EDITORIAL
By Rod WardCENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE
How many collectors owe their interest in model cars to the creation of the Dinky Toys by Meccano Ltd of Liverpool? Most of us, I guess. Even indirectly, because if you collected Corgi, Spot-On or other ranges, many entered the market to compete with the leading Dinky brand. Chatting with an eminent Meccano historian recently, we mused on just how many 'big ideas' and personalities came from this relatively small provincial city and its hinterland. Although I have lived in Yorkshire for many decades, I am not a Yorkshireman, I was actually born on Merseyside, which I once described in MAR as the 'centre of the Universe'. The subsequent correspondence from readers suggested that I was making a personal claim on behalf of Liverpool. I omitted to point out at the time that this was a shortened quote from famous beat poet Allen Ginsberg (remember him, the guy at the back in Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues film where Bobby had the lyrics on cue cards?). When Liverpool was a centre of new poetry in England, Ginsberg described the city as 'The centre of consciousness for the entire human universe'. Not bad for an American.Or even, perhaps more surprisingly, for a Swiss. Eminent psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung's psychological research included analysis of dreams. He claimed that his own most significant dream revealed to him that 'Liverpool is the pool of life, the very centre of the life force itself'. Liverpudlians famously bore everybody else to tears, lauding their city's prominence in popular music, poetry, art, humour, football, politics, religion, commerce and much else. So really, the leading position of Liverpool in the history of toy and model manufacture should not be too surprising. Now that Liverpool has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2008, perhaps the powers-that-be will consider setting up a permanent museum in the city, devoted to the local toymaking heritage?
WESTERN APPROACHES
When Doug McHard of Somerville Models died, there was widespread sadness, not only at his demise, but also at the prospect of no more Somervilles. Doug had championed the cause of top-quality 1:43 scale models of 'ordinary' cars. In particular his models of British family cars of the 1930s and 1940s were widely admired and avidly collected. There was great relief, therefore, that a new buyer for the Somerville range was found fairly quickly, with promises that the baton would soon be taken up and the range relaunched. There has been a hiatus, however, in which there has been no firm news of any new Somerville models, nor the reissue of any earlier ones by the new owners of the brand. A familiar figure has stepped into the breach, in the form of Mike Stephens of Western Models. This range was previously known for models of exotic and expensive classic cars, competition cars and (Mike's personal favourites) American cars of the 1940s and 1950s. Within two years Western have released three 'ordinary' British family saloon cars of the 1930s and 1940s, nicely modelled, crisply cast and competitively priced. They are the Ford Y Type, Austin Ten and Hillman Minx, and all have been well-received by collectors who would previously have bought Somerville Models. The rate of release of the Western models has been absorbed well by the market. This must put some pressure on the new owners of Somerville to 'get on with it'.Roly McHard expressed her surprise to me recently that there had been no news of the Somerville re-launch, as the 'coffin-nose' Ford Anglia had been ready for production, and there was a full order book for it when the company was sold.
Now that Western are well-established in what had been Somerville territory, it will be interesting to see what happens in the future. Whatever that is, it will be beneficial to collectors...
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod Ward
Maidenhead Static Model Club: The club's annual barbecue in July offered 'good food, fine weather and friendly chitchat'. A well-supprted clubnight display and competition was for plastic toys and models, won by John Bennett's large scale friction Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud (right). Second prize went to Bill Alexander's Herpa Mini Cooper, and third place to Barbara Simpson's set of 12 Marx Twistoy Walt Disney figures. For more details on membership of this long-established Club and its regular 'Windsor' (Slough) Toy Fairs, ring Toy Fair Secretary John Garside on 07729 910632.
