Model Auto Review 197
Publication 7 November 2005
CONTENTS(Print version)
06 NEWS World Western, Provence * Captions to page 04 07 Captions to page 05: mostly cars 08 Chrysler Centura 1075-77 Graeme Ogg, England 08 The Cat in the Hat Don Elliott, USA 12 Gavin Lyall Part Two Maz Woolley, England 14 Letters 18 NEWS Germany Schuco 19 NEWS Minichamps Hans-Georg Schmitt, Germany 20 Hongwell Maz Woolley, England 20 Son of a Gunn Part Two Robert Gunn, England 22 Tennessee HP Harvey Goranson, USA 26 Lincoln Continental Don Elliott, USA 30 NEWS Italy ABC * Captions to pages 28-29 31 Captions to pages 32-33 34 US Ford trucks from Louisville Dave Turner, England 37 NEWS Truckstop Eligor, Herpa, Ebbro, Ixo 39 Truckstop Oxford, Eligor * captions page 40 40 avia mini Herpa, Unimax, Dragon, Hasegawa 42 Competition cars Quartzo, SunStar 43 Competitions MAR 195 and 197 44 Book Reviews 46 Club News by Rod Ward 56 P&H 955A Dragline Tony Steenmeyer, Netherlands 56 Captions to page 57: Agricultural equipment 58 NEWS Bus Stop EFE * Captions page 60: Fire 59 Bus Stop CMN, Britbus * Captions page 61
EDITORIAL
by Rod WardNO SLOWDOWN AS YET...
The autumn season and the lead-up to Christmas has always been the busiest time for new releases, and this year is no exception, in spite of lower activity in world retail markets. Few ranges show any signs of slowing down, though most now make smaller quantities. Indeed, Corgi promise almost 20 entirely new items for the first half of 2006, including three new Vanguards (Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, Triumph Stag and Princess 1800HL) and one modified tool, six new Aviation items and three new buses. We'll have full Corgi news in the next issue of MAR, but the main bulk of other 2006 news will be published here early next year. The influx of ever-cheaper and ever-better quality models from such 'direct from China' makers as Hongwell has really shaken up the scale model vehicle world this year. it will be interesting to see how this develops next year.
... AND LOTS OF NEW CARS
The Frankfurt Motor Show in October saw dozens of new car designs on display, both production vehicles and prototypes, so there is no shortage of subject matter for the model companies, especially the firms who supply those car marques which use diecast models as promotional tools. Interesting times...
RON'S EXCLUSIVE RESPONSE
I recently received this message from a toy trade personality, namely Ron Ping, who was surprised to find his name 'in the news':"A friend of mine looked up my name on the Web and was astonished to read that I was 'now sheep farming in Wales'. I am still involved in the hobby industry but more on the radio controlled model side; the big boys' toys end, (loadsamoney). I currently work only in Ireland and travel over every month from the Peterborough area to do a couple of thousand miles and visit around 30 hobby shops. Some of my old pals in the trade will remember the lovely Irish lady I met in Belfast when I sold in the Anderson McCauley promo. We have been married for over 15 years and have a strapping 14 year old son who I am sure will dwarf me in a year or two. It would be good to hear from anyone from the old days and if I can help in any way with answers to questions in Model Auto Review, I will do so".
I am sure many diecast industry insiders will be pleased to hear that Ron is still happily in full operation. I am trying to persuade him to give us his reminiscences of the early days at EFE for publication in MAR. In fact, this may be the time for a lot of us to record this stuff before the memories are lost for ever.
If anyone would like to contact Ron, email me, and I will forward the message to him.
TOOTSIETOY HISTORY AVAILABLE ON LINE
Decades ago, we used to wonder at the authoritative magazine articles on prewar Tootsietoys which appeared under the name of C B C Lee. Eventually we discovered that this was a homonymous nom de plume for Clint B Seeley. Now Robert Newson has re-published those articles on a website, www.tootsietoys.info. Dowst of Chicago were the first to make a range of diecast toy cars in the three to four inch size, reaching their zenith in the 1930s. Tootsietoys set the pace, and Dinky and others followed, until the postwar years when British ranges took the lead. Clint Seeley was a leading Tootsie collector and researcher, but his premature death in 1984 meant that newer collectors may not be aware of his scholarly efforts. Robert has had access to Clint's original typescript and photographs, edited them and added new information and many new colour photographs.
NEXT WESTERN MODEL
The latest 1:43 handbuilt model from Western Models is WMS105 Lincoln Club Coupe 1948, in three colour choices, valley green metallic, grotto blue or canyon tan. The UK price is likely to be around £100.00.
