Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i Diecast Collector

THE first wave of Majorette’s highly anticipated “Collection” series should begin to hit UK stores in September/October, comprised of Chevrolet’s 1955 Bel Air, 1985 Camaro and 2005 Corvette C6. R, the 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350, the 1985 Porsche 930Turbo, and Honda’s NSX-R GT from 2005. The line is the brand’s first real attempt at true 1/64 scale and will become the flagship of an already impressive and expansive range. The team at Majorette HQ have picked a significant car from each decade of the 20th and 21st centuries to replicate, and for Collection releases in 2025 each vehicle will have production years ending in “XXX5”. This is a feature that will continue chronologically; In 2026, the Collection waves will comprise of cars made in years ending in “XXX6” and so…

Solido first showed its newly modelled diecast 1/18 first generation (T1) Volkswagen type 2 pickup to journalists in the crazy semi-lockdown days of early 2021. Since then the casting has been released in several very successful variations and is now joined by a second body version of the T1 in the form of a gorgeous take on the Samba - more about which later - but first to work… VOLKSWAGEN T1 PICK-UP – 1950 (S1806709) Introduced in August 1952, to supplement theVan and Kombi launched in November 1949, the single cab type.2 pickup quickly became a very widely used, adaptable, commercial workhorse. As such it provides model manufacturers with almost unlimited scope for successive colour and livery variations in both contemporary commercial and retro custom guises. Opportunities already well explored…

Model manufacturers that pay attention to the story of the Safari Rally are always looking for entrants that used cars they’ve already reproduced as 1/43 models. One more colour livery, one more reference for their back catalogue and one more piece for collectors to purchase. To be fair, this is the logical thing to do, if a model maker wants to make some profit from a certain set of parts. From a special set of parts, to be more precise, as Safari Rally replicas almost always have parts that cannot be seen in conventional rallies. Specific “bull bars” to protect the front grille, several types of mesh to protect the radiator, plus searchlights placed near the exterior wing mirrors, are just some examples. Extra spare wheel on a roof rack,…

It was an evening of celebration for the Coventry Diecast Model Club (CDMC) on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. Founded in 1975, the members had a special celebration meeting in their usual venue of the Midland Air Museum at Baginton, on the outskirts of Coventry. In the CDMC’s heyday it had around 300 members, a number which has dwindled over the years to around 34. Nevertheless, the majority of these collectors and modellers descended on the museum all in great spirits and eager to talk about the fun they've all had in the past with outings, socials, toy fairs and the whole social scene that has created many longlasting friendships amongst the members. Many of the members had brought along some of their special models, all with stories relating…

Part of the 2025 Corgi Aviation Archive new releases sees a 1/72 scale North American P-51D Mustang finished as 44-15152 ‘QI-T’ Jersey Jerk of the 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, 8th US Army Air Force. This aircraft was the personal mount of ‘Ace’ pilot Major Donald J. Strait. 356TH FIGHTER GROUP The 356th Fighter Group of the US Army Air Force was formed in Georgia in the United States on December 8, 1942 and consisted of three squadrons, the 359th FS, the 360th FS and the 361st FS. They were despatched to England on the Queen Elizabeth in the autumn of 1943 and were first based at Goxhill in Lincolnshire, where they received their first aircraft, the Republic P-47Thunderbolt. The unit moved to Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, in October 1943.…

A family friend had a 1940s Standard Tourer convertible car and on occasions we would go for a run with the hood down – it made a change from my father’s BSA motorcycle combination with me in the sidecar! On these outings most of the cars were pre-War saloons such as Fords, Austins, Hillmans and the like. However, occasionally, there was a sports car which for me was far more interesting… it being a full-size model like one of my DinkyToys sports cars! I had a DinkyToys Lagonda and a Jaguar sports car at the time. The DinkyToys sports cars were first introduced in 1939 but the war intervened, so in 1945 the series continued with the introduction of the DinkyToys Jaguar Sports Car in October 1946. The car had…

At the time of writing, the 78th Cannes Film Festival has been much in the news, with famous names like French actor Juliette Binoche and American stars Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong being members of this year’s jury. Glamorous figures in stunning outfits parade before the photographers on the red carpet - though I was a bit surprised to hear that Helen Mirren’s tip on how to look ‘cool’ at the event was to wear ‘bearable’ shoes; otherwise, she says, you’ll be uncomfortable and that will reflect on your face and posture. What has the Cannes Film Festival got to do with collecting models? Well, makers of diecast model cars manage to find a link to practically any event and Cannes is no exception. Norev has been notably successful in…

