Innehållsförteckning för May 2022 från Diecast Collector

STAGECOACH LONDON IS NEXT FROM NORTHCORD NORTHCORD Model Company has announced the release of UK6528, the sixth release of the 10.3 metre, 2-door casting of this distinctive, modern, double-decker in the United Kingdom. The sixth livery to be carried on the brand-new Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC model is Stagecoach London, produced in unique London red livery. UK6528 represents fleet number 11035 (SN18 KUB) that has 10.3 metre, dual-door bodywork and was new to Stagecoach London in 2018. 11035 has a Euro6 smart hybrid driveline, together with an innovative high resolution LED destination display. The model carries the roof fleet number SCG 11035. This bus is based at Stagecoach London’s West Ham Garage where it operates on busy route 474 which runs between Canning Town and Manor Park. Buses running on the…

THE Corgi Model Club has revealed the next wave of models planned for production. There are plenty more great models on this list! The Cadillac Ambulance is now included again, and, by special request, the club is doing its first police car, the very Z-Cars-esque Ford Zephyr. The new wave list is correct at 17th March, but is subject to the approval of the factory samples. Additionally, the list of models either released, or about to be, is as follows: 474 Wall’s Ford Thames Ice Cream Van (pre-collection special release) *339 1967 Monte Carlo Winner BMC Mini Cooper S *258 Saint’s Volvo P1800 *330 Porsche Carrera 6 *155 Lotus-Climax Formula 1 Racing Car *417 Land Rover Breakdown Truck 325 Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 Competition Model 271 Ghia 5000 Mangusta with…

1/43 scale AUTOCULT Volvo C-303 'Paris-Dakar' 1983 PRICE: £112.99 REF: 07022 www.ayrey.co.uk ANYONE who used a car in the gruelling Paris to Dakar long-distance rally raid that had not been produced in three years must have been quite convinced of its reliability and quality. In the end this 'old' Volvo truck won its class-making for nothing less than a sporting sensation. This is exactly what happened to the Volvo factory team in the 1983 event, the fifth running of this now legendary race. The basis of the sporting success was theVolvoType C-303 – an all-wheel-drive, two-axle vehicle from the C-300 family, whose origins dated back to the late 1960s. Series production began in 1974 and ended in 1980, after theVolvo factory had produced nearly 8,000 units. On January 20th, 1983,…

One of Germany’s largest scale model car outlets has recently released an exclusive 500 pieces version of Minichamps’ 1/43 early series Porsche 911 in Schiefergrau 615 (Slate Grey) - a colour that has become something of a cult following choice. This following has been engendered by just 3 minutes 40 seconds of the haunting early morning opening sequence to the 1971 film Le Mans, with racing driver Michael Delaney (Steve McQueen) driving his Porsche 911S. The actual car used for that sequence was a special order model with a list of factory options that included US-specification compliance, a steel sunroof, rare factory-installed air-conditioning, muffler apron, tinted glass, Blaupunkt radio, extensive internal and external luxury trim, and front fog lamps with the then French-requirement yellow lenses. It was ordered in June…

Born in Quebec, Canada, to Seville and GeorgetteVilleneuve, on 18th January 1950, Joseph Gilles HenriVilleneuve was an enthusiast of fast cars and driving from a very early age. A champion snowmobile racer in his native country, his ability to throw a car into a corner and react accordingly, snowmobile style, is in stark contrast to the modern-day drivers who largely cut their teeth in go karts. Gilles married Joann Barthe when he was 20, and they had two children – Jacques (yes, THAT Jacques Villeneuve) and Mélanie. Jacques was named after Gilles’ brother, who was also a racing driver of fair note – I saw him race at Le Mans in 1983. During the mid-seventies, Gilles was making a name for himself in Formula Atlantic. He won his first Atlantic…

I’ve been playing around with restoring old diecasts since my early teens. I recently started a huge project from Ixo Collections and it gave me the idea for this section to bring you updates and tips as I focus on some other projects along the way. ■ CORGI TOYS GIFT SET NO 2 RESTORATION Corgi Toys gift sets have always held a special fascination for me ever since I was a youngster with pocket money that was burning a hole in my pocket, but values these days tend to easily outstrip my spare funds. With a little help from two well-known companies, well-versed in the art of catering for the restorer’s needs, I managed to put one together for very little expense. The project began when I accidentally bought the…

