Innehållsförteckning för August 2024 från Diecast Collector

UK car owners can once again compete for the chance to have their car reimagined in 1/64 scale as the Hot Wheels Legends Tour returns for 2024. In addition to seeing their modified vehicle immortalised and enjoyed by fans around the world, the winner’s ride will be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends. New for 2024 is a partnership with the Gravity Show on August 24 and 25. Held at the NEC, Birmingham, the UK’s largest modified and supercar show will host the three finalists, with the difficult task of judging falling to a team led by Hot Wheels’ designer Craig Callum. The UK winner will then compete against aspiring car builders from around the world at the Global Semi-Final on November 2 and the Global Grand Finale…

Turismo Carretera Championship For the longest running auto racing series you have to look to South America, and to Argentina to be precise! ON SALE 1 AUGUST …or download the digital edition 7 days earlier! PLUS… ■ New Model Spotlight ■ Little and Large ■ Corgi Tornado revisited ■ 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.…

General Motors announced its eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette in April 2019. The announcement was ground-breaking as this was to be the first Covette that wasn’t front-engined, with the new car featuring a rear mid-enginedV8 layout. Chevrolet had run “.R”-suffixed developments of its production Corvettes in endurance racing since the year 2000 and the 5.5-litre C8.R was due to début at Le Mans in 2020, but logistics and restrictions due to the pandemic meant that the team were absent from the French classic for the first time after an unbroken run of 20 years. Having won its class an impressive eight times during this period, the C8.R would finally get its first run at Le Mans in 2021, but that ninth success would elude the team in both 2021 and 2022. With…

Whilst over the past twenty years the internet has become the place to go for specifically targeted purchasing by model collectors the sheer fun of ‘treasure hunting’ at events still holds a sway. A day out, conversations, interactions and hopefully unexpected ‘finds’ all add to the allure of the alternative to a chase on the internet. Toy fairs and swapmeets traditionally provide for doing just that but they are hardly the destinations for combining scale model hunting with relaxing, family fun or romantic days out with the family, friends, partner or significant others… and children. The Beaulieu Autojumbles however provide that perfect balance of event and venue with the added bonus of automotive and other interesting, absorbing, attractions all thrown together in one entry ticket. AN EVENT FOR DIECAST COLLECTORS……

Believe it or not, The Simpsons has now been on-air for 35 years, qualifying the show as both the longest-running animated cartoon and the longest-running sitcom of all time. The first episode was in 1989, and the show has been going strong ever since. The Simpsons revolves around the dysfunctional family of the title, headed by the balding, overweight patriarch Homer; a lazy and gullible worker at the local nuclear power station. He is married to Marge, a fussy housewife with an enormous blue beehive hairstyle. The real star of the show is their son Bart, a spiky-haired ten-year-old underachiever who loves skateboarding and playing practical jokes. His younger sister Lisa is an intelligent but precocious eight-year-old who loves playing the saxophone, while the youngest is toddler Maggie who has…

This month we are going to focus on one of the key themes within my collection; Saab. More specifically, the original generation Saab 900 Turbo. Saab launched the 900 in late 1978 initially as 3 and 5 door hatchbacks with 2 and 4 door saloons added in 1980. The new 900 also included a Turbo model from launch. Although the 900 appeared to use the same 3 door ‘Combi-Coupe’ hatchback body as the earlier 99, it was in fact larger in almost every dimension, most noticeably forward of the A-pillar to meet tighter U.S. crash regulations. The Turbo model initially used the same engine from the 99Turbo although 1984 saw the introduction of an additional turbo engine. This one had 16 valves, initially giving 175 bhp and a new model;…

Another good mix of releases came along during the first half of 1975, underlining Corgi’s commitment to appeal to a broad base. Commercials, racing cars, sports cars, military vehicles and a tiny concept car were all on the menu this time around. Starting off in February, an interesting subject came in the shape of No.493 Mazda B 1600 Pick-Up. Replicated in the ever-growing 1/36 scale, this was produced as a standalone model in blue over white or blue over silver. It would later reappear with a removable camper rear body, with the vehicle in red. In the range for three years, it sold close to 300,000 in this format. Released out of number sequence, No.904 PzKpfw VI Tiger II, also known as the King Tiger, was the latest release in…

