CONTENTS of the print edition
Model Auto Review 216
Publication 7 October 200704 Ford Mustang 66: 3 Dave Turner, England 05 Illustrations to articles 08 Jets & Turbines: 2 Don Elliott, USA 11 Could this be Magic? Maz Woolley, England 12 Southern Land Crab Graeme Ogg, England 14 Letters 16 1:76 scale light commercials listed Maz Woolley, England 20 Oxford future plans 21 More Letters 23 Mercedes-Benz Hans-Georg Schmitt 24 BMW Hans-Georg Schmitt 26 Opel GT Hans-Georg Schmitt, Germany 27 News Truckstop 28 4x4 Russians: 2 Jean-Louis Pothin, France 30-37 News Cars: PE43, Minichamps. Starline 38 More pickups Robert Gunn, England 40 Avia Mini Herpa, Schabak, 1:200 42 Lagonda 43 Competitions 44 Book Reviews 45 Club News Collated by Rod Ward 46 News World; Fabbri, Atlas, BBR, ABC, Brianza 47 News World: BBR, Art, Best 48 News World: Atlas, J&M Classics Daimlers 56 Kangaroo Graeme Watt, Scotland 56 Catalogues: Roco Horst Macalka, Austria 57 Militaria Forces of Valor, Revell, Herpa, Schuco, Preiser, Distler, Starline 58 News Bus Stop: Exclusive First Editions, captions page 60 59 News World: EFE, Kommisbrot, Abrex, captions page 61
EDITORIAL
by Rod WardCHINESE PUZZLE
Extensive publicity has been given to the recall of many millions of Mattel toys, and the suicide of the boss of one of the Chinese firms which produced toys for them under contract. Various problems came to light when toys were tested under new regulations; magnets which could choke young children and lead in the paint being the most prominent. Mattel are not alone; RC2 have recalled Thomas the Tank Engine items due to lead in the paint, and many other firms, mostly US-based, are recalling vast quantities of toys. Few products of interest to MAR readers have been affected so far, but it has made everyone who has items produced in China sit up and take notice. Maybe when they export manufacturing jobs, these firms should export our safety standards as well? The mantra for western companies dealing with Chinese suppliers used to be: Can’t you do it cheaper? Can’t you deliver more quickly? Now it’s: I don’t care if it costs more, or if deliveries are slowed down: just make sure it passes all the safety tests.
HOSPITAL BULLETIN
We are pleased to hear from John Simons of Marsh Models that, following his PET scan, he is now completely clear of cancer. ‘As you can imagine’, he says, ’We are all delighted that such a great weight has been taken away, and we can now just get on with our lives again’.
IVO SUGGESTION FOR YOU
What if you owned a model car factory? What if it was located in a road named after a racing driver; Bira Boulevard, Scott-Brown Street, Ascari Avenue? You’d be tempted to produce a model of one of his cars, wouldn’t you? So what about Ivo Peters Way? Ivo Peters is probably best known to transport enthusiasts as a railway photographer, mainly in the South West of England, but he also raced a chain-drive Frazer Nash in the 1930s with great success. And whose factory is in Ivo Peters Way? Brooklin Models, in Bath. So will they be tempted to make his ‘chain gang’ Frazer Nash TT Replica in 1:43 scale? Probably not, as it could be perceived as being too small and too delicate a subject for their Lansdowne range of British classic cars. That’s a pity, as it would have made a nice little model and would have been a fitting tribute to the local hero after whom their street is named. Might have gained them some good local publicity in Bath as well.
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL
The ‘Newsletter’ (actually it’s a nice little magazine) of the Friends of the National Motor Museum Trust in Beaulieu recently changed to a smaller format from the previous A4 size. I’m pleased to note that the change has been greeted positively by its readers; I think it’s a great improvement, and it is highly recommended.
AUTO REVIEW
Thanks to everyone who has sent photos for our future Auto Review books; more is always needed.
We have been asked what other subjects are in plan. Among many others, we need your photos or other material, in particular pre-1960 colour photos, on:Three wheeler cars
British taxi cabs
Land Rovers
Airships
Jaguar cars
MG carsIn addition we have another 10 titles at various early stages of development, on motor, aviation and other popular culture topics, but we invite suggestions for any other titles...
OXFORD FUTURE PLANS
Here are the planned releases for the next few months from Oxford diecast, just a foretaste of even more interesting plans for later in 2008. Some exciting new releases in 1:43 scale include the first 1:43 diecast models of the Land Rover series 1 (three versions will start an extensive range) in time for the 60th Anniversary of the Land Rover in 2008.
January 2008 will also see the release of the TX4 London taxi in 1:43 scale
In 1:76 scale there will be a big push into new subjects with a Morris Minor Convertible, Morris Minor Traveller, Ford Cortina Mark I, Cortina Mark II, FX4 taxi, and a new range of modern trucks, beginning with Scanias (more truck types to follow). The Chipperfields Circus series continues to develop, and the Land Rover will join the range in 2008.
