CONTENTS
Model Auto Review 187
Publication date 7 Nov 20049384 Correspondence 9386 Matt Houston Don Elliott, USA 9387 MTO Graeme Watt, Scotland 9387 Super Models: 6 Robin Godwin, USA 9388 Dinky Toy Guy Lorries Geoff Mason, England 9391 Joy For All John Hanson, England 9392 Rolls-Royce Elegance: part 2 Scott Brown, USA 9394 Grandfather's Cars Rod Ward, England 9395 The Latest From Parker Maz Woolley, England 9396 Gone in 60 Seconds Don Elliott, USA 9397 Sun Star RM Hans-Georg Schmitt, Germany 9398 Captions to right centre page 9401 RR Update André Blaize, France 9399 Clubs 9402 Captions to left centre page 9400 The model car hobby: Thriving? Scott Brown, USA 9403 Captions to back cover page 9420 Bus Stop: EFE, Wallis, Trux Bernard McMinn, Australia 9404 More on Fords Dave Turner, England 9405 NEWS France: Peugeot, Norev Hans-Georg Schmitt 9406 NEWS Italy: Alfa 43, Ramei, Brianza, News Bruno Boracco, Italy, US Notes Ben van Roode, NL 9407 NEWS World: Sun Star, Mattel, Bizarre, Spark, Red Line, Alef, MaCo, Big River, Buby 9408 NEWS Germany: Minichamps, Schuco, Revell, Busch, Rietze 9410 NEWS Military, Trucks: Minitanks, Norev, Fixter 9411 NEWS Emergency: Rietze etc 9412 Competitions . NEWS World: Vitesse 9413 Book reviews . 9414 avia mini 9416 Swapmeet Diary, Small ads, subscriptions
EDITORIAL
By Rod Ward
COLLECTING TOYS
This issue sees responses from Scott Brown and Dave Turner to Dick Browne's concerns expressed in MAR 186 about the future. The most critical period in the model and toy industry was always Autumn (Fall), with the biggest increase in sales. Indeed, old British toy companies reckoned that all their profit was made from October to December. They would spend all year building stocks for this period, so any problems would show up at Christmas, when their sales reports came in. Collapses of major companies and of smaller ranges were thus usually at the turn of the year in the past. It is a little worrying, therefore, that this year it was the Summer and early Autumn that first showed some signs of difficulties.
When a major player in the artisan sector like Provence Moulage has to close down we should be concerned about the welfare of those who remain. The small artisan ranges who have shrunk their workforces in recent years (some are now one-man-bands again) will all survive as long as their proprietors choose to carry on, though almost all say that they would not go into this field of activity if they were starting out anew. Add to this the news that Corgi's new boss plans to reposition the company into the children's toy sector, rather than collectors' models and we are looking at a changing picture in the future. Those collectors who miss the days when the major players made 'toys which happened to be collectable', rather than collectors models which all survive in mint condition, as none are played with, may see their wish come true, and it may not be a bad thing.
We could find ourselves in a rather different world of model collecting in 2005. Unsold stock from other Chinese-made diecast 'collectable' ranges is being quietly 'dumped' (again) on condition that those who buy the models don't discount retail prices too heavily. There are still lots of keen model vehicle collectors around the world, as the enthusiastic readership of MAR attests.
Swapmeets and sales on the internet are also popular, though perhaps still not delivering the large volumes which could provide the value of sales needed by larger diecast ranges.
If Corgi's new strategy is successful, perhaps others will follow, inspiring increased toy vehicle sales and thus a healthier future collectors market?
BOOK REVIEWS
SHANGHAI ? Saloons from the Artisan Era by Erik van Ingen Schenau of the China Motor Vehicle Documentation Centre, which has now moved from the Netherlands; new address: 2 rue des Remparts, 66560 Ortaffa, France, email chinaauto@chinesecars.net, website www.chinesecars.net.
This is the second in a small series about the history of the Chinese car industry and follows on from the book about the Hong Qi (Red Flag) previously reviewed in these pages. This book covers the cars built at the Shanghai Auto Works. The book begins with the first Fenghuang (Phoenix) prototypes with their American styling from the late 1950s and the eventual Fenghuang prototype based on the mid 1950s Mercedes-Benz 220 and its production models leading on to the Shanghai saloon which continued in production in various forms until the 1990s. As with the previous book the author has unearthed an amazing amount of period photographs of these cars, the majority of which have never been published before.
The book continues with other Shanghai prototypes from the 1960s and 1970s which never made it to the production line. This is followed by some modern designs as well as a chapter on the Jeep which was built at the factory for a short while, as well as a variety of micro cars also built in small numbers. Finally a look at some Shanghai vehicles now in museums including an early Fenghuang. This book contains 80 pages and is crammed with black and white photographs. It is thoroughly recommended if you have an interested in early Chinese cars, 1950s-1960s designs and unusual makes of car. Jim McLachlan
Cars and 4 x 4s from BEIJING and TIANJIN by Erik van Ingen Schenau of the China Motor Vehicle Documentation Centre, 2 rue des Remparts, 66560 Ortaffa, France, email chinaauto@chinesecars.net
This is the third in the series about the history of the Chinese car industry and has just been published. This book covers the products of the Beijing Auto Works. The first significant prototype from this factory was the very interesting 1958 Jinggangshan two door saloon with technical specifications heavily influenced by the Volkswagen Beetle. A four door version was put into production with only 154 examples being built for use as taxis. Considering that I had only ever seen one photograph of this car in various publications, the author has amassed an amazing collection of photographs of this car, even to the extent of discovering the prototype, which still exists at the factory! A larger American style limousine and convertible were also produced as prototypes. Following on from this was the Dongfanghong car based on the Russian Volga M21 of the time.
