Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i Diecast Collector

FOLLOWING a successful winter of redevelopment, Cloverlands Model Car Museum in Powys, is now open again for its 2024 season. Home to the largest public model car collection inWales, the museum is generally open at weekends when the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway is running, although it is always worth checking before you visit. During the winter months many hours were dedicated to improvements, the aim of which was to bring the complete collection of founder Gillian Rogers together, and to bring the entire collection of Formula One cars together on what will become the 'Wall of Formula One'. Further details about the museum, and its collection, can be found at www.cloverlandscarmuseum.com.…

SEARCH Impex, the customised promotional model truck specialists, has announced the release of a 1/50 scale Scania S540 High (6x4) heavy recovery truck, customised in Alpha Recovery Ltd’s livery. This is the second model to be commissioned by Alpha Recovery. The model has been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Models as a certificated Limited Edition of just 155 pieces. Since incorporation in 1995, Alpha Recovery has grown steadily and successfully over the years and it now boasts an impressive fleet of more than 36 diverse recovery vehicles. It remains a family run business and has evolved to become the North East’s largest specialised rescue and recovery operator, offering a range of services from light recovery through to heavy recovery of vehicles – both on and off road. Additional equipment…

Heavy Haul Replicas Discovering a new range of highly authentic replicas of trucks and construction equipment ON SALE 2 JULY …or download the digital edition 7 days earlier! PLUS… ■ Out and about at the Beaulieu Motor Show ■ Then & Now ■ The Spitfire PR.XIXs ■ A-Z of diecast collecting ■ Auction results ■ All the latest news ■ Extensive selection of new model releases Please note: These planned editorial contents may be subject to change where necessary.…

The popular TV show, The Professionals, has led to several releases by Corgi over the decades since the show first aired on British television, in 1977, running until 1983. Spanning five series, a total of 57 episodes were made, filmed between 1977 and 1981. Focusing on a fictitious law enforcement department known as CI5 (a cross between the real life MI5 and CID), the storyline was that it was to use any means deemed appropriate to deal with crimes of a serious nature that fell outside of the remit of the police, but were also not suitable for the security services or the armed forces. Led by department head, George Cowley (played by Gordon Jackson), his two best agents were Ray Doyle (Martin Shaw) and William Bodie (Lewis Collins). Doyle…

High streets in Germany are dominated by three large drugstore chains: Müller, Rossman and DM (Drogerie Mart). Despite being called drugstores, these shops do not sell medications or fill prescriptions, which are handled by Apotheke stores (pharmacies), instead selling cosmetics, hygiene products and health foods, like the UK chain Superdrug. Müller & Co was founded in Ulm in 1953, and grew to become one of the largest chains in Germany, with over 500 stores there and many in neighbouring countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and Croatia. In addition to perfumes and hygiene items, Müller stores also sell groceries, drinks, stationery and toys. Stores in bigger towns and cities are often very large, and can have as many as five floors, selling CDs and DVDs, electrical goods, and books. Some…

PART TWO Part 1 of this series (Diecast Collector, May 2024) focused on the classic Guy Motors exposed radiator, square cabbed lorries and buses with just a glimpse of the Guy vehicles with concealed radiators and rounded cabs that replaced them from the mid-1950s. Now it’s the turn of a new generation of Guy lorries and the toys and models they inspired back in the day. In 1958 Guy stunned the commercial vehicle world with the introduction of its brand new cab, designed and built by the company. This was carried by the new Mk.II Invincible and was also fitted to the lighter-weight-Warrior chassis. The striking cab featured distinctive beefed-up bumpers, a large wrap around windscreen, four head lamps and an export-style sun visor with the interior boasting various driver…

PART ONE It all started with The Saint’s Volvo P-1800 (No.258) that was released in the spring of 1965. Roger Moore, the archetypal English gentleman, played the role of The Saint in the very popular TV series with the same name. Corgi used the basic Volvo P-1800 (No.228), painted it white, added a driving figure with a tuxedo and the logo of The Saint on the bonnet. Three variations of this logo exist: in black on a white bonnet, in white on a red bonnet and in white on a blue bonnet. The last version is scarce and in total 1,159,000 (+ 1969 sales) cars were sold. A huge success for a relatively simple car. In October 1965 Corgi released the even more successful James Bond Aston Martin DB5 No.261).…