This is just a gentle warm-up for an enormous programme of new releases planned for later in 2008!
We can’t even hint at specific releases for later in 2008 as yet, but there will definitely be a range of 1:76 British sports cars and other classics, starting from March. Also, the Land Rover series 1 and TX4 taxi will appear in 1:76 scale from March onwards, after they have been released in 1:43 scale.
The month of release is indicated after the model description, January-March being 2008 releases.
OXFORD 1:43 scale vehicles ANG026 Ford Anglia van BOAC October CA004 Bedford CA ice cream van Tonibell October HA001 Bedford HA van GPO October JM005 Morris J2 step roof van Post Office October MM046 Morris Minor van Bermuda October MV021 Minivan National Service Station October ANG027 Ford Anglia van Clean Heat Gas Nov CA005 Bedford CA half cab November CA007 Bedford CA van Royal Mail November HA004 Bedford HA camper open November JA007 Austin J2 van Heathrow November JM010 Morris J2 Mid Anglia Police November MV022 Minivan Heathrow November MV023 Minivan GEC November SET28 Minivan & pickup Lyons Maid November CA006 Bedford CA pantechnicon Pickfords Dec CA008 Bedford CA minibus December HA005 Bedford HA Beagle estate car December HA006 Bedford HA hitop December JM011 Morris J2 Minibus Bradford December MM039 Morris Minor gown van Home & Colonial Dec MM048 Morris Minor camper blue December MV024 Minivan British Coal December ANG029 Ford Anglia van Spectra tv rental January CA009 Bedford CA van GPO January HA007 Bedford HA ice cream Lyons Maid January HA008 Bedford HA camper closed January JM013 Morris J2 Rediffusion January MV025 Minivan British Steel January TX4001 TX4 London taxi black January TX4002 TX4 London taxi gold January LAN180001 Land Rover ser 1 80 inch tilt January LAN188001 Land Rover ser 1 88 inch tilt January LAN1109001 Land Rover ser 1 109 inch open Jan OXFORD 1:76 scale cars and taxis 76105001 Ford Anglia saloon maroon October 76105004 Ford Anglia Police Panda car October 76CRE003 Vauxhall Cresta Police October 76CRE004 Vauxhall Cresta Taxi October 76SS003 Humber Super Snipe Estate Taxi October 76SS004 Humber Super Snipe Estate Police Oct 76ZEP003 Ford Zephyr III white Police Car Oct 76ZEP004 Ford Zephyr III black Police car Oct 76FX4001 FX4 taxi black November 76FX4002 FX4 taxi black Evening News November 76COR1001 Ford Cortina Mk I dark blue Dec 76COR2001 Ford Cortina Mk II white December 76FX4003 FX4 taxi maroon December 76FX4004 FX4 taxi British Airways December 76MMC001 Morris Minor Convertible blue Dec 76MMT001 Morris Minor Traveller white Dec 76COR1002 Ford Cortina Mk I Sport January 76COR2002 Ford Cortina Mk II Police January 76MMC002 Morris Minor Convertible grey open Jan 76MMT002 Morris Minor Traveller blue January OXFORD 1:76 scale vans and trucks 76ANG031 Ford Anglia van London Transport Nov 76ANG032 Ford Anglia van Southdown November 76ANG033 Ford Anglia hitop van Lyons Maid Nov 76ACS051 Minivan Kodak November 76MM021 Morris Minor van Southdown November 76MM049 Morris Minor van Evening News Nov 76MV028 Minivan Southdown November 76TK001 Bedford TK army generator Dec OXFORD 1:76 scale Chipperfields Circus CH013 Bedford TK advert truck Chipperfields Nov CH014 Bedford TK elephants Chipperfields Nov CH016a Trailer Lions Chipperfields December CH016b Trailer Elephants Chipperfields December CH016c Trailer Leopards Chipperfields December CH017 Bedford TK Horsebox Chipperfields Dec CH018 Bedford TK Chariots Chipperfields Jan CH019 Bedford TK booking Chipperfields Jan BULLDOG 1:76 scale modern artic trucks CS = curtainside body, FR = frig body SCA01CS Scania R Topline Fagan & Whalley Jan SCA02CS Scania R Topline Pollock Scotrans Jan SCA01FR Scania R Topline L E Jones February SCA03CS Scania R Topline Tinnelly Transport Feb SCA04CS Scania R Topline Stan Robinson March SCA05CS Scania R Topline Mulgrew Haulage Mar The curtainside bodies represent Boalloy Tautliners.Note; some references have changed since the above listing was produced; see next month's list!
The latest cars from Germany
MERCEDES-BENZ
By Hans-Georg SchmittThe Mercedes-Benz Classic Center have added four new 1:43 scale models of the latest cars to their catalogue.
These model cars are only available from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center Shop in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, Stuttgarter Strasse 90, 70736 Fellbach, Germany. It is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.
