CONTENTS of the print edition
Model Auto Review 235
Publication 7 September 200904 Cars (captions 06) 05 Mercury Cougar Dave Turner, UK 06 NewRay 07 Talbot Samba Maz Woolley, UK 07 News Norev 08 4x4 Jean-Louis Pothin, France 13 Magic Maz Woolley, UK 14 Bugatti Chop Max Tomlinson, UK 15 News GreenLight, Opel 16-17 Cars 18 Buffalo scratch Graeme Watt, UK 19 News Alezan, EFE, Motor City 20 Correspondence 21 Competitions • Club News Collated by Rod Ward 24 Book • Opel 25 Truckstop 26 Stories from the Tekno factory: 1 Peter Frandsen, Karl Schnelle • Captions to page 29 29 Buses, emergency
EDITORIAL
by Rod WardSOME GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS
There is plenty more good stuff in this issue; Karl Schnelle begins his translation of a Danish feature by Peter Frandsen on the development of early Danish Tekno diecast models, Max Tomlinson shames us with the in-depth analysis of a Bugatti T57 Tank he has built, Jean Louis Pothin (now safely back from North Korea, with one model added to the collection) continues his coverage of light 4x4 vehicles in miniature, and Dave Turner concludes his coverage of Mercury Cougars. Add to that contributions from Hans-Georg Schmitt, Maz Woolley, Graeme Watt, Bruno Boracco and others, and we have another packed issue of MAR. Considering that this issue was put together at the height of the summer holiday season in the northern hemisphere, we have a remarkable amount of new model news as well..
AUTO REVIEW: HUMBER
The latest Auto Review book is now available, on Humber. Now here is the latest appeal for material I can include in forthcoming Auto Review books: future titles include British coachbuilding companies, Daf cars, the Sherpa van story, Alvis, Aston Martin, Lagonda, Hillman, Singer, Jensen, Allard, Railton, aviatrices (lady pilots), and many other subjects (20+ others in our plan so far). If you have any illustrations (advertisements, sales brochures, your own photographs etc) or any personal anecdotes you can offer on any subject, please send them to me as soon as possible for inclusion in future publications. I also invite your suggestions for future titles; all your ideas are welcome...
OXFORD 1:43 diecast in China for UK:
A sneak preview of some future releases, pictured in the print edition. These are early unpainted castings produced for approval purposes and to check component fit etc, so there may be minor changes before production versions are made, the eagerly awaited SS Jaguar 2.5 litre saloon from 1937, with different wheels from those which will appear on the final version. We also picture another prototype with wire wheels and spinners more like the production model. The Austin K-Type van, known as the ‘three- way van’,is a very large 1:43 casting, which will also appear later as the Welfarer ambulance and other body variants. The two first versions of the Austin Princess four litre limousine are also pictured in the print edition, with their elegant Vanden Plas bodies. Above right is the early version of the car, below right is the mid- period limousine. Note the many differences, including glazing, spats etc. The limousines and other large cars have already turned out to be very popular among Oxford collectors; they offer great value for money, and they look impressive in the showcase. When you look at the four models pictured here, it really is extraordinary that no 1:43 diecast models of these superb subjects have been produced before.
NEW RAY 1:24 diecast in China:
The first five models in their new 1:24 scale, with more to follow. 71006 Renault F1 R28 ING 2008 Alonso #5. 711106 BMW Sauber F1 2008 #3 Nick Heidfeld. 71036 Smart Fortwo 2007 yellow and silver metallic. 71046 Fiat Grande Punto three door bright red. The doors open but on toylike hinges. 71026 Mini Cooper 2008 metallic blue with a white roof, below centre. The doors open, but they have toylike hinges. The models are accurately shaped, if with rather basic interiors. The packages are hard to open, however, up to eight screws attach each model to the baseplate! (Notes Hans- Georg Schmitt).