PROVENÇAL PROMISES
New 1:43 kits promised from, or already released by, Provence Miniatures:
KC067 TVR Tuscan 400R Racesport Peninsula TVR #95 Le Mans 2005 (MC067 built)
KC070 Dome Judd Racing for Holland #10 Le Mans 2005 (MC070 built)
KC074 Panoz Elan Esperante Panoz Motor Sport #77/78 Le Mans 2005 (MC074 built)
KC076 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Sebah Automotive Ltd #89 Le Mans 2005 (MC076 built)
KC077 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR T2M Motorsport #91 Le Mans 2005 (MC077 built)
KC078 Porsche 962C Brun Motorsport Repsol #16 Le Mans 1990 (MC078)
KC065 Aston Martin DBR9 #59 Le Mans 2005 (#58 built: MC065)
KC080 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Raymond Narac #76 Le Mans 2005 (MC080 built)
KC072 Courage Judd Courage Compétition #12 LM 05
KC075 Courage Judd Courage Compétition #13 LM 05
KC073 Courage Ford Paul Belmondo #36/37 LM 05
KC081 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Alex Job Racing #71 Le Mans 2005 (MC081 built)
KC082 Ferrari F550 Maranello Larbre Compétition #50 Le Mans 2005
KC083 Aston Martin DBR9 #62 Cirtek Silverstone 2005 + #28/29 Spa 2005 (MC083 built: #62)
KC085 Dome S101 #15/16 Racing for Holland LM 2004
KC084 Suzuki Swift S1600 #31/32 German Rally 2005 (MC084 built)
KC086 Porsche 911RSR #83 Seikel Le Mans 2005 (MC086 built)
KC087 Porsche 911RSR #90 White Lightning Racing Le Mans 2005 (MC087 built)
KC088 Porsche 962C #17/18 Shell Le Mans 1988 (MC088 built)
KC089 Porsche 962C Courage Comp. #49 Nisseki Le Mans 1991 (MC089 built)
KP03 Ferrari 512 BB Harksound #61 Le Mans 1979 high detail
KP04 Jaguar XJR12 winner Le Mans 1990 (+#1,2,4) high detail (MP04 built: 15 only)
KP05 Aston Martin DBR9 #58/59 Prodrive Le Mans 2005 high detail (MP05 built: 15 only)ECO LINE
Built only, economy handbuilts range:
EL01 Aston Martin Virage 1990
EL02 Corvette C6 street version 2005
EL03 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato 1961-62 street
RECENT SCHUCO RELEASES
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Recently released models from Schuco, all diecast in China for Germany:SCHUCO CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE 1:10
06593 6 Zundapp Bella scooter Deutsche BundespostSCHUCO PICCOLO
05818 1 Set: Volkswagen East-West
05102 1 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR
01245 9 Mercedes-Benz 200 Feuerwehr Schorndorf
01413 2 Ford Taunus 17M Polizei
05174 8 Volvo 544 Rally Kenya
5053700 2 NSU 1000 TTS
05817 Piccolo Set Gaffel KolschSCHUCO PICCOLO MOTORCYCLES 1:43
05040 6 Horex Regina+sidecar Langenburg Classic 05
05065 0 Piccolo Zundapp KS750 Wehrmacht sidecarSCHUCO CLASSIC 1:43
02205 2 Lloyd Alexander TS with caravan new colour
02383 7 BMW Dixi Round the world
02653 1 Opel Ascona A new colour
02655 0 Opel Ascona A Rally Walter Rohrl
02806 1 Mercedes-Benz L319 van Deichmann
02808 5 Mercedes-Benz L319 van Dachser Spedition
02267 0 Mercedes-Benz 170V van Ewige Rune
03262 4 Mercedes-Benz L322 Sinalco lorry
02626 5 Fendt Geratetrager + milk churns and figure
02623 4 Fendt Dieselross F20G Nostalgic
02866 5 Lanz Eilbulldog + driver and long trailer
03271 0 Mercedes-Benz Unimog 411 Pritsche
03312 6 two share plough
03124 5 two axle trailerSCHUCO CLASSIC RED CROSS EDITION
02663 0 Opel Olympia Caravan Rotes Kreuz