1974 With a total of 19 new releases throughout 1974, this is another year where we can just about cover them all in one go. As mentioned at the end of last month’s instalment, the new range of racing cars dominated proceedings this year, but that doesn’t mean that there wasn’t a good variety of subjects released. The year started with the first new releases landing in February. These were two models of a similar futuristic, attractive, fantasy style – No.700 Motorway Service Ambulance and No.701 Inter-City Mini Bus. Both lasted until 1980 and sold very well throughout their lives (865,000 and 453,000 respectively). Fast-forwarding to April (no new releases during March), Corgi moved into the big-time with its first ever 1/18 scale model, and it was a real beauty!…

Every day it seems we need to move something and carry it to another room or outside. This is of course part of life in the world of work were products and equipment, needs to be moved. When I was young, I used to pass factories and would see trucks and trollies loaded with goods on their journeys through production or ready to take for delivery. These flat bed trucks were electric powered and operated by a worker standing on a platform at the front and would sometimes come outside to a waiting lorry. This type of vehicle was captured by Dinky Toys. The Dinky Toys model was the Electric Truck (No.14a) which was introduced in July1948 and in the August Meccano Magazine it is then designated as the B.E.V.…

■ Item: Mattel Hot Wheels Drag Team Ed Shaver AMX Condition: excellent to near mint, with a couple of dark spots/toning and age-wear Sold for: £4944 (54 bids) ■ Item: ERTL Airwolf Helicopter with rotating blades Condition: mint in box - a true collector’s dream and a piece of television toy history Sold for: £510 (32 bids) ■ Item: Hot Wheels VW Kool Kombi in green (from Toy Fair 2013) Condition: small scuff on the back of the car, acrylic case has a crack on the front Sold for: £510 (20 bids) ■ Item: Lone Star Impy Super Cars presentation set Condition: models are mint, inner casing has some splitting, outer box has minor damage Sold for: £450 (2 bids) ■ Item: Tri-ang Spot-On 145 Routemaster bus  Condition: all original…

The subject has been debated endlessly: are men better drivers than women? Harper’s Bazaar (which, for those of you who don’t know, is a ladies’ fashion magazine) reckoned that women were safer drivers, quoting statistics from 2017 which state that 79% of motoring offences taken to court in the UK were committed by males. A look through the adverts in old motoring magazines sheds some light on bygone attitudes to women behind the wheel. Often women are pictured beside the car to enhance the impression of style, but generally it’s a man who is driving. From time to time there’s an acknowledgement that women did drive cars, but the tone is often condescending. A 1957 advert for the Reliant Regal three-wheeler suggests that a husband should purchase this as a…

POCHER, a leading manufacturer of high-quality model cars, synonymous with precision engineering and unparalleled craftsmanship, has unveiled its latest masterpiece: the Porsche 917 – Gulf Edition. This meticulously crafted model pays homage to the legendary Le Mans 1971 triumph. The Porsche 917, an iconic vehicle that dominated the tracks in the 1970s, now stands immortalised in a detailed 1/8 scale replica. Designed for discerning collectors and automotive enthusiasts alike, the 312-part model captures every intricate detail and essence of the original racing legend. The Porsche 917’s victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1971 marked a historic moment in racing history, solidifying its status as a true legend of the track. Piloted by racing icons Derek Bell, Gijs van Lennep and Helmut Marko, this iconic car showcased unparalleled…

HAVE you seen the latest addition to the Corgi Model Club range? The Chrysler Imperial (Corgi No.246) was in the original Corgi range for just two years – between 1965 and 1967 – and included a unique and somewhat ingenious‘secret’ bonnet-opening mechanism. Operated by applying downwards pressure on the front axle, the bonnet opened just enough to enable it to be lifted. However, this clever method of operation was bafflingly omitted from the box text, giving rise to many believing they had a faulty model! This classic-era Corgi also featured opening doors, tilting seats, two figures (the female passenger being considerably smaller than the male driver) and a boot/trunk that lifted to reveal a set of golf clubs and caddy. This model is available now via the Club’s website –…

