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dean jeffries
legacy
p.32
Maisto C7 Vette
Amazing
Rays
Wow! Structo
$2,000
Mantaray
77
Danbury Mints
New 48 Chevy
contents
Die CAst x | fall 2013
features
30 | Dean of Design
Accidental Tourist
46 | Cola Nuts
Catching Rays
4 DCXmag.com
REGULARS
UP FRONT
QUICK LOOKs
6 | On the Web
8 | Editorial
55 | Minichamps Mercedes-Benz
SLR McLaren Stirling Moss
10 | Scale Mail
12 | Inside Line
Passing. Changes.
14 | Showroom
Die Cast X (ISSN 1551-854X) published quarterly by Air Age Inc., 88 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 USA. Copyright 2013, all rights reserved. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is
Pending at Wilton, CT, and additional offices. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40008153. CONTRIBUTIONS: All materials published in Die Cast X magazine become the exclusive
property of Air Age Inc., unless prior arrangement is made in writing with the Publisher. Descriptions of products were obtained from manufacturers or their press agencies and do not constitute
an endorsement by the Publisher or guarantee their safety. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Call (866) 298-5652. Outside the U.S.: (386) 246-3323, or go to our website: DCXmag.com. Rates one year (4 issues):
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ADVERTISING: Advertising rates are available on request. Please send advertising materials to Advertising Dept., Air Age Inc., 88 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 USA; phone (203) 431-9000; fax
(203) 529-3010; email: sales@ airage.com. EDITORIAL: Send correspondence to Editors, Die Cast X, Air Age Inc., 88 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 USA. Email: DCX@airage.com. We welcome
all editorial submissions but assume no responsibility for the loss or damage of unsolicited material. To authors, photographers and people featured in this magazine: all materials published in
Die Cast X become the exclusive property of Air Age Inc. unless a prior arrangement is made in writing with the Publisher. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: To make sure you dont miss any issues, send
your new address to Die Cast X magazine, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235 USA at least six weeks before you move. Please include an address label from a recent issue, or print the
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Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235 USA.
web
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DCXmag.com
ts been an exciting few weeks for us on the web. Our social media channels have
been humming, and with all the new releases, well have more video on deck as you
read this. Your feedback and response to our quick-moving, high-definition reviews
on both the Die Cast X website and our YouTube channel means that well be doing
more and more so keep watching! Also, remember that DCXmag.com is still the place
to go for new release info, bonus photos, and the latest DCX videos. You can comment on
what you see and tell us what youd like to see with a couple of simple mouse clicks.
We check it every day, so jump on and let us hear what you have to say.
Want to join the fun in real time? Our biweekly
live show, Cup O Joe, has been enjoying an
upswing in viewership, and as we approach
200,000 viewer minutes, weve been seeing
some new faces on the chat, and hearing from
collectors as far away as Bulgaria, Brazil, and
Turkey. Its that feedback and participation that
makes the show so much fun. Weve fielded requests for models to be brought on the air, and
weve been bringing the cars you want to see
both brand-new and classic releases on camera. Collectors on popular message boards like
Hobby Talk (hobbytalk.com), Scale 18 (scale18.
com), and more have been chiming in, and
6 DCXmag.com
Editorial
fall 2013 | volume 9, no. 4
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief Joe Kelly Jr.
Deputy Managing Editor Katherine Pierpont
Copyeditor Suzanne Saunders
contributors
Bill Bennett, Wayne Moyer, Mike Zarnock
Media Services
Video/Photography
ADVERTISING
circulation
Consumer Marketing Manager Mike Valanzola
Newsstand Director John Morthanos
Passing. Changes.
in this issue
You may notice a few changes in this issue of Die Cast X. Well be including more model
reviews, going forward, and were re-allocating space so we can do what were here for: bring
more new diecast and resincast releases to you. That may mean a shift from scale to scale, as
the issues run but it will guarantee that well have more truly new models like the stillwarm Maisto 2014 Corvette for you, every time we print.
Well be concentrating on more video, too, because collectors have told us thats what they
want to see. Were only too happy to oblige. Its an amazing time to be a collector. Whether
you like traditional print, or get your info on a tablet, smartphone, or personal computer,
as technology and the media progress, well be following along as we endeavor to bring our
readers, viewers, and followers the very best in every issue.
PUBLISHING
Group Publishers Louis V. DeFrancesco Jr.,
Yvonne M. DeFrancesco
Back in mid April, I placed a call to Dean Jeffries office, hoping to arrange a visit
for Bill Bennett, and book an interview with Dean about Structos Mantaray. I figured Id get
an assistant or an answering machine. After two rings, I found myself on the phone with the
father of the Mantaray, the designer and builder of the Monkeemobile and the Black Beauty,
and the fellow whod painted Little Bastard on James Deans Porsche shortly before he
wrecked into history. Many have never heard of Dean. He never self-promoted, and never had
to. His work was his calling card, and on the phone, he was funny, open, and genuine. When I
confessed to him that I was thrilled to be speaking with one of my idols, he chuckled then
thanked me for the kind words.