03202 0 Ford Taunus Transit FK1000 Rotes Kreuz NurnbergSCHUCO CLASSIC POLIZEI & FEUERWEHR
02168 0 BMW 2000 Polizei
03222 8 Volkswagen T2a bus Polizei
03192 4 Ford Taunus Transit FK1000 works fire service Ford Werke Köln (Cologne)
03212 9 VW T2a van Feuerwehr WendelsteinSCHUCO CLASSIC NIVEA EDITION
02408 7 DKW Schnellaster van Nivea
02799 6 Volkswagen split window Nivea
02932 7 Hanomag L28 van NiveaSCHUCO EDITION 1:87 CARS
25006 6 Audi TT Roadster new livery
21942 1 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Roads on fire
25013 4 Volkswagen New Beetle Cabrio Vollmond Bier
21996 4 MB Sprinter Sanitatspolizei Bern
25003 5 Porsche Cayenne Works fire service Porsche Works Leipzig
25001 1 Mercedes-Benz L319 Spedition Dachser
25002 8 Mercedes L319 Spedition Dachser Luftfracht
25008 0 Volkswagen Kafer THW 2005
25017 2 Volkswagen Touareg PolizeiSCHUCO EDITION 1:87 MOTORSPORT
21962 9 Abt Audi TT-R Medley
25012 7 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup NGK VLN 2004
25014 1 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup #1 Supercup 2004 VIP
25015 8 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup #2 Supercup 2004 VIP
25010 3 Opel Corsa Super 1600 lrmscher
21970 4 VW New Beetle Cup VW Design
21998 8 DTM 2004 Audi set
21997 1 DTM 2004 Mercedes-Benz set
21988 9 DTM 2004 Opel Performance setSCHUCO EDITION 1:87 TRUCKS
22480 7 Mercedes-Benz Actros Hoco Logistics
22482 1 Mercedes-Benz Actros Kuoni Transport
22484 5 Mercedes-Benz Actros Wespe Transport
22486 9 Mercedes-Benz Actros Lehnkering
22483 8 Mercedes-Benz Actros Cargo Domizil
22485 2 Mercedes-Benz Actros Planzer
22487 6 Mercedes- Actros V8 Mulin driving school
26914 3 Set Alpina
25018 9 Mercedes-Benz Actros Polizei +horse trailer
25000 4 Mercedes-Benz Atego Hertz-Air Berlin
23708 1 Peterbilt 377
23709 8 Freightliner Classic XL
23710 4 Ford 9000SCHUCO JUNIOR LINE 1:72
3316297 Audi A4 Cabrio
3316298 Audi TT Cabrio
3316299 VW Golf IV Cabrio
3316304 Alfa Romeo 156
3316309 Hummer 2
3316312 Peugeot 206 CC Cabrio
3316313 Peugeot 807
3316314 Porsche Cayenne S
3316317 Volvo XC 90SCHUCO JUNIOR LINE 1:43
27213 Fiat 600
27217 Austin Healey Cabrio
27226 Audi A6
EVEN MORE MINICHAMPS
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
New diecast releases from Minichamps, mostly not illustrated in this issue of MAR:1:18 scale
100 050081 Sauber Petronas C24 Formula One presentation 2005 Jacques Villeneuve
100 050082 Sauber Petronas C24 Formula One presentation 2005 Felipe Massa
180 020301 BMW M3 two door 1987, now in metallic blue.
180 043211 Opel Rekord PI Caravan (estate) 1958. The first Opel Caravan in US style, first with a wraparound windscreen, now dark red, with rear roof section in white.
100 121662 Fiat X1/9 1972, blue with beige interior.
180 020101 BMW Z1 Roadster 1987. In September 1987 at the IAA in Frankfurt, BMW showed the Z1, their first open sports roadster in nearly 30 years. At first only intended as a design study, it was received so well that it was decided to put it into production.it had electically folding doors, and a body made entirely of plastic parts, fixed to a steel frame. The mechanical components came from the BMW 325i. Production was expensive, so the price was high, but today used car prices are stable, a good examples costing as much as when new. The Z1 is available in a new colour, purple metallic.
