Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2022 i Diecast Collector

OUR friends at DNA Collectibles, the resincast specialists based in Switzerland, have confirmed more details of the company’s exquisite forthcoming 1/18 scale model of the classic Saab Sonett III. With four colourways now confirmed, you’ll surely be tempted to buy one of each! Priced at just £150.99 each, the four different colour options are all limited production releases-Midnight Sun Yellow (349 units), Safari Green (249), Monte Carlo Blue (249) and Baja Red (249). Scheduled to start shipping in the 3rd quarter of 2023, be sure to pop on over to the company’s website to pre-order and secure some real sporty Swedish style for your collection. For more information, pictures and details of how to order, visit www.dnacollectibles.com.…

THE next reproduction from the Corgi Model Club (that should be about to begin to arrive with early subscribers by the time that you read this) is No 480 Chevrolet Taxi Cab. Corgi’s original release, in June 1965 went on to sell 167,000 units during its 2-year production run. An update of the earlier No 221 Chevrolet Yellow Cab, released in June 1960, the newer version was a 2-piece casting, which made two-tone paint finishes much easier to reproduce. Even if you’re not a subscriber, you can buy any of the releases so far (subject to stock) as a standalone purchase, with no further commitment to buy. This model will be available to buy on its own, but will cost substantially less if you subscribe. The club has also confirmed…

DURING warm, sunny weather at the end of August, Charles Barnett made his annual pilgrimage to the British home of F1. Encouraged by a record attendance of over 100,000 to this year’s event, confirming it as the world’s largest historic racing festival, there was plenty to tempt us collectors too. RM Toys was the only specialist exhibitor this year, but with a vast selection. Alongside the wide variety of new items, RM had thousands of unboxed models in all conditions, from just £1.00 apiece, including quite a few old Dinkies, Corgis and even Spot-ons. Among others, Charles saw a Dinky Austin 1800 Taxi, Corgi Priestman excavator and Spot-on Morris “Bullnose”, all needing a little restoration but all well worth the small outlay, and a little further up the price spectrum,…

1/76 scale 80M BUS MODEL The Peak Tram - 5th Generation PRICE: £53.99 REF NO: EIG CR201910 www.ayrey.co.uk THE Peak Tram is a funicular railway in Hong Kong, which carries both tourists and residents to the upper levels of Hong Kong Island. Running from Garden Road Admiralty to Victoria Peak, via the Mid-Levels, it provides the most direct route and offers good views over the harbour and skyscrapers of Hong Kong. Operated since 1888, it was the first funicular railway in Asia. Originally steam-powered, the cars were changed to electric in 1926. Overhauled again in 1956, the 4th generation cars were to a new design and were lightweight metal-bodied cars, each of which seated 62 passengers. The system was comprehensively rebuilt in 1989, by the Swiss company, Von Roll, with…

Being seriously undecided about which of these two recent releases from OttOmobile to lead with, I flipped a coin in time-honoured fashion. Fate decided that I should again lead with the Volkswagen and finish on a Mercedes-Benz high note. VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT R36 VARIANT - 2008 (OT938) I have a soft spot for estate cars, particularly ones from Volkswagen and Volvo - and certain Citroëns, as was evident last month. The Passat, in all its generations, has always made for a superb Variant and OttOmobile’s recent R36 is a fabulous illustration of this. Whilst I would always be attracted to a solid (preferably red) paint colour finish in 1:1, for a Variant the Deep Black Pearl, which OttOmobile has opted for, makes a very robust, attractive finish for a model. I…

Depending on your perspective, it’s the best of times to be a Matchbox collector, or the worst. We’ve enjoyed a string of great new models in recent years, with more to come in 2023, while the previous flood of generic ‘Matchbox Originals’ castings is now a trickle. But distribution in the UK, as in many other countries, has been patchy. Tesco remains the main retailer, but hasn’t received every mix, nor stocked popular lines like Moving Parts or the Collectors series. Will the coming year bring better news? At the Matchbox Gathering in Albuquerque this summer, we sat down with Project Design Lead, Abe Lugo, the driving force behind the brand’s recent renaissance. The plans for 2023 include around 25 new castings in the mainline (or basic) range – he…