Bill Bennett drove out to see Dean, and wound up spending the day, evening, and part of the
night with him, talking about his life, his late wife, and
cars - lots of cars. When I spoke to Bill the next
day, he was as excited as Id ever heard him.
When Bill and I shared the news of
his passing, we both were
grateful to have had the
chance to hear his voice,
and shake his hand. We
- all of us - will miss him
greatly.
Corgi Black Beauty
how to reach us
editorial
MAIL 88 Danbury Road, Wilton CT 06897 USA
Phone (203) 431-9000; Email DCX@airage.com
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CUSTOMER SERVICE (866) 298-5652,
+(386) 246-3323 (outside the U.S.) or
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If you are ever dissatisfied, you may cancel your
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unmailed issues. DCX is always a great gift idea!
Just call us, or go online, and give a gift today.
As always, I welcome your comments. Drop me a line. And enjoy the issue!
Magazine Publishers
of America
RCX.com
Scale Mail
Got your mag today and enjoyed it very much like every
issue. But as one of Ze German Readers I wonder what is
the zoot? The word is not existing in the German language
at all! But in every other aspect: go on with your great work
on the mag!
Nina Hochstetter
We want to hear
from you!
Cool
'Cat
10 DCXmag.com
Hi, Nina! We were just having fun with the title. Zoot is a
slang word that can be used to describe everything from stylish clothing to the sound and feeling of
great speed as we used it to describe
the Mercedes Rekordwagen. It really
does look like its moving, even when
standing still and its one of our very
favorite German cars. JK
Southern California, but as you can see below, Bill doesnt let
that get in the way of performing his job. Bless him. JK
Angel Wings
Dear Joe, I enjoyed the last issue featuring the TV cars, but Im looking for something a lot
more unusual than a Torino or modified Trans Am. As a kid, one of my favorite TV shows was
Bearcats!, an adventure show about a pair of troubleshooters in the pre-WW I American
Southwest. The stars, Rod Taylor and Dennis Cole, drove a new 1914 Stutz Bearcat (well, a
replica but it was built by George Barris). I never forgot the show, and after looking for one of
the replicas (originals are way out of my price range), I found one 15 years ago and restored it.
Its still in my garage.
Aside from a 1:24 model by Franklin Mint, I dont know of any diecasts of 1912-1916
Bearcats. Id love to see more brass era cars in model form, like a Mercer Raceabout (a Stutz
rival) or even one of the huge touring cars of the period. With brass radiators and lots of interesting details, the models would be a lot of fun. Perhaps the recently featured Indianapoliswinning 1911 Marmon Wasp will start a trend towards more pre-WW I models.
Keep up the good work! Ive attached a photo of my car.
John Boyle
inside line
events & industry news
2013 Strictly
1:43 Show
This year, folks got to see the latest creations from many top-line
manufacturers, and an added attraction was the off-campus Ferrari Expo Literature and Collectible
Show, held just a mile away at
Continental Motors the Saturday
before. It was an intense side trip;
we saw more Ferraris than weve
ever seen in one place before, both
in scale and parked throughout
the dealerships showrooms and
service bays.
Back at the main show, organizer
Buzz Lockwood, head man at the
Route 66 Model Car Store, showed
brand-new, never-before-seen
releases, as always. The official
model of this years hoedown
was Madison Models superb
1947 Studebaker Woody Wagon
prototype (7). Studebaker never
made the car, and only 100 models
will be made. Conquest Models
also had a new Woody Wagon on
display, a 1952 Buick Roadmaster
(4), along with an eye-grabbing
1955 DeSoto convertible(6), both
in white metal. Madison Models
and Conquest are sister companies; under the MadRod brand,
they also showed the DeSoto
body as a limited street rod(5)
12 DCXmag.com
6
7
showroom
new releases & first looks
Huayra Power
Summer Windsor
Dual Personality
NEO 1961 Ghia 6.4
1:43 | $95.99
BONUS
PHOTOS
ONLINE!
An American company, Dual Motors, built 117 Ghia-bodied GT cars based on the Chrysler
Firearrow design from 1956 through 1958. But when Ghia designed a new, sleeker body, then
dropped in the Chrysler 383 (6.4 liter) V-8 in 1960, the result was badged as the Ghia 6.4L. Dual
Motors was the importer. Frank Sinatra bought the first one in this country, and everyone who
was anyone in Hollywood had to have one. As if the car wasnt unique enough, Sinatra (and
eight other owners, including fellow Rat Packers Dean Martin and Peter Lawford) had his Ghia
mildly customized by George Barris with oval headlights, a smaller grille, and a black leather
interior. So, this isnt Franks car. But it is a beautifully made and very accurate miniature of the
stock Ghia 6.4L. Its high-gloss black paint is literally perfect, and every piece of trim, including
the multi-color Ghia badge, is done with either plated or photo-etched parts. Scale fidelity and
workmanship are as good as it gets; lots of flush-fitted butyrate glazing makes it easier to see
the accurate upholstery and fitted luggage. The dash and its detailed instruments match photos, though at least some cars had bright metal instrument panels. The sleek shape is exactly
right from all angles, as are the dimensions. Hooray for Hollywood and thanks to JMModelautos.com for providing this sample. Wayne Moyer
neoscalemodels.com
14 DCXmag.com
Hungary Heart
Hot Wheels Elite
BONUS
PHOTOS
ONLINE!
