CONTENTS
Model Auto Review 186
Publication date 7 Oct 20049344 Correspondence 9346 400E Graeme Ogg, England 9347 Emergency Maz Woolley, England 9347 Super Models: 5 Robin Godwin, USA 9348 The Muky story Bob Frassinetti, Argentina 9349 Two 1940 Fords Phil Campbell, Germany 9350 The Bluesmobile Don Elliott, USA 9351 Czech catalogues Horst Macalka, Austria 9352 Rolls-Royce Elegance Scott Brown, USA 9354 Morgan 4 wheelers John Hanson, England 9355 1941 Ford Tudor John Quilter, USA 9355 Futures Dick Browne, USA 9356 Bullitt Don Elliott, USA 9357 Old soldiers Graeme Watt, Scotland 9358 Captions to right centre page 9361 Mornflake Trojan van 9359 Club News 9362 Captions to back cover page 9380 9363 Captions to left centre page 9360 9363 NEWS World: Baily, Arnold, Vimos 9364 Book Reviews 9366 Competitions 9366 NEWS USA: New 1;43 models John Whitehead, USA 9367 NEWS Tractors, plant: Siku, Rio 9368 NEWS Truckstop: Durham, Siku, Corgi, Igra, Busch, Minichamps, Wiking, Rietze 9370 NEWS World: Sun Star, Minichamps, Hot Wheels, Vitesse, US Notes Ben van Roode, NL 9371 NEWS Europe: Marsh, Top, Provence Moulage 9372 Bus Stop: EFE, Rietze, Wiking 9373 NEWS Germany: Siku, Revell, Busch, Minichamps 9374 avia mini 9376 Swapmeet Diary, Small ads, subscriptions
EDITORIAL
By Rod WardFLOODS LATER
The same day MAR 185 arrived from the printers, with my Summer Floods Editorial, I had a message on the same subject from Corgi. I noted that using Chinese factories to make diecast models means that range owners have to accept a steady flow of models throughout the year, when they are ready to ship, rather than larger or smaller volumes according to market demand.
But just when everybody gets used to that situation, it all changes. Corgi gave advance warning that there would be more than 30 new releases in the next batch. They say, 'We are aware of the problems this gives many of you. Why are we forced to do this? One of the main reasons is that supply from the Far East is lumpy, due to availability of container ships out of Hong Kong and China. This is a problem for many importers of product from this region, an issue that has been high-lighted in the press and TV. This means that product timed for delivery to the UK in the middle of the month is not always leaving the Far East at that time and our containers are being consolidated on to a later ship. We are making every effort to resolve this as soon as possible, so we can get back to a normal release plan that gives an equal number of releases twice a month and not the imbalance you see at present'. The problem as highlighted in the press is that as world demand fell after the events of 9/11, importers ordered smaller quantities of all types of Chinese-made goods and the number of container ships from China had to be reduced.
This means that if you have items waiting to leave China, there may be three or four of your consignments loaded by the time a ship is filled, so they all arrive at once, instead of spaced out. The same thing occurred last Christmas. Massive deliveries of certain diecast ranges arrived in Europe in Christmas week, too late to get to the shops for seasonal sales. So it's not all roses, having your models made in China.
ANDRÉ MARIE RUF
It is with regret that I note the passing of André Marie Ruf, one of the best-known and respected makers of kits and handbuilt models, after a long struggle against illness. He was famous for producing many scale models under his illustrious range title of AMR, among others. At one time he was at the peak of his profession, but now he joins the ever-lengthening list of those from whom new creations will never now be seen in the world of model cars.
We also note in this issue that Provence Moulage has closed, apparently for good.
The specialist model collecting industry is shrinking all the time.
POPULAR FEATURES
We always get a trickle of approving messages from readers after a new issue of MAR has been published, but I always regard the otherwise silent response from the majority of our readership as mute approval. Model Auto Review 185 was a bit of an exception in this regard, however. An unusually large number of readers specifically complimented the writers of features in that issue. In particular, the piece on model cars from 'down under' by Graeme Ogg and the feature on the models of Claude Thibivilliers were both widely admired. But don't let the competition from such august authors put you off contributing to MAR. We still need more on all aspects of the world of model vehicles to fill our pages. As I write this, I am planning three or four issues ahead, and at the same time considering the future role MAR should take in an ever-changing world. I have some interesting ideas under development. Watch this space.
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod WardMaidenhead Static Model Club: The display and competition theme for members at the MSMC June club night was on three wheeled vehicles. Bob Westerbeke won the display competition and took first prize with his charming little Autogyro. Second place was went to Pat Elphick's light blue and cream Daihatsu, while John Bennett came third, Paul Rowley fourth and Barbara Simpson grabbed fifth spot with her 'Happy Days' tricycle. They say, 'It was a pleasant change to see that two of the competition winners were from the club's female membership'.
Members were kept amused as they competed to see whose Superfast model would travel furthest down the MSMC's infamous 30 foot hardboard raceway. Robbie Bennett was the winner and was awarded the bubbly. Derek Boxhall sneaked home in second place and Roy Weller took the final step on the winner's rostrum. Les Duplock's latest 'Where are they now?' feature in the MSMC newsletter Wheel Bearings mentions these folk: Peter Harrington (who started the Evaluator series of publications), Ken Noakes (school teacher and dealer), Ron Goldring (Tekno importer), Bernie O'Connell (one-time swapmeet dealer) and Dave Gilbert (of DG Models fame; I can help on this, he is still in business, back to being a one-man-band, but is rarely heard from these days). Pictures in this issue include one of Dr Cecil Gibson's house at Anstey, Leicester, hallowed ground for all Dinky fans, and some from Vic Davey and Paul and Hilary Kennelly of progress on their West Wales Museum of Childhood. For information on the MSMC Windsor ToyFair, contact ToyFair Secretary John Garside on 07729 910632. The Club is planning a two day bus trip, for members only, to Houten swapmeet in the Netherlands, at a maximum cost of £50.00 per head. If you'd like to join the Maidenhead Static Model Club and benefit from this kind of activity, contact Membership Secretary Alan Simpson on 01494 813903 for more details.