West Australian Model Collectors Club:
I have now seen a second copy of Showcase, the WAMCC newsletter, thanks to editor Ian Hind (email jhind@iinet.net.au) This Club originally evolved from a group of mostly Matchbox collectors, who proposed to name it the West Australian Matchbox Collectors Club. A few non-Matchbox collectors insisted that the club be given the more general title it now bears, though even that now gives reason for doubt among members, some of whom are definitely toy collectors, rather than model collectors. Displays at the Club's 'Model Auto Expo' have seen the inclusion of cartoon character toys and cereal packet premiums, which cannot really be described as scale models, or autos. If the wider world of toy collecting is accepted, does this mean that in future the club membership could end up being mostly doll collectors, or Star Wars and Pokemon fans? Should the Model Auto Expo be renamed the WAMCC Open Day? 'The uncertainty of the current situation is creating some confusion and tension within the Club. A clear direction should be established at the AGM', they say. This is a problem which has beset other clubs in recent years, as membership rolls of committed model car collectors have dwindled. Should you spread the Club net wider, and risk losing the original purpose (and members) of the Club? Or stick tightly to the original tenets of the Club and accept that it will shrink in size, perhaps eventually becoming too small to survive. If the Club Charter states the purpose clearly, then presumably the members have to vote to make any changes to it, or they may just vote with their feet. The newsletter is totally focussed on model car matters, with features on Trax, Streamlux, Biante, Vanguards, Minichamps, Porsche and so on, so any new members must be in no doubt as to the main purpose of the Club. If they want to change that, their first course is to submit articles on their interest field, and see what response it gets from other members. If you'd like to join, and help direct the Club in a new direction, contact Ian at the above address.Toy Car Collectors Association: Pete Foss notes, 'The MAR club page is great, but most of the clubs described there relate to just one city, just one make of vehicle, just one brand of toy company, or communicate some 'foreign' language. The TCCA covers all the world, all makes of vehicles, all brands of toys and models, all scales, all eras, and communicates in English.
I used to belong to NAMAC and Club della Quattroruotine, but I still can't read Dutch or Italian. The TCCA have been holding conventions every year for the last seven years, but the turnout has been good-to-poor. So most of you have not come. The merger of Dana's and my clubs was in 2000. The best TCCA (previously MCCA) convention was in 1979. Dave Sinclair was the speaker at the banquet, Paul Gunter Lang, Dean Milano, and many others were there. This is when the first Indy Pace Car (IPC) in 1:43 scale was sold. John Hall brought 200 models in from Canada, of the 1941 Chrysler. In 1989, the convention IPC was the 1953 Ford by Oakland also in 1:43 scale. Herb Jackson's company was no longer operating, but former workers made the model for us. We need a good publicity person: any volunteers? I try to write to all magazines, but paid ads cost so much, we would have to charge more. At present we make no charge at all. You do have to register by 1 Oct 2003 to get any door prizes, however. We will have many catalogues as door prizes, and a few models. Anyone interested, contact me: Peter Foss VP Marketing & Research, 4301 Orchard Lake, #163, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, USA. 248-682-0272 Fax: 248-682-5782'
The Lledo Enthusiast and Variations Club: Bill Alexander continues to pack the pages of the Lledo Enthusiast newsletter with information on new releases, variations and rarities, in the field of Lledo, Days Gone and Vanguards. The latest issue includes a comprehensive coverage of every DG027, DG028 DG039, DG040, and DG042 Mack truck model made by Lledo. Bill would like to know if anyone has a model whose baseplate reads DG27/28/39/40. If you have one, or if you'd like to join the Club, contact him at 33 North Town Moor, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 7JR.
South Hants Model Auto Club: The Editors of the SHMAC magazine, Stu and Sue Leake, have been deluged with contributions. Among the usual mass of material on competition and sports cars (including two features on the Goodwood Festival of Speed) there is a little mention of trucks, and a description by Chris Derbyshire of the two large scale Sunbeam Talbot Mark 2 saloon models made by Rootes, one of which was presented to the Duke of Kent, and both of which have now resurfaced after many years. If you'd like to know more, you'll have to join the SHMAC; just ring Dave Painter on 01264 366048.
Wessex Model and Toy Collectors: The WMTC club model this year is a Lansdowne Hillman Avenger in GLS specification, and anyone who forgot to order theirs by 20 August has now missed out, as only the quantity ordered was produced. There are no spare models left for those who forgot to order, and no problems of later disposal or capital tied up for the Club, and hence there may be some future rarity value. This production was thanks to the Club's 'inside man' at Brooklin, John Roberts, who has to show that the choice of an Avenger was a good one, 'Just look, the WMTC ordered a special version of it'. The first clubnight held at the new venue, The Farmhouse Inn, Southwick, on the first Monday of each month (as noted in MAR 175) featured members' British Car displays, which were very extensive. Star turn was Mike Jennings who showed everybody his three Bristols, which were admired by all. If you have similarly exhibitionist tendencies, phone Barry Lloyd on 0117 986 6503. He'd like to see what you have to offer. You may also be in time to order your special Club model for 2004, if you join soon. By the way, Barry notes that his Peugeot 405 estate taxi has done 150,000 miles. No apparent connection, but he suffered an ear infection recently. Makes a change. It's usually passengers who get an ear-bashing from the driver...