Country Class
Premuim X
1:43 | $37
BONUS
PHOTOS
ONLINE!
Splish Splash
Premium X
1:43 | $37
Nashs Airflytes were the most aerodynamic American cars when they were introduced in
1949, and boasted some of the first fully unitized bodies. All that technology was lost on the
teenagers of the day, however; the cars seats folded flat to make a large, comfortable bed. Do
the math. Heres more math: Premium Xs take on the large Nash Ambassador for 1950 calls
that name out on its box and baseplate, and the resin models dimensions are right on the
money for the bigger bathtub - but the in-scale, legible fender scripts badge it as a shorter
Statesman. That gaffe aside, everything about this model is exactly as it should be. The
excellent two-tone paint has crisp separation lines, with perfectly fitted photoetched beltline moldings, and every piece of trim is done, to scale, with
either plated or photo-etched pieces. A favorite exterior detail is
the colorful, 3D hood emblem, and the interior trim is done
to the same level, with a unique Uniscope instrument
pod (with detailed gauges) perched on the steering
column. There are relief-cast, silver-painted interior
handles, as well as small cranks for the vent window.
The models shape matches photos from all angles,
and all dimensions are exactly 1:43 scale. Thanks
to Wild About Wheels for providing this sample.
Wayne Moyer
premiumx-models.com
BONUS
PHOTOS
ONLINE!
FALL 2013 15
showroom
With all those post-nominal letters and numbers, it doesnt take much to figure that
the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 is a special car, before you even see it. Once you
do, its apparent that this hairy variant of the retro supercar was made for track
antics, with a racing 6-speed transmission mounted to the rear axle, a stock AMG
6.3 liter V8, a tightened and lowered stance, composite brakes, and a tweaked, lightweight body with a giant carbon-fiber wing on its rear deck. The scaled version of
that body, wearing AMG presentation livery, is exceptional, too. Rather than casting
the Benz in metal or resin, this sealed-body Minichamps replica comes formed from
ABS plastic. Beneath a high-grade white paint finish (the factory resolved issues with early
versions), the swoop and drama of the car sit perched above spider-like 12-spoke wheels and
fat race rubber. Though the model is a static piece, the front wheels are poseable, and rolling the
car causes the brake discs to pass through hefty Brembo calipers. Small details are great; we
loved the space-robot headlights and stacked rear lensing, the red kill rings front and rear, and
the three-pointed stars in the grille and deck lid. The heavily detailed cockpit is only visually accessible, but its worth peering into for its roll cage, race seats, and center stack detailing. Given
its reasonable price, to all the letters above, we add A-OK. Joe Kelly, Jr.
carvillemodels.com
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Beetle Juice
The old Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet was a fun car, with a lot of charm if driving with your
nose on the windshield and living with the smell of exhaust on your clothes was your idea
of charm. Now a new Cabriolet is bringing back all the good times, without the old tickyticky air-cooled ragtops foibles. To start with, its a lot more powerful - available engines are
a manual (or auto-clutched) 140-horse turbodiesel or 200-horse turbod gasoline four, or
a 170-horse five-pot matched to a six-speed auto. Still no barn burner, the car nonetheless
rings true to the old bugs mildly counterculture roots. So does this Kyosho model, delivered
in Tornado Red with the blown TSI gasoline four under its hood. The little red bug has
opening doors, hood, and trunk, a stiff, but working suspension, and steerable wheels. The
build and paint are Kyosho-typical perfect, as is the fitment of the headlights, taillights, and
all the trim; in front of metal brake discs, the plus-sized satin-toned five-spoke wheels are
wrapped in no-name, but deeply treaded rubber. Its a sano piece: every bit of the model
thats been cast in plastic has been decod, plated, or painted. From the body-colored, heavily detailed dash above its carpeted floor, to the multi-level chassis and deeply-cast and
paint-detailed plate engine, the model does the job with quiet quality. Add in the snap-on
plastic uptop and boot, and this little Cabrio becomes charming, indeed. Joe Kelly, Jr.
carvillemodels.com
BONUS
PHOTOS
ONLINE!