South Hants Model Auto Club: By now, everyone will know that this club has a number of competition car enthusiasts amongst its members. One of that speedy group is Chris Derbyshire, who reports in the Club newsletter that Rothmans have reacted adversely to the release by Minichamps of the Paris Dakar Porsche 959 in their livery. They have demanded withdrawal of all the 5,040 models made of car #185 and all 2,496 of car #187. In addition they have now asked for withdrawal of the two Le Mans-winning Porsche 956s in Rothmans liveries as well. One assumes that this is related to the hyper-sensitivity of tobacco manufacturers to their logos being used in any circumstances where it might influence children to buy their products, rather than just the fact that permission had not been granted for use of the livery. Actually, this issue of the newsletter isn't all racing and sports car-orientated. There are mentions of movies (James Bond and Bullitt) and some pieces on trucks by Skip White. All is not lost, therefore, if you aren't a speed freak but would still like to join the South Hants Club, just ring Secretary Dave Painter on 01264 366408.
West Australian Model Collectors Club: Showcase, the WAMCC Club publication, has a feature in each issue on the history of a diecast model brand. These have been very interesting, and mostly seem to have been gleaned from the internet by the indefatigable editor, Ian Hind. The latest one is on Buby, and appears to be based on the same interview by Bob Frassinetti of the Buenos Aires Toy Museum which was published in MAR 185, though Bob's name is not mentioned. It makes me wonder if Buby models were ever seen in Australia, at least by the usual distribution system. Ian also notes the Rothmans versus Minichamps imbroglio. He comments that this situation is likely to put off model manufacturers from producing anything in tobacco related liveries. The story began with the Minichamps 1:18 scale Ayrton Senna Williams FW16 in Rothmans livery being advertised in a magazine, leading to action from the legal department at Philip Morris. It is said that 'all UK dealers' were contacted by Rothmans by letter, telling them that they could no longer sell any model in Rothmans livery. Not all UK dealers, Modelauto Ltd never got any such letter. Ian advises anyone who wants the models in question to move quickly to buy them and avoid disappointment. I doubt if any dealers who are aware of the situation will be prepared to risk the wrath of Philip Morris by selling the models to you. They will be only to happy to send their stock back to Minichamps or their distributor, for a refund. More interesting are two other situations: First, where does this leave companies like Minichamps, who will have paid a fee to the Senna Foundation, to Williams, and maybe to other copyright holders, but who now cannot make the models due to the tobacco livery problem. Can they get their licence fee monies back from those companies, as the models will not now be made? Secondly, Are Philip Morris prepared to chase down the sale of every obsolete model in Rothmans livery? What about all the thousands of old secondhand models made by Vitesse, Starter, Provence Moulage and hundreds of other makers which will appear in dealers' lists over the next few years? It's a minefield. To discuss it further in the WAMCC newsletter, Ian's phone number is 934 9369, email jhind@iinet.net.au
The Lledo Enthusiast and Variations Club:
In the latest issue of the Lledo Enthusiast newsletter, Bill Alexander continues his usual exemplary coverage of the minutiae of Lledo collecting. He includes two pictures of resin pre-production prototypes made by George Turner which never entered production in the Vanguards range. They are an MG TC and a four-door version of the Ford 100E saloon (thus presumably a Prefect). He also notes a rare version of the VA05509 Swift Yellow Cars taxi cab which has the present day phone number of this Leicester firm, rather than the old one from the period of the car modelled. Only 100 were made, and all have already been distributed free by the company, perhaps to customers and staff. Bill has commissioned a special model for the Club, a Morris Minor van in maroon with cream lettering, only 100 made, fully certificated, at £10.50 including p&p to members only. Whilst considering the lettering to feature on the model, Bill realised that the club is already in its 15th year. It all began in 1990 when pioneer Ray Bush retired and closed down the original Days Gone Collector Club, complete with its Lledo Calling magazine. That reminds me: does anyone want a big pile of Lledo Calling? I've got lots of copies somewhere! If you want to order the special model van, you'll have to join the The Lledo Enthusiast and Variations Club. Contact Bill Alexander at 33 North Town Moor, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 7JR.
The Toy Studebaker Collectors Club:
Joe Parsons is Editor of the attractive and informative quarterly Newsletter of this Club. He covers news of every small Studebaker he can find; models, toys and other items. A recent issue included an article (reprinted from Hemmings Magazine) on the models produced by Shrock Brothers Minatures, which have featured previously in MAR. The main business of the brothers Shrock is operating a car body repair shop, and they enjoy their sideline making small scale Studebakers as a nice break from the grind-it-out routine of insurance collision work, if not quite as profitable. They have a long family heritage of Studebaker ownership, and have restored a number of cars to award-winning standards. There is a detailed exposition of how they make their models in white metal, by the process familiar to all MAR readers. The first Shrock models were 1:43 scale, then 1:55. but are now mostly 1:72 scale. Most fairly simple models cost around $60 to $70, but there is a 1950 Thrill Show Auto Cannon, with a bullet-nosed convertible emerging from the barrel, at a more expensive $300. There is lots more like this in the newsletter, such as news from Bruce Arnold (a familiar name to MAR readers), Danbury, Brooklin and many other ranges. Gary and Joe hope to arrange meets in future, where members can get together in person, instead of by mail, email or phone. For membership information, contact President-Treasurer Gary Saunders, 216 North 36th Street, Nixa, MO 65714, USA, tel (417) 582-0608, email saunders@tablerock.net
Oxford Diecast Collectors Club: Lyndon Davies, proprietor of Oxford Diecast models, believes in cross-promotion of the products he sells. If you order over £10.00 worth of goods you get a free 1:72 diecast Saab 9.3.