1/87 Vehicle Club: This US-based Club devoted to 1:87 scale (HO) models has a newly revamped magazine, Route 1-87, from issue 16. I didn't see that issue until August, by which time their main features, on new models displayed at Nuremberg Toy Fair early in 2003 was a little out of date, but maybe club members got their copies a bit earlier? Wayne Calder, from Texas, didn't only make the transatlantic pilgrimage ro visit the Toy Fair, he went to shops and swapmeets all over the Continent as well, and voted Prague as the 'most radical'.
He did note, however, that everywhere there was an over-abundance of similar products (a bit like Corgi in Britain) and likened it to trying to sell sand in the desert. In the same issue of Route 1-87, Marc Schmidt added his German viewpoint, with 11 pages of detailed analysis of every 1:87 model he found at the Toy Fair. Having previously mocked other writers' attempts to report on Nuremberg, who found not much 'big news' to report, he also found that, after all, everything suddenly looked very predictable to him as well. He describes all the usual suspects among the German and Austrian plastic model makers, plus some less familiar names, such as Boley, who make an extensive range of US trucks aimed at the North American market. Marc notes with some surprise that Herpa 1:87 sales are 85% in Germany, only 15% in all the rest of the world, which explains why there are so few US prototypes in their range. If you have any HO scale information you want to share, or if you need to know more, contact Bill Cawthon, Senior Editor, Route 1-87, 7402 Weatherhill Lane, Houston, TX 77041-1731, USA. For more information on joining the Club and membership benefits, write to 1735 N Story Road, PMB #168, Irving TX 75061, USA.
BOOK REVIEWS
By Robert Gunn, Hans-Georg Schmitt, Rod Ward
THE MORRIS MINOR IN MINIATURE By Virgil Christianson, published by author and available direct (tel-fax 0049 40450 0943, Hamburg, Germany) 8 Euros in Germany, 10 Euros elsewhere in Europe, rest of world: enquire. A5 softbound ISBN 3-00-011807-1, 40 pages, 40 photos.
Virgil is an American journalist who lives in Germany, so what is he doing writing a book about Morris Minor models? Well, his name will be familiar to MAR readers as a frequent entrant in our competitions, and has loved Minors ever since he missed out on one, as a student in Wichita, Kansas.22 different makers of Minors are described in this book, and reference is made to 17 other makers. This comprehensive coverage will whet the appetite of all fans of British cars, and also underline the relatively small number of four door cars modelled. Still an opportunity for a current manufacturer? Plus, they could make some of the oddball variants, such as mini-artics and motor caravn conversions as well. And no,Virgil has still not managed to own a full-size Morris Minor, though he has driven a few. This little book is highly recommended. Rod Ward
GMC: THE First 100 Years by John Gunnell, 192 pages, fully illustrated. 280 x 282 mm, hardbound with dustjacket. Pub-lished by Krause Publications, 700 East State Street, Iola, WI 54990-2214, USA.
GMC came into being as a truck maker in January 1912, but their origins go back even further, to the Rapid Company of 1902, hence the reference to the 'first 100 years' in 2002. This big book takes a trip through the history of the ancestor companies, then on to the modern day by way of a chapter for each decade from the 1940s to the l990s. Separate chapters cover buses and coaches made by GMC, the army trucks, taxis and motor homes, and concept vehicles. There's also a less-interesting chapter about GMC personnel over the years, and a final one on sales figures and production numbers.John Gunnell has a real command of his subject, and clearly spent a great deal of time on research. If anything, the book is too packed with facts and figures on nearly every page. This makes it a superb reference source of course, but reading page after page of such detail can be heavy going. I found it best to tackle a few pages each day, and it took me a month to read the whole book. To paraphrase an old joke, this book told me more about GMCs than I needed to know. Seriously, the book is well- researched and well-presented. Worth a look Robert P Gunn
YORKSHIRE COACHING POOLS (Prestige Series) by Keith Healey, pub: Venture Publications, 128 Pikes Lane, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 8EH. 64 pages, softbound, 240 x 170 mm ISBN 1 898432 90 2, £8.95.