Other prototypes were built during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s but never put into production. Once again various micro cars were built under the Weixing name. The next series covered is from the Tianjin Auto Repair Works who produced a prototype in 1958 called the Heping (Peace), this being a copy of the Japanese Toyopet Crown of the time. Various other prototypes followed.
The rest of the book is made up with the production of the American Jeep and its derivatives at both the Beijing and Tianjin factories. This book with 145 pages is, like its predecessors, crammed with black and white photographs, the bulk of which have never been seen before. All three of these books give an excellent insight into how the Chinese car industry developed from the 1950s prototypes and a long last we have this information well documented. Once again this volume is thoroughly recommended. Jim McLachlan
Traktoren & Landmaschinen der 60er (Tractors and Farming Equipment of the 1960s). Original Sales brochures and price lists from 1963, various authors, German text, 224 pages, 374 photos, 54 drawings. Hardbound, 220 x 310mm. Published by and available from DLG-Verlag, Eschborner Landstrasse 122, D-60489 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. ISBN 3-7690-0609-7
This book collects together reprints of original sales brochures and price lists for agricultural equipment from 1963. Many of the companies whose publicity material is featured do not exist any more. Some others are still on the market, but under different ownership today. Progress in agricultural technique was reaching a peak, with many developments which could make the work much easier. The reaper-binder machines were edged out by combine harvesters and the new gyro-mower from Fahr reached record sales rates. Exactly 77,894 new tractors were registered in Germany in that year. This rare old sales literature shows many facets of the product philosophy at the time and the agricultural technology of the Sixties. Hans-Georg Schmitt
ON THE SUBJECT of old agricultural equipment, as described above in the book review by Hans-Georg Schmitt, Bill Barnes was commissioned by a collector of agricultural equipment to scratch build a gigantic one off 1:16 scale model of an Albion reaper-binder. This was the kind of machine that was disappearing in the 1960s, to be replaced by a new generation of combine harvesters. The owner found the derelict machine on his farm when he cleared an overgrown copse. The model of the Albion took an enormous amount of research to complete, and was totally scratchbuilt, apart from the chains, which came from a plastic tank kit.
Bill is considering making it again in standard 1:32 tractor scale, possibly as a kit, if there is sufficient interest from collectors, who might want to display it with contemporary tractors.
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod WardThe Ghost Club: André Blaize's club for collectors of model Rolls-Royces has a new web address at TheGhostClub.net (www unnecessary) and a car badge will soon be available. André says, 'The next CD-Rom, available in December, will feature over 4,350 RR scale models and 6,000 colour pictures. The membership is nearing 200 spread all over the world and a number of them own scale 1:1 toys; there must be about 70 or 80 RR & B cars in the club. Life membership is only ?25.00. The Club is faring well in spite of only a trickle of models'.
Maidenhead Static Model Club: Les Duplock continues to entertain everyone as Editor of Wheel Bearings, the MSMC newsletter. His description of what (not?) to wear at swapmeets is great fun, but too long to reproduce here. You'll have to join the Club to read it. His latest lists of 'where are they now?' characters include the following (my notes in italics): Paul Staines (associate of Lynn Kenwood), Lynn Kenwood (had Soldier Shop in Chelsea barracks), Leslie Johnson (swapmeet organiser - still active, with very few dates booked these days), Phil Bowdidige (Matchbox collector), Paya Toy Agents (for Spanish tin toys in UK), Ken Deaves (organiser of Stockwell swapmeet), Bob Walker (gentleman toy trader from Bognor), Bob Dobinson (Vauxhall nut and plastic kit dealer from Essex - I think he is still in operation at the same address, but mostly on the internet these days), Lester and Rosemary Harrison (toy dealers from Bath - It doesn't seem long, but probably is, since I saw them still selling vigorously), Lamberts of Ley Street (shop in Ilford - the erstwhile proprietor sold up to newcomers to the trade, who closed down soon after, and he moved to Spain with the proceeds - some years ago he sold his personal collection to Modelauto), and M A Rapport (the Cardiff-based toy wholesaler).
Les found out the whereabouts of one of his previous elusives, when he spotted Phil Bowdidge at Beaulieu 2004, now living in Dorset with his Japanese wife. Others found include Ron Goldring (still around, receiving cancer treatment) and Bernie O'Connell (last seen working as a sparks at Euro Disney).
If you'd like to join the Maidenhead Static Model Club and find out where you are now, contact Membership Secretary Alan Simpson on 01494 813903 for more details.
The Lledo Enthusiast and Variations Club: In the latest issue of his bi-monthly Lledo Enthusiast newsletter, Bill Alexander notes that the rash of Vanguards will make it harder for anyone to collect every model in future. 'Collect only BMC or feed the family' may be the only choice, he says. He also notes that some mystery Lledo Heineken models appeared in the far east, to the surprise of a rather embarrassed Corgi. Parent company, Zindart shares a financial broker backer called Chinavest with Heineken. Chinavest went direct to the factory to order some promotional models without consulting Corgi. They have been apprised of the rules of play if they want to order more models in future. Recent Lledo releases have jumbled the order promised in the catalogue, with the D C Thompson comic models promised for December appearing in July. They are also left hand drive, odd for British comics like Hotspur, Bunty and Wizard. Bill comments that the new Vanguards model of the latest Jaguar XJR saloon looks nice. 'So many modern cars are just big, brutish and ugly', he notes, 'At least the Jaguar still keeps a link with its elegant past'. True, but some commentators on the closure of the Browns Lane Jaguar factory in September noted that potential buyers disliked Jaguars because they carried forward design cues from earlier cars. Maybe executive car buyers want their neighbours to be able to tell that they have a new car? There are 12 pages packed with news of Lledo and Vanguards releases in The Lledo Enthusiast. To join the The Club, contact Bill Alexander at 33 North Town Moor, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 7JR.
