Innehållsförteckning för February 2024 från Diecast Collector

Just £15.99 for 3 issues when you pay quarterly Immerse yourself in the world of vintage collectables and keep up to date on the latest diecast releases with informative reviews, news and reviews. ›› Get inspired with the latest auction and event news ›› Practical tips and price guides ›› Features on the likes of Corgi, Toys, Dinky Toys, Tri-ang Spot-On, Matchbox Superfast, Hot Wheels and more! For more details visit: https://ccofgb.uk/DCSpring2024 or call 01778 392006 and quote DCC/SUBS24 SUBSCRIPTION OFFER JUST FOR YOU! Prefer to speak to our friendly UK-based team to place your order? Call us today on 01778 392480 or complete this form and return it to us at FREEPOST: WarnersGroup Diecast Collector…

A bright sunny Autumn day brought collectors and enthusiasts out in force for this event, held as always at the Kane County Fairground complex, some 40 miles west of Chicago. Remarkably, the show was celebrating its 50th year this year, and is as popular as ever, though the trend toward the popular action figures and similar, is continuing. I had been told there was little diecast at previous shows this year, but found that this was a gloomy prediction too far. There was certainly plenty in all the main areas of “our” interests, from traditional Dinky, Corgi, Matchbox and similar, through the increasingly popular newer 1/64 ranges to HotWheels by the thousand, though a few familiar faces were missing. This being the USA meant that there was plenty of pressed…

To celebrate ten years of the Espace going on sale, in 1995, Renault joined forces with theWilliams Grand Prix Engineering F1 team to create a one-off version of its original MPV. With Renault supplyingV10 engines to Williams, the Espace F1 was created. Built on a carbon fibre chassis, the body is also of reinforced carbon fibre, and is styled closely on that of the second generation Espace, albeit a more‘muscular’ version with wider flanks to accommodate the increased track of both the front and rear wheels. There was also a substantial, roof-mounted rear wing in an attempt to provide some much-needed downforce for this incredible creation. The Espace F1 produces 800bhp and the FW14’s naturally-aspirated, 3.5-litre, 40-valveV10 engine is mounted in the middle of the car. This marvellous piece of…

Sixties years ago, BMC Mini won the Monte Carlo rally for the first time, starting a dominant period that lasted four consecutive seasons. It all started in 1954, when BMC Competitions Department was founded in Abingdon, MG’s home-town. At first they ran cars like the MG Magnette and TF, Austin Westminster, A40, A50 andA105. The first properly prepared rally car was the Austin-Healy 3000, which brought some important wins to the British rally team. When BMC launched the Mini in 1959, the marketing department was determined to use the new city car in rallying, to help promote this innovative little vehicle. It wasn’t the obvious choice for a rally car, however, rallying popularity was at a peak and it would improve public awareness dramatically. In technical terms, the original Mini…

When Playing MantisToys revived the Johnny Lightning brand in 1994, it initially made reproductions of Topper Toys cars from the 1960s. However, soon new castings were introduced, mostly of classic muscle cars and racers. In 1998, the company branched out into pick-up trucks, with a range calledTruckin’ America. To most people, the name ‘Truckin’ America’ would conjure up images of big semi-trailers, but in the USA all pick-ups are referred to as trucks, even smaller car-based coupeutilities. Like all the Johnny Lightning ranges, there was a finite number of models in the line, and there were several release waves in different colours; in this case there were four separate issues. The range featured ten classic American pick-ups from the 1930s through to the present day. All models had diecast bodies…

When you buy a model, the packaging will usually tell you exactly what real vehicle or aircraft the model is based on. With toys that is not always the case. The manufacturer may well give a toy a new name, and not even mention the real name. With a well-known subject, the original vehicle may be easy to identify. But some toys are based on rather obscure subjects, here you may have to do a little digging to uncover the identify of the original. Assuming it is not a fantasy design. An example of this is the Matchbox S2 Jet from 1981. The Skybusters range of diecast model aircraft had appeared in 1973. These were larger than the standard 1-75 Series models. The first aircraft model to be included in…

According to what I’ve dug up, the brand name of Cararama derives from HongwellToys, a company that began operations in 1970. However, it wasn’t known under that moniker at the time, but rather as Cheong Plastic Manufactory. Unsurprisingly, this enterprise produced plastic (but also diecast) vehicles. Many collectors have come to know the brand because of its 1/72 scale models that encompass Volkswagen, Porsche, Austin and Land Rover, as well as some classic car models. These are wonderful assets for period model railway layouts although they can be collected in their own right, of course. The enterprise has also made castings in 1/43 and 1/50 and 1/87 scales: in the popular 1/43, classic Ford devotees are well catered for, with plenty of Anglia, Capri, Cortina, Escort and Corsair examples to…