Or you can visit the Museum Shop in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Mercedes-Strasse 100; 70327 Stuttgart, Germany, open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00.B6 604 0535 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 W109 astral silver 1968-72. In the 1960s the horse-power race, which had existed in the USA for many years, began to be seen in the old world. It became fashionable to squeeze big powerful engines into unprepossessing saloon cars, and customers of Daimler-Benz did not want to be left out. So the development department got to work. A 300SEL body was fitted with the 6.3 litre engine and automatic gearbox from the 600. Once its braking system and roadholding were improved, a wolf in sheep’s clothing was born. Even the blasé US magazines praised this car: This automobile is the best stimulant, the best saloon since the Duesenberg Model J, said one. Another described the W109 as the most tremendous saloon on earth. In four years of production, 6,526 were expensively assembled by hand. Minichamps have made a 1:43 diecast model of the 300 SEL 6.3 for DamlerChrysler, with registration plates for Stuttgart, the grille crowned with a photo-etched three-pointed star. The interior has the generous wood trim, blue fabric, and an accurate steering wheel. The baseplate shows the engine and auto gearbox underside, cardan drive and differential, front and rear suspension and the exhaust system.
B6 604 0536 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pagoda astral silver. In February 1963 the two classic Mercedes roadsters, the 300SL and the 190SL, went out of production to the disappointment of fans in Europe and elsewhere. Their successor was already on the market when the roadsters ended their career. At the Geneva Motor Salon in March 1963, the 230SL was seen by the public for the first time, a sports car of quite different character. What at first seemed to be just a compromise solution turned out to be a new sports car concept; a high performance sporting two-seater with the best road holding and best driving comfort obtainable. In short, the 230SL was positioned between its predecessors. The body was developed by famous French designer Paul Bracq, with clean if conventional lines, but the shape of the hardtop was provocative. The coupe roof was, unusually, concave and recalled the form of East Asian temples, giving it the name Pagoda, understood all over the world. During the years of production, the engine size and power were increased. Thus in December 1966 the 250SL appeared and in January 1968 the 280SL was introduced.
Production ended in March 1971, when just under 50,000 Pagodas had left the Sindelfingen plant.
Now the accurately shaped 1:43 Pagoda hardtop has been re-issued by Minichamps, very well detailed with registration plates for Stuttgart, the Swabian capital and home of the headquarters of the company, still named DaimlerChrysler.
The baseplate shows all the main technical details.
B6 604 0527 Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG, W202 astral silver. On 19 June 1993, the second generation of the C-Class was introduced, coded W202. Since the earliest days an AMG version was available, the C36 AMG, fitted with a 3.2 litre 280hp four valve engine and an automatic gearbox. Final assembly of this top model in the C-Class range was done by AMG in Affalterbach, Swabia. Standard cars came from the Bremen plant. In March 1997, the 5,000th C36 AMG was supplied. The proportion of AMGs exported was higher than other C-Class cars. In Japan, with narrow traffic lanes and a chronic lack of parking space, this compact sports saloon was especially popular. This 1:43 model is accurately made by Spark-Minimax with a registration plate from Stuttgart. It has a photoetched three-pointed star on the bonnet, three-dimensional text on the boot lid, and squared exhaust pipes at the rear. The interior, wheels and baseplate are nicely reproduced.
B6 604 0526 Mercedes-Benz AMG 300E 5.6 W124 The Hammer. In 1987, the AMG broke through the 300 km/h barrier with the 300E 5.6, based on the Mercedes-Benz E-class saloon. The German motor magazine Auto- Motor-Sport tested the car and reached a top speed of 303 km/h, thanks its 360hp 5.6 litre V8 engine and its four speed automatic gearbox. American AMG fans called it The Hammer. Spark-Minimax have made it in 1:43 scale, outstandingly detailed and accurate.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG 300E 5.6 W124 The Hammer is finished in black, including usually chromed mouldings. From its black three-pointed star at the front, via the accurately finished interior and wheels to the big spoiler on the boot lid, it looks just like the photograph of the real car in the catalogue. Even the registration plates are the same.
B6 604 0489 Mercedes-Benz 220 Coupe W187. This car was built between July 1951 and August 1955, with a six cylinder 2195cc engine. A top speed of 140 km/h was possible. In 1954 and 1955 a special two- seater coupe was available, at a price of 22,850 Deutschmarks, double the price of a 220 saloon, which at the time was very expensive. In French, coupe means ‘cut’, and in the early 1950s, a Coupe looked like a carefully pared-down saloon. By comparison a current S-class coupe shows that today a coupe still only has two doors, but it has its own homogeneous body style, mostly only with minor references to the saloon in the same range. Around a hundred of the 220 Coupe were made and only a few have survived. Spark-Minimax have now made this 1:43 model of the coupe, an excellently detailed. It has original registration plates from Württemberg, still in white on black, from the pre-1956 period. The model is dark blue with a beige interior. The accuracy goes down to the smallest details, so even the additional flashing light for the indicators below the A pillars is included.