South Hants Model Auto Club: The SHMAC newsletter is edited by husband and wife team Sue and Stu Leake. Stu was recently in hospital, and Sue took her laptop in for him to dictate the articles, much to the amusement of the staff. Now, there is true dedication to the Club cause! One of the features is on Lady Penelope Creighton Ward, who now has a 'Ford' in the new Thunderbirds movie, as opposed the old 'Rolls-Royce' with its FAB 1 registration. Charles Morris notes that, perhaps surprisingly, no model of the new pink car was released to coincide with the film (though Corgi have made a model of the old car). Sue asks 'What on earth does FAB stand for?' Any ideas, anyone? The Club's annual barbecue was a roaring success, and by the look of some Club members pictured tucking in, this isn't the first time they have seen a burger and a beer.
If you would like to join the South Hants Club and improve your waistline, just ring Secretary Dave Painter on 01264 366408.
The Register of Unusual Microcars: I know that lots of MAR readers collect microcars and three wheelers, often alongside another thematic collection. RUMCar News is a fascinating quarterly publication for anyone interested in these little vehicles. It also includes newsletter pages on behalf of other related clubs; The Invalid Carriage Register, AC Petite register, Goggomobil Register, Nobel register, Peel News, and so on. Vehicles featured in the Summer 2004 issue of RUMCar News (the 81st) include Prvenac (a Yugoslavian diamond-chassis car), Curlew (built in the Yorkshire Dales by Harold Boultbee, an aircraft designer), Meadows Frisky, Gordon, electric vehicles and many other interesting vehicles. RUMCar News is edited by Tony Marshall, 97 Church Street, Wolverton, Milton Keynes MK12 5LD. Email: tonyrumcars@aol.com.
West Australian Model Collectors Club: Showcase, the WAMCC Club publication, reports on the management changes at Corgi Classics (where virtually all the previous management team have been replaced) as follows, with their press release: Zindart Limited, owners of Corgi, have appointed toy industry veteran George Volanakis as the new President and CEO of its Corgi Classics division with full P&L responsibility for Corgi's worldwide operations. George Volanakis has held several senior level positions in the toy industry over the last 30 years, including roles at Ertl, Mattel, MatchBox and Milton Bradley. Most recently, he was Executive Vice President of Hasbro. Commenting on his new role, Volanakis, unveiled some of his plans for Corgi to achieve growth and financial stability. Said Volanakis, 'Corgi will be revitalising its presence in the UK, building a worldwide collector business, and entering mass market channels worldwide'.
Entering the worldwide mass market channel will yield significant sales growth, suggested Mr. Volanakis. Already the company has begun to offer 'repackaged and repositioned products' at lower prices, that have secured shelf space at US discount retailers Wal-Mart, Toys-R-Us and Target. Ian Hind, Editor of Showcase, comments, 'Although Volanakis has chosen his words carefully, it would appear that much of his strategy is to have Corgi move away from its traditional market of adult collectors serviced via specialist model shops to a greater focus on toys that are distributed through large department store chains. Later this year and early in 2005, Corgi will introduce three unique diecast vehicle lines in the US and UK mass markets. One of these concepts is believed to be a vehicle that, when a key is inserting in the back end of the vehicle the hood opens, the engine rises up, and the convertible top goes down. We feel comfortable that these entries will set Corgi apart from the rest and will mark a major return of the Corgi brand name to the mass market. The company also plans on releasing a product line for girls. While there has been lots of talk about Corgi returning to the mass market (ie toy market), there has been little said about what the changes will mean to its collectable lines of Vanguards, Lledo and other collectable series. Unfortunately none of these collectable product lines would appear to be complementary to Corgi's new mass market strategy which would appear to put cost and volume ahead of detail and accuracy. Is Corgi simply making the same mistake that Matchbox made in the 1980s?' I am happy to credit this to the WAMCC, who, by contrast, have copied the text of the copyright article on Western Models published in MAR 184, but have not credited it to MAR. Ian Hind's phone number is 934 9369, email jhind@iinet.net.au
The Miniature MG Car Club: MMGCC President and Editor of the club newsletter Miniature Garage Alan Long, records another new member, from the mentions in MAR's club news. This is Swedish entertainer and sometime MAR correspondent Gunnar Bernstrup, who is the proud owner of an MGB, and who collects MG models. Every issue of Miniature Garage is full of news of MG model releases, collections and rarities. The latest issue describes the Vitesse and Yat Ming TCs, the Norev MG 1300, K&R's PA and PB Midgets, plus pieces on collectors Mike Sarvas, George Herschell, Don Anderson and Dominic Scott. To join contact Alan Long at 13, Laburnum Road, Bank-nock, Stirlingshire, FK4 1SU, Scotland, or email minimgcarclub@blueyonder.co.uk
BAILY & SPENCER': Editor's note: The pictures of 1:43 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph models in MAR 186 created great interest among readers. Many of them tried unsuccessfully to trace a company of this name, and a few others found examples on eBay, all apparently emanating from Shanghai. As far as I can tell, this is a Chinese-made product licensed by the previous owners of the Rolls-Royce brand but not by current copyright owners BMW. They are unlikely to authorise it, because this is not their body style; it passed to VW along with the Bentley factory, and I guess they cannot authorise the use of this body style with a Rolls-Royce grille.
