Innehållsförteckning för January 2025 från Diecast Collector

ESVAL Models has exciting news for collectors and vintage car enthusiasts with the release of two 1/43 scale replicas of the iconic 1928Amilcar C6. This limited edition model captures the essence of a car that holds a special place in the history of French automotive engineering. The original Amilcar C6 was produced in limited numbers, only 45 were manufactured at the Amilcar factory in Paris making it a rare and desirable piece for collectors today. Among these, only six made it to the UK, adding to the model’s exclusivity. Designed primarily for the racetrack, the Amilcar C6 was equipped with a lightweight yet powerful straight-six engine, which helped it achieve remarkable speeds for its time. While the car could be adapted for road use its true potential was realized on…

There is no doubt in my mind that 2024 was a watershed year with an upsurge in higher-end 1/64 releases aimed specifically at auto enthusiasts and collectors. A scale that didn’t hog the spotlight totally though thanks to a strong showing in the market place of, amongst others, higher-end sealed resin releases in 1/43, 1/18 and increasingly 1/12. And with them new, niche, manufacturers - notably from China and the Far East - entering the scene. European presence seems also to be increasingly dynamic. We have seen the German based Model Car World empire embracing an increasing variety of scales through its range of exclusive and acquired brands. Similarly, the long-established Italian CAR MODEL concern offers some exquisite 1/18 sealed resin offerings in its own exclusive MITICA brand. Schuco now…

Voted Race Car of the Century by readers of Motor Sport magazine in 2024, the Lotus 49 is always cited as one of the most influential racing machines of all time. As many readers will know, Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe’s 49 set the template for modern Formula 1 cars. Introduced in 1967, it had a monocoque chassis with a rear-mid engine as a stressed member to mount suspension and gearbox. It also introduced the Ford-Cosworth DFV engine that dominated into the 1980s and, from ’68, pioneered the use of front and rear wings in F1. The 1967 LotusType 49 was introduced to the Hot Wheels mainline for 2024. Designed by Fraser Campbell, it measures 75mm (3 inches) long, making it roughly 1/53 scale, although it’s proportionally narrower than it…

CADILLAC AMBULANCE Production: 1970 Catalogue: 1970 Box Styles: G Keeping its regular wheels' white body with red cross stickers to the forward doors and bonnet, Cadillac Ambulance was another short-lived Superfast model. Being another emergency vehicles carpet favourite, these were always well played with so finding a mint one today can be quite a task, and not a cheap experience either, hence the slightly pre-loved example in the photograph seen here. The only notable differences during its Superfast days were a slight variance in the paint from brilliant to off-white and the stickers could vary a little in size. FORD CAPRI Production: 1971-76 Catalogue: 1971-76 Box Styles: H The model was a very good replica of the real thing and proved a strong seller in the range for several years.…

1978 PART 1 Another year and another batch of interesting releases to explore, nearly all of them now in 1/36 scale. The Mettoy Group would declare record profits for 1978 in its 1979 report, but there were signs of cost-cutting and maximising of tooling becoming the norm. But in terms of numbers of new models, Corgi still seemed to be going strong. January was a perfect case in point, with brand new tooling in the shape of the Chevrolet Van, which was released in four different liveries in the same month. At 1/36 scale, it was a chunky diecast and featured opening rear doors, which revealed a printed card interior. Additionally, there were four panels cut into the roof to allow more light in to appreciate the detailing. All of…

One of my favourite things about Christmas is decorating the tree. This is always a bit of a trip down memory lane as the box of decorations still contains quite a few baubles and trinkets that have survived from my childhood. The oldest and simplest is a cheap and rather tired looking plastic horse which hangs on the tree by its reins. It probably came from a cowboy set and isn’t even particularly festive, but for some reason I have a sentimental attachment to it. Many adult collectors will be hoping to find some model cars under the tree this Christmas, just as they did as children in bygone years. But there are some cars designed to go on the tree and not just under it and the company that…