Since the 1960s, Lesney Toys had produced special edition Matchbox toys for foreign markets and promotional purposes. Although some model collector guides list all regional models as promotionals, foreign models and promos are two different things. The first regional models were issued in the 1960s, when the Bedford TK Petrol Tanker (and later the Leyland Tanker) were produced in the blue and white livery of ‘ARAL’ for the German market, instead of the standard green and white ‘BP’ colours. This was probably done at the request of the German importer, as a well-known brand would have more appeal to collectors in that region. During the 1970s, some 1-75 models were issued in alternative liveries for large export markets like the USA and Germany, notably Airport Coach and Mercedes Container Truck.…

Technical hiccups affected the first part of my Land Rover 80” account in the July 2022 issue (Ed: hands up, it was my fault!), with some models pictured but without text explanations. OXFORD-BASED HOWDEN’S JOINERY PROMOTIONAL This chain is based in North Yorkshire and has commissioned Howden’s-liveried historic commercials from Oxford/Corgi, including smaller scale delivery trucks with a Guy Vixen, Bedford 30cwt, Fordson 7V, and a Morris Series Z van. These were distributed by their retail network with edition sizes in the tens of thousands, and are easily found on ebay. The Land Rover (TRUCK05) appeared in 2021 as the only 1/43 release so far, depicting JRU 236 as one of a pair of 1949 80”s - both with through-the-grille headlights - prepared a few years ago by John Brown…

When I was young, the majority of deliveries to our home or local shops were made by small vans and, of course, the Royal Mail used a variety of vans. However, other deliveries were made by small pick-up trucks. These were often small van chassis with the cab, flat-bed back and a dropdown tailboard. The majority were produced, for example, by Austin, Ford or Morris. The story was different in America with pick-ups that were much bigger, and these had more elaborate bodywork and plush interiors. An American pick-up was introduced into the Dinky Toys series as the Chevrolet ‘El Camino’ Pick-Up (No 449). It appears as a colour advert on the back of the Meccano Magazine of August 1961. The Dinky Toys News explains – “Its name is not…

JUST released by Automodello is this stunning pair of limited edition 1940s Checker Cabs. Both are available in 1/43 scale – yellow for New York (43C400) and green for Chicago (43C401). Priced at US$119.99 each, these sumptuous resincasts are limited to just 143 of each. Available direct from Automodello (with FREE worldwide shipping), check(er) out the company’s website at www.automodello.com. We will be carrying a full review of these stunning replicas in the December issue.…

Back in 2008, vehicles illustrated by Hergé in the Tintin stories were modelled in an enchanting range of 1/43 scale models by Editions Atlas, in collaboration with Moulinsart s.a. of Belgium. More recently another series in 1/24 - again of seventy(ish) models - have resulted from a Moulinsart collaboration with Hachette. Originally released as partworks editions, they are now coming onto the market repackaged in boxes and including several vehicles from the stories not previously modelled in 1/43. Of them, I have chosen just three examples from L'Affaire Tournesol (1956) - subsequently The Calculus Affair (1960). First up is probably one of the world’s best known images of the early version ‘Barndoor’ VW typ.2 van. E.CUTTS, THE BUTCHER’S VAN (2 991300 000006) Or, in the original French ‘Camionnette de la…

Following on from the previous two announcements, earlier this year in the March and July issues, the eagerly awaited third instalment of Corgi's new release programme for the tail end of the year and into 2023 has finally arrived. Loud and proud on the front cover is the No Time To Die Triumph Scrambler, which is due to arrive any day now. If the pre-production shots are anything to go by, this is going to be an absolute beauty. The real bike has been on display over the summer down at the Beaulieu's National Motor Museum, so if any of you have had the fortune to be there and seen it first hand up close, you may well understand our excitement. Onto the models new for this catalogue, the two…

Better known for its upmarket, executive passenger cars, Mercedes-Benz decided to expand its line-up in the mid-seventies. The plan was to develop a more compact car, an entry model for those who wanted to take their first step into Mercedes-Benz ownership. The company wanted to hunt for a new type of customer for the brand and, hopefully, a significantly larger one than it was used to dealing with. Daimler needed to grow its passenger car department, and there was no other way to do it or, at least, those were the top management thoughts on the subject. Work started in January 1974, and the goal was to design a compact sedan that could be more accessible to a wider class of buyers, at the same time keeping the quality levels…