The Model Car Hobby: Shrinking or Thriving? Asks Scott Brown
Dick Browne's letter in MAR 186 raises concern about the model car hobby, noting the closing of shops, shrinkage of shows, increasing age of collectors and difficulty finding US car models. All of these are serious problems, that I have worried about myself, but they don't signify the end of the hobby. It means the hobby is changing dramatically and the means of buying and selling is changing. The good news is that there is a busy, thriving, active marketplace out there. But it has moved away from shops and shows and on to the internet. We have known it, used it for years; we just didn't realise how big a role it would assume. It is a super-efficient, economical way to reach buyer and seller according to their interests: eBay has created a secondary market in a category that hadn't had one before, handbuilt models of the last 30 years. It is now also the best source for obsolete older diecasts and even new diecast models. Now we can see what has been built, and its value; we can see what is common, what is not. And there is so much out there! It would take going to a hundred stores to get the equivalent of eBay each week. It's a consumer paradise!
In addition to eBay, shops, manufacturers and artisans from around the world can now be connected with buyers better than ever before, using websites and secure payment systems. In the last month I've closed deals with a British artisan, a French manufacturer, a British distributor, a Netherlands shop, a website in Italy. In years past, most collectors bought most of their models from mail order lists. As Dick Browne notes, nothing beats handling the real thing, but shows are hard to get to. Buying is so much more exact and convenient for me now. And in terms of new products, I'm barely able to keep up with the floodtide of new material!
I think there are more manufacturers out there, judging by what I'm buying. But manufacturers are smaller, and serve a more fragmented market. Here is a sample of what I've been buying in the last few months:
Cheap, attractive Altaya taxis * superb Motor City American cars Australian Classic Carlectables Fords and Utes beautifully crafted buses and cars from Kherson-Vector in Ukraine elegant CCCs from France * slick, well-finished Heco models from St Etienne Small British gems from Crossway * Brooklin, with their three model lines BBR models from Italy, still a high water mark in crispness and finish ZZ models from Prague, and their wonderful Minervas and Tatras MaCo from Switzerland, with models of the most exotic cars in the world Western British and US cars, Victory, Minichamps, IXO, Alte, Budig, more! And this is just in my 1:43 speciality! It is an exciting time to be a collector! There is a big, diverse marketplace out there, but so much of the buying and selling goes on behind closed doors. It is more international; borders are erased. Of course I wish we had an affordable line of historic American and European car diecasts now, to fill the role that Solido, Rio etc used to play. And there's no doubt that the prices of some of the models I have mentioned are really daunting, especially to the novice collector. I had a problem with the high prices of handbuilts when I started collecting, but I became more accepting of the prices as my knowledge and connoisseurship increased. The upper end of the market has found its demand level, and that level will always necessarily be small. But an increasing number of small producers are thriving there.
I think this is the direction the whole model car market is taking now: whether it be diecast or handbuilt, it is going to be more fragmented, more specialised, more oriented to special interests, and things are going to be produced in smaller quantities. Even big manufacturers like Corgi are playing to niche markets: military hobbyists, bus enthusiasts etc. The market will be shaved into tinier segments, but it may work and be profitable because of new efficiencies in production and selling. Traditional advertising and store infrastructure will become less and less important; niche marketing will sell the goods. Unfortunately, this probably means we're not going to see a huge, wide model car fan base in America or even in Europe as it used to be. That's lamentable. But it's the same trend that's seen in other leisure hobbies like music, tv, comics, etc.
In terms of the increasing age of model collectors, and lack of younger collectors, I have a new perspective on this issue, from observing collectors of 1:1 vintage cars in America. In both real car and model car collecting, the average age of collectors is always going to be old. Why? Because older people have the disposable income, and older people have the leisure time. People in the hobby, including myself, have operated under the theory that 'big collectors come from little': you have to nurture young generations of collectors on models, starting with little diecasts, graduating to more realistic models, possibly to kits and to more expensive models as they grow older. There is some truth to this, but this may not be the only way that new generations of collectors arise. Our new generation of collectors may just be in their 40s right now, long time car nuts without much model experience, who are becoming increasingly aware of the model world from friends, family, eBay and the internet. Thus the market renews itself, but the average age is kept old. I didn't move into high gear in this hobby until my 40s. Take 1:1 car collectors as an example: there was an idea in the vintage car marketplace that vintage and antique cars would drop off in interest and value because the old collectors who remembered them were dying off. That did not happen. Vintage and antique cars are now fetching record prices at auction. Who are buying these cars? A new generation of maturing collectors who are educating themselves about the beauty and history of these antiques, and have earned enough to have the wherewithal to buy them. As it is in the 1:1 world, so it may be in the model world. Food for thought.
From what I've seen, despite a very imperfect, changing marketplace, I wouldn't predict the death of the model car market anytime soon!
BUS STOP
EFE UPDATEBy Frank Joyce
When previously describing Routemaster RM2, we said that the real bus could be seen being rebuilt at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden; this work is actually being done at the LT Museum in Acton. We are sorry for any confusion that this may have caused.
Models now released, or soon to be released: 29503 Plaxton Panorama (roof dome) Yelloways 25304 AEC Duple Half Cab Soutern National 29005 GM Standard Fleetline Swindon Thamesdown 30303 Routemaster Prototype RM2 London Transport 30303SB Routemaster Prototype RM2 LT Showbus 20433 Bristol VRIII Alder Valley 99626 1962 Four Car Special set Central Line tube 24813 Mercedes Minibus Northumbria 29604 Leyland Olympian Preston Bus 27309 Leyland TD1 Closed Staircase Sam Ledgard 16525 MCW Atlantean Grreat Yarmouth 16606 Leyland National Mk I short 2dr London Transpt 20131 Bedford OB Coach Wallace Arnold 27614 Wright Volvo Endurance The Delaine 28809 Leyland Titan Blackburn Transport 12117 Harrington Cavalier Thomas Bros 25806DL Daimler DMS 1 door Midland Fox 29504 Plaxton Panorama (roof dome) Royal Blue 99646 Bristol VRIII Western National GWR 22513 Alexander Y Type Selnec Cheshire 15805 Leyland PD1 lowbridge Central SMT 16217 Bristol MW West Yorkshire 27810 AEC STL Bus London Transport green 26314 Guy Arab II Utility StockportSpecial Showbus Model
The special model for this year's Exclusive First Editions Showbus Rally, held in September at Duxford near Cambridge, is an AEC 10T10 single decker bus in London Transport red livery.