When this series started way back in June 2019, there was no predetermined course it would take, let alone how long or how far it would go. Part 11, “Tr i-ang Were Different”, looked at the unusual scale of 1/42, where it came from and where it eventually went, all made famous in its middle years by the Spot-on brand. A couple of months back we had a bit of fun with some same-scale models from various sources that complimented each other. Now we have the serious stuff. As a finale I would like to introduce you to “The Town andVillage from Castlereagh”. Many readers will recognise the name itself as the area of Belfast whereTri-ang’s Spot-on factory was situated. It was responsible for producing the only range of diecast…

My wife has been clearing out a stack of fashion catalogues, which arrive at least once a week, frequently offering a dress for half the price she paid only a fortnight ago. Before chucking the pile in the recycling box, each catalogue must be depersonalised, lest her divine identity should find itself attached to some fraudster. I also have sessions at the shredder, although anyone who swiped my identity would soon regret it when they started to receive attention from various sources of aggravation. The long-term spy, Kim Philby, once proposed that "To betray, you must first belong." He did both for most of his adult life. Where suspicions existed (and these usually emanated from individuals outside his social class, or from America) they were dismissed by his friends and…

LOOKING stunning in silver, the soon-to-be-released limited edition (299 pieces) 1/18 scale Volvo V70 R P80, from DNA Collectibles will also be available in Saffron Gold (399), Red (299) and Black (299). Each model will be individually numbered, as usual. This is DNA’s fourth release of the V70, Volvo’s successor to its hugely popular 850. The version modelled on this ocasion will be the 1998 first generation. Each of the colourways will feature a fullydetailed interior in black, superbly-replicated alloy wheels and superrealistic light lenses. Priced at just £150.99, and due to start shipping towards the end of the year, pre-orders can be placed now to ensure that you don't miss out on this exquisite model. Visit the page on DNA’s website for more information and images: https://dnacollectibles.com/product/volvo-v70-r-p1-1-18/.…

1/76 scale CORGI (COMMISSIONED BY OMNIDEKKA MODELS) Optare Solo - Epsom Coaches - route K5 to Morden PRICE: £25.00 REF NO: CP44101B www.omnidekkamodels.com WHEN Leyland closed its Charles H Roe vehicle bodywork building business in Leeds during 1984, former plant director Russell Richardson and many redundant employees formed Optare in February 1985 backed by the West Yorkshire Enterprise Board, carrying on the work that Roe had previously undertaken. Optare began its introduction of low-floor buses in the UK in 1995 with the launch of the Optare Excel full-sized single decker. Then in 1997 the minibus/midibus Solo was launched with its unique design of a front axle forward of the door, allowing a lowfloor layout in a very short bus – it also came equipped with kneeling suspension for even greater…

1/64 scale MINI GT Mazda Miata MX-5 (LHD) & Eunos Roadster (RHD) PRICE: £12.59 each REF: MGT00288-L & MGT00298-R www.clevelandsdiecast.co.uk DIECAST COLLECTOR Editor’s CHOICE WHEN the Mazda MX-5 burst onto the scene in 1989, at the Chicago Auto Show, who could have predicted how popular this cute little roadster would turn out to be? Now in its fourth generation (since 2015), the 1 million production mark was passed on 22 April 2016, so it will be well beyond that by now. It was launched at a time when the small roadster had virtually disappeared from car dealership showrooms around the world, so its easy to see why car purchasers took to this marvellous automobile in droves. The naming conventions can appear a little confusing, as the car is marketed as the…

Following on from OttOmobile’s release last year of Russell Brookes’AndrewssponsoredVauxhall Chevette Gr. B from the 1983 RAC Rally (OT370), comes its latest offering that will again be of particular interest to British Rallying fans. Carrying registration plate X20XRT, it models Richard Burns’ WRC Subaru ImprezaWRX STI (OT391) in which, on Sunday 25 November 2001, he became the first Englishman to win theWorld Rally Championship. As well as being a fabulous model, it is also a rather poignant one in that just four years to the day after winning the WRC, Burns passed away at the age of only 34 years old, from a brain tumour. His untimely death prematurely ended a dramatic career in rallying during which many of his successes had been with the Subaru RallyTeam – firstly between…

