Innehållsförteckning för March 2025 från Diecast Collector

THE annual model for members of the Brooklin Collectors’ Club has been issued. It is the 1957 Packard Clipper Town Sedan, a radically upgraded model based on BRK 171 from the range. Finished in 2-tone turquoise/white, the level of detail on the new version is remarkable for white metal (which is considered much more difficult to work with than the more commonly-seen resin), and extends to the tiny motifs in the centre of the grille and on the “C” pillars. The detailed wheel trims are also worthy of note, and of course the overall level of finish is top-class. Just 90 models have been made, and virtually all have been issued to the club members who have ordered them, meaning if you'd like one you will need to be quick!…

Gerard Welter and Michel Meunier, two of Peugeot’s design team (Welter was responsible for the styling of the 205, among many other designs), decided in 1969 to create a racing car in their spare time, based on a Peugeot 204. Over the years, they became more and more involved and, in 1976, the WM team made its debut at Le Mans with a potentially front-running GTP car (a closed-body sports prototype) powered by a very modified version of the production Peugeot PRVV6 engine. The car, built with the help of a team of volunteers, harnessed all the true spirit of the privateers at Le Mans and achieved some impressive results, but struggled to compete with the factory Group C cars that arrived from 1982. So Welter and Meunier decided to…

Nissan’s mighty Skyline really needs no introduction, having been around since 1967 when the company merged with the Prince Motor Company, which had first used the Skyline name 10 years earlier. Fast forward to the 4th generation of the Skyline we see here, which was produced from 1972 to 1977. The Skyline wasn’t necessarily a particular type of car, more a concept, so it came in various bodystyles – 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop coupe and 5-door station wagon. The model we’re looking at here started life as a 2-door hardtop, in 2nd-generation GT-R guise, which was unveiled at the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show. A series of TV commercials created to promote the car featured a young Western-looking couple, named Ken and Mary, who drove it through Japan’s most scenic areas.…

There has been a huge surge in the popularity of 1/64 scale in recent years. And there has always been a massive amount of interest in anything to do with Ian Fleming’s James Bond character, particularly the cars and vehicles featured in the films, 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 diecast models the following year. Over time, most collectors referred to the company as TSM, for short, and a few years ago, this became…

In my days of childhood, the majority of cars were saloons and easily identifiable as Austins, Fords, Hillmans and others in austere black, grey or other sombre colours. Every so often I would see a coupe which was interesting as something different. However, the ultimate was to see a sports car such as a Sunbeam, Alvis or even a Jaguar. These were the exciting cars of the day! A number of these sports cars were also produced by toy manufacturers including Dinky Toys. A Dinky Toys model of the Sunbeam-Talbot Sports Car (No.38b) was first seen in the Meccano Magazine advert of June 1940. The advert describes it as follows ‘A scale model of one of the finest equipped sports cars on the road. Fitted with rubber tyres. Price 1/3…

I’m not going to bore you here with the history of the E-Type – there are already enough books out there in the marketplace on this truly iconic example of British automotive engineering. Every classic car enthusiast will know that Malcolm Sayer’s creation was displayed at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show and this evocation stunned the press and public in equal measure. It was a car like no other; and for many, with hindsight I suspect, it marked the apogee of Jaguar’s heritage. According to the statisticians, the Series 1 ended production in 1968, with some 33,200 examples of all types produced. Initially running with a 3.8-litre engine, roadster, coupe and, in time, 2+2 body styles were all offered. In my book, you simply cannot beat the first of any…

If you’ve reasonably deep pockets and you like the larger scale of diecast, then LCD Models should appeal to you. Having said that, the company also produces in smaller scales (1/43 and 1/64 for vehicles), and goes up to 1/12 for its motorcycles – but it’s the big stuff that impresses the most. Looking at the larger scale models, one can well feel the passion and feeling that has gone into their construction. Only the Italians, one suspects, are capable of this! Oddly enough, though, there’s no Ferrari in the line-up… If you can stump up the necessary folding matter, then I think you’ll enjoy the result. It’s a limited palette in terms of car manufacturers and it’s somewhat eclectic: so count on Land Rover as well as Toyota, Suzuki…