FOLLOWING on from the success of the Majesty Classics Standard Companion, British Heritage Models has announced a new, limited edition of the model, in a new colour scheme. MC17X is the 1961 Standard Companion in coffee and cream. It comes complete with windscreen sunshade, roof rack, twin wing mirrors, twin fog lights, raised aerial, and rear “GB” plates. The model will be limited to 50 pieces, with the issue number stamped on the aluminium, base scutcheon. Further details can be had from British Heritage Models via www.britishheritagemodels.co.uk, by calling: 01244 320761 or sending an email to: bhm-uk@talktalk.net. FOLLOW US AT @ccofgb @CollectorClubGB CollectorsClubOfGreatBritain CollectorsClubofGB…

IT’S BIN DAY – HERE COMES OXFORD DIECAST’S NEWLY-TOOLED REFUSE TRUCK Dennis Eagle’s history dates back to 1907, when the Eagle Engineering Company was incorporated, inWarwick. The company specialised in refuse collection vehicles and road sweepers. In the early 1920s, Dennis Brothers, builder of buses, fire engines, and haulage trucks, began to produce specialised vehicles for municipal authorities. In 1971, Hestair Group bought Yorkshire Vehicles Limited, in Leeds, and Eagle Engineering Co in Warwick. Six months later, Hestair bought Dennis Motor Holdings and thereafter managed the businesses as theVehicle Division of Hestair Engineering. Municipal bodies were made in Warwick by Hestair Eagle (incorporating Yorkshire Vehicles), municipal chassis were made by Dennis in Guildford, cabs were made in Blackpool. Hestair set up a special Environmental Vehicles Division for its waste management…

Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 ZJ914 ‘Blackjack’, RAF Conningsby, 2021/22 Display Scheme PRICE: £179.99 SCALE: 1/48 REF: AA29003 Expected: Summer 2024 Westland Lysander Mk.III(SD)JR-P, F/O ‘Lucky’ Newhouse, RAF No.161 Squadron ‘A’ Flight, ‘Operation Scimitar’, 4th-5th August 1944 PRICE: £59.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA36810 Expected: Summer 2024 North American B-25D Mitchell, 41-30024 ‘Red Wrath’ 498th BS/345th BG, USAAF 5th Air Force, Dobodura Airfield, Early 1944 PRICE: £109.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA35315 Expected: Autumn 2024 Republic P-47D-28RA Thunderbolt 42-29150/K4-S ‘Dottie Mae’, Lt. Henry Mohr, 511th FS/410th FG, USAAF, 8th May 1945 PRICE: £59.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA33827  Expected: Autumn 2024 Hawker Typhoon IB PD521 ‘JBII’, Wing Commander J. R. Baldwin, C/O No 198 Squadron, 146 Wing, Needs Oar Point Airfield, 1944 PRICE: £59.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA36514  Expected: Summer 2024 Rover 3500 SE (SD1) Oporto…

Last time (Diecast Collector, June 2024) we saw how Mettoy, Wells-Brimtoy and Chad Valley - three of the larger British toy companies known for making clockwork tinplate toys - had a go at fitting similar mechanisms to diecast cars after World War II. All three were in the big league of toymakers, but in the early post-war years the pent-up demand for new toys was such that many smaller makers briefly found a niche with metal products that were often simple and crude but found buyers nonetheless. Extensive research carried out by the noted collector and author Robert Newson has revealed that numerous workshops of this kind operated in London and largely faded away when better quality toys became more widely available on the home market. This process was hastened…