WALLIS & WALLIS had a large scale model bus in their August auction, but it was apparently unsold on the day, and re-entered in another sale. The bus is a Guy Arab from 1954, in Birmingham City Transport livery, number 41E, registration JOH 914, destination Cotteridge. It was handbuilt to a high standard (they call it 'museum standard'), but the builder is unknown. It is 43 inches long, thus is approximately 1:8 scale. It was fitted with rubber tyres and operating suspension, and had a removeable roof to access the interior. For details of future auctions, telephone Wallis & Wallis on +44 (0) 1273 480208.
TRUX LOCATIONS
By Bernard McMinnWhen my letter in MAR 186 about Trux buses being mainly from Sydney had gone to press, Trux moved the goalposts a bit. Their two Atlanteans, shown in MAR 186, are from Taree and Noosa, towns on the New South Wales north coast, that can be respectively be described as 'North of Newcastle' and 'South of the Queensland Border'.
MORE ON FORDS and MORE
By Dave TurnerFurther to items which appeared in MAR 186, I'll first look at the two 1940 Ford Coupes described in detail by my friend Phil Campbell, are actually quite significant. Ford Coupes from 1940
They illustrate the 'family tree' that exists in the model makers world, and could almost be compared to the Rock Family Trees that first appeared in the 1970s. That's music rock folks not lumps of the moon (allegedly). Take the Sunnyside example of the Ford Coupe, that's the one with the slightly goofy 'overbite', where the grille recedes under the front point of the hood. I suspect that this model was seen in a much earlier and more detailed form in the Danbury Mint model of the same car and this could have even had some origins in the old AMT kit, in which the grille does tend to insist on leaning back under the front of the hood.
The same model then appeared in a larger 1:18 but simplified form by Universal Hobbies, complete with 'overbite' and duly turned up under the Sunnyside label, as described in MAR 186 by Phil.
Meanwhile, Ertl produced their superb 1:18 1940 Coupe a few years ago, a simplified version of which followed later on the Motor Max label in the same scale. A subsequent descendant of this is the National Motor Museum Mint model in the smaller 1:32 scale as described once again by Phil. Out of seven supposedly different models of the same car, just two originators can be traced back and it's even possible the AMT kit was responsible for the lot. They often are!
The Ford 400E van
I envy the time that Graeme Ogg has available to create all his impressive conversions, I have had to make do with the ready-made examples of Ford's pretty 400E van. The only two vans to come my way are the Fun Ho diecast from New Zealand (who also made a pick up version) and the superb little Minix, the latter must be good enough for a 'new' model to be 'assisted' from it (what am I suggesting?) There are, of course, various copies of both the Corgi caravan (large) and Matchbox mini bus (small) to look for. However, the ultimate small 400E must be the big Shawcraft Models minibus commissioned by Ford. Not so glum in Humberside?
Finally, in response to yet another 'prophet of doom' piece, this time by Dick Browne in MAR 186, I have to suggest that like all spheres of activities, certain areas and aspects are always rising and falling. OK, the decline of the model shop is a tragedy, for both the owners and for us customers, but models are so readily available to us from alternative sources and, dare I say it, at often discounted prices, that it is these alternatives that are reaping the present benefits. One has only to attend any of the larger toy fairs, and have to stand in line to gain entry for a considerable time to realise that there is definitely no slump in the model-buying world in my neck of the woods, which isn't that far from the Editor's. Some years ago, the model railway scene was in the grip of recession, caused in part by the dumping of over-production in the early 1980s but again, go to any of the better shows and you are lucky to be able to see a lot of the layouts for people several deep. Now, after several years of brilliant model railway releases from Bachmann and now Hornby, the first few versions of each new locomotive is sold out.
I think that the likes of Minichamps, Ixo and Auto Art etc have correspondingly brought the quality of today's product to the point where gradually more people will be tempted to start or resume collecting. The white metal scene is obviously going to find its own level and continue; makers of some very small volume ranges can sell all they can produce. It seems that the kit production side is the most to suffer currently. No doubt the folk who can afford kits and have the ability and desire to build, are so busy earning a living that kit purchasing has slowed right down. The mass-market kit builder was unfortunately lost to computer-related leisure a few years ago. (Editor's note: Dave is correct in saying that collectors are benefiting from discounting at swapmeets and on the internet. But there is no doubt that at all levels of the model vehicle collecting world, manufacturers are struggling to sell sufficient quantities to make a working profit. Every artisan maker of handbuilt models tells me the same story, and though they don't say so for publication, the big diecast ranges are slipping badly as well. If they could sell enough 'collect-ables', Corgi wouldn't be considering a drastic swing towards toy-only production. Certain other ranges have suddenly found large inventories in their warehouses, after the distribution chain backed up on them this year. Once again, they won't admit it publicly, but I know of some major over-stocks. There is a time lag in demand feeding back up the chain; often a year after collectors slow down their buying. Dealers may take three to six months to realise that a particular range is selling less than hitherto.