B6 604 0431 Mercedes-Benz 230G Popemobile W460. In 1979, production of a new Mercedes-Benz off-road vehicle began in the Austrian city of Graz. Coded W460, their first postwar cross-country passenger vehicle was developed in co-operation between Daimler-Benz and Steyr-Daimler- Puch. It was intended partly for private use, but it was mainly intended for military purposes. The G-Wagen became the model in the Mercedes range with the longest lifespan. With some changes, it is still in production today. More than 40 versions have been available, on a ladder-frame with two rigid axles, and powerful petrol or diesel engines. Due to the co-operative effort, this vehicle was also built as a Puch and as a Peugeot under licence. As well as all these different versions, a one-off was built for Pope John-Paul II. It carried a huge bullet-proof glass cage and the body was also armoured. In the glass box was a special height-adjustable chair or throne. The vehicle was presented to the Pope in Spring 1982, after he had suffered an attempted assassination in 1981. Today it is back in the DaimlerChrysler Collection. Since 2002 there has been a new Popemobile, based on the ML-Class. This 1:43 model of the first 4x4 Popemobile was made by Spark-Minimax. The accurate body is white, with gold handles and mouldings. At the side of the bonnet is the yellow and white papal pennant. The interior is also white and the adjustable Papal throne is accurately reproduced. Gold wheels finish off this historic vehicle.
The latest cars from Germany
NEW BMW CARS
By Hans-Georg SchmittBMW usually accompany the launch of a new car with models of it in three scales, 1:18, 1:43, and 1:87. These models are not just small scale copies, they are original works in their own right, with excellent detail. This amount of accuracy takes months of development time, hand-crafting and detailed work processes. BMW do not usually say who manufactures their models, but from experience, the 1:18 models are made by Kyosho, the 1:43 models mostly by Minichamps (sometimes also by Kyosho), and the 1:87 models are made by Herpa. The 1:43 and 1:87 models come in a folding black plastic box in a grey card outer box.
BMW 3 Series Cabriolet Spring 2007 release. The diecast version in 1:18 scale has a high-quality fully operating folding hardtop, which is an accurately reproduced replica of the original car, for which the BMW engineers changed from a cloth soft top to a steel folding hard top for the first time on one of their cabriolets. The characteristic elegance and style of the open four-seater are also impressive in the smaller scales of 1:43 and 1:87.
BMW X5 March 2007 release. The power, elegance and superiority of the real car are also noticeable in the accurately reproduced miniatures of the X5’s second generation, also available in all three scales.
BMW M6 Cabriolet. The dream car for German automobile enthusiasts combines impressive performance with an especially stylish manner of travel. This dream is now also caprured in the three small scales, each perfectly finished with the characteristic Hofmeister curve and the wide, low front end.
BMW 5 Series saloon. The facelifted Type 5 saloon has only been made in 1:18 scale, in order to show the innovative design modifications to the car’s exterior and the improved style in the interior, right down to small details.
The latest cars from Germany
OPEL GT COUPE
By Hans-Georg SchmittThe German advertising slogan Nur fliegen ist schöner (Only flying is better) was created for the first Opel GT Coupe, which was introduced in 1968 and built until 1973, a co-operative venture between French coachbuilders Brissoneaux & Lotz and the Opel plant in Bochum. The Corvette-styled coupe waited for many years for its successor. In Spring 2007 the new coupe was introduced. Again it looks like a Corvette, not too surprising, perhaps, as it was developed in America, where it will be built along with its clones the Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Sky. The main visual differences between the three are mostly at the front end.
In June Opel invited journalists to test drive the new car in the Schloss hotel at Kronberg. GTs were laid on in sufficient numbers that each could be driven for half an hour around the town, or through the Taunus mountains, so fast roads, twisty roads or hill climbs were possible. I was handed the key for a €30,000 (expensive; or maybe cheap, depending on your point of view) sports car, painted in Victoria red. Its two litre four cylinder engine develops 264hp, so it can achieve 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 229 km/h. The exhaust system sounds good, so driving with the top down would be memorable. On the test day, however, it was raining cats and dogs, so it was not possible to drive top down, and nor could its acceleration be tested to the full.
The top has to be lowered by hand, which is regarded by many as being a bit labour-intensive these days, but we didn’t have to attempt it on our rainy test day.
The rear wheel drive gave problems on the wet roads, especially on bends, where the ESP warning light flicked on and off. For a sports car, the interior is quite roomy, but with the top up, the view upwards and behind are restricted. It is also hard to see traffic lights on the right side of the road. Also a braking test on wet roads produced only adequate results. The new GT would be a nice sports car for a weekend away for two people; the boot is just big enough. The promotion company suggested that all this test-driving might make us hungry, so they offered us a meal afterwards in the Kronberg Schloss Hotel, which is built and furnished in Victorian style, and the food was excellent. In time for the launch, Opel ordered 1:43 scale models of the new GT, made by Schuco, in Victoria red with a grey soft top, or open in midnight blue.