1:43 scale 400 014410 Audi A4 Avant 2004. The estate car in a new colour, grey metallic. 400 120162 Alfasud TI 1974, metallic silver. 400 050074 BAR Honda F1 presentation 2005 Sato 400 041002 Opel Rekord A, two-door 1962, white with a black roof. 400 062022 Porsche 911 GT-3-RS Coupe 2003 white. 400 050075 Renault F1 presentation 2005 Alonso. 430 019106 Audi 100 four door 1969, red with a black roof. 430 019126 Audi 100 Coupe S 1969, the coupe on the floorpan of the saloon, metallic gold. 400 082121 Mercury Marauder Coupe 1969, red and black. 400 031422 Mercedes CLK Coupe 2002, metallic blue. 400 041022 Opei Rekord A Coupe 1962, red. 430 069209 Porsche 911 Turbo 1995 coupe black. 400 061062 Porsche 911 Targa 2001, green metallic. 430 050224 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1600 Coupe 1966, black with a white roof. 400 120902 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Saloon 1970, ochre. 431 028742 BMW Z8 sports, now in white. 431 020205 BMW 7 Series saloon 2001, brown metallic. 400 082011 Ford Bermuda Station Wagon 58, green-white. 430 015407 NSU Ro80 saloon 1972, now in white. 430 065539 Porsche 356 A Speedster 1956, now blue with a red interior. 430 069309 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe 2000, black 400 171371 Volvo XC90 SUV 2003, blue metallic. 400 082031 Ford Thunderbird 1955 open convertible, now bright red with a white interior. 400 046980 Porsche 911 GT3-RS; Team T2M Motorsport; Spa 2004, Ickx-Rabtneau-Tinseau. 430 087091 Ford Focus estate 1997 Municipal Public Affairs Office, Cologne, white. 400 036876 Gunnar-Porsche 966 GT1 Hole in the Wall Camp, Gunnar 03 Petty-Newman-Jeannette. 400 036886 Gunnar-Porsche 966 GT1 Wide Load. Gunnar Paul Revere Grand Am 03 Petty-Baron-Lewis. 400 082261 Ford Transit van 1965, red Daimon batteries 400 120331 Alfa Romeo Spider 2003, with its new front end with a retro grille, now in black. 430 010016 Audi Allroad Quattro 2001. The A6 estate with some cross country ability, dark green metallic. 100 012102 BMW M3 GTR Street Version 2001, silver with black carbon fibre roof. 150 084070 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS right hand drive 1988, now with right hand drive. 100 050086 Toyota TF105 F1 presentation 2005, Trulli. 100 050087 Toyota TF105 F1 presentation 05 Schumacher. 400 120360 Alfa Romeo GT Safety Car Beru Top Ten red. 400 082211 Ford Transit minibus 1965 Pforzheim fire service, red, with a single blue beacon. 400 036866 Gunnar-Porsche G-99 GT1 French Kiss with Death; Daytona Weekend 03. McQueen, Minter 400 044415 Opel Vectra GTS V8, Woman, OPC Team Holzer, German TCC 2004 Timo Schneider 400 05112 Volkswagen 411 estate Offenburg fire service, red, white wings, blue beacon and loudspeaker. 400 120325 Alfa Romeo GT coupe in champagne metallic. 400 137224 Aston Martin Vanquish V12 in silver. 400 081204 Ford Capri II 1974. orange metallic. 400 040095 Jordan Ford EJ14 Formula One Regent Street Parade 6 July 2004, Nigel Mansell 436 760699 March Ford 2-4-0 six wheel F1400 123231 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spider 1961, their first attempt at a luxury GT, with 220-235 bhp and 140-plus mph. Finally a more powerful fuel- injected engine became standard. Now in a new colour, red with a black interior. 430 033435 Mercedes-Benz 350SL Roadster 1972. In 1971 it replaced the 230SL-250SL-280SL family, on a 97 inch wheelbase with S-class suspension. The Roadster is white with a red interior. 400 062522 Porsche 959 Coupe 1987. Very much a Weissach Special, built with Group B competition in mind. Its twin-turbo flat-six engine with water-cooled four valve heads produced 450 bhp. Four wheel drive was via a six-speed gearbox with front to rear torque sensing. The car was surprisingly easy to drive. The model is now in black.
430 056012 VW Golf IV Variant, the estate version of the old Golf IV, from 1997 to 2003, now in silver. 430 010102 Audi A4 saloon 2000, in red. 430 019426 Audi Quattro Coupe 1981. On its 25th Anniversary, now in brown metallic. 430 120715 Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon (estate) 2001. The Alfa with 'backpack' is now blue metallic. 400 050073 BAR Honda F1 2005 presentation Button 430 125025 Lancia Stratos Coupe 1974, street white. 400 082301 Lincoln Continental Mk II Coupe 1956, now available in silver. 431 138201 Mini Cooper S saloon 2002 with engine replica under opening bonnet, now yellow.430 033425 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC four-seat Hardtop Coupe 1974, the unexpectedly graceful lwb version of the SL with fixed roof, and louvred rear quarter windows. Now gold metallic.
430 039308 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL Saloon 1986-91, the ultimate expression of Stuttgart engineering, now in light blue metallic.
400 050081 Sauber Petronas F1 05 presentation Villeneuve
MORE FROM HONGWELL
By Maz Woolley
Hongwell models pop up everywhere these days. At a garden centre I found Junior Driver Classics distributed by Playmix of Osby, Sweden, all clearly by Hongwell and including models I had not previously seen in the UK. To my delight a set contained the BMW Isetta which I had not found anywhere else. Two examples on the shelf turned out to be substantially different models, one featured an opening front door whilst the other didn't. The opening front door might add play value but it is poorly modelled; the 1:87 IMU model managed it better! The one without an opening door also had a nicely modelled partially open sun roof. Both models came with a small caravan but no towbar!I hope Hongwell also remove the opening doors that detract from the realism of their 1:43 Mini models. A website dedicated to Hongwell suggests that they will make classic Eastern European models such as Trabant, Wartburg, Lada, and even classic Skodas.