Toys have always featured on postage stamps, and diecast favourites are no different. This large Racer (No.80) is the second Fun Ho! diecast aluminium toy to appear on a New Zealand postage stamp. In 1999, the first, the Fire Engine fixed ladders (No.161) was depicted on the 40c denomination stamp from the Nostalgia series. The 190mm racer has the top right position on the miniature sheet of nine x $2 stamps in the Midcentury Toys issue, introduced by NZ Post this past southern hemisphere winter. NZ Post promotes the stamps as toys made in New Zealand and loved by children in the years after World War Two ended in 1945, when toy imports were often scarce. On the top row, seen above right, are a homemade wooden hospital ship (built…

Ah, que c’est belle, cette gamme! I’ll come clean - I’m a Francophile. Part of this love of all things French stems from a degree in the language, coupled with extensive travels throughout the land of Gauloises and garlic, although an early interest was sparked by those fantastic Historex plastic kits of the Napoleonic period. Whilst homegrown Dinky Toys need no introduction from me, as they were considered a couple of issues back (Ed - May 2024 issue to be precise), their French counterpart does. French Meccano began production in Paris in the early 1930s to capitalise on a construction product that, in all fairness, had been around for a while; and this manufacturing initiative would in time lead to the decision to fabricate Dinkys, albeit under a French moniker.…

ELMER’S AUTO AND TOY MUSEUM COLLECTION SELLS WELL AT MILESTONE AUCTIONS Last October antique and vintage toy fans added a new chapter to the legend of Elmer’s Auto and Toy Museum, which closed its doors in 2022 after 28 years of operation. Stoked by intense media coverage and toy-hobby chatter, bidders worldwide set their sights on rarities from the Wisconsin museum’s archive of 25,000 toys and paid estimate-shattering prices at Milestone’s first of a series of sales. After the event, collectors clamored for more and asked when the next auction of museum treasures would take place. The answer was, on May 11 at Milestone’s suburban Cleveland gallery. The museum’s vast and storied collection of American, European and Japanese toys was built over 50+ years by an inveterate gearhead and visionary…

■ Sunstar 1//24 Scale Bus, boxed 2925 1948 RT 597 HLX414 in green London Transport Livery, with packaged wing mirrors and certificate 683/768, very good to excellent, box good to excellent. Sold for £210, Special Auction Services, April. ■ Sunstar 1/24 Scale Routemaster Bus, boxed 2908 RM870 WLT 870 First Routemaster with a Leyland Engine in red London Transport Livery, with packaged accessories including wing mirrors and certificate 1563/4500, very good to excellent in a very good to excellent box. Sold for £100, Special Auction Services, April. ■ Sunstar 1/24 Scale Routemaster Bus, boxed 2901 RM8 VLT 8 The Original Routemaster, with packaged accessories including wing mirrors and certificate 3955/4000, very good to excellent in a very good to excellent box. Sold for £120, Special Auction Services, April. ■ Corgi…

WE'VE just received notification from Spacroft Models that Matrix are planning an upcoming release of the 1971-1974 Austin 1300 GT. The model will be available from August, and will come in three stunning colours - red, turquoise, and violet. Unfortunately, we don't have details on the price yet, but it will likely fall within the range of £85-£95. These models will likely be quite popular among British car collectors, so don’t hang around if you would like to add them to your collection. More information can be found at www.spacroftmodels.co.uk or from your preferred retailer.…

Launched at Agritechnica last November and now more widely available Universal Hobbies’ new Horsch 6.0m wide combination drill is a good-looking model with accurate detailing and many working features. There are hydraulic pipes for connecting to the tractor, a folding stand, road blocks and two different tractor attachment points provided on the drawbar. The drill also unfolds smoothly into its working position. Both the outer sections and the hopper platform lower together on two rams. Once lowered the access steps to the hopper platform will swing out from their transport position. Correctly sized handrails are detailed on the hopper access steps and platform. The hopper has a grey plastic cover but it does not open. Under the hopper the seed and fertiliser metering units are detailed and there are grey…

