Lights and many other details are separate parts, and the interior is carefully executed. The original wheel rims were pressed steel, silver painted with black plastic caps, and these are also on the model car. This colour is limited to 2400 pieces.
MINICHAMPS 1:43 diecast in China for Germany: 430 030000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sport-Coupe 2001, launched in Paris, Autumn 2000, on sale since Spring 2001. DaimlerChrysler is aiming for more young and female customers with this C-class-based coupe, a two door four-seater with large luggage lid. The new optional ‘Parameter’ steering adds more power at higher speeds. TThe door linings and the seats wear the new youthful textile designs. In magma red the coupe is available as a limited edition of 3120 pieces. The registration plate is from Stuttgart, unusual for Minichamps, so possibly this batch was intended for DaimlerChrysler.
MEMORIAL BROOKLINS
John Roberts tells us about two special models he has built in collaboration with his very good friend Denis Francois of Le Havre.
Denis wanted to raise some money for the victims of 11 September in New York and Washington and asked John to help. He was very pleased to do so and built two special Brooklin Models. Denis placed them on eBay, easily found by going to eBay (www.ebay.com) and logging in Brooklin in the search box. The first model is a 1938 Cadillac 60 Special modified to a four door cabriolet, finished in cream and dark metallic maroon. The second model is a Ford Woody with an Airstream trailer. The Ford is refinished in crimson with detailed wood panels and full chrome. The Airstream has had its silver paint stripped, and the metal polished to replicate the full-size trailer. Paul Robson made and donated the decals. Paul makes decals for John’s conversions. The decals read Brooklin Models Mobile Showroom. we are not sure if they will still be on eBay by the time you read this, but if they are, and if you would like to bid on either or both, all proceeds go to the relief fund of your choosing. Details are on eBay.
NEWS FROM ABC - By Laura Brianza
Here are some models which have recently been issued, not all of them made in Italy!
ABC 1:43 handbuilt models
ABC 93 Dino silver
ABC 68 Ferrari 212 Giardinetta Vignale
ABC M1202N Ferrari 512 NART
ABC xx Porsche 917LH Psychedelic
ABC 148 Alfa 6C 2500 Touring 1940
Southern Cross Miniatures 1:43 kits
001 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage LM 1960
003 Maserati 450S Zagato Costin Coupe
Ultimate 1:12 scale
Ferrari Dino 206S 1966
Gamma Models 1:43 handbuilt
GMM083 Fiat 1500 Berlina 1966
GMM089 Fiat 124 Berlina 1968
GMM091 Alfasud Giardinetta 1975
GMM095 Fiat 1300 Berlina
GMK096 Fiat 2300 Berlina 1961
GMM096 Fiat 2300 Berlina 1961
GMK097 Fiat 2300 Ghia Coupe 1961
Ilario 1:43 scale handbuilt
43017M Ferrari P5 1968 red
43017WM Ferrari P5 1968 pearl. white
43018RM Ferrari Proto study CR25 74 red
43018WM Ferrari Proto CR25 74 white
LP Creation 1:43 scale handbuilt
Ferrari F1 2000
Ferrari F1 2001
McLaren M8B Can Am
Porsche 917 Can Am
Profil 24 1:24 kits
24008 Lotus Elite LM59/1964 no 44/42
24010 Porsche 962C Rothmans LM86-7 #7/18
24011 Porsche 962C Shell LM88 #17/18/19
24012 Porsche 962C Joest LM 1989 no 9
24013 Porsche 962C Primagaz LM 87 #71
Feeling 43 1:43 scale kits
MEC08 Motor Ferrari 250 TR
Ferrari 375 MM 1954 Street
Feeling 43 1:43 scale handbuilt
Maserati A6GCS
Arena Modelli 1:43 kits
088 Opel Kadett GTE 1900 Rohrl MC 76
189 Lancia Delta Proto Beta Monza 96
190 Lancia Delta Proto Manenti Monza 96
195 Fiat Abarth Proto Trabucchi 75
207 Fiat 127 Abarth Aseptogyl TdeC 78
Bosica 1:43 handbuilt models
Ferrari C2
BV Modelli 1:24 scale kits
BVK89 Alfa Romeo 33 TT3 Targa Florio
BVK90 Alfa Romeo 33 TT3 1000km Ring
Le Mans Miniatures 1:24 kit
LM124020K Matra Simca Winner LM 73
Make Up Co 1:12 scale
Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage LM 1960
Matilde Model 1:12 scale
F1 2001
Raccoon 1:43 scale handbuilts or kits
Ford GT 40 1968 and 1969
006 Rondeau M379 VSD-Canon LM79
008 Rondeau M379 Merlin Plage LM 79 004 Rondeau M379 ITT-Le Point LM 80