Then the wholesalers and distributors may not get the message for another half year. Some of them cancel orders, but most will just wait until the next international toy fair season early in the year, and not order as much (or not order at all, if the manufacturers demand minimum order levels which are too high). Nuremberg 2005 will tell us if the market remains healthy. It is an unfortunate truth that the volumes of models sold at swapmeets are of interest to manufacturers, but they only represent a small percentage of the quantities needed to break even. Discounting to retail buyers is not a significant factor to the makers, assuming that they have sold their products at a profit. They really don't care, as long as the items have left their warehouses (though sometimes they make sympathetic noises to appear to be supporting retail outlets which have bigger overheads). A year or so ago, a model industry insider commented on the healthy state of the model railway market. He suggested that a factor could be that it is the only product which 'works' (ie it moves, like radio control or slot cars) yet at the same time is 'collectable' as a static model. The radio control car market is booming, but the artefacts are not bought as unused collectables (yet). Corgi intend to add 'working' features to diecast models. Maybe that will do it?
NEWS: FRANCE
1:43 PEUGEOT MODELSPeugeot have shown a healthy and heartening interest in 1:43 scale models in recent years, commissioning (ie financing the production of) every new car they have launched, and even many of their ground-breaking design studies and show cars. Now they are going a step further. Peugeot are running a design competition for a 'car for the immediate future' open to anyone over the age of 14. The winning design will actually be built and will be displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005. In addition, it will be made as a 1:43 scale model, to go with Peugeot's own 4002, Hoggar and the exciting Ferrari-like 907.
For more information on the competition, look at www.peugeot-concours-design.com
NEWS FROM ITALY
By Bruno BoraccoThe major Italian publishing company DeAgostini has produced a nice collection of diecast model cars in 1:43 scale called the Spider & Cabrio series. The first releases include some good quality models; Alfa Romeo Giulietta spider, Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior spider, Alfa Romeo Spider 2003, Fiat Dino spider, Fiat 124 spider turbo 2000, Fiat Xl/9, Fiat Barchetta 2003, BMW Z8, BMW Z4, BMW 6 Series cabriolet, Audi TT roadster, Audi A4 cabriolet, Toyota MR2, Mercedes-Benz SL600 and Mercedes-Benz SLK 320, Peugeot 307 CC, Austin Healey 3000 Mk III, and Triumph Spitfire Mk IV.
The Fiat Barchetta and Alfa Romeo spider are interesting as they are restyled models.
DeAgostini have offered only four models to test-market a next new series; 100 Anni di Italia in automobile. They are; Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, Lancia Aurelia B24, Fiat Nuova 500 1957 and Fiat 500A 1936. The publishing company Fabbri Editori started a series of Ferrari Collection 1:43 diecast models, including some lovely models: 360 Modena, F50, F2002, 575M Maranello, 250 Le Mans, 250 Testa Rossa, 246 Dino GTS, 166 MM, F246, 288 GTO, 360 Modena Spider, 333 SP, Fl 126 C2, 250 GTO, Enzo, 365/GTB4 Daytona, 125S, Testarossa, 330 P4, F40, 400 SA, 250 GT spider California, 512S, 550 Barchetta, and 355.
Another collection from Fabbri Editori is Auto Americane da Collezione now at issue number 36. They are models produced by Yat Ming and New Ray, diecast in 1:43 scale but the interesting news is that the last three issues are new castings from Yat Ming: a Studebaker Champion 1950, Mercury Marauder 1964 and Ford Woody Wagon 1948. These cars are shown in Yat Ming's catalogue but only in 1:18 scale, not 1:43.
New Ray have also produced for the Italian market a nice Alfa Romeo 156 Sport Wagon Polizia Stradale (motorway police) sold at very cheap price, diecast in 1:43 scale.
Some of these models were shown in the previous issue, and some are pictured in the current issue of MAR. Note that they are only available as partworks on the Italian market, not elsewhere (so far).
AMERICAN NOTES
By Ben van RoodeYatming is a company that makes cars the others don't, for example their Buick Riviera or Pontiac Fiero. I found out that a 1:18 1956 Packard Caribbean will be issued early next year. I know of two diecast Caribbean models, one from Collectors Classics and the other from Franklin Mint, both in 1:43 scale. The Yatming Caribbean will be the same convertible as the Collectors Classic, the triple-tone one. That is three colours on one car. Another new 1:18 release will be the 1966 Mercury Cyclone convertible.
The following items will also be new for 2005. In 1:24 scale: 1972 Lincoln Reagan presidential car, 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Bubble Top, 1925 Ahrens Fox, 1935 Mack type 75 BX fire pumper.
In 1:18 scale: 1961 Lincoln Continental, 1956 Lincoln Mark II, 1947 MG TC, 2005 Pontiac Solstice, 1975 Jaguar XJS, 1950 GMC pick up, 1966 Dodge Charger. Will RC2 take note of these choices?
When you are looking through the source books of Chinese made model cars, you will find models that appear under different names. That is not news, but it is interesting to note that Hongwell and other similar companies also produce the same model cars also without any manufacturer's name. For example Welly is introducing 1:48 International 4400s that appear somewhere else too.
Apart from a Zastava 750 and Land Rover 109 series III that I did not know about, Hongwell has now the following American cars: Dodge Intrepid, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Sierra, Chevy 3100 1950 pick up. Ford F 150 XLT and F 350 Super Duty, all in 1:43 scale. There was a Chevy Silverado, but I did not find it in the 2004 list. Widea already makes Morris Minors, but now also offers a Nash Metropolitan in 1:87 scale.
Maisto joins the bandwagon of Jada and Muscle Machines success, presenting two new series. In different scales there will be the Playerz, available soon, so they say. They are heavily modified and they promise 1:24 scale limousines as well. Amother new range will be G-rodz.
The following are planned: 1965 Pontiac GTO, Chevy Nomad 1955, Camaro 1968, Bel Air, Chevelle SS, Malibu SS and 1969 Dodge Charger. The last items will be in the shops in 2005.