IT’S the first all-new Lansdowne Model since the Ford Consul MkI way back in 2020. The new model is of the 1984 Austin Montego 1.6L. Numbered LDM121. The Austin Montego was a British family car produced from 1984 to 1995 in both saloon and estate variants. The Montego replaced both the Morris Ital and the Austin Ambassador ranges to give British Leyland a new competitor to the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier. The Montego is available in two colours; Clove Brown which is more of a maroon, and Moonraker Blue Metallic with tan and grey interiors respectively. It is to 1/43rd scale, and it is only available direct from Brooklin, priced at £134.99. It measures at 110mm or 4 and a half inches. This model is produced in white metal…

A Touch of Class The Story of Matchbox No.44 Rolls-Royce, from Silver Cloud to Phantom V – a closer look at the regal models that brought luxury to the miniature world. ON SALE 2 SEPTEMBER …or download the digital edition 7 days earlier! PLUS… ■ Models `Now and Then` ■ Auction results ■ All the latest news ■ Extensive selection of new model releases ■ And much more Please note: These planned editorial contents may be subject to change where necessary.…

RRP £49.95 Aviation 72 1/72 Westland Gazelle XX450 Royal Marines Ref: AV7224014 Our Price: £45.00 RRP £37.00 Britains 1/32 Ford TW35 with dual rear wheels Ref: BF43394 Our Price: £37.00 RRP £58.99 Solido 1/18 Autobianchi A112 Mk.5 Abarth Green 1980 Ref: SOL1803806 Our Price: £55.00 RRP £39.99 Corgi Thunderbirds F.A.B. Collection - Thunderbird 2 & 4 Ref: CC00804 Our Price: £39.99 RRP £49.95 Aviation 72 1/72 Westland Gazelle HT.3 XZ936 Empire Test Pilots School Ref: AV7224017 Our Price: £45.00 RRP £69.98 Aviation 72 1/72 Saab J35J Draken Splinter Scheme Ref: AV7241008 Our Price: £65.00 ALL MODELS COME WITH FREE POSTAGE AND PACKAGING! Prefer to speak to our friendly UK-based team to place your order? Call us today on 01778 392006 or complete this form and return it to us at:…

Ask a group of a dozen auto enthusiasts how they would each describe their interpretation of“custom car” and you are likely to get twelve different answers. Seek an established English Dictionary definition and you are likely to find one in British usage of something like “built to the buyer’s own specifications.” More pragmatically this is, in reality, very often embodied as“modified to an owner’s preferences and style” If you went down to Beaulieu on Father’s Day, 15th June, that latter loose definition was certainly very much in evidence in a kaleidoscope of gleaning chrome and dazzling paint jobs. BIGGEST BEAULIEU CUSTOM AND AMERICAN SHOW YET! Now a regular, very popular, slot in the calendar Beaulieu’s Custom andAmerican Show was the biggest yet with 500 custom and American motors on display…

This month’s Little and Large is returning to the 1990s and once again dips its toe into cars from my childhood; please welcome the bright yellow 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302. I’ve always had a soft spot for certain American muscle cars but I will be the first to admit the 1970 era Mustang is not one of my favourites. The original ‘pony car’ was introduced in 1964 and became an instant sales success selling over 400,000 in the first year of sales alone. Numerous engine and body style options gave it a true mass-market appeal. A facelift in 1967 made the Mustang physically bigger, although engine power outputs remained the same. 1969 added yet more length and width (and therefore weight) but now there were some new performance orientated…

MERCURY COUGAR Production: 1969-70 Catalogue: 1969 (2nd)-70 Box Styles: F, G Retaining its regular wheels colours of a subtle metallic lime green shade with red interior and clear window unit, Mercury Cougar was one of the first to receive its wheels in the first year. But it wouldn't be long until a new but familiar-looking kid was on the block. RAT ROD DRAGSTER Production: 1970-73 Catalogue: 1971-73 Box Styles: G Rat Rod Dragster is a modified version of Mercury Cougar and has larger wheel arches to house the wider second generation Superfast wheels. Based on the previous No.62, Mercury Cougar, it features the wellusedV8 engine block, proudly displayed through a hole in the bonnet. On the down side, the opening doors had been deleted. It is painted a vibrant lime…