Following on from part 1, last month, we conclude Phase 1 models with the police and competition cars. We then move on to Phase 2 and beyond, finishing with the rubber-bumpered models from 1975 onwards (Phase 4). PHASE 1 MODELS 1962-69 - POLICE CARS Many UK forces used MGBs across at least the first three phases and all the permutations including roadsters and GTs, MGC and GT V8, and there were even some international purchases as far afield as Libya. However the 1/43 selection only involves Phase 1 roadsters from Lancashire Constabulary and a solitary Leeds City Police example. Lancashire had a long tradition of using MGs and promptly adopted the B after launch, with a fleet eventually totalling over 60 examples. As Britain’s first stretch of motorway was the…

Number 28 offers us another mixed bag throughout the Lesney run. Starting with a Regular Wheels conversion of a construction truck, we then go military, before turning to big old US luxury and, finally, onto the racing track. MACK DUMP TRUCK Catalogue: 1970-73 Box Styles: G, I Mack Dump Truck changed from an orangey-red to a rather lovely dusky lime green (shades varied during production) when it was upgraded to a Superfast version for the 1970 range. It was a successful model and managed to maintain its place in the series up to and including 1973, helped no doubt by its big tipper that would give hours of enjoyment in the backyard construction sites everywhere. As a result, many will show signs of a hard working life, but this is…

The Somerville Bus The story behind Doug McHard and his Somerville bus design. PLUS… ■ Lone Star Highway Constructors ■ Matchbox Australian Editions part 2 ■ Portuguese Ford Escort Mk2 ■ World Cup by Corgi ■ Matchbox buses ■ MGR V8 ■ Workbench ■ Desert Island Diecasts ■ Collecting by numbers – Superfast #29 ■ Auction results ■ All the latest news ■ Extensive selection of new model releases, reviewed by our team of experts Please note: These planned editorial contents may be subject to change where necessary. December issue on sale 1st November or download the digital edition 7 DAYS EARLIER on 25th October at www.pocketmags.com/diecast-collector…

CONTINUING the significant success of its 1/76 scale Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC, Northcord Model Company is now releasing a sixteenth livery on the 10.9 metre long, single-door casting – UK6530 in the livery of Go North East. UK6530 represents fleet number 6341 (YX20 OKA) that was new to Go North East in early 2020. It carries a full and colourfully-branded livery for Xlines working route X71, heading to Consett. The stand-out features of the branding are “TALKING BUS” and “WIFIUSB” at the front; the big “Xlines” logos on both sides and rear, along with key locations served “fast into Newcastle, Sunniside, Stanley or Consett”, together with “bring your bike on board”, “comfortable, WIFIUSB, talking bus, this is a low emission Euro 6 bus” with unique symbols respectively. Further slogans include…

ORGANISING a toy fair at any time is tough work, but the first one in times of Covid uncertainty proved to be a real challenge. That's what toy fair organiser Steve Brown managed to do with the inaugural Whanganui Toy Fair, earlier this year. With over one hundred tables, it was one of the bigger toy fairs in New Zealand. As a first up effort it was a great success with over one thousand people through the door. On offer was a massive array of diecasts to suit all tastes, including Matchbox, Corgi, Dinky and Hot Wheels. Trains, kits, dolls, Lego and Sci-Fiaction figures also featured. The event even had its own specially-produced model truck that was being sold to raise money for local charities. Stall holders and punters alike…

1/43 scale STAPLES AND VINE Campbell-Railton 'Blue Bird' and Mercedes-Benz T80 PRICE: £125.00 (Blue Bird) or £110.00 (T80) - optional figures are £15 each www.staplesandvine.com SOMETHING a bit special to lead with this month - two incredible land speed record cars from a bygone age, both with a great story to tell. One is definitely more recognisable than the other, but there's a good reason for that. The most instantly-recognisable of the pair, Sir Malcolm Campbell’s ‘Blue Bird’, continually evolved, setting record after record. The original design, in 1931, was rebuilt with a Rolls-Royce V12 engine for 1933, when Campbell set a speed of 272 mph, but the car was suffering from significant wheelspin. Further modified, with new, full-width bodywork, the version of Blue Bird modelled here was prepared for…

For six years, and starting in 2003, Mercedes-Benz, working in cooperation with McLaren Automotive, marketed a striking 21st-Century homage to the classic Mercedes-Benz 300SLR. Cessation of the scheduled production of that modern reincarnation, also badged as the SLR, in 2009, however, prompted McLaren to create a final 25 further examples for sale. Developed in 2010 by MSO (McLaren Special Operations), with changes to the interior, front bumpers, rear bumpers, side grilles, rear diff user and the wheels, the already very expensive SLR became even more exclusive - and very expensive. The MSO upgrades alone added £150,000 to the price tag of the modified cars. A perfect candidate then for GT Spirit to add a model of it to its growing back catalogue of over forty 1/18 scale resincasts representing top-end…