No, 'coaching pools' aren't where they teach swimming, but an arrangement between coach firms to share routes. This would probably be declared illegal these days, but it used to be encouraged by the Government that firms should put in joint applications for long-distance coach route licences. The busiest such routes in England were from Northern towns and cities to London and Blackpool, known as the 'Yorkshire Services Pools'. This fascinating book will suit all those who are captivated by the romance of coach travel, but who find buses boring. The dozens of pictures evoke the decades in the middle of the 20th Century when workers saved up to go on holiday by coach. Firms like West Yorkshire, Yorkshire Traction, East Yorkshire, East Midland, South Yorkshire, Yelloway, Hebble, Hanson and Wallace Arnold operated the joint services. This book explains the inner workings of the Pools, but the fun is all in the photos.Ruote in Divisa un secolo di veicoli militari (Wheels in uniform, a century of military vehicles) by Brizio Pignacca, Italian text. 182 pages, 197 photos, 53 drawings. Hardbound with dust jacket. 250 x 280 mm. ISBN 88-7911-283-X. Published by and available from Giorgio Nada Editore srl, Via Claudi Treves 15/17, I-20090 Vimodrone (MI), Italy
At the turn of the 20th century the Italian Army brought motor vehicles into military service to tow heavy guns, to transport soldiers (who arrived fitter at the Front), or to carry stores, munitions and materiel. High ranking officers changed from riding to war on horseback to travelling in staff cars. Such new vehicle types as searchlight trucks were developed, and also the recently introduced wireless communication services used trucks as mobile radio stations. Most of the early vehicles were built by Fiat, but then later other Italian makers including Itala, Lancia, Isotta Frascini, Pavesi, SPA, Breda, OM and Lancia entered the business. During the 1950s, OM produced American-designed military trucks under license before new vehicles were developed in Italy. In this book, 100 years of military vehicles in the service of the Italian army are shown in good quality photographs and described in detail.Hans-Georg Schmitt Polizeifahrzeuge aus Deutschland und Europa (Police vehicles from Germany and Europe) by Manfred Peter, German text. 144 pages, 330 colour photos. Hardbound. 220 x 300 mm. ISBN 3-89880-159-4 Published by and available from Heel Verlag GmbH, Gut Pottscheid; D-53639 Konigswinter, Germany.
The different conditions across the European Union mean that emergency vehicles operated in local areas also differ. There is a chapter for each country, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Finland, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Luxemburg, Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, and a comment about borders. The vehicles are described in informative text, with excellent photographs. Hans-Georg SchmittAURORA SLOT CARS By Thomas Graham. 144 pages, 100s of photos. Paperbound. 220 x 280mm. ISBN 0-7643-1863-2. Published by Schiffer, Atglen, PA, USA, European distributor: Bushwood Books, 6 Marksbury Ave, Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4JF, England. £24.95 in UK, inc p&p in UK, plus £5.50 per surface mail order.
Thomas Graham is a History Professor, and this is indeed a scholarly work on his chosen subject. Profusely illustrated, mostly in colour, and well-produced as we have come to expect from Schiffer's books for collectors, this volume first introduces us to the history of slot cars, then to the smaller scale 'HO' ranges, then to Aurora. Their Model Motoring range, designed and licensed by Carl Robinette, was introduced in 1960 with a modest advertising budget, and it was a runaway success in Christmas that year. When Aurora added a larger scale slot system from 1966 onwards, Robinette sued for royalties and lost, but Aurora bought out his rights anyway. The whole story of the firm until its demise under Dunbee-Combex-Marx in 1980 and every slot racing product it made down the years is well told here in great detail, a fascinating tale for all interested in the toy and model industry. There is even a price guide. And for any slot car fanatic this book is essential reading.
BUS STOP
EFE BUS NEWS By Frank Joyce
Since buying back Exclusive First Editions two years ago, Brenda and I have been asked many times why at 60, when so many people are starting to slow down and retire, are we taking on the responsibility of running the business? We enjoy all the things we have accomplished and we are stimulated by the challenge of continuing to develop our product range as we originally intended, while hoping to bring some stability and honesty to the collecting market.
We also feel a responsibility to continue to bring enjoyment to all the loyal collectors who have supported us over the years. As the model bus business has grown, collectors have been overwhelmed with choice, which has caused the market to contract.
In the light of this, model manufacturers have been presented with hard business choices on what models to make.