If you buy a twin-Mini set (one old, one new) with the Scottish saltire on the roof, you get a free 'Benjamin Smith' bear in Scots garb. Membership of the ODCC costs £12.00 (or £16.00 for 'platinum membership') and you can choose a free gift of a key ring, pocket torch, badge, or a packet of flower seeds, plus a free Oxford model as well. Benefits include the 'Globe' the quarterly ODCC magazine, and many offers of discounted models as well as the cross-promotions noted above. Contact Oxford Diecast Ltd, PO Box 62, Swansea UK, SA1 4YA.
South Hants Model Auto Club: One of the interesting sidelights of my reading of the various club publications that provide the information for this column is finding out about other clubs. Sometimes these are currently thriving clubs who don't bother to send news to MAR for publication here, and it offers me a chance to give them a mention. Occasionally the clubs in question no longer exist, and it is thanks to the SHMAC magazine, edited by Sue and Stu Leake that I read about the Portsmouth Static Model Vehicle Club, described by Chris Pentney. The 'Static' in the title (like the Maidenhead club) is an indication of the period in which the Portsmouth Club was formed. Up to the 1960s all model car clubs were for motorised models. At first these were petrol powered, often round-the-pole racers, then they were elecric powered, mostly slot cars. In order to differentiate enthusiasts for diecast and other model cars from these more mechanically minded folk, an early option was to describe oneself as a 'static' model vehicle collector. The Portsmouth Club was founded in 1970, with weekly meetings at the flat of Ted Webber. A visit to the Maidenhead Club's first swapmeet at the Monkey Island Hotel at Bray led to the Pompey gang deciding to run their own event, which took place on 14 August 1971. Publicity included the local paper, radio and televison stations! Two more events were held before the Club decided that there was too much competition and they concentrated in future on (now fortnightly) club meetings at various members' homes, later at Cosham Health Centre. Membership peaked at around 17, and the club continued in existence for another 14 years. The surviving members are proud that their club was the second to be founded in this country and the second to hold a swapmeet (in both cases second to the MSMC), and some continue their involvement in the model car club world as members of the SHMAC. Unlike the Portsmouth Club, the South Hants club is still very much in existence, with regular meetings at the Rockingham Arms, and welcomes all new members. Ring Secretary Dave Painter on 01264 366408.
Maidenhead Static Model Club: The MSMC monthly newsletter Wheel Bearings contains a disclaimer that views expressed therein are not necessarily those of the Committee or members. Probably just as well, as it is now under the anarchic editorship of Les Duplock. Among the small ads in the latest issue is a request from Ray Strutt for a Mikansue Morris Mosquito kit. Les asks that anyone responding should check the contents carefully, as all Mikansue models look the same. If we ever find out what it is that they look like, we'll build one. The latest 'Where are they now?' feature asks about Marcel Bloom (Dinky collector), David Mansfield (had a shop in Bournemouth), John Teychenne (had the shop under the arches at Charing Cross station), Anthea Knowles (ran the upmarket London Antique Toy Fairs), Eric Cato (Essex dealer in tin toys) and Dave Manterfield (maker of code 3 models). I can update everyone on the last-named. Dave is still around, still based near Sheffield, and still building models, though no longer Code 3 yesteryears. He has suffered from ill-health in recent years, but assures me that he is ok now. Regarding previous names in this category, Ron Ping (ex Matchbox and EFE) is reported as having become a sheep farmer in Wales. Brian Garfield-Jones closed his famous collectors shop, made his fortune with a courier service and is now retired in Horsham. The 'Static' in the MSMC title (see previous news item has come up for discussion. Some members now collect 'non-static' items, so is the title now inappropriate? Should new words be chosen to fit the MSMC initials? Suggestions are invited. How about the Maidenhead and Slough Model Club? Then at last the location of their famous swapmeet would be acknowledged by the club. Some members visited the New mini factory at Oxford, and were surprised to be dressed for the purpose in orange coats, safety glasses and headsets. They obviously didn't realise that this was an example of a Cholly Cherman Choke. The MSMC has made progress on the recruitment front. Chairman Peter Carpenter reports that a new member has joined, and two people have taken away membership packs with a positive view to joining. Finally, Ray Strutt contributes a 'quote of the year' for 1980 from Collectors Gazette: Robin Dove of Magpie Models asserted, 'Not enough old Yesteryears to go round'. 'Where is he now?' asks Les. I guess Les has a lot of old Yesteryears to get rid of (don't we all?), but I'm afraid Robin has sold his shop and retired to study local history and sell cigarette cards on the side. He doesn't seem to think the great Yesteryear shortage has lasted. If you would like to read more of this jolly stuff every month in Wheel Bearings, contact Alan Simpson on 01494 813903 for MSMC membership details.
West Australian Model Collectors Club: The Editor of the WAMCC Club publication, Showcase, Ian Hind, refers to the magazine of the Brsibane Diecast Model Collectors Club (there's another one we don't hear from). In that publication, Peter Seaman notes, 'I was in a model shop the other day, browsing the wares and trying to strike up a conversataion with the grumpy proprietor, as one does. Funny how most model car shop owners are grumpy'. Ian agrees with Peter's observations, from his own experience. 'Far too many model retailers around the world fall into the grumpy old men category. Do they start out that way? Or do they just become that way after years and years of dealing with time wasters, bargain hunters and stupid questions?' he asks. Well, I can give them the definitive answer, YES on all counts! Mostly people open model shops because they are enthusiasts, not necessarily good businessmen (or they'd have opened a fast-food franchise) or have good people-skills (or they'd have joined the police). An endless stream of w*****s and a*******s through your personal space would turn a saint into a grumpy old man. I have never claimed saintly status, so I was therefore banned from serving in the Modelauto retail shop by our more sensitive young ladies
BOOK REVIEWS
SAMUEL LEDGARD: A Reminiscence: Prestige Series, volume 26 by Mike Lockyer and John Banks, 170 x 240mm softbound, 64 pages, ISBN 1 898432 98 8. Pub: Venture Publications Ltd, 128 Pikes Lane, Glossop, Derbyshire. SK13 8EH, UK. Price £9.50.