I look forward to these models, especially if they appear in 1:72 as well as 1:43 scale. On a different subject I read the MAR Editorial on Corgi production policies with interest and more than a little sorrow. Corgi's 'big idea' seems to be to produce models in such small quantities that they cannot fill demand, to keep prices up, whilst trying to get some of the youth market by re-badging models from Chinese competitors and selling them at a massive premium for the Corgi brand. In reality this means no new castings of classic cars and a cynical re-use of very tired models made to standards that Hongwell and High Speed easily better, at a much lower price point. Whilst Norev in France and Minichamps in Germany earn a premium by producing really good examples of their auto history, Corgi have failed to chronicle ours in equivalent detail. Can you imagine Norev or Minichamps failing to produce classic Daimlers or Siddeleys if they were covering the UK? After taking over Lledo, Corgi made the stunning A60 but have struggled to match that standard ever since.
(I guess that Stags, Princesses or Sierra Sapphires from Corgi won't fill Maz's 'classic' bill? Ed.)
NEW MODELS FROM ABC
Recent releases available from ABC of Italy, mostly handbuilt, all 1:43 unless noted:
ABC 204 (kit BRK43.204) Maserati MC12 3MB 2005 ABC 192 (kit BRK43.192) Sbarro Tornado 2004 (built on chassis of Ferrari 550 Maranello) ABC 195 (kit BRK43.195) Ferrari 250GT Pininfarina 1955 Chassis 0407 ABC 203 (kit BRK43.203) Alfa 2600 Pininfarina Coupe ABC 206 (kit BRK43.206) Aston Martin Lagonda V8 ABC 207 (kit BRK43.207) Rolls-Royce Phantom I 1927 ABC 196 (kit BRK43.196) Ferrari 250 Berlinetta Competizione, chassis 2231 ABC M 24.09 (kit ABC K 24.09) Ferrari 430 2005 1:24 scale. ABC 185 (kit BRK43.185) Lancia Astura Cabrio PF ABC 057 Lancia Astura Cabriolet Pinifarina 1938 ABC 190 (kit BRK43.190) Aston Martin DB2/4 Touring cabriolet ABC 193 (kit BRK43.193) Aston Martin DBS coupe ABC 182 (kit BRK43.182) Aston Martin DB2 Vignale coupe ILARIO 43023V Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale coupe 51 ch 0179EL ILARIO 43024B Ferrari 166 Inter Bertone cabrio ch 057S SG 021 Fiat 1500 cabriolet 1962 red SG 022 Fiat 1500 cabriolet 1962 white SG 038 Alfa Romeo 1900SS Zagato spider red SG 033 Alfa Romeo 1900SS Zagato spider silver LP CREATION Ferrari 312 V12 #9 Canadian GP 1968 Amon TECNOMODEL T24/1BO Ferrari 250 GT Sperimentale Le Mans 1961 #12 1:24 scale.
MORE FROM THE DARK BLUES
New releases from Oxford, all diecast in China for this Swansea-based company:
Morris Minor van Oxford, advance order only Bedford K van Jim Beam whiskey Bedford K van Birmingham City Police Chevrolet truck Royal British Legion: Thanks Chevrolet truck Jameson irish Whiskey Chevrolet truck Tetley Tea Ford T van Clogher Valley Show Ford T van Girl's Own Comic Bullnose van Three Geese cigarettes Bullnose van Battle of Trafalgar 200th Anniversary Bullnose van Bury FC soccer club Bullnose van Royal Berkshire regiment Routemaster bus London Transport Red Rover Routemaster London Transport Crown wallpapers
BOOK REVIEWS
THE GOLDEN BOOK OF TOY CARS 1900-1980 by Paolo Rampini. Pub Rampini, distributed by Libreria Automobile, Corso Venezia 43, 20121 Milano, Italy. 300 x 220 mm, 288 pages, 3000 items pictured in colour. Price 104 Euros (approx £70) plus p&p.
We are now familiar with Paolo Rampini's encyclopaedic works, of which he has written 11 on 1:43 models and three on toy cars. This volume is more of a picture book, with fewer of the lists that usually accompany the excellent photo coverage. The emphasis is on toy vehicles, in tin, plastic, diecast and other materials. As usual with Paolo's books, it is futile to try to list all the makes and topics covered among the 3000 included here. Name a maker of toy cars (as opposed to models) and their products are in this book. In many ways, I see this as the follow-up to the classic Art of the Tin Toy, which covered all the ancient rarities. Those are here too (Carette, Märklin et al) but you can also see where the toy trade went after that era, with Ingap plastics, CKO motorcycles and so on. There are no claims to completeness here, and how could there be, in just one book? It's fun to see the toys from Romania, Hungary and Argentina. Highly recommended, if a little pricey.