■ Item: Dinky Toys No.359 Eagle Transporter Space 1999 Condition: like new with good original packaging, sold from a private collection Sold for: £305 (9 bids) ■ Item: Auto Art Jaguar D-Type, 1954 Rheims 12 Hours winner Condition: near mint, limited edition replica of iconic racing car Sold for: £395 (3 bids) ■ Item: WSI Fox Group Scania Vlastuin 770S T can and tipper trailer Condition: as new, complete with limited edition certificate, all parts are factory fitted Sold for: £275 (30 bids) ■ Item: Tekno Volkswagen Deutsche Bundespost Condition: matt yellow, mint in original card box Sold for: £620 (14 bids) ■ Item: Matchbox Superfast Carry Case, with 48 Superfast Cars Condition: carry case and cars all excellent and showing no signs of play wear Sold for: £327.77 (12…

It is impossible to turn on theTV or look through a magazine without being bombarded with advertisements offering products promising to turn the mundane into the glamorous. There are plenty of wonder creams and potions that claim they’ll transform you into a beautiful female or handsome male but often, because the model has been airbrushed, we never see the reality. Airbrushing, manipulation of images, photoshopping… these all sound like modern concepts but there’s really nothing new in advertising that flatters a product by making it look better than it really is. That thought occurred to me recently when I was looking through some publicity material from the 1950s motor industry. Take the image shown here of a British saloon car, the Humber Hawk. Judging by this, the Hawk was exceptionally…

JAGUAR made history at the 1951 Le Mans 24 Hours, claiming their first-ever victory in the prestigious endurance race with the iconic #20 C-Type. Driven by the skilled duo of Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead, the Jaguar C-Type roared to success, cementing its place in motorsport folk lore. This remarkable achievement not only marked the beginning of Jaguar’s dominance at Le Mans but also showcased the C-Type’s groundbreaking design and engineering, including its innovative aerodynamics and powerful performance. The triumph in 1951 was more than just a win – it was the start of a legendary chapter for Jaguar in the world of racing. Now, you can celebrate this historic moment with a meticulously crafted 1/43 scale model from Spark. Designed with incredible attention to detail, this collectable perfectly replicates…

GREAT sunny weather encouraged dealers and collectors from far and wide to this ever-popular show. The event had expanded to fill all 6 covered halls, the atrium and three covered outdoor pavilions of the Kane County Fairgrounds in the pretty town of St Charles, about 40 miles west of Chicago. In its 51st year, no less, it retains its popularity by changing with the times and fashions, so the trend toward the popular action figures, Star Wars and similar, is continuing. However, among the hundreds of tables, there was certainly plenty of diecast and tinplate to be had, as well as the pressed steel toys, plastic kits and promotional cars that are so popular in the USA. Prices were generally similar to those in the UK, and the good exchange…

The Golf Cabriolet, in its original body style, was launched at the Geneva International Motor Show on 27 February 1979, almost 5 years after the original saloon version. Production started at Wilhelm Karmann GmbH’s plant at Osnabrück in June that year and ran until July 1993 when replaced by the Golf A3 based version. Derived from the Golf A1 the first generation cabrio spanned the lifespan of both the A1 and A2 Golf saloons with, outwardly, minimal visual changes. Perhaps two of the most significant alterations being, in 1982, to the hood that enhanced rear visibility when folded and the replacing of the original style black plastic bumpers from the 1988 model year onwards. A ‘facelift’ that comprised of body-coloured bumpers, wheel arch extensions, front integrated spoiler and integrated under…

Focke Wulf Fw 190A-8 'Black 1' - 2./JG54. - W.Nr Oberleutnant Otto Kittel PRICE: £59.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA34318 EXPECTED: Winter 24/25 Consolidated OA-10A Catalina 'Miss Pick Up' - 443 915 PRICE: £149.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA36113 EXPECTED: Winter 24/25 Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King - HS-2 Golden Falcons - USS Hornet PRICE: £89.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA33423 EXPECTED: Winter 24/25 Corsair MkII, JT537 - 1836 Naval Air Squadron - Sub Lt Donald J Sheppard PRICE: £59.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA33016 EXPECTED: Winter 24/25 US P-51D Mustang 'Jersey Jerk' USAAF 9th Air Force Major Donald Strait PRICE: £59.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA27708 EXPECTED: Spring 25 Ford Escort Mk4 XR3i, Black PRICE: £37.99 SCALE: 1/43 REF: VA14307A EXPECTED: Winter 24/25 Ford Fiesta Mk I, 1.1 Ghia, Signal Yellow PRICE: £37.99 SCALE: 1/43 REF:…