16 DCXmag.com
Open Heir
BONUS
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It wasnt easy for Ferrari to nip the top on its 458 Italia, given
the 202mph supercars speed, and, oh yeah where to put
the roof in its down position. Maranellos answer came in the
form of a moderate redesign starting aft of the doors, all the
way back to the 458s retro-bullet taillights. The simplicity and
speed of the doffable tops careful choreography as it splits,
then disappears below a hard tonneau, is remarkable. It can be
argued that Mattels own choreography the dance involved
in making ever-better model cars for the masses is equally
notable. This latest from the Hot Wheels Elite catalog has
opening doors, deck, and boot, and steerable wheels. Metallized five-spoke wheels front ceramic-look brake discs and
Ferrari calipers; their finish contrasts with and enhances the
rosso corsa paint, screened-in vents, and the photo-etched
cavallinos and Ferrari scripts. Everythings tight and tidy,
and the details in the cockpit (the mega-buttoned steering
wheel, replete with paddle shifters, is a marvel in miniature)
and on the peek-a-boo 562-horse V8 under the rear deck
are crisply cast. Whats hard to believe is the excellence of the
piece, for the price. Joe Kelly, Jr.
hotwheelselite.com
Carved Coach
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Shifty Moves
Blingin In
The Rain
AUTOart gearshift
umbrella
$59.95
Fix It
Ultra
Premium Tire Glue
Traxxas
$10
Fans of go-fast hardware will like this pen and flashlight set.
Resembling a racing coil-over shock with two-stage springs
and a reservoir, this 4 1/2-inch beauty is the picture of precision,
with a titanium gray or gold anodized housing, and red and black
powder-coated springs. To use it, just unscrew the spring portion,
reverse it, and screw it back together for a functional pen; push
the lens on top of the reservoir to switch on the LED flashlight.
The little ring on the top makes it an easy addition to your key
chain, or the little damper can be clipped on to your shirt like a
conventional ballpoint - just the thing for writing those fat checks
at the next Concours with flair.
Guilt-Free Carbs
Coffee Brake
FALL 2013 17
showroom
Bully
Sebastian Vettel
is one amazing Formula
One driver: young, talented and very,
very fast. Driving for Red Bull Racing, the 25-year-old
German has finished on the podium in almost half of the F1
races hes started, won more than one-quarter of them, has
won the F1 World Championship in 2010, 2011, and 2012 and, as
of this writing, is leading the 2013 F1 Season with two wins in
four starts. Wed call that a good start, if his goal is to challenge
Mondo Topolino
ACME Trading
1:18 | $129.95
Fiat is back on these shores again, and the little 500s of today harken back to a unit called
the Fiat 500 Topolino. Like the modern version, the elder Italian was among the smallest road
cars of its day - and that made the aerodynamic coupe a perfect candidate for use in drag
racing. Thats what Joe Mondello and the late Sush Matsubara thought, anyway, and once they
swapped out the mouse motor theyd been running in their diminutive car for a blown Chevy
427, the theory was proved correct with consistent 7-second blasts in the quarter. ACMEs
got the cackling little Fiat done here in fine form, in a model notable not only for its paint and
finish which are very good on this pre-production sample but for its overall accuracy in
replicating the car in its early days with rat power. That engine is accessible via a lift-off hood,
and its done to a turn with ribbed valve covers, metallized parts, and a full-house set of wires,
pipes, and cables. After checking out the open-air cockpit and scuffed slicks, we pored over a
bunch of 60s-era photos of the car at work.
Though the headers and some sponsor
decals changed from frame to frame and
race to race, ACMEs replica brings back
a great era - and a groundbreaking
machine. Highly recommended.
Joe Kelly, Jr.
acmediecast.com
BONUS
PHOTOS
ONLINE!
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Rally
Rig
AUTOart
Team Schnitzer and their Gsser Beer-sponsored BMW 3.5 CSL had a good racing season in 1976, winning both the Nurburgring
1000km and the 6 Hours of Zeltweg on the Osterreichring circuit in Austria, finishing the season second to Porsche in the World
Championship for Makes. Nicknamed Batmobiles because of their outrageous body mods, the BMWs were colorful, and went
like stink, to boot. After previously releasing the Nurburgring winner, Minichamps has now issued the Zeltweg car in a burnyour-eyes-out green, orange, purple, blue and white Gsser Beer and Denzel livery. Its a wicked-looking piece, and beneath
the livery, the model has opening doors and a removable bonnet and boot. Sitting on scuffed steam roller rubber
and basketweave BBS wheels, the car hugs the ground with the slightest rake; taken alongside those
hammer-blow graphics and livery, the interior is understated (as it should be) with matte black paint
on everything except the instrument cluster, with a flocked racing bucket seat with 5-point racing
harness for the solo passenger. Those passengers Dieter Quester and Gunnar Nilsson, who shared driving duties at Zeltweg made the most of the cars 3.5
liter DOHC six, and so has Minichamps, stuffing a ton of detail beneath
the lift-off lid. Overall, from its cow-catcher nose to its wild whale tail,
this is a nicely done car with a lot of plumbing and wiring detail to go
along with its hard-to-miss look. Recommended. Bill Bennett
18 DCXmag.com
showroom
Brazilian Whacks
Hot Wheels Elite
F1-90 Mansell
1:43 | $55.99
1989 World Champion Alain Prost moved to Ferrari for the 1990 season,
bringing his Champions #1 with him, and relegating Nigel Mansell to the
position of second driver. When the season started the only noticeable difference in the Ferrari
F1-90, or 641, was a taller biplane rear wing replacing the 89s triplane arrangement. Ferrari
introduced the revised 641/2 at the third race of the season; it had a shorter, more rounded
duckbill nose, a thicker front body (to permit larger fuel tanks), and smaller, higher radiator
exit ducts. Hot Wheels Elite has released two very accurate F1-90 models, Mansells 4th-place
Brazilian GP car and the 641/2 version he drove to win the later Portuguese Grand Prix. The
shape and details of both models match 1990 photos and illustrate these changes very well.