The latest title in this popular series is an illustrated history of this major West Yorkshire Independent bus operator.
Mike Lockyear has been a keen follower of the company from his childhood days, when he grew up on the route of Ledgard services between Leeds and Ilkley. He recalls fondly their Leyland buses pulling away from the stop outside his house. Model collectors from outside the locality may be amused by the name of the company, but Sammy (never called that to his face) was formidable character, almost an archetypal Yorkshireman. Born in 1874, he took over the licence of the Nelson Hotel in Armley, Leeds in 1897. The Hotel survives, and bears a blue plaque in his memory. He then also owned a brewery and a bottling plant, which bottled beers for big companies such as Guinness and Bass. This led to outside catering, and marquee hire, which needed transport. So he set up a haulage company to do this work for others as well as his own needs, initially with horses, then in 1906 with his first steam lorry, a secondhand Coulthard. When motor vehicles came on the scene, he took over Bridge Garage to service and repair his own vehicles, as well as doing it for others for profit. Can you see the pattern yet? He bought up property around his Hotel in Armley, as an investment, which eventually provided space for his bus garage. On the side he was also a cattle dealer, buying beasts in Wales and Ireland destined for Leeds abbattoirs. He also farmed his own cattle, and was involved in quarrying and gravel extraction, which also needed fleets of lorries. He then bought demountable charabanc bodies, to be fitted to his lorries at weekends for trips to the coast and race meetings. He took over a number of small bus companies from 1924 to 1943, establishing the Samuel Ledgard name as a thriving local bus operator. Sam himself was a quiet man, with a reputation for being 'careful', often mistaken outside Yorkshire for meanness, but not necessarily so. His bete noire was the West Yorkshire Road Car Company, which also grew by acquiring small companies. Sam always had faster buses, enclosed staircases when West Yorkshire had open ones and so on. When he died in 1952 his business affairs turned out to be in a shambles. Even though all the earlier activities (brewing, catering, tents, etc) had ceased in the 1930s, they had never been wound up, were deemed to be still in operation and incurred death duties. This financial disaster meant that in future only secondhand buses could be bought to renew the fleet, resulting in a fascinating mixture of vehicles, all in the famous blue livery. The end came suddenly. In 1967 the company was sold to West Yorkshire, of all people. Sam must have been turning in his grave. The company had always operated from Armley to towns west and north of Leeds, with other depots in Otley, Yeadon, Ilkley and Bradford. This book is packed with fascinating photographs, from the Nelson Hotel in the 1920s to the multifarious blue buses that I recall from the 1960s when I first arrived in Leeds. It was a mystery to me at the time how so many bus companies survived, as they jostled for business in the area, a jumble of BTC, BET, municipal and private companies. I never travelled on a 'Sammys' bus, never needing to go where they went, so the mysterious attraction they have for Yorkshire bus enthusiasts bypassed me. For them, this book will be essential. For everyone else who likes to see the old street scenes and settings in the photographs, it is still fascinating, and is highly recommended.
Rod Ward
Standard Guide to 1:18 Scale Die-Cast Cars by Merry Dudley, with Foreword by Joe Kelly, Jnr. Published 2003 by Krause Publications, 700 East State Street, Tola, WI 54990-0001, USA. ISBN 0-87349-645-0 256 pages incl advertisements, softbound 276 x 210 mm. Fully illustrated in colour. Price guide in US $ included.
This much-awaited book is written by Merry Dudley, Editor of the US magazine Toy Cars & Models. It is a first attempt to list, picture and detail all makes of 1:18 scale diecast models. Some 28 brand names are covered, from American Muscle through the alphabet to Yat Ming. Each make is briefly introduced, and followed by photographs of mdels with variations. The number of illustrations seems to depend on what was available to the author, with some makers notably less helpful than others.
As a first try at classifying this huge and popular subject, it is very good and makes great reading. However, the author admits no information was forthcoming from several major makers, including Anson, Motor City Classics, Revell, Sun Star, Welly, and others. It is hoped these will appear in a new edition of the book. If one appears, I would certainly buy a copy. The publishers invite collectors who have photographs of models listed in this edition, but not illustrated, to get in touch, as they aim to have every model pictured one day. Merry Dudley is one of the few female editors of model magazines, and she has done a fine job on this book.
Robert P Gunn
The Big Book of Tin Toy Cars: Passenger, Sports and Concept Vehicles. The Big Book of Tin Toy Cars: Commercial and Racing Vehicles, Both by Ron Smith and William C Gallagher, published 2004 by Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310, USA. Distributed in Europe by Bushwood Books, 6 Marksbury Avenue, Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4JF, England. ISBN 0-7643-1948-5 (Cars) and 0-7643-1949-3 (Commercials). Both hardback, 215 x 283 mm, with 240 pages (cars) and 232 pages (commercials). Both lavishly illustrated in colour. Each $49.95 USA, about £40.00 UK
This matching pair of quality hardback books represent perhaps the finest attempt ever made to catalogue and illustrate tinplate toy cars and trucks from all over the world, a Herculean task. The two authors have been really diligent in their research, even to the extent of interviewing current and retired toy company executives, especially from Japan. While toys from many countries are featured, the very best examples of the tin toy came out of Japan in the 1950s and 1960's. The finest of these, mainly models in large scale of US cars made for the American market, are near perfect replicas of the real thing. A slightly different format is adopted in these two companion volumes. In the 'cars' book, the toys are reviewed in alphabetical order of real makes, from Alfa Romeo to Zundapp, after an introduction and a note about values of the toys. The 'commercials' title starts the same way, then goes by type of vehicle. Commercial delivery trucks are followed by various public service cars, such as police and fire services, then Hot Rods and Jalopies, finally Race Cars. All are very well-illustrated in colour, with beautiful photographs.