The French driver, Jean Ragnotti, signed his first contract as a professional motorsport driver with Opel, where the job was to drive rally cars for the German brand when necessary. He obviously did well as the major car manufacturer in his country, Renault, hired him as a racing driver in the 1970s. This time, he had to drive a variety of cars from different classes and different disciplines. His mission would include test sessions and development, as well as competition driving. He would be a kind of “handyman” at the wheel, ready to drive anything Renault decided to build for motorsport. From production derived rally and track cars, to Le Mans prototypes or even Formula 1, Ragnotti did it all for decades. In Part 1 (Diecast Collector, February 2025) of…

Month by month, Diecast Collector reports record sums achieved for diecast toys at specialist auction houses. Invariably, the highest prices are paid for items in mint and boxed condition, and when something out of the ordinary surfaces – a DinkyToy in a non-standard colour, for example, or a one-off Matchbox colour trial – then prices go sky high. This is all very well if you are a seasoned collector who knows what to look for and has the funds available. But what if you have other claims on your budget (like a family or a mortgage) and can’t justify major expenditure on toys? And what about younger people who love cars and are just starting to collect miniature versions of their favourites? Don’t despair: one of the great advantages of the…

Another year and another batch of interesting releases to explore. The dominant theme for the year would be TV & Film, with a huge 18 releases related to various US-related, comic book-based TV shows and the latest James Bond film, Moonraker. But the year, as a whole, would see a dramatic downturn in the company’s profit margin, reduced by about 80% in comparison with the 1978 figures. Straight into January and the first two (of four) TV and comic book-related releases for the first half of the year came at us straight out of the blocks. No.435 SupermanVan was a new version of the 1/36 scale Chevrolet Van that had been released in the same month the previous year. Painted silver and with colourful graphics depicting our flying superhero on…

■ Matchbox Superfast boxed Ford Zodiac in green with hollow narrow wheels # 53. The car appears near mint with a few tiny marks in a very good later style box. Sold for £40, British Toy Auctions, January. ■ Matchbox Superfast boxed Ford Zodiac in the sought after lime green with wide wheels and bigger arches # 53. The car appears near mint with just a minor mark on the right front roof corner. The box is good with some light creasing. Sold for £70, British Toy Auctions, January. ■ Matchbox Superfast boxed Pontiac Grand Prix in purple, with cast shut doors, narrow solid wheels, grey interior, tow hook and a gloss black base. The car appears near mint with just a tiny paint chip on the right rear corner,…

NORTHCORD Model Company has announced the release of its 22nd Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model, showcasing the iconic Hampshire Bus livery. The latest addition, UKBUS 6535, is a detailed 10.9-metre, single-door, casting of fleet number 10700 (YEL 4T), originally registered as SN66VVL when new to Stagecoach South in 2017. The model replicates the bus’s retro design, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Hampshire Bus, a company formed in 1983 to serve Andover, Basingstoke, Winchester, and Southampton. Originally part of the Hants & Dorset network, Hampshire Bus was the first National Bus Company subsidiary privatized in 1987 by Skipburn Ltd. It eventually became part of the Stagecoach brand in the early 2000s. To mark the anniversary, Stagecoach South unveiled fleet 10700 in the heritage livery in March 2023. The UKBUS 6535 model…