The models reproduce the compact shape of the new car very well, and the interior is nicely detailed, even the safety belts and their red locks can be clearly seen. After the first batch was sold exclusively through Opel dealers, now Schuco have released the model in their standard range.
PE43 MODEL NEWS
By Pierre SteigradThe first new item in my PE43 range of handbuilt models is number 9 Borgward Hansa 1500 Sportwagen, presented in 1951 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. it was the prototype for the first Borgward racing cars, the so-called Langheck with a long wheelbase of 2600mm. The casting is made for us by Tin Wizard in Germany, our first model in white metal. The other new model is number 10 Goliath GP 700 Sport Coupé Rometsch. There were two Goliath Sport Coupés built by J Rudy (PE43 no 6) and about 25 cars built by Rometsch of Berlin. The cars differ in many details. The model is made in resin by Tin Wizard for PE43. There will only be very few of these made.
ALEZAN MODELS FROM FRANCE
Here is the latest news from the Alezan Collector range of 1:43 handbuilt resin models made by Michel Ducleux.
AC14 Michalak Ferrari Cilindro 1989 red (200 made)
AC15 Alfa Romeo 164 3.0 litre V6 Zender 1989 metallic grey (120 made)
STARLINE NEWS
New 1:43 diecast models promised for future release by Starline models of Germany include the following:
509831 DKW Munga 4 THW blue open September 609838 DKW Munga 4 THW blue closed September 511018 Fiat 1100 R Familiare 1966 grey September 511025 Fiat 1100 R Familiare 1966 ivory September 511032 Fiat 1100 R Familiare 1966 red September 511049 Fiat 1100 R Familiare 1966 sky blue September 510714 Fiat 125 Special 1968 ivory September 510721 Fiat 125 Special 1968 turquoise September 510752 Fiat 125 Special 1968 dark blue September 510738 Fiat 125 Special 1969 red September 510745 Fiat 125 Special 1969 brown September 508919 Fiat 130 Coupé 1971 grey September 508926 Fiat 130 Coupé 1971 blue September 508933 Fiat 130 Coupé 1971 amaranth September 508940 Fiat 130 Coupé 1971 black September 509619 Fiat 2300 Cabriolet Open September 609616 Fiat 2300 Cabriolet Closed September 510813 Fiat 124 Sport Coupé 1969 blue November 510820 Fiat 124 Sport Coupé 1969 bronze November 510837 Fiat 124 Sport Coupé 1969 red November 510844 Fiat 124 Sport Coupé 1969 green November 507110 Fiat 126 1972 Red November 507127 Fiat 126 1972 Green Salvia November 511117 Fiat 131 Mirafiori 1971 grey November 511124 Fiat 131 Mirafiori 1971 orange race November 511131 Fiat 131 Mirafiori 1971 blue November 511148 Fiat 131 Mirafiori 1971 red November 514514 Fiat 500L 1968 coral red November 514521 Fiat 500L 1968 white November 514538 Fiat 500L 1968 midnight blue November 514545 Fiat 500L 1968 yellow November Cisitalia 202 1948 later Fiat 508 Balilla Berlinetta MM 1935 later Fiat 1100S 1948 later Fiat 1100TV 1959 later Fiat 124 Abarth Rally-1972 Hard Top later Fiat 124 Abarth Rally-1972 Roll Bar later Fiat 2300 Coupé 1961 later Lancia Fulvia 2C 1964 later Lancia 2000 Coupé HF 1971 later
LAGONDA 2.6 Litre Drophead Coupe
American sewing machine mechanic and amateur opera singer Wilbur Gunn came to England to seek his fortune. Fortunately he decided to name his new firm after the river which ran behind his home in Springfield Ohio, Lagonda Creek, and not after the town where he now lived, Staines. Wilbur arrived in England in the late years of the nineteenth century, and built an air-cooled motorcycle in his greenhouse in Staines. In 1900 he improved the motorcycle and christened it Lagonda, actually the Native American name (as interpreted by French settlers) for a river more usually known as Buck Creek. Buck wouldn’t have been much better than Staines. One of Wilbur’s motorcycles won the 1905 London-Edinburgh Trial, and this success led him to embark on car manufacture with his 20hp four cylinder Torpedo of 1906.