Rod Ward
HANTS & DORSET (Buses): Prestige Ser 34, by Mike Caldicott and Phil Davies, 170 x 240 mm softbound, 64 pages, ISBN 1 905304 04 8. Venture Publications Ltd, 128 Pikes Lane, Glossop, Derbyshire. SK13 8EH. £9.50.
This bus company was originally known by the (possibly more appropriate) name of Bournemouth and District, and expansion was mostly Hantswards, only two depots being in Dorset, though eventually even Bournemouth was relocated to Dorset in 1974. The fleet followed a familiar path from Tilling via NBC to oblivion, from Leyland to Bristol and then Leyland National vehicles. Alongside the comprehensive text, the interesting selection of illustrations in this book include views of bus stations, including the two storey building at Bournemouth, with a double decker bus seen descending from the upper level! As befits a seaside company, there are open toppers and trippers' coaches seen on excursions to the coast and countryside. The acquisition of such famous coaching names as Royal Blue, Shamrock & Rambler and Charlie's Cars expanded the tourist traffic, and mean that many people who did not live in Hants or Dorset will find that they have happy holiday memories rekindled by this book.
Rod Ward
CORVETTE ODYSSEY by Terry Berkson. Published by Lyons Press, part of Globe Pequot Press, 246 Goose Lane, Guildford CT, 06437, USA. 208 pages, hardbound. $21.95
This is the true story of the theft and pursuit towards recovery, of a much-loved car. One day in September 1979, the author took his cherished 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster, a gift 12 years earlier from his father, to a hospital in Brooklyn to visit his wife and newborn son. Whilst there, the car was stolen and this is the tale of his attempts to get it back, without theft insurance. This book describes the adventures he had in his quest to find the Vette and a great deal is revealed about the stolen car trade in America at that time. In his search, Terry Berkson risked danger many times, experienced frustration many more, and eventually... No, you read the book and see. Published in the USA, the book is not readily available here, but it can be ordered through most high street retailers or it may be obtained through Amazon or other on-line booksellers. It is well worth the effort if you can get it.
Charles Barnett
THE SCHLUMPF COLLECTION by Wolfgang Drehsen, Werner Haas, Hans-Jürgen Schneider. Pub Schiffer, 4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310 USA. In Europe: Bushwood Books, 6 Marksbury Ave, Kew Gardens, TW9 4JF, UK. Tri-lingual (English, French, German). ISBN 0-88740-192-9. 350 x 230mm, softbound, 182 pages. £19.95, p&p free in UK; add £5.50 per surface mail order
This 1989 book is still available, and is still the best study of the Schlumpf collection and thus of the surviving Bugattis. Over 50 other marques were also included in the collection, but the 470 photographs, reveal one man's mania for Bugatti. Fritz Schlumpf and his brother Hans were textile barons who collaborated with the Germans in wartime France and consolidated their fortune until Fritz became the 'sixth richest man in France' in 1972. He tried to get every Alsace-built Bugatti back home, at any price, ruining the international market in the cars. Many cars were in poor condition, so a restoration shop had to be set up, but it was all in secret, no public access was allowed. Drained of capital, the textile business suffered, workers were underpaid, then unpaid, so eventually strikers closed the factory and laid seige to the brothers' house. As Swiss citizens, they sought refuge over the nearby border. That was the situation when this book was produced, making it an invaluable record of how the cars were then. The photos were taken by a German press team, at a moment frozen in time, when the collection had been confiscated, but had still not been created a French National Collection, in lieu of unpaid taxes. Most enthusiasts were pleased when the collection was kept together and opened to the public, though the massive efforts needed to restore and retain the exhibits in good condition were surely underestimated. This is a great picture source for anyone who loves cars, French cars in particular, and Bugattis even more so.
Rod Ward
The Iron Indian by Jim Lensveld, English text, 160 pages, 145 photos. 280 x 340mm. Hardbound with dustjacket. ISBN 18-40-53-004-9. Published by, available from REBO International, 1e Poellaan 6, 2161 LB Lisse, PO Box 314 2160 AH Lisse, NL.
Indian may be the most renowned motorcycle marque ever, regarded by many as the original motorbike, seen by enthusiasts as artworks in their own right.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
HARLEY-DAVIDSON - Factory and Custom Dream Machine by Jim Lensveld, written in English, 160 pages, 129 photos. 280 x 340 mm. Hardcover+dustjacket. ISBN 1-9010 94-01-4. Published by, available from REBO International, 1e Poellaan 6, 2161 LB Lisse, PO Box 314 2160 AH Lisse, NL.