The obvious choice would be to only make popular models and liveries, to attract greater sales volumes, but this would damage the hobby still more. We will continue to produce models in liveries from all over the country, even if producing some of them is financially painful. We have to decide how many to make of each new model, many months before the release date. It requires experience and good luck to get anywhere near the right number of pieces. Our new models include the first releases of two new casting variations. The first Bristol RELH coach version of the RELL is in Red & White livery, featuring high floor coach seating, full rear window and luggage locker. The new version of our Leyland TD1 is in the popular Southdown Motor Services livery. The release is split with a small quantity promoting this year's Showbus Rally. Recent releases include:
28902 GM Standard Atlantean East Kent 27701 AEC STL Bus type A London Transport 17214 Leyland National MKI Northumbria 14011 Bristol FLF Lodekka Scottish Motor Traction 16614DL Plaxton Paramount 3500 Arriva NE 28807 Leyland Titan Cambridgeshire Police 20129 Bedford OB Coach Leathers Coaches 28603 GM Standard Atlantean PMT-Pennine 24321 BET AEC Reliance Jones of Aberbeeg 17303 Leyland National Mk I Southend Transport 28004 Daimler DMS 1-Door Derby City Transport 20429 Bristol VRIII Solent Blueline 26404 Daimler Utility Bus East Yorkshire 29003 GM Standard Fleetline B Warrington Corp 27210 Leyland TD1 Open stairs Western National 29801 Wright Dennis Lance London & Country 18609 Bristol VRIII open top Vectis Village Bus Co 27002 Bedford TK Transporter Dealer Deilveries 20009 Leyland PD2/12 Orion City of Manchester 16406 AEC RT with roof box London Transport 16121 Leyland PD2 Highbridge ClE (Ireland) 23403 Bedford TK Flat Bed Tennents 27611 Wright Volvo Endurance Arriva Merseyside 17215 Leyland National Mk 1 Alder Valley 99644 Bedford TK Van British Rail Engineering 29401 Bristol RELH Coach Red & White 26503 Bristol Utility Bus Provincial 28501 Leyland TD1 closed type C Southdown 28501SB Leyland TD1C Southdown ShowbusA model has been produced to mark the 40th FA Amateur Cup Final between Sutton United and AFC Wimbledon on 9 August 2003. The model features STL 605 on route 93 to Sutton Garage. For further details contact Peter Coe on 01372 386998.
SBS TRANSIT ALSTOM EMU
The North East Line is a newly developed underground service operated by SBS in Singapore. The EMU is designed by Alstom with new technology developed for the modern city. It is able to be fully automatically operated without a driver on board. The model is made by Creative Master Northcord Ltd and includes French-style handrails, on-board audio and video equipment, and individual coloured seating.The model is 1:87 scale, limited to 5,000 pieces, with a diecast underframe and swivelling plastic bogies, plus metal wheels. Drawgear is cast into the underframe but is non-operational. Only driving car 71001 is available, and this is sold in a clear plastic tube display case featuring a short length of HO scale sleeper track.
TRUCKSTOP KIBRI HO KIT NEWS
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
Here are some of the recent releases in the Kibri range of 1:87 plastic kits, made in Germany. They are all commercial vehicles, trucks and construction equipment.B-12222 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U2400, heavy duty range, wheelbase 2810 mm, 240hp diesel engine and Krone two axle turnip tipper trailer. B-13009 Gottwald AMK 1000-103 telescopic crane Baldwins with 615hp DaimlerChrysler diesel engine and a 253 hp crane engine B-14014 Magirus Type 230D 16 AK two axle truck with three axle trailer with 13 litre air-cooled 230 hp V8 diesel engine. B-14015 Magirus three axle tipper Type 230D 26 AK 6x6, Wheelbase 3850/1380 mm; ZF-six-speed manual gearbox, four-stroke 230hp V8 diesel engine type F8L914 and Mei Her tipper. B-14604 Mercedes-Benz round bonnet truck LS 2620 LAK 2624, 240 hp diesel engine, Scheuerle 35 ton artic low load trailer and load of a ready built garage. B-14990 Mercedes-Benz Unimog Euro II short version with front loader and trailer for building materials. Special Edition; 50 years of plastic kits B-50647 Mercedes round bonnet+lime spreader B-50669 Mercedes-Benz Kirchhoff silo truck B-50900 O&K Dumper K60 B-50982 Fendt Favorit 326 Vario tractor with Stehr agricultural rotary hoe. B-51142 Mercedes-Benz Actros three-axle dumper B-51144 Mercedes-Benz Actros two-axle truck with rear and side tipper body Exclusive to MC Shops B-12227 Lanz Bulldog tractor +trailer, timber load B-12228 Mercedes-Benz Trac with trailer and front-mounted mower Exclusive to Eurotrain shops (see picture on opposite page) B-13524 Castor road transport rig: low loader and two tractor vehicles: Mercedes-Benz four-axle tractor NAW 3550S 503 hp and MAN 26.361 DFS tractor, 360 hp, Waggon Union low-loading bridge with transport equipment for Castor (Cask for storage and transport of radioactive material).PALLETFORCE TRUCKS