AUSTRALIAN MARKET STILL HOLDING FIRM Some good prices were realised at the lastTrains, Planes and Automobiles auction in Australia. A familiar face, the Corgi Routemaster Double Decker Bus, although an Australian issue in green and cream, was taken to AUS$550. And the British Micro Models diecast Commer Semi-trailer, in two-tone green, and approximately 1/43 scale, also proved popular, being knocked down for AUS$210. Other examples included the homegrown blue Ferris O gauge three rail Bo-Bo diesel locomotive; although untested and exhibiting some chipping and rust on the couplings, it sold for AUS$700. Another Australian manufactured item was the Boomaroo O gauge push-along Tramcar, finished in red. Showing some paint loss and rust, therefore only fair, it still realised AUS$240. NEW TOY COLLECTORS PRICE GUIDE 2024 IF you’ve been a regular reader…

GREETINGS FROM DOWN UNDER! ■ I have been enjoying recent issues of Diecast Collector, but I just wanted to make a few comments about Aussie cars. In the A-Z of Diecast, your correspondent Alwyn Bryce, under the entry on Apex Replicas, made the comment “When did you last come across a model Holden?”. Well, I don't know where Alwyn has been, but there are plenty of model Holdens from manufacturers like Biante, Classic Carlectables and Trax. Many of which have been covered in previous editions of this magazine. Furthermore, I don't know why Mr Bryce covered a fairly minor manufacturer such as Apex, and then ignored the biggest producer of Aussie cars - Biante. Biante has produced hundreds of model Holdens over the last 30 years, as well as Aussie…

PROMOTIONAL model vehicle specialist Search Impex has announced the release of a 1/50 scaleVolvo FH5 Globetrotter XL 540 Euro 6 (6x4) heavy recovery truck, customised in Lantern Recovery’s livery. The models have been produced exclusively for Search Impex byWSI Models as a certificated Limited Edition (just 255 pieces). With its HQ in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, Lantern Recovery was founded in 1966 by the Coleman family. The business has been active in the vehicle recovery and roadside assistance industry for over 55 years and over that time has grown to become one of the largest independent businesses in its sector. With more than 150 vehicles on its fast-growing fleet, Lantern Recovery proudly remains a family run concern and is now in the 3rd generation. The business has built up a wealth…

THIS year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show to give it its full title, covered five large adjoining halls of Birmingham’s N.E.C. complex over the weekend of 10-12 November. It attracted over 71,000 visitors to see the thousands of cars on show from over 300 car clubs, see motoring celebrities being interviewed, or pick up restoration tips. There were thousands of models old and new to be had, mostly from around 15-20 specialist sellers in and around the autojumble section, and others from the car club stands and more general dealers. A wide variety as always, from a beautiful one-off child’s “pedal-vehicle” in the shape of a boat, built by Brooke Marine of Lowestoft, to the very latest releases in all scales. So plenty to choose from, and business was brisk…

For around £54 Replicagri’s latest Massey Ferguson 188 tractor model is great value. It’s a well built, largely diecast steerable model that’s supplied with a detachable front weight, drawbar pins, drawbar for the rear linkage and an adjustable length top link. There’s good detailing on both sides of the engine and the front wheels are steerable. While the cab’s provided with a correctly sized black wiper on the front screen and there’s a driving mirror detailed on the left-hand cab A-pillar. Neither cab door opens but for those wanting to add a driver the interior is easily accessed at the rear. Visible inside the cab are the gear levers, foot pedals and the dials in the instrument panel behind the steering wheel. It has a black driver’s seat with its…

Just £10.99 for 3 issues when you pay quarterly Packed with inspiring, in-depth articles and informative reviews which will keep you entertained month after month! ›› Get inspired with the latest auction, toyfairs and event news ›› Handy tips and price guides ›› The latest releases from all the major manufacturers in the industry including Corgi, Oxford Diecast, Matchbox, Hornby, Airfix and LEGO For more details visit: https://ccofgb.uk/CGSpring2024 or call 01778392480 and quote GAZ/SUBS2 SUBSCRIPTION OFFER JUST FOR YOU! Prefer to speak to our friendly UK-based team to place your order? Call us today on 01778 392480 or complete this form and return it to us at FREEPOST: WarnersGroup Collectors Gazette…