Advice on values and rarity is also given, with some of the very best cars reaching well over $20,000 at auction! Although not cheap, these two books are worth every penny in my opinion. They are a delight to read and form a really comprehensive reference source as well. You will not be surprised to read that I recommend them both!
Robert P. Gunn
The Car Design Yearbook 3: The Definitive Annual Guide to All New Concept and Production Cars Worldwide, by Stephen Newbury, published by Merrell £25.00 hardbound. Over 550 colour photographs. ISBN 1 85894 241 1.
This is the third annual edition of this already-indispensible book, which covers every new concept and production car worldwide unveiled in the last year, including those from the Barcelona, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Greater LA, North American (NAIAS in Detroit), Melbourne, Brussels, Canadian and Geneva international motor shows.
The author rightly claims that The Car Design Yearbook is the only book that truly records the progression of car design across the world year on year. This volume includes a timely special feature on aerodynamics essential for the high-performance sports cars currently on sale. With up to six illustrations of each car featured, the reader sees each vehicle from every angle, including many shots of their interiors. Stephen Newbury is an independent automotive design consultant (formerly Concept Manager with TWR) and provides a crisp and objective assessment of each car's design features and technical innovations.
His commentary on each car is supported by a specification table listing key technical and performance data. Newbury's comments are often amusing, always insightful. Of the Hyundai HCD8 he says, 'The grille looks like an open jaw that suggests the fangs of power lurking just behind it', and of the Dunehawk, the new four-wheel drive car from Nissan, 'The chiselled architecture and grey colour make it look as though it was hewn straight from a block of granite'. The Skoda Octavia is damned as 'The ultimate choice for people who own caravans', but the Aston Martin DB9 is described as 'One of the most desirable cars around today', the CS&S from Toyota is 'One of those concepts you can't take your eyes off, a real stunner', and of the Elfin MS8 he says, 'It's difficult to imagine more fun on four wheels'.
C Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione P Aston Martin DB9 P Audi A6 Cda Audi Le Mans P4 BMW 5 Series Pd BMW 6 Series Pda BMW X3 P Chevrolet Cobalt P Chevrolet Corvette C Chevrolet Nomad P Chrysler 300C C Chrysler ME Four-Twelve Pd Citroen C2 C Citroen C-Airlounge P Daewoo Lacetti Cd Daihatsu ai C Daihatsu UFE-II C Dodge Sling Shot Ca EDAGgenX P Elfin MS8 Pd Fiat Panda C Fiat Trepiuno C Fioravanti Kite C4 D Ford Bronco Pa Ford Five Hundred Pa Ford Freestyle P Ford Mustang C4 Ford Visos C Fuore BlackJag C Honda HSC C Honda IMAS Cfc Honda Kiwami Pa Honda Odyssey C Honda SUT C Hummer H3T C Hyundai E3 C Hyundai HCD8 C Hyundai Neos-II Pa Infiniti QX56 C Italdesign Alfa Romeo Visconti Cea Italdesign Toyota Alessandro Volta CD4 Jaguar R-D6 CD4Jeep Rescue C 4fc Jeep Treo C Joss P Kia Picanto P Kia Spectra C Lancia Fulvia Coupe C Lancia Granturismo Stilnovo P Lancia Musa C4 Land Rover Range Stormer Pa Lexus GS C4 Lexus LF-S and LF-X Ca Lincoln Aviator C Lincoln Mark X P Maserati Quattroporte P Mazda3 C Mazda Ibuki CD Mazda Kusabi C Mazda MX-Flexa C Mazda MX-Micro Sport Pa Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe C Mercedes-Benz F500 Mind P Mercedes-Benz SLK Pa Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren C4 Mercedes-Benz Vision GST Pd Mitsubishi Colt C4h Mitsubishi Eclipse Concept-E P Mitsubishi Grandis C Mitsubishi i C Mitsubishi Se-ro C4 Mitsubishi Sport Truck C Nissan Actic C Nissan Conran Cube C4 Nissan Dunehawk C4fc Nissan Effis P4 Nissan Frontier C Nissan Fuga C Nissan Jikoo Pa Nissan Pathfinder C4 Nissan Qashqai C4 Nissan Redigo C Nissan Serenity Pd Opel-Vauxhall Astra C Opel Insignia CD Opel Trixx Pd Peugeot 407 C Peugeot 407 Elixir P Pontiac G6 P Pontiac Solstice C4 Renault BeBop C Renault Modus CD Renault Trafic Deck'up C Renault Wind C Rinspeed Splash C Rolls-Royce 100EX P4 Saab 9-2X C Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch C Saturn Curve P Scion tC Pd Seat Altea C Seat Cupra GT Pda Skoda Octavia C Skoda Roomster P Smart Forfour Cha Subaru B9 Scrambler Pda Subaru Justy Pa Subaru Legacy and Outback Ce Subaru Rle Pa Subaru R2 C Suzuki Concept S2 C Suzuki Landbreeze Cfc Suzuki Mobile Terrace C Suzuki S-Ride Pd Toyota Corolla Verso Chb Toyota CS&S Chb Toyota FTX Cfc Toyota MTRC C Toyota NLSV Ce Toyota PM C Volkswagen Concept C C Volkswagen Concept R Ca Volkswagen Concept T Pd Volkswagen Golf Pd Volvo S40 and V50 C Volvo YCCAs time goes on, we find it harder to get information and pictures of concept cars from earlier years, so this series of books will become an essential work of reference for every car enthusiast, especially anyone interested in advanced design and automotive styling ideas.
