Pixar Cars Octain Gain Pit Crew

I am still surprised to find Pixar Cars diecast still on the shelves from the original film. In The Entertainer in Kingston-upon-Thames, they had a shed load of this gift set retailing at £15. These were bought last month, but I have only just got around to getting them photographed - they models are actually making a round trip back to the UK to be added to my Pixar Collection which is kept in the UK.

It could get very expensive if Mattel released all the team's pit crew's in this manner, but to be honest, I would not complain - I still love them, and the more the merrier. The SUV forms the basis of many of the larger Cars characters - Marco Axelbender immediately comes to mind here.

A nice little group of models.

2012 Matchbox 1-75 Q&A - Part Three

So here is part three of my thoughts on the Matchbox Q&A:

4. CC: With 2012 line moving to more than 100 models, do we expect any re-colors to the current year or prior year models?
MR: We will recolor 5 of the 120 vehicles from the 2012 collection.

KD: I fundamentally disagree with the principle of this. Yet another way to try and milk more out of the brand. Back in the heyday, a 1-75 model was set for the entire year with one colour - the following year it changed colour if necessary. Mattel keep claiming that they want and understand the Matchbox roots, but I think they understand the word profit with more clarity.

5. CC: Has there been a decision made regarding the ROW & LAM 2012 line up? i.e., as to how many models will be in their lines and which models?
MR: 2012 will feature 120 vehicles for all markets.

KD: For goodness sake - it has been the 1-75 range in the UK for the last 50+ years, so what is with the change in direction to give the UK market 120 models? The UK and Europe barely get their fare share of models, so I hold absolutely no hope of all 120 models to be released on time and within 2012.

This also breaks with a long held tradition of at one stage 75 models being within the line-up. Of course, you are going to get those who simply welcome this and the more they get the better (the phrase "Get a life" comes to mind). 2012 sees a total break in the heritage of the Matchbox brand - I am not in favour of the new logo one bit, as the Lozenge served the purpose very well. And for those who collect the standard line up (excluding all the colour changes), this presents an extra £50 to £55 extra that will have to be spent for the year 2012 for all the models. Family budgets are tight at the moment - how many are going to invest in an extra 45 models next year?

6. CC: Will the 2012 line up be released in late 2011 or do we have to wait until after 2011 is over?
MR: First on-shelf date is usually December 1

KD: We can't even get all the 1-75 for 2011 out yet do to the poor distribution of the product, so how can Mattel justify releasing 2012 models now and when there has not even been a line up advised of what to expect?????

Bburago's 1/43 SEAT Leon Cupra

Altaya are the main ones who produce SEAT's in 1/43 scale. And more to the point it is quite rare to see them as part of a diecast line-up/collection.

This was an essential purchase and part of the Bburago collection. I am STILL chuffed that Bburago are producing normal every day cars without the stupid graphics, etc.....

A great addition -

Vanguards 1/43 Volkswagen Golf MkI

In May 1974,Volkswagen presented the first-generation Golf as a modern front-wheel-drive, long-range replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle. Later Golf variations included the Golf GTI "hot hatch" (introduced in June 1976), a diesel-powered version (from September 1976), the Jetta notchback saloon version (from October 1979), the Golf Cabriolet (from January 1980) and a Golf-based pickup, the Volkswagen Caddy.

To me, Vanguards creation of the Mk1 Golf signified a true change in direction from the staple of re-creating British cars from the 60s, 70s and 80s. I suppose it was a case of adapt to survive. There are so many British cars that have yet to be produced within the Vanguards range,so producing a non-GB car was always going to be a bit of a risk.

Models from VW have been very successfully re-created by the likes of Minichamps and AutoArt. Detail is normally spot on.

So this effort from the Vanguards range hits the mark. It is a very smart and well presented model - more so it is very clean in terms of build - there is not the fuss and flaff of the bigger cars that demand more in terms of etched parts and chrome. And it is this simplicity where the beauty of the model lies. There is hardly owt wrong with it.

The casting also doubles up as the Mk1 GTi - so good mileage to be had.

I am suitably impressed with this one.

Opel Collection.....quick update

it has been a while since I last posted a blog on the Opel Collection that is available in Switzerland and Germany.

I have added tow further models to the collection - the Opel Kadett D GT/E and the Opel Omega B MV6.

Over the next two weeks the next releases are the Opel Admiral B and the Opel Rekord B Coupe - both I have ordered on reserve -

I will be taking some pictures today for the aforementioned, and I will blog about the latest additions to The Garage hopefully next week.

Shame that Eaglemoss Publications has not updated their website with further updates.

Hot Wheels 1970 Camaro Road Race

Hot Wheels 1970 Camaro Road Race

This one reminds me of a car from that film Gumball Rally – its that kind of mental over-powered and wild car that makes cars from the US so interesting.

It looks like a full shorn racer, and I think that this will display very well if this is your part of collection.

I really would not want this as part of the 1-75/100/120 – I don’t think that it fits in with the Matchbox look and feel – and by that I mean that such a car is not a traditional Matchbox model, but more aligned to Hot Wheels.

Hot Wheels Hyundai Genesis

This one is from the 2011 Premiere line.

Yet again, I have to hand it to HW in that they can produce a Hyundai as part of their staple range. I have the older GK version as well as I was amazed that a big manufacturer would bother reproducing it!

The model has enough detail to ensure that it works - headlights are tampoed, effort with the colour scheme. I would like to see more of these type models produced from the Far East - it really gives a world flavour to the youngster of what is out there, rather than just Americana.