Passenger transport by road had come a long way since the stage coach and in the early 1900s the charabanc allowed people to travel for holidays or excursions in more comfort. As coach travel developed so did the coaches and these became more luxurious with more streamlined bodies and improved styling for the bodywork. The toy makers also produced many models of coaches which were eagerly collected and I collected many of them years ago – even swapping Dinky Toys to get different manufactures coach models. The Dinky Toys range included a number of coaches and the Luxury Coach (29g) joined them in April 1951. It is shown in the Meccano Magazine that month, but is not reviewed then or in later issues. At the time quite often, a new…

You have to feel sorry for Matchbox collectors. Just as someone thinks they have completed their collection, out of the woodwork come some pre-production examples… This was the case at the Vectis sale, which saw £4,000 the top bid for a Superfast Ford Capri in lemon yellow with a black bonnet hiding a purple engine. A mighty £2,700 won the Superfast 45a Ford Group 6 with a rare, fl at, non-metallic green body with circular racing number 7 nose and door labels. The 7b Hairy Hustler in purple with a white interior and the brick red 5a Lotus Europa both tipped the scales at £1,100, while a Mazda RX500 in silver with a lime green engine cover made £750. Cheaper fare was the metallic gold Dodge Charger with an ivory…

DERBYSHIRE based promotional model trucks specialist, Search Impex, has announced the forthcoming release of a 1/50 scale DAF XF 530 Space cab MY2017 (6x2) heavy recovery truck, customised in the livery of Welsh operator, Ken Williams Recovery. With its Head Office in Fforestfach on the outskirts of Swansea and a second depot in Carmarthen, Ken Williams Recovery has been “on the tow” for around 40 years and provides high quality vehicle breakdown and recovery services across South and West Wales. Its fleet of recovery vehicles, coupled with great experience and knowledge, means this operator is capable of providing recovery services for a wide range of vehicles, from cars and light commercial vehicles, through to HGV’s, buses and coaches. A diverse range of more than 50 recovery vehicles ensures Ken Williams is…

RENAULT’S CLASSIC WORKHORSE, BY WHITEBOX, DELIVERS LOADS OF CHARISMA First introduced in 1959, the Estafette is a light commercial, front-wheel-drive van, which was manufactured all the way through to 1980 in France (and until 1986 in Mexico). There were also concurrent periods of manufacture in Algeria and Romania. To rival the success of Citroën’s incredibly-successful HVan, it was clear that Renault needed a front-wheel-drive van, but the company had just signed up to a policy of rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive models with the 4cv and the Dauphine. Reluctantly Fernand Picard, the designer of the 4cv, agreed to give the go-ahead to the team headed by Guy Grosset-Grange to try something new. As a question of production logic, the new van had to use existing Renault parts, and that meant the new engine…

Many years ago, a model manufacturer came along, producing a range of highly authentic and detailed replicas of trucks and construction equipment. The range captured the looks and functionality of the equipment in a new way for mass-produced replicas, offering excellent levels of detail and functionality. Sadly, TWH Collectibles stopped producing models about 14 years ago. Since then, Nicholas Neumann, a former employee of TWH introduced a new range of American fire and rescue equipment models to the market which are some of the most authentic and accurate models out there, produced primarily in a high-quality resin material with photo-etch and other materials used to achieve the outstanding results. Classic trucks of Autocar, Mack and International brands can be found in the Fire Replicas offerings, again produced from resin as…

Sometimes, there’s that subject missing from your collection and, no matter how hard you look for it, you never find it. Until you reach the dolorous conclusion that, no model maker ever released it. At this point, there are two options; the first is to search for a model or a kit that could work as a starting point for a laborious Code 3 transformation. It could work, if one have the skills, the time and the courage for such an enterprise. You can always look for a professional modeler and commission the task, if you’re comfortable with a higher budget. The other option would be to reach out to an established model maker, and suggest they make the scale model your collection is so desperately in need. The chances…

A fellow collector often used to ask: “which models would be on your ‘must-have’ list?” I found that difficult to answer, as many of my favourite pieces have been acquired, not because I’ve deliberately searched them out but because, at a toy fair or auction, something unusual has attracted my attention. One purchase at the Sandown swapmeet some years ago certainly comes into that category. Though primarily a collector of obsolete diecast cars and commercial vehicles, often with a French flavour, I was surprised to find a pristine set of model aeroplanes by Solido, still strung onto the backing card in a bright yellow box. I was aware that Solido, like numerous other makers of diecast cars, also made aircraft, but had hitherto not paid them much attention. After a bit…