Thanks to the advance of technology in the form of LED lighting units, it is now a cheap and easy matter to fit working headlamps or flashing lights to toy and model cars. Who hasn’t seen a police car on the shelves of a toy shop with the irresistible invitation‘try me’ on the box? Yet there is nothing new about the idea of working lights. In the 1920s and 1930s makers of tinplate toy cars like Bub, Bing, Gunthermann, JEP, Les Jouets Citroen and others offered this feature. This was relatively straightforward as these toys were quite large (anything between ten and twenty inches long) but Tri-ang also managed to fit working lights into tighter spaces as, for example, in their five inch tinplate Minic Rolls Royce Sedanca in 1937…

We are used to seeing a whole range of sleek and immaculately modelled vehicles within the pages of Diecast Collector, but our hobby came from much more humble beginnings. Here we start an occasional series looking at a different aspect of diecast collecting – figures and accessories produced by some of the smaller manufacturers… Far from being a household name in the world of toys, John Hill & Co never reached the heights of its illustrious big brotherWilliam Britain. Yet, for over half a century John Hill & Co produced millions of affordable toys and will always remain in the history books, as one of Britain’s oldest and most prolific toymakers. John Hill & Co was founded in 1898 by Mr F. H. Wood, who set up his business in…

Number 43 during the Lesney-era Superfast range comprises another eclectic selection of models. We start down at the stables with a horse box and its cargo, and finish at the railway station (via a wildVW Beetle-based dragster!) PONY TRAILER Production: 1970-72 Catalogue: 1970-72 Box Styles: G Keeping its regular wheels yellow body colour, the popular PonyTrailer would continue in Superfast guise up to and including the 1972 model year. Finding a new life after its 1-75 days in the Two Packs series, usually painted a sandy-beige with a brown ramp and bearing a red and white horse head sticker, Pony Trailer continued in production for many more years. DRAGON WHEELS Production: 1972-78 Catalogue: 1973-78 Box Styles: I, J Dragon Wheels was the second lifting-bodied funny car in the range and…

■ Item: Dinky pre-War No.280j Delivery Van Condition: good, some fatigue, rare promotional 'Fenwick Newcastle on Tyne and Bond Street' Sold for: £2,576.56 (33 bids) ■ Item: Micro Machines Racing Set Condition: brand new and still sealed in original bubble packaging Sold for: £1220 (24 bids) ■ Item: HotWheels Rrrumblers Bold Eagle Condition: excellent example, sold as part of a job lot Sold for: £580 (21 bids) ■ Item: Lesney Matchbox MB64b MG 1100 Condition: mint, genuine pre-production version with factory hand punched base rivet Sold for: £2,430 (25 bids) ■ Item: Lesney Matchbox Toys G-3 Building and Construction Gift Set Condition: original and near mint, excellent inner box and good outer box Sold for: £704 (41 bids) ■ Item: McFarland Transport WSI Model Condition: brand new, never removed from…

A brand-new model from Automodello of America, is now available from UK distributor British Heritage Models. The Caribbean convertible was introduced by Packard in 1953, as an answer to its principal rivals: Cadillac, and Lincoln. With bespoke styling, Packard’s straight eight engine, coupled to their new Ultramatic transmission, it was an instant success. For 1954 the car was upgraded with more power, two-tone paintwork, and a host of luxury features, including power steering, electric windows, and power-adjustable leather seats. From Automodello’s ONE43 series, comes this faithful 1/43 scale replica of the 1954 Caribbean. Presented in black and Sahara sand, the model comes with a removeable hood and tonneau cover. The model is hand-built in high-quality resin and is a limited edition of just 143 models. For further enquiries contact BHM…

ANDERSON Entertainment has just launched the first products in a new line of diecast collectibles based on vehicles from Gerry Anderson’s most popular television series – starting with one of the most iconic! Created at a time of real-life space travel, the Eagle Transporter from Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s visionary 1970s television Space: 1999 is for many the greatest sci-fi spacecraft ever conceived. Known for its elegant shape and mission versatility, the EagleTransporter flies an impressive array of missions including reconnaissance, resource gathering and space exploration. This finely detailed model is based on series 1 of theTV series and showcases the legendary Eagle in both standardTransporter configuration and the striking Rescue Eagle variant. At 300mm long, each are hand-painted and finished with screen-accurate decals, the model stands atop a fully…

ESVAL MODELS 1933-37 Mercedes-Benz 290-W18 Cabriolet D – Black SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £90 REF: EMEU43043A The model is beautifully finished and detailed inside and out by Esval. One of a group of six versions each in a limited run of 250 examples. www.esvalmodels.com ESVAL MODELS 1933-37 Mercedes-Benz 290-W18 Lang Cabriolet B - Maroon SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £90 REF: EMEU43043E The interior is light tan, and all the details can be readily seen in this open-top version. Disc wheels complete another beauty, in a run of just 250 examples. www.esvalmodels.com ESVAL MODELS 1933-37 Mercedes-Benz 290-W18 Lang Cabriolet D – Two-tone Blue SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £90 REF: EMEU43043C The long wheelbase 4-door cabriolet version of Esval’s new Mercedes with whitewall tyres, disc wheels and a light tan interior. Another gem. www.esvalmodels.com MINI…