For any brand to last 60 years is incredible. A company taking their first steps in Europe in 1964 would have had to pass the turmoil caused byThe Cold War, economic struggles, the collapse of the Soviet Bloc, the explosion of technology and the relentless rise of social media, the COVID pandemic… there’s a lot to contend with. To stay on the right side of all that would be hard for any company, let alone one producing something as niche as toy cars. From 1964 until 2024 many diecast brands have come and gone: Dinky. Tri-ang. Marx. Mercury. Dalia. I could go on. But French brand Majorette is still going strong. A 60th birthday party is a big deal and the company pulled out all the stops to celebrate. As…

Skoda, the car brand from Czech Republic, is one of the top players in international rallying around Europe. The brand produces a special rally version of its hatchback Fabia and sells it to any rally team that wishes to enter rallying in Rally2 class. In several national and international series, this is the top level in the sport. Only the World Rally Championship (WRC) features cars of a higher level, the Rally1 hybrid class. The Rally2 cars are made from a volume-produced car, however, the result is almost a prototype, as only the basic monocoque is retained from the street version. The rally car has a complete roll bar that also works as a secondary chassis, a much more powerful engine and four-wheel drive, as well as a complete…

Rover had, during the post-War years, developed a reputation for making upmarket, sensible, if rather conservative, cars. The P4 became known as ‘Auntie Rover’, while the P5 was a logical development of this formula. That, however, all changed in 1963 when Rover launched the P6, known as the 2000. It was not only advanced for Rover, but was also considered ‘cutting edge’ within the motor industry at the time with a de Dion tube suspension at the rear (a kind of more complex non-independent suspension), disc brakes on all four wheels and a fully synchromesh gearbox. The chassis design featured non-stressed panels bolted to a structural frame which was inspired by the Citroën DS. All these advancements won the Rover 2000 the inaugural ‘Car of the Year’ award; not bad…

No. 48 Number 48 during the Lesney-era Superfast range comprises a dumper truck showing off a new colour scheme, the Pi-Eyed Piper car and a strange-looking forklift… DODGE DUMPER TRUCK Production: 1970-72 Catalogue: 1970-72 Box Styles: G, I Changing from its all-over red regular wheels colour, Dodge Dumper Truck, with its working tipping action, sported a new colour scheme of mid-blue cab and chassis with a bright yellow dumper body. Appearing initially with narrow wheels, these later changed to the wider variety and this suited the look of the truck even more. Another useful commercial vehicle, it finally made way to another fanciful car creation in 1972. PI-EYED PIPER Production: 1972-77 Catalogue: 1973-77 Box Styles: I Pi-Eyed Piper was a companion model to Big Banger, and used most of the…

The diecast section of the latest Warwick and Warwick toy auction saw a bidding war with Lot 202, a collection of modern vehicles selling for £1,800. Lot 204 contained examples of Corgi, CIJ, EFSI, Matchbox, Solido, Siku etc and sold for £1,550. There was a very attractive Corgi section within this auction including lot 230, an Avengers vintage Bentley and Lotus Elan S2 No.40 selling for £170. Lot 231, a Batboat on Trailer No.107 sold for £130 and lot 232, a Volkswagen 1200 in safari trim No.256 sold for £130. Lot 246, was a collection of earlier boxed Dinky cars and included Sunbeam Alpine Sports No.107, Rover 75 Saloon No.156, Ford Zephyr Saloon No.162, Sunbeam Rapier Saloon No.166, Singer Gazelle No.168, Studebaker Golden Hawk No.169, Studebaker President Sedan No.179. This…

MATCHBOX TRAINS ■ I write to you with reference to the Matchbox Trains article in your May 2024 issue. To the best of my knowledge there are at least two-colour versions missing; the colourful “123”-loco and the white loco and waggon. I would also like to highlight that the Caboose came at least in 2 colour variants: red with darker plastic upper part and green with lighter plastic upper part. The red engine came with a labelled “4345” (above left) or with a printed “4345” (above right). The red engine “GOLD RUSH” for Australia also has a print on the roof. And at last, you see another green engine. Axel Valentiner-Branth, email ED Hello Axel! Thank you for getting in touch and filling in some of the gaps in this article.…