Rod Ward
Alte Feuerwehren: Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Opel, Magirus-Deutz und andere by Udo Paulitz. German text. 128 pages, 249 colour photos. Hardbound. 275 x 225mm. ISBN 3-440-09832-X. Published by and available from Pranckh-Kosmos Verlags GmbH & Co, D-70049 Stuttgart. Tel: 071172191-0, Fax: 071172191-422; email: info@kosmos.de
This generously proportioned book includes many excellent colour photographs of old fire appliances, with brief descriptions. From the mid 1920s to the 1960s, many interesting nostalgic fire fighting vehicles are pictured, recalling names like Borgward, Hanomag and Henschel. It was still the era of long bonnets, but also at that time the first forward control chassis came into service with fire brigades.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
DDR Automobil KlassikeR Volume 2, by Eberhard Kittler, German text. 160 pages, 149 colour photos. Hardbound. 245 x 310 mm. ISBN 3-613-02344-X 15 years after the wall was broken down between the West of Germany and the car-deprived socialist East, the talents of Eastern automobile designers are recalled, to remind us what it was possible to achieve in spite of that weak economy, with its frequent shortages. The excellent large format colour photographs show a representative selection of cars which were common in daily life or used for special occasions in the DDR. These include for instance, a EMW 340 ambulance, the Wartburg 313 Coupe (to be released as a 1:18 diecast model by Revell), the 'Sachsen-ring' parade cabriolet of the 'People's Army', the legendary Trabi and some rare prototypes, which never entered production, due to lack of money.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Die Feuerspritzenbauer: Die Geschichte der Firma Schenk, Worblaufen, 1817-1957. The Fire Extinguisher Manufacturer: The History of Schenk, from Worblaufen, Switzerland. 144 pages, 118 b/w photographs, 34 drawings. 210 x 270 mm. Hardbound. ISBN 3-7225-6348-8. Published by Ott Verlag, Thun, Switzerland. Available from Herold Verlagsauslieferung & Logistik GmbH, Raiffeisenallee 10, D-82041 Oberhaching München, Germany.
This book, devoted to the history of Schenk, the manufacturers of fire fighting equipment and fire appliances, is a valuable contribution to Swiss industrial history from the 19th and 20th centuries. Four generations of Schenk family were distinguished by a shared inventive ability. The history of this company is especially interesting because their products were almost all manufactured in-house by the comapny. The only bought-in components were engines, gearboxes and roller bearings for the axles. From the beginning of the 20th century onwards, fire appliances were built on chassis of Berna, Saurer or other truck manufacturers. This history is very interesting for anyone who likes old fire service equipment. The vehicles depicted in this book could be interesting source material for builders of miniature fire appliances, especially because in this case typical Swiss equipment is shown.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
NEWS: BRITAIN
Ask your grocer for Mornflake Oats
Mornflake is an old and respected name in the world of British breakfast cereals. Their current on-pack offers in the UK are for a familiar Corgi small-scale artic at £8.99 and a less-familiar Trojan van. This appears to be a scaled-down version of the old Dinky Toy Trojan, right down to the inaccuracies in the shape of the 1950s toy. But it looks very attractive indeed, at the bargain price of £5.99 including post and packing. It is all the better for being in the authentic livery of a Trojan van actually owned and operated in the 1950s by Mornflake, based at their mill in Crewe, Cheshire. Most of the period liveries we see reproduced on model and toy vehicles these days are not authentic, either because a more modern version of the company's livery has been used (often at the insistence of current brand managers) or because that company never operated the vehicle in question. Both Mornflake models are available at £12.98, but only if you buy a cereal pack and send in the application form on the back, with your money.
Vanguards 1:43 diecast in China for UK: Heroes of Australian Motorsport; Mini Cooper S, winner of the gruelling 1966 500 mile Gallaher 500 run at the Mount Panorama circuit, Bathurst, New South Wales 313, British Racing Green with white roof and white bonnet stripes, crewed by Rauno Aaltonen of Finland and Australia's Bob Holden.It was one of a team of three Mini Coopers put together by the British Motoring Corporation's Head of Public Relations, Evan Green. The team included some of the top international rally drivers of the time paired with heroes of Australian motorsport. Nick-named Flying Bricks, the Coopers were expected to do well at the 130-lap endurance race. After seven hours of bumper-to-bumper action, Coopers took the first nine positions of 41 cars that finished the race. The winning Bathurst Mini Cooper S costs £11.99. The second and third placed Mini Coopers are in a Bathurst diorama set priced at £29.99.
Vanguards is also introducing a commemorative Monte Carlo Rally set including three Mini Cooper S champions from the late 1960s, available from November at £39.99.
NEWS USA
New 1:43 models in the USA
By John WhiteheadFive recent additions to my collection are 1:43 scale diecast models which non-North American readers may not have yet seen. They are: Fleer 1941 Ford Deluxe two door sedan. The car shown in the middle column, in Capri Blue Metallic, is one of an eight car set of this casting recently released by new producer Fleer Collectibles, all in accurate attractive Ford 1941 colours. The models, while not quite up to Minichamps standards, are excellent and compete with the best in all areas except the interior finish. There are no opening features. They are a bargain too.
Motor Max 4044: 1941 Plymouth pickup. A very basic and cheap model of quite an unusual subject. Available in two different two tone colour combinations.
Yat Ming 94241: 1969 Chevrolet Corvair Monza convertible. Released in white or red; it represents the rarely modelled but attractive second and final body style of the Corvair. Shape and fidelity are good, but the finish and detail are basic.
Yat Ming 94242: 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona coupe. Shape is again excellent. Yat Ming have made their usual effort to duplicate the correct wheel design. It is Cobra blue with white stripes. Yat Ming 94244: 1971 Jaguar E-Type roadster. Two colour choices; mine is primrose yellow. Many excellent E-Type models are available so there is no reason to seek out this bottom feeder.