Pop Race is a new brand that has only just begun to arrive in the UK, thanks to wholesaler, Clevelands Diecast (www.clevelandsdiecast.co.uk) – ask your preferred model shop about retail availability. It adds to the fast-growing collecting trend at 1/64 scale and is aimed at the premium end of the market, but is competitively priced with models starting from just £15.95 RRP. The models created by Pop Race feature intricate detailing, achieved through meticulous craftsmanship that brings these miniature vehicles to life. Each model car in the collection captures the essence of iconic automobiles from various eras, and is carefully replicated with precision and attention to detail. The Pop Race range already boasts authentic designs, including accurate body proportions, finely crafted interiors, and realistic wheels. The pair of models chosen…

Universal Hobbies had produced many new and special edition 1/32 scale models for the original machinery manufacturers to release at the show. AtValtra and costing 85 euros each there were two limited edition, 1000 models, tractors. These were a Q305 tractor in gold and a brushed titanium model of the firm’s new S-series tractor. An amber brown version of the S tractor is also planned for release in January. On Massey Ferguson’s stand they had Universal Hobbies’ new Massey Ferguson 9S.425 tractor available for 87 euros. There was a newVariant 585 RC round baler and two Arion 550 St. V tractors available at the Claas shop. The baler cost 77.90 euros and was all new tooling while the Arion tractor, available either in standard Claas colours or metallic seedgreen colour,…

As a child who grew up in the 1980s, the majority of my toy cars were from Matchbox and Corgi. I collected both the larger 1/36 scale as well as the smaller 1-75 and Juniors size. My interest in older toy cars was sparked in 1990 whilst browsing the motoring magazines in my local newsagent. The cover of a model magazine showed a 1/36 Corgi Rover 3500 in police livery and as I had the yellow‘Hepolite’ version at home I was curious about this version, pictured alongside a Corgi Mk3 Cortina also in police livery. It turned out to be a feature on the values of CorgiToys police cars up to the 1984 management buy-out. More importantly, it was a detailed introduction to me about older toys. After my Nan…

As CorgiToys continued to recover from the devastating 1969 fire, 1971 brought yet more additions to the range that featured the still-new Whizzwheels, which had been introduced in 1970 and were still dividing opinions (and this is still the case today!). This was another year when my collection was expanding at a fair rate too. As occurred in 1970, the year started with two new models in January. No.72 Ford ‘5000’ Super Major Tractor withTrenching Bucket was basically a modified version of No.74, which has a side-mounted attachment. This time, the bucket assembly was mounted to the rear on a new cross frame. It lasted in the catalogue for two years and sales were just over 170,000. No.382 PorscheTarga 911S was a non-Police version of the previously-released No.509, so gone…

During the 1930s, in Britain, there were quite a variety of sports cars, and racing and rallying was very popular especially as a spectator sport. The sports cars of this period included Alvis, Lagonda, Sunbeam-Talbot, Jaguar and Frazer-Nash being perhaps the most well-known. Many toy manufactures shared this enthusiasm for sports cars and of course Dinky Toys was no exception. They introduced the 38 series of sports cars starting in 1940 and these continued in 1945 after the interruption of the war. The Dinky Toys Frazer-Nash (No.38a) was introduced in June1940 and is seen in the black and white Meccano Magazine advert of that month in an outlined box, under the heading ‘NEW THIS MONTH!’. It also says ‘Dinky Toys No.38a. A realistic scale model of a famous car that…

■ Dinky Pre-War 151 “Royal Tank Corps” set, contains 151a Medium tank, 151b 6-wheeled Transport wagon, 151c Cooker trailer and a water tanker. Conditions are generally fair to good including blue lift off lid presentation box. Sold for £110, Vectis Auctions, December. ■ Dinky Pre-War 152 “Royal Tank Corps” set, contains 152a Light Tank, 152c Austin Seven car and 152b Reconnaissance Car. Conditions are generally fair including blue presentation lift off lid box. Sold for £100, Vectis Auctions, December. ■ Dinky Pre-War 152 “Mobile Anti-Aircraft Unit” set, contains 161a 6-wheeled lorry with searchlight and Anti-Aircraft gun. Conditions are generally fair to good plus in a fair blue presentation lift off lid box. Sold for £120, Vectis Auctions, December. ■ Dinky 660 Mighty Antar Tank Transporter, green including Supertoy hubs, with…

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