Film and television models have always been very popular. After all, they receive the maximum amount of publicity and advertising. Consequently, diecast manufacturers made a real effort to create a model with that extra special feature or two. Corgi was no exception. It made some of the most popular models ever produced. Generally, the main trends in the 1970s were towards slightly larger models in a 1/36 scale, and the use of plastic wheels which Corgi called Whizzwheels. Throughout the two decades every effort was made to produce quality toys as cheaply as possible. Film and TV models seem to be more colourful in the 1970s and non-existent in the late 1980s. In May 1970, The Saint’s Volvo P 180 (model No.201) was re-released with Whizzwheels. This version had a new…

The Birmingham-based Castle Art Products company launched its small Gaiety range of diecast models just after the end of World War Two in 1946. Not a huge amount is known about the company, save that it was focussed on diecasting processes – and along the way, it ventured into toy production. In this, it was not dissimilar to other British enterprises that grew up in the immediate post-war period to address the shortage of playthings that had been occasioned by the six years of global hostilities. Its small range of racing cars was complemented by a very basic two piece train set and, remarkably, quite a few examples of all Gaiety’s output can be found today, albeit with a little patience. Whilst the N gauge loco set was very crude,…

DINKY DELIGHTS AT WALLIS AND WALLIS Almost 450 lots were consigned to the MayWallis & Wallis sale. Diecasts were abundant, but not everything was snapped up. Some foreign oddities didn’t tempt: one surprise was the rare Australian Corgi Routemaster bus, finished in pale green, cream and dark brown. Truly eye-catching in its New South Wales livery, it failed to make reserve. Equally, the blue Corgi Bedford CA van, produced for a Dutch broadcasting company and with Avro Bode decals, remained unsold. Buyers were on more familiar ground with the French Dinky Supertoys, though: a Tracteur Unic Saharien Pipe transporter, together with a Tracteur Willeme log carrier, sold for just £80, which had to be a snip, since both were mint and boxed. Less of a bargain was the scarce Dinky…

■ Item: Britains 171F Fordson Super Major with spade wheels Condition: tractor has a couple of chips to the bonnet but still very good, box excellent Sold for: £720 (23 bids) ■ Item: Exoto Ferrari F1 Tipo Team Scuderia, British GP winner 1958 Condition: unable to confirm if car was sold complete, some tape to base, no box Sold for: £620 (6 bids) ■ Item: Corgi Tarzan Gift Set 36 Condition: mint in unplayed with original good box, only missing the crocodile Sold for: £499.99 (1 bid) ■ Item: GT Spirit GT135 Jaguar XJ12 Coupe Broadspeed Condition: mint but sadly with no outer box, from the New Avengers Sold for: £640 (14 bids) ■ Item: Corgi Ecurie Ecosse Racing Transporter Gift Set 16 Condition: excellent, complete with three racing cars…

BRITISH Heritage Models has told us that the Derrez Models Triumph Courier van is now available with the “Standard Triumph” logo showing on the sides. These beautiful models are hand-built in resin, and manufactured in The Netherlands. With a limited production run, these models aren’t likely to stay on the shelf for long! More details can be obtained from British Heritage Models or your preferred retailer. Telephone: 01244 320761, email: bhm-uk@talktalk.net or visit www.britishheritagemodels.co.uk today.…

THIS year marks 30 years since the passing of the motor sport legend Ayrton Senna, and to commemorate the anniversary Formula One racing team McLaren sported a one-off livery in tribute to the three-time world champion at the Monte Carlo race in May. In rather exciting news, Minichamps has just announced both 1/18 and 1/43 replicas of the ‘Senna tribute’ McLarens that were driven by Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the recent Grand Prix: • Minichamps McLaren MCL38 - 2024 Monaco Grand Prix - #81 O. Piastri 1/43 Ref: P537245181 Price: £84.99 • Minichamps McLaren MCL38 - 2024 Monaco Grand Prix - #4 L. Norris 1:43 Ref: P537245104 Price £84.99 • Minichamps McLaren MCL38 - 2024 Monaco Grand Prix - #4 L. Norris 1/18, Ref: PG537242604 Price £204.99 •…