Both models have the 1990 yellow background for the Agip decal, and the Brazilian car correctly
has no background behind the FIAT letters; the Portuguese version has an equally correct blue
background, and the later version also has a correct, larger Goodyear logo on the rear wing.
As with the F1-90 model, suspension details are accurate, as is the scale fidelity. Hot Wheels
really did their research on these (no surprise, there, given the Ferrari license), and the models
compare quite well to the Tameo kits built in
the early 1990s always a good thing.
Wayne Moyer
hotwheels-elite.com
BONUS
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ONLINE!
Popular Pony
Auto World
1:18 | $89.99
Thirteen years after the original 1:18 Ertl/FoMoCo Precision 100 64 1/2 Ford Mustang convertible shook up the diecast collecting world, the current owner of the molds, Auto World, is releasing this 2+2 fastback pony in the same color Rangoon Red
with many of the originals operating features, including opening doors, hood, and trunk (on real aspect hinges); a carpeted interior with tilting front seats, working visors, and a fold-down rear seat; working suspension and steering, a rotating drive shaft,
and an up-down radio antenna. The paint and finish on the car are very good, and even though the chromed bits arent done
with the same pricey electro-plating process the original P-100s wore, the overall job is right for
the price as is the packaging, which nixes the clamshell/sleeve delivery the older car
enjoyed, in favor of a three-window display box. That box is part of this releases
hook it features the cover of the January 1965 issue of Popular Mechanics,
boasting a Rangoon Red fastback kicking up its heels (alongside a 65
Plymouth Barracuda and a contemporary Chevrolet
Corvair). The model attempts and
succeeds in replicating that cover
car, right down to the red stripe
performance rubber. The box
also affords a look at the scaled
Stangs neat chassis done with
faux factory overspray on its red
oxide base as well as offering up a
gander at the models photo-etched
grille and galloping mascot. This pony
still delivers. Joe Kelly, Jr.
autoworldstore.com
20 DCXmag.com
BONUS
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showroom
Clay Day
Before computers came along, having a scale model on the table was the only way
to see how light would play over a cars shape, or how different colors or trims
would look in the real world. Once approval was given to a design, most of these
workaday models were scrapped. Now, thanks to Samuel Sandifer, some of the
more important survivors are being recreated in extremely limited numbers, and
sold through an exclusive with JM Modelautos. Heres the remarkable thing: each of these
replicas, ranging from the Charger III (pictured) to early LaSalle color studies and Ford Motor
Company profile models (viewable in the bonus gallery on DCXmag.com) have been carefully lifted directly from the nearly priceless originals, using the old models as masters for the
new tooling. Sandifer who dates back to when these models
were still being made has cast and finished each piece
completely by hand. Limited? Oh, yeah. Expensive? You
betcha. But if you love the history of design,
and remember those old black
and white photos of Harley,
Virgil, Edsel, Gordon, or
any of the masters
poring over one of
these, you cant
get closer than
BONUS
this. Joe Kelly, Jr.
PHOTOS
jmmmodelautos.
ONLINE!
com
Coupe-E Cat
AUTOart
1:18 | $245.90
The Jaguar E-type causes folks to stop and go glassyeyed, especially if the observed machine is on the hoof.
Few cars in the history of the automobile can lay claim to
such perfection of line and detail; even fewer can back up
the pulchritude with power. But the Jag could, and in scale,
the car has been a hit though a qualified one for AUTOart. We covered the roadster in our Summer 2013 issue,
and now the coupe has arrived on the scene as a part of
the upscale Signature lineup. Our sample arrived in BRG,
along with a serialized certificate and a brochure covering
the real cars history and the models virtues. Theres a lot
of both. The models opening doors, hatch, and tilting hood
reveal a masterful assemblage of precision castings large
and small, perfect paint and finish, and scale textures that
tease for a touch. Under-hood, the straight 3.8 liter six is
beautifully finished, and abundantly wired and piped; the
spring-loaded wishbone suspension flexes and rebounds
here, and at the cars complex, deeply rendered rear axle.
The RHD cabin is carpeted and features real leather seats
and a crisp dash and console, and the glazing, headlights,
and chrome everywhere is spectacular. As with the
roadster, only one thing hobbles this otherwise excellent
scale model on display: the tires mounted to the otherwise
amazing wheels are too small. If you can get past that, this
is one of the better releases of the past several years, and
an important car to have in any diecast collection. Joe
Kelly, Jr.