POCHER has announced the launch of its latest model, the Pagani Utopia Coupé 1/8 scale replica. Celebrating three decades of Pagani’s revolutionary automotive design, this highly detailed model captures the essence of Pagani’s newest hypercar, the Utopia Coupé. Crafted with over 556 precision-engineered parts and over 200 screws, this model is a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts, offering an in-depth, hands-on building experience that takes over 30 hours to complete. The Pagani Utopia is a marvel of cutting-edge automotive engineering, and Pocher’s 1/8 scale model mirrors this innovation with meticulous attention to detail. The model features pre-decorated diecast metal parts and functional elements like opening doors, suspension, and steering, providing a realistic and immersive experience. “We are thrilled to bring the Pagani Utopia Coupé to life in 1/8 scale,” said…

VECTIS Auctions recently exceeded all expectations in its sale of the Charles Hollywood Matchbox Collection, an event that drew Matchbox toy enthusiasts from around the globe. Originally projected to achieve £21,000, the auction concluded with a staggering total of £46,000, including Buyers Premiums, more than doubling initial estimates. The auction, held entirely online, featured 445 lots, each meticulously curated from the late Charles Hollywood’s extensive Matchbox collection. Buyers from multiple countries vied for a chance to own these rare collectibles, with every lot sold by the close of the event — a testament to the enduring appeal of vintage Matchbox models. Among the standout lots were several pieces that fetched prices well above their estimates, reflecting their rarity and the excitement surrounding this iconic collection. One of the top highlights…

DO YOU fancy seeing your collection in print? The collecting community is a large, and diverse, one. And as such we all like to admire each others prized possessions, whether to further our knowledge or to add various items to our wish lists! Send us a picture, and a little bit of information about your collection, for the chance to be included in our monthly My Collection series… and our favourite each issue will win a diecast model worth at least £10*. Email us at CollectingEditorial@warnersgroup.co.uk. Terms and conditions can be found online at: https://ccofgb.uk/submityourcollection.…

When the current Corgi Model Club was in its very early days, there was a leaflet that accompanied the trial model, No.474 Wall’s Ice CreamVan, which revealed potential future models to follow. One of these in particular created an awful lot of excitement. No.267 Batmobile just happens to be the best-selling Corgi Toys model of all time (roughly five million sold!). It is also one that still commands premium prices, especially with good condition boxes. It has taken a fair few years for the Corgi Model Club to finally get the Batmobile into its list of incredible Corgi replicas, as the licensing took a long time to negotiate. Plus, there was the small matter of reengineering the tooling for such a complex model. But, after such a long wait, we…

There has been a huge surge in the popularity of 1/64 scale in recent years. And there has always been plenty of interest at the top levels of motor racing, so it was only natural when the two came together in the MINI GT range. TSM Models launched its MINI GT range in 2017. It hit the UK in 2019, when Clevelands Diecasts became the sole official UK importer (and it still is today). TrueScale Miniatures, as it was originally called, was founded in 2006, based in Hong Kong, and began distributing diecasts models the following year. Over time, most collectors referred to the company asTSM, for short, and a few years ago, this became part of the new trading name. On its website, the company’s states“TSM-Model strives for a…

After World War II“Export or Die” was the cry from the Government. Leyland Motors took up the challenge and in 1947 launched its first new post-war lorry; the mighty Leyland Comet. It was designed primarily to meet the demands of overseas customers with its bonneted layout and medium weight capacity but most importantly it was built to heavy-duty specification. Bonneted configurations were already seen as a little out-dated for the home market so various publicity materials of the day promoted the Comet as semi-forward control rather than as normal control. The cab was positioned a little forward and into the engine compartment but to all intents and purposes it was a bonneted lorry; boasting a classic and rather stylish “look”. Talking of publicity and related marketing ads, Leyland promoted its…

With the letter K there are a few manufacturers worthy of mention, although most seem to have fallen by the wayside. Last issue I covered Kembo, that oddly-named British maker; this month we launch with Kemlow. Kemlow’s background is a fascinating one: the result of a meeting between Charlie Kempster and Arthur Lowe (not the Arthur Lowe!), the company began operations in 1945 with a second-hand die and apparently scrounged lead from post-war bombsites. Initially lead figurines were produced but the pair then became friends with Ray Jackson of DCMT, who was well-versed in the diecasting process. Business progressed and the company made use of an adjacent plastics specialist to incorporate this material with Kemlow’s output: it was used in items like petrol pumps. Whilst Kemlow is perhaps best remembered…