Panhead, Shovelhead, Springer, ElectraGlide, all evoke the two-wheeled legend of Harley-Davidson, the essential American muscle bike, associated with the freedom of wide open spaces. This book details the growth of the Harley-Davidson company and pictures key machines.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Automobiles of the Chrome Age 1946-60 by Michael Furman, 270 pages, 182 photos, 250 x 330 mm. Hardbound with dustjacket. ISBN 0 8109 4972 5. Tehabi Books, San Diego, CA, pub: Harry N Abrams Inc. 100 Fifth Avenue; New York; NY, USA
American cars of the 1950s reflected the feelings of enthusiasm and hope experienced by the United States (and much of Europe) after the Second World War. Tail fins reached for the sky, and wide-mouthed chrome plated grilles seemed to both smile and devour everything in their path. This era when the automobile became king is reflected in excellent photographs.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod Ward
Cape Model and Toy Club: I see Cape Model Collector via Hon President Ron Gersbank. There is a piece on 'Friday afternoon specials'; toys hastily completed to fulfil a production quota, perhaps with incorrectly coloured components, which are now worth more than standard issues. Not noted are 'lunchtime' products, intentional 'variations' knocked out in factory meal breaks while the supervisory staff were away, then smuggled out and sold in pub car parks. Like many dealers in the 1970s I was offered any Matchbox variants I wished to specify; any combinations of body colours, wheels, tampo prints etc which could be assembled from the current range. Needless to say I declined the offer, but I suppose these items are now circulating as apparently-accidental Friday afternoon jobs. Are they worth anything at all? Ron says that the DeAgostini rally car partwork is now on sale in South Africa, at the equivalent of £1.60 for the first issue, increasing as the series continues. South African-made Dinky Toys are always a popular subject in the Cape Model Collector, and a new aspect relates to the baseplate rivets, always with a centre dimple from England or France, but domed in South Africa. This piece appears under the title Roundhead or Cavalier. If you don't know the significance of that, then this is not the place to discuss it. To join the Cape club, contact Secretary Graham Ramsay on 072 156 6806.
West Australian Model Collectors Club: On a similar theme to 'lunchtime' models, Ian Hind, Editor of Showcase, tells of a rare maroon Matchbox Y16 Spyker, bought on eBay from the UK by a Perth collector for £567.76. Years ago, Peter Dodds repainted two Spykers in maroon for WAMCC members, one of which went as a gift to a UK collector. 'Hopefully for the member who just paid $1,300, the Spyker is real,' says Ian, 'But could this be the same repainted model, now returned to its birthplace? Innocently or fraudulently, not everything is as it appears on eBay'. It may have changed hands a few times, its provenance 'lost' in the process. I know that few MAR readers are variations collectors, and they may well feel that the Spyker wasn't a good enough model in the first place to have been worth the £1.75 original retail price, never mind an unusual colour being worth so much more. But for those who like this kind of collecting, it is now a minefield. To follow the story up in Showcase you'll have to join the club; phone 934 9369, or email jhind@iinet.net.au
Brooklin Collectors Club: The latest issue of the Brooklin Collector, edited by Jack Patrick, has a lot of colour pages, but they are mostly devoted to 'real' cars, which seems a pity when more Brooklin products or colour variants could have been pictured. John Roberts describes the new Robeddie Saab 95 estate, in three special colours in addition to the standard green version. Not more than 400 will be made of each, possibly less than that. To join the BCC, phone Membership Secretary John Bowyer on 01276 473499.
Maidenhead Static Model Club: In line with his theme of 'The model and the real thing' Wheel Bearings Editor Les Duplock describes the SS France (as made by Dinky), from 1962 to the present day, as the Norway since 1984, and now facing impending retirement. It is nice to see that the MSMC is still serving all aspects of transport in miniature. To join the Club, contact Membership Secretary Robbie Bennett on anorack821@yahoo.co.uk.
South Hants Model Auto Club: Sue and Stu Leake, joint editors of the SHMAC newsletter, have reduced the average age of contributors by including pieces by Louise White (aged nine) and Daniel White (aged six) describing their visit to the Model Club barbecue. They reveal that they were fed sausages, burgers and kebabs, so healthy eating is obviously not a Hampshire priority. Skip White (age not disclosed) is obviously a busy man, as in the same issue he describes his trips to the London to Brighton Commercial Vehicle run, the Basingstoke Festival of Transport and Netley Marsh Steam Show. maybe the newsletter should be renamed The White Chronicles? Even if your name isn't White, you can join the SHMAC; phone Secretary Dave Painter on 01264 366408.