AUTOartmodels.com
BONUS
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ONLINE!
S PHOTOS ONLINE!
22 DCXmag.com
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Eagle Eyed
Replicarz
1:18 | $159.99
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March, Halted
Replicarz
1:18 | $169.99
For all the preparation and planning, Indy can be a cruel place. Gordon Johncock found that out
in 1984, when the March 84C he was piloting crashed on lap 104, injuring his ankle and twisting
the car up beyond repair. Powered by a Ford-Cosworth DFV turbo V8 making an impressive
800 horsepower, Gordons March wasnt alone. Tom Sneva (another DNF - blown CV joint) and
Rick Mears (who won that year) left the starting line in 84Cs, as well. That means that Replicarz can make the most of this Carousel 1 mold set, and from what we see in this hand-built
advance sample, they plan to. Given the 11-year difference between this car and Johncocks
victorious 73 Eagle-Offy, the tech gap between the cars is dramatic, as youd expect. Though
sleeker on its outside, when this beautifully liveried and painted model splits (one of the coolest tricks in all of 1:18), it does so literally from nose to tail, exposing everything from the triple
fluid reservoirs at the foremost bulkhead, to the nicely patterned and rivet-detailed carbon
fiber shell. Behind that armor is the stressed-member V8. This ones a real treat: among all of
the sharply cast pieces, we counted a couple of different shades of metallized finishes, and
at least two different sheens of graphite black on the engine and transaxle, in between all the
vinyl and plastic wiring and plumbing. Once youre done tracing all
the forward-running cooling pipes and the full-on cockpit (the
gauges alone are almost worth this ones price), break out your
best squint to see the spring within the manifold blowoff valve
and the impeller nested inside the turbo intake. Cruel day cool model. Highly recommended. Joe Kelly, Jr.
replicarz.com
Aikens Airplanes
showroom
Positive Spin
Spin Master
1:64 | TBA
NASCAR
BONUS
PHOTOS
ONLINE!
Magnifique
Minichamps
Minichamps latest entry in its Mullin Automotive Museum Collection series is this 1:43 1934
Voisin C27 roadster, as bodied by Figoni, and restored la Mullin. The yellow and black paint are
hard to miss, and notes like the tiny hood latches, majestic winged radiator mascot, and the
readable gauges in its dash are best seen through a magnifier. The real car, chassis number
52001, was one of only two made; after being shown at the Madrid Auto Salon, it found its way
to the garage of the Shah of Persia, for 23,000 francs. Back then, it was green and yellow; years
later, after being found in a barn (yes, that does happen), the car was restored by descendants
of the original carriage maker and Voisins chief designer, who painted it blue. Ultimately, Peter
Mullin located the car, and had it restored yet again, painting it in the colors we see today. Judging by comprehensive photos of the real car, we cant find a detail thats been missed. Through
the camera lens, the wired wheels, faux ostrich seat upholstery, and hollowed out exhaust
pipe make the replica hard to distinguish from a model in a larger scale - perhaps even the real
car. One detail in particular had us gobsmacked: a tiny golden dot on the models dash, which
represents (if not replicates) a brass St. Christopher medal on the restored roadster. That
golden dot says a lot about this makers impeccable eye, and this important series continues to
amaze. Joe Kelly, Jr.
carvillemodels.com
BONUS
PHOTOS
ONLINE!
Some people refer to the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) as the German equivalent of NASCAR. There are certain similarities these days, but in 1993, DTM racers were far more
linked to their road-going counterparts than were their NASCAR contemporaries from the
States. Say what you will, AUTOarts 155V6 Ti, patterned after the car that won at Hockenheim
in 1993 with the remarkable Alessandro Nannini at the wheel, is a sweet take on one of the
most successful of the breed, a purpose-built race car with a megawatt V6 engine and fourwheel-drive. As weve more or less come to expect from this maker, the paint and bodywork is
flawless, the stance is spot-on, and the shut lines are tight and even on the cars four opening
doors and lift-off deck and hood. All the little details, like the gaskets around the glass, are
executed beautifully, and peppered with small metal bits for the various hold downs and links
on the body. In between, the race day graphics are all done using a pad printer (tampos), and
the durability and crispness of detail is amazing. Pop the one- piece bonnet and the massively
ducted engine compartment is very convincing; peel those doors open, or lift the rear deck
(carefully) and the same holds true for the interior and boot. One beef: the rubbery quality of
the drivers racing harness. Something fabric-based would have been a big improvement. But
overall, this is an extremely good - and good-looking - model with crisp and tidy detail everywhere. Highly recommended. - Bill Bennett
autoartmodels.com
BONUS
PHOTOS
ONLINE!