Twenty years ago, we visited a young collector from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, who specialised in collecting ice cream van models. He’s still collecting – except now he’s got the both the models and four examples of the real thing. Chris has, since childhood, always been fascinated by ice cream vans and his passion for these started from a very early age, picking up his first diecast models around the age of five. The first models were the Majorette and Matchbox, these were picked up from local steam fairs and collectors fairs in Abergavenny and Gilwern. Many collectors will pick a theme or topic to collect, and Chris’s fascination with ice cream vans was not just due to them dispensing sweet treats, but that every one was different in terms of both…

The 1950s and 60s were the golden age of road haulage, with the mighty 8-wheel lorry the undisputed king of the road. This was a time when iconic British lorry manufacturers dominated the highways and byways, with their legendary names and logos proudly emblazed across radiators and grilles. One of the biggest names of all was Foden who, in the 1950s and '60s, was producing some truly revolutionary and stylish commercial vehicles. Not surprisingly, many toy manufacturers of the era reproduced these impressive lorries with Dinky, Matchbox, Morestone and Benbros all adding several different 8-wheel Fodens to their ranges. Lorry design really took off at Foden when, in 1958, it introduced its S21 cab. This revolutionary cab design earned it the nicknames ‘Spaceship’ and ‘Sputnik’ when reviewed by the motoring…

I was tempted to run with “The Queen’s first car” as a title, because technically it was in terms of when Her Royal Highness actually became HM The Queen. Regular readers will have seen three of these models before over the years, but with the recent passing of Her Majesty, I felt it fitting to air them again, adding the new release by Norev into the mix too The most exclusive Rolls-Royce ever made, with just 18 examples of the Phantom IV built in total, five went to the royal family. The car is not only notable for its customer exclusivity but also for being the vehicle that broke the tradition of Daimlers as royal cars and signalled the adoption of the Rolls-Royce marque for future vehicles The original car,…

DATE: 5th September 2022 TITLE: Corgi toys 333 Mini Cooper S 'Sun R.A.C Rally' SOLD FOR: £430.00 BIDS: 21 Very near mint in near mint box, this 333 Mini Cooper S 'Sun Rally' comes in glossy red & white, with red interior. Bright shaped spun hubs, well-shaped treaded tyres, firm suspension, clean red baseplate, 6x jewelled headlights, sump guard, nice decals, immaculate silver trim, bright clear glazing and not a hint of rust to the axles. A couple of tiny nicks to decals otherwise excellent. The over-flashed 225 box is very good. DATE: 13th September 2022 TITLE: Dinky Toys Gift Set No 3 Passenger Cars SOLD FOR: £433.00 BIDS: 11 Excellent, original Dinky Toys Gift Set No 3. Comprising No 30h Daimler Ambulance in cream with red crosses, No 40g…

Last month, we saw how the French Safir Champion range made a variety of veteran, cars, military vehicles, trucks and racing cars whose main characteristic was their combination of diecast and plastic parts. This time we continue the story by examining a range within a range – a series of small commercial vehicles marked “Champion” underneath, but sold in hard plastic cases with a “Championnette” plinth. Like the larger Champion Berliet trucks and the Le Mans-style racing cars, the Championnettes combined plastic bodies with diecast bases and were also notable for the colour and detail of the transfers applied to them. Many were variations on a Saviem lorry. There’s a flat truck carrying either a boat, a site hut or a small aircraft with detachable wings. The tipper is either…

Nestled in the tranquil warmth of the Bay of Naples, the isle of Capri has been the holiday destination of choice for Roman emperors and film stars alike for over two thousand years. Once home to Gracie Fields, the 'Lancashire Lassie' whose insanely penetrating voice could have qualified as a weapon of war, Capri, she found, was far more to her liking than any brick-built alley in Rochdale. Now, forget what the history of Ford might tell us, the very first Ford Capri of 1963 was a spin off model based on the innovative Consul Classic and, in many ways, captured a sense of holiday freedom more successfully than the 1969 car - the one that Ford claimed we had always promised ourselves. The Consul Capri felt airy and fun…