In the early 1970s, BMW’s 3.0 CSL sports coupé attracted drivers in search of a stylish and sporty, two-door high-end car. This generation of sports coupé, (internal code E9) proved to be a magnificent all-rounder, a car at ease both in city traffic and in cross-continent travelling. It also formed the basis for several racing versions that were victorious in different racing series around the globe. The 3.0 CSL had a clear emphasis on its sports attitude, something that pleased many buyers, but left others wanting for a more refined and luxurious offer from BMW. Following collection themes can become a fluid process, both for the personal adventure of discovering particular models and choosing subsequent trails, and because the unpredictability of model releases across different manufacturers keeps creating new linkages.…

Hot on the heels of catching up in the last issue, after all the various global manufacturing and shipping delays, we're making super progress with this amazing diecast kit build now. In quick succession, boxes 9 and 10 arrived and, in the latter, was the promised special free gift - a 1/8 scale figurine of Steve McQueen, straight out of his 1971 movie, Le Mans.The film was shot during the 1970 event and the ensuing months, but was released the following year, hence the discrepancy. It comes without his sponsor patches, so this will be the subject of a little Wilson workbench magic in due course, as will the modification of the figurine’s wristwatch, because it should be a square-faced Heuer Monaco, as famously worn by the actor during filming.…

In the mid-1980s, MatchboxToys International was experiencing competition from low priced, lower-quality miniature vehicles made in the Far East. Brands such as Playart, Zylmex, Tintoys and Summer - mostly made in Hong Kong - were flooding into discount stores around the world, and were undercutting Matchbox and other established diecast toy manufacturers. Although by 1985 many Matchbox toys themselves were being produced in Macau by new owner UniversalToys, they were still very high quality and could not really compete on price with cheaply made products. While Matchbox still had a good reputation and were widely collected, sales were being lost to parents of young children, who often chose toy cars based on price. Of course, Matchbox was not alone in this predicament. From the outset, Mattel had produced Hot Wheels…

No. 22 The number 22 in Lesney’s Matchbox Superfast line-up features two of my favourites from childhood – the Pontiac Grand Prix and the awesome Freeman Inter-City Commuter – the latter is, without a doubt, rather responsible for my fascination with MPVs to this very day. Add a perennial favourite subject for many into the mix, namely a fire engine, and these make for quite a line up this month. PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Catalogue: 1970 Box Styles: G This is one of the most sought after Superfasts today, along with No 8 Mustang - both command three figure sums in good condition with a similarly intact box. During the transition to Superfast, the colour changed from a fabulous red to an ever more amazing metallic purple, which would vary in…

It’s a small world The scale of 1/64 is seeing a real surge in popularity, with new manufacturers joining the market all the time. We begin a four-part series focusing on recent releases from pocket money purchases to premium, highly detailed models costing significantly more. PLUS… Trucks from Ukraine Minialuxe The Sentosa Express Opel Diplomat V8 Coupé Desert Island Diecasts All the latest news June issue on sale 3rd May or download the digital edition 7 DAYS EARLIER on 26th April at www.pocketmags.com/diecast-collector…

EIGHT new releases are due in May from Paragon under its PARA64 banner. The latest additions to this exciting range of highly-detailed 1/64 scale diecasts include a pair of Honda’s Civic Type-R EP3, in Nighthawk Black (above) or Championship White. Also coming are the 1987 RUF CTR (Guards Red or Irish Green) and the 2018 Mercedes AMG GT 63 S in either silver of yellow. All of these road cars can be had in either left or right-hand-drive. Rounding out this new batch is a brace of 2021 Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo racers. For wholesale enquiries, contact John Ayrey’s (www.ayrey.co.uk), or contact your preferred retailer.…

1/18 scale BBURAGO F1 2021 SF21 Ferrari - Charles Leclerc (#16) and Carlos Sainz Jr. (#55) PRICE: £74.99 each REF: B18-16809L (Leclerc) & B18-16809S (Sainz) www.oneforfun.com FERRARI’S 2021 season SF21 was designed as an evolution of its predecessor, the SF1000. The team’s Head of Chassis Design, Enrico Cardile, said that the aerodynamics on the SF21 underwent a "radical" revision with two goals in mind given that the 2021 rules cut downforce around the car’s floor and rear wheels. Having made its debut in Bahrain, development of the car ended after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as Ferrari switched its attention to the car’s successor. Now available in 1/18 scale too, in addition to the 1/43 scale version reviewed in the March issue, these larger-scale versions come with more detail, of course.…