24 DCXmag.com
1:18 | $169.99
by bill bennett
Accidental
Tourist
CMC 1929 Bugatti Type 35 Monaco GP
1:18 | $350
ention classic Grand Prix motor racing and most enthusiasts think of
high-powered, single-seat monopostos screaming through the tunnel,
flying around the waterfront and ducking and parrying past the Monte
Carlo Casino in Monaco. And why not? The fast cars, the beautiful people, the palatial
yachts floating in the blue sea and, of course, the tortuous race course and fabulous
machines on it make the Monaco GP the high-water mark of the race season.
26 DCXmag.com
CMC has a knack for working hardware, and thats certainly the case on this fabulous
little Type 35. Cranks crank, pulleys spin and if those wee buckles on the hood straps
look like theyre real, its because they are. Have fun. Bring a magnifier.
Far left:
The engine is so deeply
detailed and jammed with
noble materials that its
impossible to take it all in
just one sitting.
Above: The cockpits real
leather seats, engineturned dash, and all
manner of tiny levers and
knobs - most of which
work - are an incredible
sight.
Left: This issue of the historic car includes a wheel
change kit, with a tiny
mallet, and this wooden
spindle stand. Check
out the brake shoes and
working suspension.
Spy powered
28 DCXmag.com
Strapped
Less entertaining is the tiny
hardware for the hood. If you have
the nerve (and the eyesight) to
release the real-time buckles
and leather belts and open the
SOURCES
Dean
of design
30 DCXmag.com
fall 2013 31
32 DCXmag.com
Catchi ng
Rays
1:8 | $2,000
ts not every day that a $2,000 diecast comes along, but we figured out pretty
quickly that Structos mega-buck, mega-rare 1:8 replica of Dean Jeffries Mantaray
isnt just any diecast. At least one famous California customizer agrees: from what
we gathered during an enthusiastic conversation just a couple of weeks before his
passing, Dean Jeffries the man himself felt that way, too.
34 DCXmag.com
The big model has a lot of little details, and the plus-size scale
allows a good, long look at every one, from the scaled rubber balls
chained together atop the Shelby 289 and the beautifully cast
Maserati suspension and brakes, to the tilt-up canopy and tiny
scripts on the cars pearl paint. What a beauty.
36 DCXmag.com
by the book
Dean Jeffries: 50 Fabulous Years
in Hot Rods, Racing, & Film
Motorbooks | $40
SOURCES
fall 2013 37
Just in Time
Danbury Mint 1948 Chevrolet
Fleetline Aerosedan
1:24 | $149
orld War II was a turning point for the auto industry. On one hand, car production
had stopped almost completely for the duration, and that void would stall the
emergence of new car designs for a while. But on the other hand, Detroits
production techniques, the way it trained its workers, and the just-in-time method of
parts delivery all got honed to a razors edge during the war effort.
By the time the clouds over Europe had lifted, the Motor
City had learned a few new tricks about putting
large, complex things together in great
numbers and Detroit was ready
to get back on track as the
automotive capital of the
world.
38 DCXmag.com
summer 2013 39
Sources
In the cabin, DMs laid on the charm not to mention serious levels of
texturing and paint detailing, and a high parts count.
40 DCXmag.com
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Hot Rod
Heaven
ACME 1932 Ford
Five-Window Coupe
1:18 | $129.95
42 DCXmag.com
ts likely that when future generations look back on the greasy old days of the automobile, the Hot Rod will have a place
in American folklore right alongside six guns, lariats, and cockled belts. The home-grown mechanics who built the
machines will be remembered as piston-wrangling pioneers whose horses drank gasoline, shot fire, and set the stage
for decades of legends to come. Cowboys spat chaw; hot rodders smoked Luckys. Cowboy style was chaps and a widebrimmed hat; hot rodders slicked their hair back and pulled on a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Cowboys rode atop Appaloosas,
quarter horses, or sturdy old Paints. Hot rodders sat inside their steeds and when they ventured onto the asphalt plains,
their ponies usually came from beneath the hood of an old Ford.
If It Aint Broke
Once past those troubles, the
V8 proved all but bulletproof
- and easy to hop up. Soon,
Fords motor was the basis for
an entire aftermarket industry:
the speed merchants, who sold
flathead-specific cams, heads,
carburetors, headers and hotter
ignition systems to the young
folks who were picking up the
by-now well-used cars by the
thousands. After theyd done
their duty as honest family
transportation, fenders were
cut; roofs were chopped, chassis
lowered, and axles torched. North
of the firewall, multi-carb setups
and shaved heads were turning
the old flattie into a baddie, and
just about anyone with a day
job and a good set of tools could
transform the 32 into their very
own Deuce. By the fifties, the
image of a 32 Ford with
its nose in the weeds
and its tail in the
air had become
an indelible
symbol
of youth,
summer 2013 43
Pull the hood open, and theres a righteous early flathead thats
been wired, piped, and topped with an Edelbrock intake and a pair of
Stromberg 97s, bracketed on either side by Edelbrock heads
speed, and not just a little danger.