007 Rondeau M379 Itt-Oceanic LM 79NOREVS REISSUED - By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Peugeot 404 saloon 474401 black, or 474402 metallic grey. In 1960 Peugeot launched a car in the upper-medium sector, their first after the Second World War. The 404 had good driving characteristics and a high equipment level. The new engine, four door body and optional steel sunroof were warmly received. The Cabriolet and Coupe enlarged the range in 1962, as did a petrol injection engine and two new diesel engines. The 404 was made until 1972. Shortly after the launch of the original car, Norev offered their 1:43 miniature, made of a plastic material which subject to shrinkage and warping. The body was well detailed, with separate headlights, chrome bumpers and grille. A special feature at the time was the movable sun roof. The interior was quite simple, the upper part of the dash-board, a crude steering wheel and five seats, all moulded in multi-coloured plastic. The black baseplate carried no details of the car, other than the Norev logo and catalogue number 51. The wheel rims were chrome plated, fitted with quite plain tyres, and there was suspension. Now 40 years later the same model has been re-released in the Norev Oldtimer Range, from the same mould, slightly modified, as can easily be seen by comparing contours and split lines, but now the sun-roof is only engraved. The head and rear lights are separate inserts, as are grille and chromed bumpers. The dashboard is better detailed, as are the red painted seats. The body is now moulded in heat resistant ABS, painted metallic grey. The baseplate is still plain, like the old version, under Norev’s philosphy.
519000 Renault R86 tractor and trailer.Also re-issued by Norev is the Renault R86 tractor with a two axle hay trailer. In the late 1960s these could be seen on many French farms and on rural roads. The new version of this model is also made from ABS, very well painted in bright orange, with some engine detailing hand painted in black and silver. It is driven by a typical French farmer, also hand-painted, for the first time in the Norev-range, and the exhaust pipe is a separately inserted component. The front axle is steered by the steering wheel, an interesting feature of the original model, and still interesting today. The trailer is equipped with hay strakes to support the huge modern round hay bales, which are pictured inside the back of the box.
MAGIC MODELS TRANSKITS
Magic Models is a new name to us, from France, producing transkits and finished models in 1:18 scale. They make a transkit for a Citroen DS19 Cabriolet, for the 1:18 Solido DS base model, and a range of Ferrari 333 SP Spider models. We guess that these are based on the Hot Wheels model:
Ferrari 333 SP resin models
Momo Daytona 98 no 30 Moretti built
Momo Daytona 98 no 30 Moretti transkit
Le Mans 96 no 1 Ericsson Arnoux built
Le Mans 96 no 1 Ericsson Arnoux transkit
Le Mans 96 no 17 built
Le Mans 96 no 17 transkit
Presentation car Maranello 94 built (33 made)
Le Mans 96 no 17 qualifying built
Ferrari 550 Milennio Valencia 2000 built
Prices are circa £50.00 for transkits, £300.00 built.ARGUS SOLIDO COVERAGE
Argus de la Miniature continues its survey of Solido products with the sixth episode in its coverage. Ranges covered include Ferrari, Exclusiva, Elegance, Pompiers, Coca Cola etc. The cost of Argus 211 is 9.50 Ý , including p&p, 10 Ý in Europe, from SAFAM, Argus de la Miniature, no 211, BP 40, F78231, Le Pecq, Cedex, France.
PUNTER TROLL MODEL - By Trygve Krogsaeter
This picture is of a tiny little car in 1:87 scale, of one of the few cars ever made in Norway, a Troll. Only five cars were built. The Troll had a fibre glass body, made in Norway. The engine was a Gutbrod twostroke. These cars were assembled in Lunde, in Telemark where one is still on display. The model shown is solid resin, the first issue. Now a new one has been made with windows. The price is about £10.00, ready made in off white or red, two standard colours on the real car. The model is made by Stein Punter, of Oslo, Norway.
STARTER AT MONTE CARLO
Following their series of 1:43 resin handbuilt models of Le Mans winners down the years, Provence Moulage’s Starter division have now launched a range of Monte Carlo Rally winners, also all 1:43 handbuilt models. Among those so far available are:
1971 Alpine A110
1976 Lancia Stratos
1978 Porsche 911
1979 Lancia Stratos
1980 Fiat 131 Abarth
1981 Renault 5 Turbo
1982 Opel Ascona
1983 Lancia 037
1984 Audi Quattro
1985 Peugeot 205 T16
1988 Lancia Delta
1989 Lancia Delta
1997 Subaru Impreza
1998 Toyota Corolla WRC
Copyright 2001 Modelauto Ltd and Solnet Systems Ltd
e-mail mar@zeteo.com