'One of the largest palletised distribution organisations in the UK, PalletForce Plc recognises the hard work its member depots put in with its Awards for Quality', it says here. Search Impex were asked to supply high quality customised model vehicles in PalletForce corporate livery to be awarded to the winners. Eligor 1:43 scale DAF 95 XF 6x2 space cab tractor units with three axle skirted curtainside trailers were finished in Pallet-Force's orange livery with silver curtains. At the request of PalletForce, a number of models were supplied in glass display cases. PalletForce also commissioned one Emek 1:24 scale model. At about three quarters of a metre in length, this King of the Road model is also in a glass display case and will be presented as a Depot of the Year award. The winning depot will keep the model for a year and have their name engraved on a winner's plaque in the case alongside the model. They will also be invited by PalletForce to attend the annual Motor Transport Awards ceremony in London.Trackside STOBARTS
Corgi have made lots of models in Eddie Stobart livery, not all of them representing vehicles ever owned by the Cumbrian transport firm, though that is probably of little significance to the many Eddie fans who buy them. Now Corgi add models in the smaller size Trackside series, from their Lledo Collectibles subsidiary. The Trackside prototype vehicles are from an era before Stobart existed, so Lledo have created a special 'vintage' version of the green and gold livery as it might have appeared on these older road transport vehicles, if Stobart had ever owned them! The models include an AEC flat artic with a tinplate goods depot, a Foden S21 with sheeted platform trailer; a new Scammell Handyman with platform trailer and two Leyland Octopus lorries, one a flat with parcel load, the other a dropside version. These models are released from August to November.
BRITAIN
OXFORD DIECAST
Latest releases from Oxford of Wales include the following:Ford A van The Sunday Post (a Scottish Sunday newspaper, featuring the immortal comic character 'Oor Wullie', sitting on his usual upturned bucket).
Ford A van Ardath cigarettes (50th release in the Oxford ciggies series - cough, cough)
Routemaster bus Southdown (only 2000 made in this incredibly popular bus company livery, featuring ads for 'Brighton - City by the sea',)
Chevrolet luton van Pickfords (1930s livery)
Chevrolet tilt lorry Balmoral Castle (presumably used for transporting truckloads of game birds to the kitchens after a shoot,)
Bullnose van The Devonshire and Dorset Regt (with regimental badge featuring Exeter Castle)
Volkswagen split window van Double Your Money (featuring a picture of mid-Atlantic accented quizmaster Hughie Green, from this popular 1950s-60s UK television show,)K&R REPLICAS NEWS
By Stephen Roff
The latest 1:43 scale white metal kits available from K & R Replicas are as follows:KR137 Triumph 2000 Mk2 Estate KR138 Triumph 2000TC Estate KR139 Triumph 2500TC Estate KR140 Triumph 2.5 Pi Mk2 Estate KR141 Triumph 2500S Estate KR142 Triumph GT6 Mk1Estate cars cost £27.00 each, the GT6 £26.00.
FRANCE
ARGUS ON DINKY
Argus de la Miniature issue 222 is devoted to French Dinky products, the coverage to be continued in subsequent issues.
The price is 13 Euros in France, from Argus 222, BP40 F78231 Le Pecq cedex, France.NEW MCM MODELS By Laura Brianza
These 1:43 scale kits are now available from MCM of France:035B Aston Martin Ulster LM 1937 #37 dnf 035C Aston Martin Ulster LM 1939 #31 dnf 035D Aston Martin Ulster LM 1934 #21,22,23 046 Mercedes SSK Monaco 1929 #34 3rd 047 Mercedes SSKL Monaco 1931 #8 dnf 048 Delahaye 135S LM 1938 #15 P1 049 Delahaye 135S LM 1938 #14 P2 050 Delahaye 135S LM 1937 #14 P2 051 Delahaye 135S LM 1937 #10/11 P2/AEditor's note: thanks to Laura for that, but it would be nice if we got the news direct from the maker!