Classic Construction Models 1:87 brass model from the USA: Caterpillar D11R Tractor with 11U blade and single shank ripper. Details include six-way tilt 11U blade, positionable ripper, individually linked brass tracks, glazed cab windows with wipers, engine compartment and hydraulic lines Ony 711 models made, all certificated, at $389.95 plus shipping from the USA. Classic Construction Models is online at: www.ccmodels.com
AMERICAN NOTES
By Ben van RoodeThe Highway 61 1:18 scale Nash Metropolitan is now in the shops and it is as well done as we are now used to from this company. Somebody asked me about the unusual 1:16 scale of their truck range. I cannot say for certain, but maybe it has something to do with the fact that many diecast tractors are made in this scale. This explanation still does not make much sense, because they now make these trucks as fire appliances, grain trucks and several in miltary liveries. In the pipeline is a 1960s GMC and Chevy cab for the flatback.
Forces of Valor makes tanks and other military hardware, mainly in 1:32 scale. There are many new releases from them, seen on their website. Their premier model this year will be a 1:16 scale King Tiger Tank from 1945. In the pictures I have seen this looks very nice and very big. Suggested retail price in the USA is $299. These models are in the same league as those made by Blue Box Toys under the Elite Force name. These are toys? Aircraft, the usual tanks and other military vehicles, all in 1:18 scale, with figures to add play value. I am impressed, not only because these are huge, but also to my eyes they do not make many compromises because they are toys.
Beanstalk now have their 1:18 Ford F 150 pickup truck finished in a Lariat version. There are distinct changes, so it is not only a different paint job. Lariat is Ford's name for a more luxurious version of their pickups.
We know the name of Rex from the Swiss company (subsidiary of Fulgurex) that made a range of Cadillacs, Fords and Rolls-Royces. Under the same name there is now a 1:43 set of a Yat Ming Ford pickup towing a trailer with a 1935 Ford sedan loaded aboard. This must be a one-off release, made for a shop.
I have always associated the Athearn name with the model trains they have made for many years. But now, probably as an accessory for their railroad models, they have released three 1:50 John Deere tractors. New Ray is Chinese, of course, and their website reveals nothing substantial about their many products. But they are very good value product, on the basis of their price-quality ratio. For the American market they have a large range of 1:32 trucks, which are good, though their trailers are not always true to scale. In 1:43 scale there is a very nice Kenworth W900 Double Auto Carrier of the typical construction used on American car carriers, different from their European counterparts. Schuco will release this one later in Europe.
New castings in the Classic Metal Works 1:87 range are the 1967 Ford Custom four-door and 1978 Chevy Impala. No doubt there will be many liveries of police and fire cars to follow on these castings. Open Top makes a 1:48 scale 1936 White bus with (surprise) an open top. New liveries are those for Historic Gettysburg and Skagway National Park in Alaska. Boley make many 1:87 fire appliances and police vehicles. Schuco sells a selection in their own packs.
One of the main new releases from Ertl in their entertainment range is a 1:18 scale James Bond Aston Martin, the original Bond film car. Another will be the Pontiac Firebird from Knight Rider. In Ertl's Authentics range we will see an 1950 Oldsmobile Club coupe. Precision Miniatures is a joint venture of Motor City Classics and Spec-Cast. Their new range of 1:18 1959 Cadillac hearses and ambulances (eight versions?) is delayed. A Cadillac limousine will also appear. From the same source come a 1950 Ford Crestliner and 1956 four door Chevrolet Bel Air.
All the big pickups from Ford, Chevy and GMC from the 2004 model year will be made in 1:18 scale by Maisto. Others include 1949 and 1950 Fords.
TRUCKSTOP
Bahn Shop 1435: When people travel, they often like to take something home as a present for family or friends. The Deutsche Bundesbahn (German Railways) promotion managers have therefore developed a wide range of presents and travel accessories, like luggage carriers, toilet bags, fitness sets, rainproof jackets, umbrellas, lamps, watches; and now model cars. This is not a new brand, just current models in special colours, with special printing. The Bahn Shop 1435 catalogue includes about 20 models in various scales. But why such an odd name? The number recalls English railway pioneer George Stephenson, who fixed the gauge of the rails used by his steam locomotives at four feet eight and a half inches - 1435 mm. But why did he choose this odd dimension? It came from the ancient Romans. The Imperial legions made deep ruts in the roads of their province, Britannia, with their horsedrawn vehicles. As these roads continued in use down the centuries every cart builder had to use the same wheel track, equivalent to the width of two Roman army horses side by side. The first railway builders used the same work benches and tools as the cart builders and thus also the same track width of 1435 mm. This width is still used today on most railway tracks and all the tracks of Deutsche Bahn AG and thus became the trademark of Bahn Shop 1435. A selection of their models:
Herpa 5 3474: 1:87 Mercedes-Benz Vito van Traffic Jam Campaign white, with each side printed with a picture of a traffic jam, the back reading Aktion Staufrisch and the question 'And what do you read on your way to your holidays?' The German Bahn is offered to drivers as an alternative to traffic jams. but what about their own delays in service? Wiking 5 34 44 1:87: VW 1500 Variant 1970 in PC box, medium grey, with its doors printed with the DB logo.
Schuco Piccolo set 56514 1:87: two Volkswagen T1b transporters in tin box: microbus from Spring 1955, in the brown-red colour of all DB psvs and a pickup with tilt from 1963 in the dark grey of DB commercial vehicles. The set comes in a white tin box, on which is a drawing of a Volkswagen microbus and the DB logo, AWM 5 64 54 1:87: Setra S 41S HD coach in the livery of DB subsidiary Touring Schuco 5 65 24 1:43: 1963 Volkswagen pickup, quite accurate, but the front indicators, (the bull's-eyes) should be more round, and the front bumper is oversized and set too high, so the doors couldn't open. (Notes Hans-Georg Schmitt).