BRITISH Heritage Models has just unveiled exciting news for classic car enthusiasts and model collectors. Matrix Scale Models has announced the release of new Jaguar XJ6 Series III models, a well-loved British classic, produced from 1979 to 1989. These models are now available for pre-order, allowing collectors to secure their choice of three elegant colors: Damson Red, PortlandYellow, and classic Black. Fans of iconic British cars may recognize the Jaguar XJ6 Series III from its appearance in the popularTV showThe Equalizer, where actor Edward Woodward famously drove the vehicle. This particular model is cherished for its distinctive design and vintage appeal, capturing the elegance of Jaguar’s legacy from that era. British Heritage Models is offering these meticulously crafted 1/43 scale replicas at a price range of £85 to £95, reflecting…

IT’S been a busy few months for the Corgi Model Club recently, and its latest collection update announcement has just reached us. After theYellow Submarine, which is the March 2025 release, CMC has announced three new additions to the ever-growing collection: • April 2025 ~ Corgi 436, Citroen D19 Safari This model is one of those unsung CorgiToys that many of us owned back in the day. Until they started working on this one, CMC staff hadn't realised how many variations existed! It’s a surprisingly heavy diecast too, complete with roof rack and luggage, driver and passenger figures, opening tailgate and a tilting rear seat, it’s a Corgi classic! • May 2025 ~ Corgi 266, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Chitty isn't the recent model, which has been available direct from…

FIAT’S UNORTHODOX MULTIPLA IS SUPERBLY CAPTURED IN 1/18TH SCALE Fiat’s unorthodox Multipla was arguably one of the most distinct “Marmite” car designs bridging the transition of the twentieth century into the twenty-first. Setting aside the issue of whether you liked the body style or not, from the pen of famous Italian designer Roberto Giolito this compact MPV goes down in modern automotive history as much for its pragmatically practical and innovative interior as its convention challenging looks. A combination of attributes that brought it numerous awards including the European Automobile Trophy in 1999, the Golden Steering Wheel in Germany and the Industrial Design Award in Italy. So, let’s start with that modular concept interior with its two rows of three seats accommodating up to six people. Whilst the large window…

Niki Lauda and Alain Prost took McLaren International into a level never reached before by this team, or any other team in Formula 1 for that matter. They dominated the sport for several years, to an extent that no other team could get even close. When Niki Lauda decided to retire for the second and final time, Alain Prost was left without a team mate close to his own level, if that really existed. Rosberg and Johansson took the role of second driver for short periods, but never getting close to Prost’s performance. McLaren, by the hand of his leader, Ron Dennis, decided someone better was needed, as the team did not like to have a single number one driver. Money was no problem for McLaren International, due to its…

Children – and adults too – like models of aeroplanes as much as cars, but those of us who used to try to build plastic kits in our youth were often disappointed with the finished product. It was all too easy to get glue in the wrong places, lose small parts and make a mess of the painting. One way round the problem would be for the young aircraft enthusiast to buy built-up models, and Dinky and others were ready to meet that need. We have already examined the extensive range of diecast aeroplanes offered by Solido in France and it was inevitable that the other major player in the French diecast market, CIJ (Compagnie Industrielle du Jouet), would enter this field too, following Solido’s example by making aircraft to…

The first classic car I ever really liked from being age 7 or 8 was the Ford Anglia 105E, having repeatedly taken the same classic car book out of the local library as a child, with a single picture of one in it. On the toy front, I was aware of the Dinky version, as well as the Lesney one, from a young age and later the existence of the Pathfinder white metal model, which was way out of my price range. So I was delighted when Lledo announced their newVanguards range of collector’s models back in 1996 that contained a 105E Anglia. My first purchase was the Broadspeed Racing two car set; to this day a firm favourite within my collection. This month I have gathered a number of…

SEE PAGE 38 FOR MORE ON THE COMET! After the war quite a number of army lorries were surplus to requirements and these were often used by civilian companies. However commercial vehicle manufacturers were starting to introduce new ranges of lorries during the 1940s and 1950s. Mostly these were normal control vehicles, that is with the engine in front of the cab. The main manufacturers were Ford, Commer, Dennis, Bedford, Foden and Leyland with its Comet wagon and its new cab design. The Dinky Supertoys Comet Lorry No.531 arrived in June1949. It is in the Meccano Magazine black and white advert as a ‘new’ Supertoys model and is designated as a ‘Leyland “Comet” Lorry’. The review appears in the July Meccano Magazine and says ‘It is representative of an entirely…