GERMANY
SCHUCO RELEASES
Here is the latest news of Schuco planned releases, all made in China for Germany:1:10 scale 06529 NSU Max solo motorcycle red 1:43 scale 02406 DKW Express Van DKW Kundendienst 02632 Opel Kapitan saioon Polizei 02633 Opei Kapitan saloon cream 02713 VW T1 Simba Bus Malteser Hiifsdienst 03116 Mercedes Unimog 401Malteser Hiifsdienst 04807 Opel Astra V8 Coupe 2002 Cecotto 04808 Opel Astra V8 Coupe 2002 Helary 04809 Opel Astra V8 Coupe 2002 Lehto 04850 V8 Star 2002-03 Goodyear Fahrsimulator 04851 V8 Star Saizburg Ring 2002 C Danner 04880 Opel Astra V8 Coupe 2002 Strycek 1:90 scale Classic Piccolos 05275 Mercedes Unimog 401Malteser Hiifsdienst 05113 Mercedes L319 Box Van Dunlop 05601 Smart City Coupe 056,21 VW T1 pickup 05642 Grand Prix Racer Classica 2003 05711 Henschel roadi roller 05721 Krupp 748 Tipper 50133007 Austin Mini 1:87 Edition 21619 V8 Star ist Choice Racing 2002 Michels 21624 V8 Star SST Engineering Widmann 21626 V8 Star GAG Racing 2002 Adorf 21630 V8 Star JAG Racing 2002 Simon 21632 V8 Star Gaieriai Kaufhof 2002 Lechner 21657 V8 Star Pole Vision racing 2002 Asch 21686 Mercedes Unimog U300 with Snowplough 21690 VW Ti Samba i us wit i Cara an 21694 W Beetle Malteser Hiifsdienst 21699 Mini Cooper THW 21710 VW Beetle with Caravan 22047 Mercedes Actros artc Sauber Petronas 22048 Mercedes Actros artic Vodafone 22465 Mercedes Actros artic Terratrans 22611 MAN TG-A Tractor Unit Full House 22631 MAN TG-A artic Danone Obstgarten 23801 Scania Topline tractor unit, new design 23811 Scania T cab Tractor Unit Tribal 24508 DAF XF 95 artic Kuberi tuning Junior Line 1:43 27181 VW Beetle Malteser HiifsdienstSCHUCO SHOWROOM
Only a few years ago, Schuco was taken over by the Simba-Dickie Group and later on they moved out from under the wing of Trix in Nuremberg to a new building on the outskirts of Fürth, the sister city of Nuremberg. At the new headquarters a tempting showroom can be visited, which is mainly for visiting trade buyers. Journalists are also directed to this room, which is filled with the latest products but makes few references to the heritage of the old Schuco brand. (Notes, Hans-Georg Schmitt).MINICHAMPS NEWS
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Minichamps 1:43 diecast in China for Germany, latest releases:400 082320 Ford GT 2003, white 400 021030 BMW Z4 Roadster 2002, red 400 062030 Porsche Boxster 2002, silver 430 103202 Lamborghini 350 GT 1964, black 400 081411 Ford Taunus P5 Turnier 1964, red 400 166270 Toyota Land Cruiser 2002, black 400 081421 Ford Taunus P5 Coupe 64 dark blue 400 137222 Aston Vanquish V12 rhd 2002, green 400 026977 Porsche 911GT3-RS TaisanAdvan LM 436 021308 Bentley EXP Speed 8 LM 2002 400 125100 Lancia Nea 2001, silver 400 166200 Toyota Avensis 2002 saloon, red 400 051195 Volkswagen 411 Taxi 1969, black 400 062070 Porsche Boxster S 2002, black 400 113102 Renault R16 1965, green metallic 430 103302 Lamborghini GT 212 1964, orange 400 166132 Lexus SC 430 Conv 2001, purple met 400 030079 Sauber Petronas F1 Presentation 03 430 793906 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC 5.0 East African Safari Rally 1973 400 030189 Minardi PS01 with slick tyres, Jos Verstappen Test Valencia 30 January 2003 400 030080 Sauber Petronas presentation car Heinz Harald Frentzen 2003 430 793914 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC 5.0 East African Safari Rally 1979 Mikkola-Hertz 430 010122 Melkus RS 1000 1972, yellow sports car from ex-DDR based on Wartburg. 400 030088 Minardi Cosworth Formula 1 Team Presentation car Justin Wilson 2003 1400 081120 Ford Fiesta 5-door 2002, black 430 018997 Ford Focus RS WRC RAC Rally 01 439 159095 Minardi Cosworth Formula one Presentation car Jos Verstappen 2003 400 790011 March BMW 792 Tomica Masahiro Hasemi 1979 Nippon F2 Championship 400 790005 March BMW 792 Pentax Kazuyoshi Hoshino 1979 Nippon F2 Championship 400 026980 Porsche 911GT3-RS LM02 FreisingerWORLD NEWS
MOSTLY1:18 SCALE
By Ben van Roode
AutoArt makes some very well-made models, although their choice of subjects is sometimes erratic. New 1:18 scale releases from them include a Porsche 911 GT3R, Corvette 2003 in coupe and convertible form, Subaru Impreza station wagon WRX STi and the Monte Carlo Rally Impreza. My personal opinion is that cars like the Maybach, Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg are not relevant for the modern world. But they exist, and AutoArt has now released the long wheelbase version of the Maybach. In 1:18 it is impressively large.Beanstalk is a company not related to toymaking or model cars. Their core business is to implement image and marketing programmes for big companies like Ford, who actually own the company. Their new 1:18 scale models of the GT40, F-150 pickup and Thunderbird are the results of that cooperation. They are impressive, even more so at a price of around 30 Euros each, and are distributed by Minichamps, who could learn a lesson or two from them.