Code 3 Collectibles announce fire engines in the liveries of the New York Mets and the Yankees. There is an American television show called Monster Garages, where real cars are transformed into other vehicles. A fire truck becomes a beer truck, for example. Discovery Channel broadcasts the US edition and Channel 4 has a British version. Think of a Lincoln limousine that becomes a fire engine.
There will be at least five different models in 1:24 and 1:64 scales. Norscot has a nice service truck in Catepillar colours and the 1:18 1955 Chevrolet Sedan delivery in Coca Cola colours from Johnny Lightning is very good. RC2, by the way, has acquired Playing Mantis, and Johnny Lightning is one of their products.
Another Mercury Cyclone is announced, this time from GMP (in full this means Georgia Market Promotions) who make very detailed 1:24 model cars. Not cheap though, around $120.
The Cale Yarborough version is available in two colours. A 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T and 1970 Mustang Grabber are on their way. In the same league is Lane /Exact Detail. Their 1965 El Camino in 1:25 is true to scale. It is in black, which is probably not a standard colour.
As soon as I can buy it in a different colour, I will, because it is very nice.
Talking about black. Motor City has a handbuilt range and their 1:43 1959 Cadillac Flower Car is not black.
It will cost your flexible friend (that is, your credit card) $ 295. Greenlight is a new name in the collectibles world.
They are based in Indiana, and are dedicated to Indianapolis and IRTL stuff, Pace cars and racing cars in all scales.
WORLD NEWS
BIZARRE RELEASES
Latest models in the Chinese-made Bizarre range of 1:43 models are as follows:
Cunningham C4RK LM 52 #2 Cunningham C4RK LM 53 #3 De Cadenet Lola LM 78 #12 Mazda 727 LM 84 #86 Mazda 727 LM 84 #87 Mazda 717 Fuji 83 #16 Panhard Dyna Sport yellow Panhard Dyna Sport blue Ada-Ford LM 84 #79In addition there are many other models still available, mostly Le Mans entrants.
ISRAELI MASERATI
By David SeryAlef Models is a new model maker from Israel whose first 1:43 release is a Maserati 3500GT Sebring Series I with Vignale bodywork in metallic blue, or bordeaux metallic. The models have photo-etching and other detail parts, made to 'BBR quality level'. The model comes in a perspex case with a bordeaux velvet stand. The price is $99 (plus $9 registered airmail shipping) per piece. For payment details email us at greyt@bezeqint.net Our website address is http://alefmodels.tripod.com
BUBY CATALOGUE
By Bob FrassinettiA bit of news of interest to MAR readers, following my interview with Buby Mahler, published in MAR 185:
At the end of 1999, the first Buby catalogue was published in Argentina. Buby, The History in Photos, is a master work written by Lucien C L Brousse, who unfortunately passed away last year. His book collects all the available information on all Buby collections except for the Collectors Classics range. The main focus on the book is a wide range of photographs that illustrate all Buby models, their characteristics and variations from 1957 to 1995. This is the only available catalogue of Buby diecast products. Its 286 pages are filled with very interesting black and white pictures. A unique contribution to the catalogue is the Preface, written by owner and creator of Buby diecasts, Haroldo Buby Mahler. I have the book for sale at the Buenos Aires Toy Museum, contact me for details by email at bob@frassinetti.com.ar
BIG RIVER NEWS
John Halcrow tells us that after the success of his Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire four light and six light saloon models he is considering making more Armstrongs. After his next model release (a Humber), he is thinking of making either a 1:43 scale Hurricane or Typhoon, as well as a Star Sapphire saloon.
MaCo DELAGE D8-120
By Michel SordetOnce again available after being out of stock are the Ma Collection 1:43 handbuilt models of the 1937 Delage D8-120 coupe Aerosport, as bodied by Letourneur & Marchand.
89D: chassis 51012, the first Aerosport coupe made for the 1937 Paris Motor Show note that this car has only one large rear window, and was finished in red and yellow.
89E: chassis 51019, the last Aerosport coupe with this body, it has the same two small rear windows as MaCo 89A, B and C, but it was the only one with wire wheels, finished in blue and yellow. Only ten models of each remain in stock, at 350 Swiss Francs (about 220 Euros) each. I have also released a new Ma Collection CD-Rom on Raymond Daffaure, one of the greatest maquettistes in the world. He scratch built wooden models day after day for 20 years; all his 1:43 scale models were unique, made as R D Marmande Création from 1958 to 1978. Discover his models, his catalogues, his life and how he made his wooden models in this CD-Rom. The MaCo CD-Rom #6 costs 38 Swiss Francs from the usual Ma Collection address.
ROLLS-ROYCE SEARCH
GRAEME OGG decided to try to track down on the internet the 'Baily and Spencer' Rolls-Royce Sliver Seraphs pictured in MAR 186. He says, 'I searched the Net for Silver Seraph + 1:43 and found three or four of these models offered on eBay, current bids ranging from $6 to $185! All illustrate the 'short limo' version. The vendors are all in Shanghai, probably all from the same outfit. The blurb reads as follows: This is a 100 year Anniversary Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph Limited Edition.
Worldwide 2000 only In 1:43 scale diecast car model. Very rare, hard to find. This model is licensed directly from Rolls-Royce. However, Rolls-Royce is now owned by BMW. It is a hand-built model complete with incredible details and comes in a beautiful Rolls-Royce box. The quality is similar to Minichamps Bentley models or even higher. Each model has a limited edition number printed on the box. This is a must for all model car collectors, you will not regret its high quality.