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AHEAD of the global theatrical release of Apple Original Films’ F1 The Movie, Hot Wheels® announced today a limited-edition die-cast car inspired by the fictional Apex Grand Prix (APXGP) team, driven by the film’s character Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt. The 1:64 scale Formula 1 die-cast will be available for purchase on MattelCreations.com beginning June 24, prior to the release of the film in theatres on 27 June, from Warner Bros. Pictures. The 1:64 scale die-cast channels the high-octane energy and cutting-edge design of the APXGP team’s Formula 1 car, bringing movie magic and motorsport realism together in true HotWheels fashion. Following last year’s multi-year licensing partnership announcement with Formula 1 and two subsequent sold-out collaborative product pre-order launches, this release provides automotive enthusiasts, racing fans, pop culture devotees and…

MATRIX have announced they are releasing two brand new models later this year. They are going to be the Jaguar XJS 4.0 Celebration Convertible, alongside the MG ZT-T 260. 1996 marked the last year of production for the XJS of the Jaguar stable. The celebration special edition was created to coincide with the Jaguar’s 60th anniversary. The last XJS could be recognised by its diamond-cut alloy wheels, seats with Jaguar stitching, a wooden steering wheel and special bumpers. These models will be released in a convertible open red, a convertible closed blue and a convertible open turquoise. They will all be at a 1/43rd scale. The MG ZT-T was the estate version, the saloon version, the saloon being MGZT. The body shape was that of the Rover 75. The ZT…

PROFESSIONALMANIA’S FINAL RELEASE IN ITS CORGI-COMMISSIONED SERIES First airing in 1977, The Professionals TV series was incredibly popular and there’s a good chance that you may well already be humming the famous Laurie Johnson-penned theme tune. It was created by Brian Clemens, who had been one of the driving forces behind The Avengers and The New Avengers. Produced for London Weekend Television (LWT), The Professionals aired on the ITV network from 1977 to 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, the boss was George Cowley (played by Gordon Jackson) and his two best agents were Ray Doyle (Martin Shaw) and William Bodie (Lewis Collins). The vehicles used throughout became almost as…

Yes, it all started at the tender age of 18 when I'd just passed my test, albeit 2nd time around! I had gained all my practice on my father’s very posh Austin A55 Cambridge, in old English White with a Royal Blue side stripe. The steering column change took a little practice too, but what a lovely car! Sadly, no original photo is available, and I certainly wasn't tampering with the lovely Lansdowne Models A55 in pale blue, so here is that model, as produced, to illustrate my driving apprenticeship. On passing my test, my dear old Dad heard of a family friend who was trading up his 1947 Morris 8 for an Austin A30, and Dad jumped in and said he'd like to buy it for me! It was…

Our final instalment celebrating the 55th anniversary since the launch of the original Range Rover, manufactured from 1970 to 1995, finds us in the larger scale corner; for this feature that means anything larger than 1/43. Unlike the previous two parts I am going to work through these models in roughly size order. CORGI Corgi first launched their 1/36 Range Rover in 1984, five years after the‘Vigilant’ version ceased production. Number 501 was the first of several releases that year. As well as the initial tan/brown colour scheme, there were three rally inspired liveries (VSD, Darien Gap, Team Castrol) and a‘Stimorol’ chewing gum livery. Several emergency services liveries have been releases as well as AA and RAC colours. This casting is a good likeness of the early four door Range…

In 1961 the long-running Jaguar XK sports car was finally replaced by a new design - the E-Type. It was an immediate hit with model companies, and numerous versions appeared. It has remained a popular subject ever since, with Matchbox having produced two models in the miniatures line; and a larger scale version in the Dinky Collection. Usually when Matchbox make several models of a single subject, they like to produce a different version each time - but here they have modelled the same basic variant - the 1961 Coupe. THE REAL THING The two-seater coupe and convertible versions of the E-Type were introduced in 1961. In 1965 a larger engine was fitted, and in 1966 a slightly longer fourseat version of the coupe appeared. This was built alongside the…

Although the origins of Rio can be traced back to 1952, the year that three brothers founded the Fratelli Tattarletti enterprise, Rio Models per se didn’t come about until late 1961 or early 1962. The brothers’ background in diecasting parts and items for other companies provided a logical step to the marketing of finished models. In many respects, Rio was a trailblazer in the 1/43 arena. The brothers’ initial focus was on vehicles from the 1920s or thereabouts, a gloriously ornate and fascinating period in the realms of automotive development. Not only that, their quality was extremely high: a typical Rio model would be three or four times the price of its competitor, and a Rio model was arguably the top of the tree at that time. The company’s range…