With its engine increased to six cylinders, it won the Moscow-St Petersburg trial in 1910, leading to great interest in Russia and export sales to that country (even selling one to the Tsar) which kept Lagonda going until the outbreak of the Great War. The first true Lagonda sports car came in 1925 with the 14/60 designed by Arthur Davidson. This was developed into a two litre Speed Model in 1928, then in 1930 a low-chassis supercharged version appeared. J Dewar McLintock, though a fan, noted that these popular sports cars had ‘more of the lawn mower and less of the sewing machine’ about them. In 1933 Lagondas gained the more powerful engines their customers craved, in two new cars, the small 1100cc twin ohc Rapier, which became a car marque in its own right from 1935, and the mighty M45, which was powered by the Meadows 4.5 litre six-cylinder engine which had been used to such good effect by Invicta. Two years later, two short chassis cars were introduced, with 3.5 litre or 4.5 litre engines, the latter being known as the Rapide. One of these cars won at Le Mans in 1935, but the small company was under strain building its now quite wide range of models. Rolls-Royce wanted to add Lagonda to their stable of names, alongside Bentley, but Alan Good bought Lagonda and thus retained its independence. He took on as Chief Designer W O Bentley, who positioned the LG45 as a luxury grand tourer rather than a sports car. W O improved the Meadows engine, which saw its final form in the LG6 of 1938. In 1937 Bentley revealed two new engines, a twin ohc 2.6 litre six cylinder and a stunning V12 unit, but the latter had not been developed fully when war came along. Unlike some other firms, Lagonda did not benefit from war contracts, and was once again struggling in the postwar period. In 1947 Huddersfield industrialist David Brown took over Lagonda, as well as Aston Martin. In 1948 W O Bentley’s last car design was brought out by Lagonda, with the 2.6 litre twin ohc six cylinder engine, a cruciform chassis, independent suspension and body styling which carefully combined traditional and ‘modern’ features.
The Lansdowne 1:43 model is of a 2.6 litre Drophead Coupe, as built from 1947 to 1953. It was also made as a saloon; 550 were sold in total of all versions. The engine was enlarged to three litres in 1951. A three litre saloon was bought by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, giving the marque some cachet. The 2.6 litre engine was also used by Aston Martin in the DB2, who returned the compliment later when some Lagondas used Aston engines.
A four litre engine was fitted into the monocoque bodied Touring- styled Lagonda Rapide of 1961, based on a stretched DB5 platfom. Only 55 were sold, so no Lagondas were built from 1962 to 1975, until a new four door saloon was announced, of which very few were built. In 1977, however, the futuristic wedge-shaped Lagonda designed by William Towns on a stretched DBS platform was launched, but it was far too expensive and not many of these extravagant cars found buyers.
Book Reviews
TATRA CARS WITH SODOMKA BODYWORK by Jan Cerny, pub: Regionalni Muzeum ve Vysokem Myte, Czech Republic. A4 softbound, 150 pages, profusely illustrated. Czech-English text. ISBN 978 80 239 9453 7.
Tatra cars were made from 1895 in a wagon factory which had been in business for half a century. Sodomka was a carriage building company established in 1895, struggling in the 1920s, which decided to turn to car bodywork. The locally made Tatra chassis was an obvious choice. There was never any link between the two Czech companies, though each was the most prominent in their respective spheres. Every fan of extravagant bodywork knows about Sodomka, but how do you present a study of their coachwork on Tatra chassis? A coffee table book, filled with colour pictures of preserved cars? Or a dry wordy history? This lovely Czech book, passed on to me by Jiri Havlicek, chooses a much more interesting course. Superb high- definition black and white Sodomka factory photos are accompanied by a reproduction of the relevant entry in the company order book. Solid, worthy sedans from the late 1920s soon lead to sleek convertibles and imposing grand tourers in the 1930s, as well as hearses, ambulances and other specialist commercial coachwork. After the war, Sodomka essayed bodies on the rear engined Tatraplan chassis, including an elegant convertible, presented to Stalin by the Czech Communist government, but Sodomka’s main activity was building buses on Skoda chassis, under the new name of Karosa national enterprise. Highly recommended (if you can get hold of a copy). Rod Ward
GUIDE MINAUTO:Miniature car guide, 6th edition A4 softbound, 208 pages, 4700 photos. pub Minauto, 17 Rue Goya, 67200 Strasbourg, France. ISBN 2 9515681 5 0. 27.50 Euros
How do you keep up with all the model cars released every year? You buy magazines, you try to get hold of manufacturers’ catalogues (not very easy these days) or you buy a dealer’s catalogue which illustrates their stock. For years we used the Danhausen catalogue as our first reference but it was always a year out of date. They could only picture what had already been released, so by the time we got Danhausen, it was just a useful review of last year’s releases, many already sold out. Down the years many other companies have tried to follow in Danhausen’s footsteps, and this French product is a laudable effort. It is organised alphabetically by car marque, not by model maker, apart from a large section which shows 1800 classic Solido models, classified by marque or theme. Each of the 4700 models is illustrated by a postage stamp sized colour picture and description. Useful. Rod Ward
GMC Light-Duty Trucks by James K Wagner Pub Iconografix Inc, PO Box 446, Hudson, WI 54016, USA. Paperbound, 126 pages, about 130 photos. ISBN 978-1-58388-0
There has long been a need for a comprehensive history of smaller GMC trucks. This book fills the gap admirably, though the way ‘light GMC’ is defined is a little narrow. There is the early history of GMC, through the 1930s to postwar restyling in 1947. The illustrations are mostly factory press releases. Succeeding generations of GMC pickups and light trucks are described in detail, much of it new to me. I didn’t realise GMC offered factory four-wheel drive pickups as early as 1957, nor did I know just how much GMC was integrated with the Pontiac Division of GM. Though the book covers ‘light-duty’, it omits the smallest pickups. It does not cover the Caballero or Sprint, as these badge-engineered clones of the Chevy El Camino were car-based, but also omitted are GMC S-15 and its SUV version, the GMC equivalents of the S-10 Chevy pickup. In 2003 I met Jim Wagner, a retired Ford Motor Co engineer in Detroit. He showed me and author Don Bunn around the Henry Ford Museum. Don put Jim in contact with Iconografix as a potential author. A good job he did; this book is recommended. Robert P Gunn
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod WardWessex Model and Toy Collectors:
Barry Lloyd, editor of the WMTC organ Wessex Smalltalk, threatened to fill it with articles on his own special interest areas if more contributions were not forthcoming. Chairman John Roberts responded with enough material to fill the publication, so somebody takes Barry’s threats seriously. Barry, a taxi driver and collector of model cabs, notes that a rare maroon Spot-On FX4 fetched £1045. John relates tales of his travels to Bressingham, Duxford, Goodwood and Brooklands. The WMTC is one of many clubs which holds slot car racing evenings, which are enjoyed by all. If you’d like to become a member and join in the fun, contact membership secretary Doug Male on 01225 755043.