BUS STOP
EFE NEWS
By Frank JoyceOur new casting of the Routemaster prototype RM1 seems to have been a success with Routemaster enthusiasts and despite speculation by some people about shortages there was not a problem. Each of our trade customers received all that they ordered and there was no remaining stock, so for once we got the quantities just right. The special boxed set of prototype Routemasters for the London Transport Museum is now available from the Museum shop, selling fast and details are available from the museum. We are being asked if we will release a model of RM2 in red, because the only RM2 is green, in the LT Museum set. One of the models for the EFE Showbus Rally is RM2 in red livery.
EFE De-Luxe range
Recently a question stopped me in my tracks, 'What happened to the De-Luxe range?' and I must admit that I did not have an answer as they had gone completely from my mind. In view of this, we have taken a fresh look at the range, the box artwork has been revised and the next De-Luxe range model will be released early in October.Models released or planned 30201 RM1 Prototype Routemaster London Transport 29101 Daimler DMS 2 Door Metrobus 22105 AEC Ergo artic van British Road Ferry Services 29503 Plaxton Panorama (roof dome) Yelloways 25304 AEC Duple Half Cab Southern National 29005 GM Standard Fleetline Swindon Thamesdown 13915 Bristol FLF Lodekka Western SMT 29402 Bristol RELH DP Coach United 23316 AEC RF Coach Greenline 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 Samuel Ledgard 16525 MCW Atlantean Great Yarmouth 20131 Bedford OB Coach Wallace Arnold 27614 Wright Volvo Endurance The Delaine 28809 Leyland Titan Blackburn Transport 16606 Leyland National MkI 2dr London Transport 29504 Plaxton Panorama (roof dome) Royal Blue 25806DL Daimler DMS 1 door Midland Fox 99646 Bristol VRIII Western National GWR 12117 Harrington Cavalier Thomas Bros 22513 Alexander Y Type Selnec Cheshire
Wrong EFE registration again
Following my comments about the registration number of the RM1 prototype, I then made a typo error on the registration, which should have read SLT 56 and not SLT 54. The model did have the right registration.Australian special models
Continuing our Australian bus model theme we now have made two MCW Atlantean models for Australia, in the liveries of Eggins Coaches and Joyces. I would point out that, to my knowledge, the Joyces bus is not a long lost relation from down under (top of page).EFE Trucks
In addition to new truck tooling, we have also been doing some modification work to our original AEC truck cab to create the later Mk III with the extended cab front and longer radiator. This major alteration to the tooling is a permanent change and prevents us now from making any of the earlier style of AEC cab trucks, so AEC trucks already made will become more sought after. The first trucks with the modified tooling will be a Marston Valley Brick Co four axle flatbed and a promotional four axle oval tanker to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jet Petrol.
NEWS: EUROPE
CRUNCH TIME FOR PM
We are sorry to have to report that Provence Moulage, the old-established and market-leading French maker of resin kits and hand-built models has gone into administrative receivership. There can be no greater indication of the shrinking of the specialist model car collectors market than this.
We wondered what the future held for PM when founder Xavier de Vaublanc sold the company to new owners a few years ago. It was obvious that the quantities of resin kits being sold were getting smaller every year, and the crunch would have to come. Valiant efforts were made to spread further into handbuilt models, after the acquisition of their main competitor, Starter, but overall sales were still not sufficient to maintain healthy growth. It would seem likely that some of the Provence Moulage assets may continue in other hands, though sadly it seems that another chapter has closed.
DOWN IN THE MARSH
By John SimonsNews of Marsh Models new releases:
MM109 63 Corvette Grand Sport Nassau: This was a very popular release some ten or more years ago and we have now updated it for 2004, with extra etch and a little more detail. Available in three versions driven by Penske, Cannon or Thompson.
MM113 83 Zakspeed C1/4 Spa: Based on the Ford C100, but now featuring a sophisticated aero package and a 1.7 turbo engine, this is the car is as it ran at Spa driven by Niedzwiedz-Ludwig. The car ran well but retired with gearbox problems.
MM105 Greenwood Corvette Daytona 75: Without doubt, the ultimate Corvette! On pole for the 1975 Daytona 24 hour race, the car was leading when it tangled with a back marker on lap148 and was forced to retire. Drivers were Greenwood-Muzzin- Secher.
Limited releases
To give our models added value at no extra price, all future releases, starting with MM105, will be limited to 100 builts only and will be hand signed by the builder, usually me. Kits will, of course, still be available. Our LE range will continue to produce smaller runs of interesting and occasionally signed pieces. LE24 Cobra Set MacDonald and Miles:
At Riverside in 1963, Dave MacDonald took the Cobra to its first-ever race win with Ken Miles coming second. We are please to announce this Limited Edition of 25 of each model, set on a unique Riverside base made for us by L'eau Rouge. These models come in two formats: LE24 Numbers 1-12 are as above with two models on one base.
The models are also available individually also on a L'eau Rouge base. LE24/198 is the MacDonald car, numbered 12-25, LE24/98 the Miles car is also numbered 12-25.
All are hand signed.
New releases planned
Decals for two March 84G MM102 Blue Thunder and MM116 Fittipaldi are now in preparation. Two new patterns, MM104 BRM 153 and MM119 CAM2 917/30, have been sent to CMA Moldform and Chris is currently working on the Shadow Mk III.
It has come to our attention that there may be a problem on some of our built MM88 Sunoco 917/30 regarding the paint. We used a new resin supplier on this model and it seems that there is something in the resin that reacts badly with the paint we use causing a rippling effect.
We are getting some more bodies now made by CMA and, if you have this problem, please return the model to us and we will send you a replacement that will be up to our usual standard.
Copyright Modelauto Ltd
e-mail mar@zeteo.com