Britains’ latest Fordson E27N Major tractor hit the shops in May. It follows the release of the tractor on rubber wheels two years ago which Britains introduced to celebrate it being 100 years since launching its Home Farm range. It was a newly tooled, replica of the Fordson E27N, Britains first model tractor, it launched in 1948. The original model was available on rubber tyres or steel wheels. For the anniversary model Britains supplied it in a box based on the original used in the late 1940s. Britains has again used the same packaging for its latest model but to distinguish it from the rubber wheeled tractor the box is in blue instead of green. Production for the tractor with steel wheels has been limited to 7,500 and includes some…

The debate about which is the best technology to make scale model cars, diecast or resincast, is something that has kept many of us entertained for a long time. It all started when high quality diecast become too expensive to produce and many manufacturers changed to resincast. Hardened steel dies, needed to withstand diecast’s high pressure, high temperature metal injection are both heavy and very expensive. They can only be made profitable if used for high volume production. However, that is not the case today with collector’s items such as scale model cars. In the old days, when a scale model car was a toy, first and foremost, production of more than a million units per reference was not rare. When buyers changed from children’s parents to collectors, diecast technology…

The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, operates two Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIXs, PM631 and PS915. Both these aircraft are founder members of the Flight when it was formed at RAF Biggin Hill in 1957. Hobby Master have modelled both in 1/48 scale in what are now past paint schemes, and here we look at their histories up to the time of the identities modelled. PM631 Spitfire XIX PM631 is the BBMF’s longest-serving aircraft, which has in fact been in service with the Flight since its formation in July 1957. The Flight’s 50th anniversary in 2007 was its 50th year of continuous flying with the BBMF and it remains on strength to this day. PM631 was too late to see operational service in World War…

My introduction to Wells-Brimtoy toys dates back many moons to one memorable Friday evening in the 1950s when my father arrived home with a couple of gifts for me and my sister. She got a pair of roller skates and I got a smashing little tinplate trolleybus. It was the result of dad’s first week in a new job working on a Wimpey housing estate, which offered nice bonus payments and overtime. I’ll never forget that lovely red trolleybus bus as long as I live. It came in a proper box and you could see all the people sitting at the windows just like we did on the real things (which incidentally were great vehicles). It had proper tin poles sticking out of the roof and best of all it…

Number 49 during the Lesneyera Superfast range comprises a popular regular wheels truck, a two-wheeler Chopper and a crane. UNIMOG Production: 1970-72 Catalogue: 1970-72 Box Styles: G Another really popular regular wheels truck that made it into the Superfast range for a few years was Unimog. With its chunky and appealing design, the wider Superfast wheels definitely added to the model and helped it continue in the range. Produced a various shades of blue, including the metallic steel blue shown here, it would later be revived for the Military Two Packs series, from 1978, in the more appropriate colour for that range of drab green. CHOP SUEY Range: Choppers Production: 1973-76 Catalogue: 1973-76 Box Styles: I The second of the three Choppers was Chop Suey which, unlike Stingeroo, was a…

The US sale at Milestone in May featured (literally) tons of diecast, pressed steel and other metal toys - and plenty of money was being spent on these bygones. A mint 1955 Tonka Road Builder Set with a tractor and lowboy trailer, steam shovel and road grader was sold in its original, correctly partitioned box. It more dragline, road grader and dump truck in its original box also did well, making US$1,000. Star lot, though, was Yonezawa’s tin friction Atom Jet Racer. Wildly futuristic, with super graphics, a toothy chrome grille and distinctly 1950s/60s graphics and colours, this 26 inch vehicle is very sought after; it finally settled on a staggering US$22,000.…

■ Gemini 1/200 model aircraft issue comprising No. G2UPS470 Boeing 767-300F UPS. Likely to have been displayed at some stage, looks generally good with original box. Sold for £60, M & M Specialist Auctioneers, May. ■ Gemini 1/200 model aircraft issue comprising No. G2HVN533 Airbus A350-900 Vietnam Airlines. Likely to have been displayed at some stage, looks generally good with original box. Sold for £60, M & M Specialist Auctioneers, May. ■ Gemini 1/200 model aircraft issue comprising No. G2UAL445 Lockheed L-1011 United Airlines. Likely to have been displayed at some stage, looks generally good with original box. Sold for £95, M & M Specialist Auctioneers, May. ■ Gemini 1/200 model aircraft issue comprising No. G2PAA286 Boeing 747SP Pan AM. Likely to have been displayed at some stage, looks generally…