The Lledo Enthusiast and Variations Club: The final edition of The Lledo Enthusiast includes a message of 'greetings and, sadly, farewell' from Bill Alexander after 22 years of Lledo enthusiasm and six years of editing. I'm sure his effort and enthusiasm will be missed by his many readers, but he tells us that all is not quite finished. He says, 'Andrew Dudley, my mentor and predecessor (doesn't that mean he has pre-deceased Bill?) has created an online Lledo Internet forum at http://lledo.myfreeforum.org There you can post information and queries'. As a last taste of what you'll be missing, the final edition includes pictures of various resin prototypes which did not enter production, and which were rescued from the Enfield factory at closure, including an Austin A40 Countryman estate, plus many reminiscences by Bill of aborted projects and other arcane matters which any Lledo fan will find fascinating.
New Zealand Model Vehicle Club: Miniature Auto, newsletter of the NZMVCC, edited by Ron Ford, has been indulging in the kind of navel-gazing on the future of the hobby which we all do from time to time. Ian Cousins, who took on the task, doesn't come to any conclusions, of course. Ian also describes some Tintin models by Atlas, and is disappointed by the lack of detail, the matt finish etc. Maybe the Tintin strips didn't make it to New Zealand, so he didn't know what to expect? Mind you, he seems to have paid a very high price; is that the penalty for doing your buying through internet auction sites, rather from established international dealers? On the subject of the internet, the NZMVC website gets over 6500 'hits' in a month, apparently, but that has been confused with 6500 visitors. If each visitor looks at ten pages, or if a visitor returns within a month, that can easily reduce the number of different folk who have actually seen the site to less than a tenth of the total page 'hits'. If you'd like to join the club and share in the electronic revolution, contact Eric Brockie on (03) 448 9276 or email austinrk@paradise.net.nz
BUS STOP
EFE NEWS * By Frank Joyce
In 1988 I designed and made the tooling for our first bus, the AEC RT. Techniques have advanced, so in 2006 our RT will have a complete rebuild. The tooling for our new coach-bodied Bristol RELH is now nearly complete for early in 2006. Three significant RMs are missing from our range, the RMC coach, the RMA airport coach and front entrance RMF. New tooling for them is under way along with a rework of our existing RM tooling. I have also now completed tooling to produce the B20 Fleetline DMS. Finally to show that EFE is not stuck in the past we are working on tooling for a new modern bus....
Recent EFE releases 28810 Leyland Titan 2 door Go Whippet 29608 Leyland Olympian Riverside London Buses 30003 AEC Regal 10T10 Neath & Cardiff 10133 AEC RT Bus Greenline 16126 Leyland PD2 highbridge CIE Dublin 25808 Daimler DMS 1 door OK Motor Services 25515 RML Routemaster London Transport 31001 Foden S24 4 axle Flatbed Paul Taylor 29702 Leyland Olympian Type C London & Country 29702SB Leyland Olympian Type C L&C Showbus 16322 Bristol LS Bus Bath Services 30702 AEC Renown Type B North Western 31201 ERF KV 4 axle Flatbed Marston Valley Brick 12118 Harrington Cavalier B Royal Blue 31101 Leyland PD2 highbridge Silver Star 26616 Plaxton Paramount 3500 Greenline Southend 30102 AEC 4 axle Oval Tanker Regent petrol 27310 Leyland TD1 Hants & Dorset 27616 Wright Volvo Renown Strathtay 30506 Guy GS Special Southern Motorways
CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD BUSES
Here are a couple of recent releases in the diecast 1:76 scale range of Creative Master Northcord, all produced in China, for the British collectors market:
UK0008 Plaxton President Open Top double decker bus: Stratford-upon-Avon Sightseeing Tour
HK1005 Volvo Super Olympian/ Alexander ALX500 double decker bus Kit (plain white, no transfers)
MORE BRITBUSES
Britbus 1:76 diecast buses from China:
AS2-06 AEC Swift Stevenage Super Bus MR-01 MCW Midibus Westlink N6006 Guy Arab IV Southdown open platform N6214 MCW Metropolitan demonstrator livery R802 Scania-Alexander R Stagecoach East Kent R803 Scania-Alexander Maidstone Boro'line R830 Scania-Alexander West Midlands Travel R902 Olympian-Alexander Sovereign
EFE SHOWBUS AEC
The special model for EFE's Showbus on 18 September 2005 featured the first release of the AEC Renown in the interesting livery of Burwell & District Motor Services, a Cambridgeshire operator. This bus was a Renown demonstrator used by Park Royal to advertise the vehicle, was bought by the company in 1965 and remained in service for the next 12 years.
Copyright Modelauto Ltd
e-mail mar@zeteo.com