South Hants Model Auto Club:
The SHMAC magazine, Wheel Nuts, edited by Sue and Stu Leake, has accounts of members’ travels, including Dave and Morag Painter’s annual pilgrimage to Le Mans, their visit to Goodwood and Sue Leake’s account of the club’s display at Bursledon brickworks, a preserved historic building (site). Skip White descibes the steam rally at Netley Marsh, where the site was rather marshy (the hint is in the name), and the event was cancelled by Saturday night. Removing heavy vehicles from the muddy site was quite an operation, but eventually achieved. Then came the final blow; the site owner demanded that the site be restored to its original condition, levelled and re-seeded. So it looks as though the event won’t be held there again. To join this well-travelled bunch, contact Secretary Dave Painter on 01264 366408.
New Zealand Model Vehicle Club:
Miniature Auto, newsletter of the NZMVC, edited by Ron Ford, is now back to being as interesting as it always was under Ron’s control in past years. He is now considering offering a PDF version of the magazine over the internet. Ron describes one of the new Matchbox Dinky Toys, which comes with an old- style Dinky Box. ‘Bloody terrible box. Looks like a very poor reproduction job’, he says. For information on joining the NZMVC, contact Eric Brockie on (03) 448 9276 or email austinrk@paradise.net.nz
Cape Model and Toy Club:
TThe Cape Model Collector, newsletter of the CMTC, comes to us courtesy of Ron Gersbank. The latest issue is packed with informative short articles, though many of them seem to have been culled from UK magazines or the internet. With a picture of a row of Maxwell toys from India is a note that it is unclear if they were plastic or diecast, or their scale. They were definitely diecast metal, but were not to any specific scale. These late-production generic commercial vehicles were about 1:64, but as they don’t represent real vehicles it’s not really relevant. If you’d like to join the CMTC, contact Secretary-Treasurer Graham Ramsay on 072 156 6806 ‘at any hour’.
Sydney Model Auto Club:
The SMAC official journal Think Small, edited by Neal Stirton, has full colour throughout, which is utilised to the full to picture entries in clubnight themed displays. Competition fans are also well catered for, with the serialised stories of Le Mans and Bathurst. If you want to be dazzled by the colour in Think Small, you’ll have to join the SMAC; phone Secretary John Maude on 9579 1257.
West Australian Model Collectors Club:
he new Editor of Showcase, Chris Harris, continues to produce the WAMCC Club publication in his very positive style. When I have accustomed my ageing eyesight to the more conservative print styles of most club publications, it is almost restful to see this bold, clear presentation. I congratulate Chris on the freshness of his approach. If you’d like to see the new- look Showcase, or if you want to join the WAMCC, phone President Martyn Overy on 9310 1790
Maidenhead Static Model Club:
Wheel Bearings, the MSMC magazine, is one of many club publications which have printed tributes to the late Jack Odell of Lesney and Lledo fame. The MSMC’s USP, however, was to print a picture, from around 1984 of Jack with his wife and Ray Bush at the Club’s Windsor toy fair. Colin Penn has written a very interesting account of his Copycat Models range in Wheel Bearings; perhaps he’ll let us include it in MAR in the future? To join the MSMC contact Membership Secretary Alan Simpson on 01494 813903.
The Lansdowne & Robeddie Collectors Club:
Robert Timmis continues to helm this club, which also (whisper it) includes news of Brooklin models in the quarterly Lansdowne Collector. For membership information write to The Lansdowne Collectors Club, 203 Northwich Road, Lower Stretton, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 4PF. UK.