A Pontiac Vibe is the same car as a Toyota Matrix, but they look very different from each other. Both are made by Road Legends in 1:18 scale. The same company now offers a 1:24 scale model of a 1930s Cadillac Presidential limousine, packed with detail.
>From Muscle Machines (USA) are several models also sold as Import. Think of 1:18 models of the Supra, Skyline, Integra and Civic in very extreme hopped up versions. These models are targeted at young males, following the Fast and Furious movies.
Looking at a couple of other scales, Revell have started releasing their 1:32 slot cars, in the form of three Cobra Daytona coupes. And Kyosho make a lot of models for BMW, the new 5 Series is their latest in 1:43 scale.
HIGHWAY 61
By Ben van Roode
Here are the latest issues from Diecast Promotions and their Highway 61 range:1:18 Scale 1963 Pontiac Le Mans coupe 1929 Different Ford Hot Rod coupes 1963 Pontiac Le Mans super duty 1964 Dodge 330 1968 Dodge Dart GTS 1967 Oldsmobile 442 coupes and convertibles 2003 Saturn L 300 sedan Other scales 1:25 GMC-Chevrolet vans 1:50 Chevrolet Silverado 1:16 1941Chevrolet-GMC Grain trucks 1:16 1946 Chevrolet-GMC fire engine 1:16 Graham Bradley General Purpose tractorBBURAGO NEWS
By Hans-Georg Schmitt
New diecast releases from Bburago of Italy include the following:41606 BMW Z8 1:43 41516 Lamborghini Murcielago 1:43 41013 Giugiaro Prima 1:43 41204 Fiat 500 Sport 1:43 16167 Land Rover Aziza 1:24 34094 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR 1:18 Mille Miglia 34109 Mini Cooper Monte Carlo 1960 1:18LSR MODEL NEWS
By Laura Brianza, ABC, Italy
New 1:43 scale Land Speed Record models from Italy:UGO FADINI: SPEED ON SALT 01 Hill-Davis City of Burbank streamliner, 1952 Bonneville SCTA Speed Trials Class B record OMICRON 10 Infinity jet car, Glenn Leasher, Bonneville 1962, fatal LSR attemptORIGINAL CLASSICS
We first heard of this new range a year or so ago, and we are very pleased to see it in production. It is a new series of emergency vehicles diecast in 1:18 scale in China for the British company, Original Classics. The first release is a 1:18 Dennis F8 fire appliance in the livery of the City of Leeds Fire Brigade, the birthplace of the founder of this range, Stephen Green. He has a distinguished record in the model and toy industry, so we look forward to great things from his project.VICTORY UPDATE
By Ray Paszkiewicz Jr
Here is the latest news from Victory Models, of two new model releases. The first is a new version of the bus we produced about seven or eight years ago. This is VC-3 1947 GM Coach model 3506 Trenton Transit. It is attractive with the advertising boards and is authentic right down to the series numbers, destinations and NJ licence.The second release is a new master, VM-10 1940 La Salle Series 52 convertible coupe, a spectacular looking car. I'm very proud to have produced this one.
We expect to produce two more models soon, La Familia VL-9 1953 Checker A7 limousine in two-tone green (not a taxi) and Victory VM-5 1941 Packard Custom 180 Formal sedan (padded top, sidemounts and spats on a 138 inch wheelbase).
Copyright Modelauto Ltd
e-mail mar@zeteo.com