GreenLight 1:64 Models
GreenLight of Indianapolis have been making diecast model cars since 2005, starting with the Corvette Collection and Muscle Car Garage, which grew to a wide range of diecast models for collectors. To complement GreenLight collectible models they have launched their first 1:64 ‘toy’ product line, Motor World. There will be three sub- series with colour-coded blistercard: Classics Series, All-American Series and Speed Series. The 1:64 Motor World Series One includes the following twelve subjects:
Classics: Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 356A, Shelby Cobra 427 S/C, Volkswagen Samba minibus All American: Chevy Corvette, Ford Mustang, Oldsmobile 442, Pontiac Trans Am Convertible Speed: Dodge Viper SRT/10 Convertible, Lamborghini Gallardo, Lamborghini Murcielago, Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Note: The US market retail price is $2.99 each.
Note: In late 2009 GreenLight will launch a new 1:43 scale Motor World range which will include ‘the same type of global vehicle mix found in the smaller scale assortment’.
HANS-GEORG SCHMITT
recently designed a showcase for Opel titled From Caravan to Sports Tourer, the history of the estate car under the Opel badge in 1:43 scale. Each car was accompanied by a Preiser figurine. At the time of going to press the details of the sale of General Motors Europe and its Opel and Vauxhall parts had not been finalised. Note: Saab has already been sold to a consortium under the control of Koenigsegg, backed by the Swedish government.
News & Views • WORLD
NEW ALFAS FROM ALEZANThe Alezan Collector range of 1:43 handbuilt models made in France by Michel Ducleux has two new models of the 1986 Alfa Sprint QV 1.5 litre. Both are Zender concept cars, the coupe and the targa, both in red, 200 of each made.
MOTOR CITY SOLD
The well-established Motor City range of 1:43 handbuilt American cars has been sold by its US founders to a collector based in Germany. Development of new models will continue, as will the same quality in the products
EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS
The EFE range of 1:76 scale diecast buses and trucks continues to develop. New buses include SLF Plaxton Dart and BET 36 foot dual purpose. Tooling for the Optare Olympus double decker is progressing, and another classic double decker is being tooled. Its identity will be revealed soon. New truck cabs are also in tooling. Some earlier models are being upgraded, as on their RT and RM. There has been heavy demand for EFE’s new Gilbow range of 1:76 street scene accessories and vehicle loads, necessitating re-orders from China.
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod WardWheel Nuts, the South Hants Model Auto Club publication, always features many accounts of members’ trips to model and real vehicle events, often with their famous display cases, and they are especially busy in the Summer months. The Bursledon Brickworks event included a large number of tractors, featured on the front cover of Wheel Nuts. A similar tractor group, at the Castle Combe Rally, graced the cover of Wheel Bearings, the newsletter of the Maidenhead Static Model Club. On the car side, a nice account of Ashley Laminates was contributed by John Harrison to Wheel Bearings. Wheelspin, the long-established magazine of the Coventry Diecast Model Club notes that the Club promo model this year is a Hongwell Cararama 1:43 Triumph Herald in rally livery, #50, to mark half a century since production of the car started in Coventry. Showcase, the West Australian Model Collectors Club magazine is as packed as ever, by editor Keith Allen. This time he has a feature on American coachbuilding companies by Ken Vose, from a US website. The Globe, journal of the Oxford Diecast Collectors Club, continues to inform members about new Oxford releases. Club members are happy to spend two guineas (£2.10) for only 12 A5 pages, plus an order form, though the new ‘Review’ updating all releases, costs only £6.99 for 64 pages. A bargain...
Book Review
Geschichten und Anekdot-enSammlung derer von Opel Stories and anecdotes of the Opel family, collected by Carlo von Opel. Published by and available from Carlo v Opel, Hofgut Petersau; 67227 Frankenthal, Germany. 404 pages, 90 photos. 170 x 245 mm. Hardbound. Price €15.00
Here are tales of the Opel family, the founder Adam Opel, who developed his first sewing machine in a cowshed in Rüsselsheim, the lives of his five sons, well known for their five-person bicycle, and their many relatives. The story of their rise to the peerage and many others are told by various authors, mostly family members or friends. The coverage of the Opel company and the family in two World Wars and in the years since is also interesting to read. Hans-Georg Schmitt
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