J&M CLASSICS DAIMLERS
The next sub-range from J&M Classics will be 1:43 handbuilt white metal models of the Daimler Conquest Drophead Coupe, which has never been modelled before, as far as they know. It will be available in a choice of colours; black, light green, ivory, silver grey or blue, each with a choice of interior or hood colours and with the option of the roof closed, open or half open (in the coupe de ville position). In all, that makes 45 options, which will all be made to order. Place your order now! The first models are expected to be on sale in October.
BUS STOP
EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS
By Frank JoyceThe first shots of our new AEC RLH bus have just arrived and they look good. No matter how much time and effort we put in designing and creating mould tooling, it is always an anxious time, waiting to see just what the finished parts are like and how well they fit together. The next tooling stage is to progress the moulds to ensure that they can work properly in production and be cooled correctly and then the moulds can be hardened and polished. After all these stages we can start to prepare decorated samples prior to the start of production. The tooling for the new 2RT2 and the revised RT models is at a similar stage to the RLH, but we have experienced a disappointing delay due to the appearance of a serious crack in the core of the lower deck mould. We cannot complain, as the mould has given us good service for 18 years and it is due for some TLC, so we are spending time and money putting it right, delaying its release date. I have also just received the decorated sample of our first release of the new artic tanker tooling, a Bedford TK with a single axle oval tanker in Texaco livery. We have also added a few new models at short notice, like 32304 Bristol RELH in Southern National ‘Royal Blue’ livery, taken from stock in the UK to fill gaps in production with models coming from China, due to staff shortages.
Recent EFE releases, all 1:76 unless noted 16529 MCW Leyland Atlantean Great Yarmouth 26619 Plaxton Paramount 3500 Jetlink 32901 Trader Short Dropside Southdown 23206 AEC RF Mk II Bus Greenline NBC 29303 Leyland Olympian A Stagecoach Swindon 33001 ERF 2 axle Dropside Derek Horton 29406 Bristol RELH D/P Coach Lincolnshire NBC 20134 Bedford OB Coach Southern National 20441 Bristol VR III East Kent NBC 32304 Bristol RELH Coach Southern National 20636 Plaxton Pointer Dart Southern Vectis 20705 AEC Duple Coach Surrey Motors 26321 Guy Arab II Utility Bus Ashton Under Lyne 29905 AEC 10T10 Bus London Transport 27312 Leyland TD1 closed rear Fishwick & Sons 31702 RMC Routemaster coach London Country NBC 29008 GM Standard Fleetline Grey Green 99105 1:24 scale Daimler DMS Metrobus 32002 RCL Routemaster Coach London Country 27702 AEC STL Bus (no roof box) London Transport 32102 RMF Routemaster Northern 32102SB RMF Routemaster Northern (Showbus) 32303 Bristol RELH Coach Red & White 30707 AEC Renown B Scottish Omnibus 80004 1938 Driving Carriage A Metropolitan East London 80104 1938 Driving Carriage D Metropolitan E London 80204 1938 Non Driving Motor Car Metropolitan East London 80304 1938 Trailer Carriage Metropolitan East London
EFE FOR LONDON TRANSPORT
By Frank JoyceTo celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victoria Coach Station a series of special models are available at the London Transport Museum featuring coaches that operated to and from London:
99701 MCW Atlantean Gay Hostess 99702 MCW Atlantean Scout 99703 Plaxton Panorama United 99704 Bristol RELL D/P Red & White 99705 Bristol RELH Royal Blue 99706 Alexander Y type Eastern ScottishFor details on prices and availability, contact the LT Museum shop on 020 7379 6344.
MORE ON THE KOMMISBROT
By Hans-Georg SchmittThe Schuco Edition 1:43 diecast in China for Germany: 02976 Hanomag Kommissbrot Taxi was pictured on page 215.36. Swabian Fidelis Böhner was already working on a cheap people’s car before the first world war. In the early 1920s the car appeared, and in 1924 Hanomag took over the project, launching their 2/10 hp car. It had a single headlight and a noisy single cylinder engine. Between 1926 and 1928, a taxi version was offered. Its shape led to the nickname Kommissbrot, like a quartermaster’s loaf, baked in square bread tins. In black and green, this model is limited to 1000 pieces
LATEST ABREX MODELS
By Jiri HavlicekThe latest 1:43 diecast models from Abrex, made in China for the Czech Republic, are: Skoda 120L VB police car, as used by the communist police here before 1989. VB means Verejna Bezpecnost (public security). As well as Skodas, they drove Russian-built Ladas and Volgas. Skoda Fabia WRC Evo II race #62, to join the many racing Skodas already made by Solido and Ixo. Editor’s note; At the time of writing this, we are still waiting here for delivery of the Abrex 1:43 Skoda Superb 1938 saloon. And I note that Abrex plan to release a 1:18 scale model of the 1930-ish Skoda 860 six-light limousine. Now that will be an impressive model!
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