MATRIX Models has announced the release of its latest 1/43 scale resin creation, due in January 2025. Renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship, Matrix Models continue to deliver high-quality collectibles, and this model is no exception. With meticulous attention to detail and a flawless paint finish, it is set to captivate collectors and Jaguar enthusiasts alike. The model, which is a beautiful tribute to the Jaguar XJ (XJ40), will be available in three striking color schemes: red metallic, blue metallic, and British Racing Green. Priced at £118.99, collectors might find it for around £90 at selected retailers. The Jaguar XJ (XJ40) is an iconic full-size luxury saloon produced by Jaguar from 1986 to 1994. This second-generation XJ was designed to replace the Series III and holds historical significance as the last…

Czech Fox18’s foray into 1/64 scale The release of two sets of Škoda 130s recently was seen a rather bold move… here we find out more. ON SALE 4 MARCH …or download the digital edition 7 days earlier! PLUS… ■ A closer look at a privateer Porsche 935 in the 1970s ■ Volkswagen Jeans Beetle ■ A-Z of diecast collecting ■ 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.…

Fendt launched its new award-winning, mid-range 600 series tractor range at Agritechnica in 2023 and Universal Hobbies has recently released this model of the 165kW flagship tractor. Like the full size tractor the model sets new standards for Universal Hobbies. The largely metal and newly tooled model has good levels of detailing and many working feature not seen on Universal Hobbies' previous models. On the tractor’s front there is a working three-point linkage, with rams supporting the lower links and an adjustable length top link. The front wheels steer and the hinged bonnet lifts to reveal engine bay detail. There are work lights, folding mirrors, warning beacons and aerial detailed on the cab. Also, in a first for Universal Hobbies, both the cab doors and rear window open. The excellent…

It would seem that the dynamics of change that were at the forefront of my mind for much of last year concerning the directions diecast collecting is heading - or at least the influences behind new model releases - continues to gather pace. Although I have to admit (and I’m sure that I’m not the only one…) that I am forever confounded by the feelings of virtual time vortex confusion by being involved with magazine publishing. Specifically, right now sat on a cold, dark, wet early January day penning this for the March issue published in February whilst trying to feel Springlike with eager anticipation - traditionally a mood that gets instilled in my thoughts by looking forward to the forthcoming Spielwarenmesse and all the news that it brings. However……

I’ve always been a bit of a fan of the MGB, particularly in chrome bumper form. One of my first ‘collectors’ models was the blue MGB GT from the Matchbox Dinky Collection launched back in 1988, which I still rate as one of my favourite models. I recently acquired, at a very good price, a pale-yellow convertible MGB from the Matchbox Collectibles range. I thought this would be a fun comparison with the earlier Blue GT until I realised the castings were not at all related. I then stumbled across the tiny 1/148 Oxford in my local model shop, thinking it was a good match with the Matchbox I bought it. I had a hunch that Oxford might make a larger 1/76 version too as many of their releases are…

One of the high-action points of the film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was a bobsleigh chase in which Bond pursued Blofeld down a mountainside from the latter’s Swiss alpine hideaway, Piz Gloria. Shooting for the film began in October 1968 in Switzerland. Eon Productions initially intended to use St Moritz’s Cresta Run, but instead hired bobsleigher Franz Capose to construct a two-mile sled run near Mürren. Capose’s track incorporated a still-extant run, which had been condemned in 1937 for being too perilous! The Corgi bosses had been busy behind the scenes consulting with the filmmakers, and created a number of excellent models based on vehicles in the film. For 1970, Corgi introduced the Bond and Blofeld bobsleighs as numbers 1011 and 1012 in the Corgi Juniors line. The Bond…

BMC 1800 PININFARINA Production: 1969-74 Catalogue: 1969 (2nd)-74 Box Styles: F, G, H Unveiled at the 1967Turin Motor Show, the BMC 1800 "Berlina Aerodinamica", styled by Pininfarina, was an extremely handsome concept. Unfortunately, BMC, being BMC, didn’t take it any further and the British motorist had to endure several more years of Austin 1800s and Maxis. Thanks goodness Lesney saw fit to put it into production. Launched in 1969, as one of the three brand new castings made specifically for Superfast, BMC 1800 Pininfarina was a huge hit and would continue in production up to and including 1974 - the casting has never been seen again since. The model featured opening front doors and initially, it was painted a lovely metallic gold colour, with a white interior, clear windows and…