The caption beside the model reads EyeonHK but when I checked it out, Eye on Hong Kong seems to be a private model collector's site still under construction. Stranger and stranger. I must say the model, although nice, doesn't look quite so stunningly brilliant and glossy as it does on the MAR colour pages alongside the dull-looking black Minichamps Bentley. They seem much more similar in style and finish than I thought. Interesting, though. If they are unlicensed, they are hardly skulking in the shadows about it'.
NEW FROM SPARK
New releases from Spark, 1:43 scale ready-made models made in China, in the market sector previously occupied by resin kits:
Courage Pescarolo C60-Judd LM 04 #17 Courage Pescarolo C60-Judd LM 04 #18 TVR Tuscan 400R LM 04 #89 TVR Tuscan 400R LM 04 #96 TVR Tuscan 400R Donington 03 #23 Lotus Elise GT1 road car Lotus Elise GT1 LM 97 #49 Durango MG PM02 LM 03 #19 Pagani Zonda Spyder metallic yellow TVR Tamora yellow TVR Tamora red WR Mazda Petit LM 03 #64 TVR Eclipse Donington 03 #69 TVR Eclipse Donington 03 #27
ON THE RED LINE
Red Line Models is a range of 1:43 Ferraris, made in China. Soon to be released models and future releases include:
Ferrari 575 GTC presentation car black Ferrari 575 GTC presentation car yellow Ferrari 612 Scaglietti metalllic dark red Ferrari 550 Maranello XL Racing LM 03 #99 Ferrari 360 Challenge road car red Ferrari 312 PB LM 73 #70 Ferrari 312 PB LM 73 #15 Ferrari 312 PB LM 73 #17 Ferrari 360 Modena LMB Racing LM 04 #70 Ferrari 360 Modena Cirtek Motorsport LM 04 #92 Ferrari 550 Maranello Prodrive Racing LM 04 #65 Ferrari 550 Maranello Prodrive Racing LM 04 #66 Ferrari 575 GTC Barron Connor Racing LM04 #61 Ferrari 575 GTC Barron Connor Racing LM04 #62
NEWS: GERMANY
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Revell 1:18 diecast in China for Germany: 08839 Wartburg 313 Sport coupe. After the great successes of the Wartburg 311, in 1957 the Eisenach Motor Works (AWE) launched the beautiful 313 sports car. This stylish car offered very well-balanced proportions, the lines of which excited the trade press both at home and abroad. The fine mesh radiator grille, that also went onto the later Wartburg models, added the finishing touch to this luxurious sports car, which boasted a top speed of 140 km/h. Like its predecessor, the 313 had a 900 cc three cylinder, two stroke engine, but its twin carburettors gave it a capacity of 50 bhp. Other familiar features from the 311 were the torsion resistant box section frame, the suspension and the shock absorbers. The bodywork originated from the Dresden body works (KWD), in pre war times the well known Glaser bodywork company, but the final assembly of the 313 was done in the Eisenach plant. The interior of the sports car, which could bear comparison with Western products, had comfortable leather seats, a handsome dashboard and equipment that could hardly be bettered by other European manufacturers. Unfortunately the 2+2 seater was only available in hardtop or open top versions. As a drive in the cabriolet could quickly become a thoroughly wet experience, in later models the rear seat was replaced by a stowage area for a folding roof. turning the 313 into a proper two seater. Despite its great international popularity, after 469 were made, mass production had to cease on the instructions of the government as luxury cars were contrary to East German policy. The pleasing body lines, excellently designed by the former Glaser company, has been accurately translated into the model car. The bonnet and doors can be opened, and the steering works. Under the bonnet is a highly detailed miniature of the two stroke engine, with radiator, battery and many other details, including the type plate. The doors are realistically hinged, the dashboard has the instruments and the interesting steering wheel, on the column of which the gear lever is placed. The sun visors and inner rear view mirror are also sincluded and the back rests are foldable. The whitewall tyres, made by the DDR company Pneumant with chromed hubcaps complete this interesting model, together with an excellently executed baseplate, with chassis frame, suspension, underside of the engine, gearbox and detailed exhaust system, on which even the flanges between the different parts are included. In the box a hard top is also included, so that both versions of the 313 are possible.
TRUCKSTOP
ALAN WILL FIX IT FOR YOU
ALAN FIXTER has been mentioned before in these pages as a keen builder of model trucks. When production of the Sun Motor Co 1:50 truck kit range was suspended recently, Alan ordered some of the remaining kits for the Bedford A-series. He shows here some of the results of his work with them. One is a Bedford A5L long wheelbase tipper-dropside-flat as operated by Greaves & Lamming Ltd of Sixhills Street, Grimsby, which was converted from the drinks lorry kit, shown in its original form below. The other truck is a Bedford A5SS artic tractor with Scammell automatic coupling and a 21 foot dropside trailer of Humber Warehousing of Lincoln and Grimsby (shown alongside is a 25 foot four in line single axle flat artic trailer). He notes, ' It is often reported that the trailer could be coupled and uncoupled without the driver leaving the cab. Well, before the 1970s there were no susies to connect, and the brakes and lights did connect automatically, but what about the parking brake on the trailer, on the front of the trailer coupling, which was pulled on by hand, and kicked off after coupling? The rear lights had to be moved from the tractor unit, or from the previous trailer that had just been uncoupled, and the offside one had the tractor's number plate attached as well. There was no requirement to have rear lamps or plates on a coupled up artic tractor unit, only on the trailer. Yet another load of rubbish has thus been seen in print! It would have been dangerous to couple up without the trailer brakes applied. Alan can now build models to order, in 1:50 scale and such 1:76 'specials' as the Guy Big J with 33 foot tandem flat, Russell of Bathgate. For a list of models and decals available, send an SAE and £1.00 to 68 Arthur Street, Grimsby NE Lincs DN31 2HT.
Copyright Modelauto Ltd
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