Announced last year as part of Solido’s ambitious program of totally new 1/18 toolings (Racing into 2021, April 2021 issue) the first pair of very attractive and evocative Renault 4CV models have finally arrived in the marketplace. Originally conceived and designed covertly by Renault engineers duringWorldWar II, and with a post war development history caught up in circumstances surrounding the nationalisation of the company in January 1945, the 4CV’s public debut finally came at the 1946 Paris Motor Show. Series production commenced inAugust 1947 and ran until July 1961. During its production life, the 4CV achieved fame as the first French car to sell over a million examples and attracted the affectionate nickname "quatre pattes” (“four paws”). This pair of first issue version 4CVs from Solido come, by chance, in…

In the early 1970s, BMW’s 3.0 CSL sports coupé attracted drivers in search of a stylish and sporty, two-door high-end car. This generation of sports coupé, (internal code E9) proved to be a magnificent all-rounder, a car at ease both in city traffic and in cross-continent travelling. It also formed the basis for several racing versions that were victorious in different racing series around the globe. The 3.0 CSL had a clear emphasis on its sports attitude, something that pleased many buyers, but left others wanting for a more refined and luxurious offer from BMW. The company was aware of this and started work on its next generation of big-sized sports coupé. The brand’s success in the US market led to local buyers asking for a more luxurious two-door model.…

I’ve taken a slightly different approach this month. Whilst these five fabulous Landies are most definitely part of my collection, they have been procured for one purpose, and one purpose only. To be stripped and remodelled for a project that has been sitting on my workbench for a very long time – eight years in fact! Rewinding back to the May 2014 issue, Brian Salter shared some of his car transporter in his article “Sentenced to Transportation”, on pages 42 to 45. The header image portrayed one of Brian’s clever creations, comprising several Corgi donors and some cunningly-fashioned extras. I’ll save all the details of the transporter itself, as well as the modifications to the Land Rovers, for a future Workbench article. For now, I will focus on the models…

Photo: Kristy Strachan It’s said that New Zealand never really swung in the 1960s. Today, a diecast memory from those years that’s still swinging is Fun Ho! Midget toys. Depictions of iconic 1960s British saloons lead the parade of classic cars that Fun Ho! once cast in miniature. They were basic toys without plastic windows and interiors. In a country of import controls, Fun Ho! successfully provided an alternative to the spasmodically seen Matchbox toys. Numbers 1-9 in the Midget series had been cast in New Zealand during 1964, from moulds purchased from Streamlux, an Australian company. From 1965, the new Midget castings were from dies made by Fun Ho! toolmakers at Underwood Engineering in Inglewood. To rectify the inclusion of no British saloons in its first year of production,…

As a child living in a city, I had little knowledge of farming other than through my Dinky Toys farm models and my Britains farm animals. On occasions, we went for trips into the country and, at the time, most farm machinery seemed to be hand, horse or steam-powered. As a family, we even had a short holiday staying on a farm in Norfolk, so as a city boy I had first-hand experience of life on a farm, albeit briefly. However, at the time, this farm, as far as I can remember, did not have a tractor and relied on horse power! There had been a tractor in the pre-war Dinky Toys series, as the Farm Tractor (No 22e) and, post war, the Massey Harris tractor (No 27a) started the…

THE specialist sale held at Vectis Auctions in Thornaby on 17th March featured no fewer than six private owner collections. The Tyne and Wear Collection included boxed and unboxed Dinky models; The London Collection featured further Dinky wagons, trucks and lorries, plus pre and post-war trade packs, personnel sets, and military vehicles. Yet more Dinky models were to be found in The Stirlingshire Collection, along with Corgi and Tri-ang Spot-on, and The North East Collection comprised the same, plus Tekno, Politoys and others. The sale continued with The Massey Ferguson Tractor Collection, Hot Wheels Redline models and badges, and Part 4 of The JMR Collection. The sale concluded with further Corgi, Dinky Toys, WSI models, classic construction models, and many others. The sale produced some truly impressive results, with many…

LOVING THE LONE STAR TRANSIT I would like to compliment James Robertshaw on his excellent article on the Lone Star Transit. Lone Star is a brand seemingly left behind by most publications, with only a few books on the subject available. I hope there will be more articles on Impy and Flyers along with the larger scale models in the near future. Reg Beale, email ED I thoroughly enjoyed working with James on this too. Hopefully he will see your compliment and, as for your request, I know just the chap to ask for more Lone Star articles – he has even written a book on the subject! LONDON BUS IDENTIFICATION I very much enjoy reading the Diecast Collector magazine. I would however like to point out a small error…