Magazines and catalogs sprouted
up seemingly overnight, and with
titles like Hot Rods to Hell, Hot
Rod Gang, Hot Rod Girl, and just
plain old Hot Rod, Hollywoods
B-movie machine wasnt far
behind. For a lucky few, those day
jobs that had supplied the ready
cash to build a rod were replaced
by careers building the machines
for others - a trend that continues
to this day in high-buck, hightech designs and reproductions.
... Fix It Anyway
Model maker GMP hit solid gold
when its first 32 Ford broke cover,
and that 1:18 mold set will be
regarded as a classic unto itself,
some day. There have been dozens
of different releases based on
that first tool, and each has been
Toms Bomb
One of the cooler ties that ACME has retained to its GMP roots is
the Toms Garage club, named after GMPs founding father, Tom
Long. Membership, as they say, has its rewards; in this case, its the
chance to pony up the same price as a regular release to get this more
exclusive - and wed say, far more dashing - take on the 5-window.
Mechanically identical to the standard model, the TG cars big
differences are all on the outside, with trick red scallops
wrapped in pinstriped white, and classic wide
whitewalls. Theres more pinstriping front
and rear, and atop the headlight pods,
too. All thats missing is the smell of
Brylcreem. Tom rocks on. - DCX staff
Sources
44 DCXmag.com
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Nuts
Since the very first Coca-Cola was served at an Atlanta drugstore in 1886,
the companys logo has appeared on thousands and thousands of vehicles. In
the beginning, it was horse-drawn wagons. But as automobiles, which were
also invented that year, became more a part of how America did business, the
distinctive, sweeping art was emblazoned on cars, vans, and trucks. These days,
over one billion servings of Coca-Cola get served every 24 hours, and the fleet of
service and delivery trucks is everywhere.
For the people who collect anything related to the
worlds most recognized brand, miniatures of those
vehicles are always welcomed. Coca-Cola recently
partnered with Motor City Classics on a cross-scale,
multi-generational license to produce Coke collectibles
46 DXCMag.com
1917
1:24 | $24.99
Coca-Cola was just over 30 years old, and had just
developed the patented contour bottle when this
canopy delivery was making runs to local businesses.
This pre-production sample of one of Henrys haulers
is the oldest in the MCC fleet. Its the simplest, too;
nothing opens, and the all-diecast body rides on a
plastic baseplate with simple steel axles, painted
plastic wheels, and rubber tires. The shape is accurate,
and the scaling looks pretty close, too; while its not
a model for detail seekers, for Coke fans, this is a
reminder of the early, post-Gibson Girl years. Look
for painted headlights in production.
1931
1:18 | $69.99
Three years before this 31 Ford would have been making its rounds, company president
Robert Woodruff introduced the drink to the world at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam,
while sponsoring the games a tradition that carries on to this day. Soon, Coke would be
enjoyed in 53 countries. This model is based on a Signature mold set, with three opening
doors and a butterfly hinged hood. The interior is reasonably detailed, as are the engine
and chassis, right to the very nice spoked wheels and skinny tires. But its the authentic
advertising on the rear section and doors that will grab Coke collectors. Take note: some
photos weve seen of the model show miniature bottles which are not included in this
release.
1:24 | $30
1937 was a good year for Coke; in 51 years, it had become a huge success, and that
meant more service needed to be done in the field, hauling vending machines, soda
taps, and crates of empties a necessary thing, as the six-pack had been
invented by the company the year before. This Ford would have been well-suited to the
job in warmer climes; with a flathead V8 and aerodynamic styling, it also looked good
doing its rounds. This one has a bit more detail than the old T; a pull-off hood reveals a
decently done engine, and the opening doors swing out on a moderately well detailed
interior. The chassis features wide whites, good engraving, and steerable wheels.
1937
1938
Bottle Truck
1937
1:87 | $10
We cant tell you much about this truck its a generic
(but very cool) old-school aerodynamic rig with a funky
mid-mounted axle and bolted on spats. But we can say
that the tiny casting has some great detail, replicating
stack after stack of Coke in cases. Is it a tractor-trailer?
A big, one-off truck with two steerable axles? We dont
know. But that side casting is so well done, we had to look
twice to see if the bottles were individual pieces. This is
a neat collectible for small-scale fans, and it might look
great on a train layout. Just sayin.
Bottle Truck
1:87 | $10
The second bottle truck from the series is generic, too
but on this rig, the rows and rows of cases are stacked in
the open air and sun below a sign that says, ironically,
Drink Coca-Cola Ice Cold. Like the 37, this ones got a
chromed grille of no particular make and a nicely cast and
painted body. By the way, both of these 1:87 offerings roll
like crazy thanks to thin axles and low-resistance wheels.
FALL 2013 47
1940
1:24 | $30
Fifty-four years into the soda business, and CocaCola was now the dominant soft drink around the
world, thanks to an aggressive marketing campaign.
Two developments were brewing as this Ford sedan
delivery was making its rounds; one was the companys
readiness to start using the name Coke in its
advertising; the other was a growing world war that
would soon involve the United States. Both things
occurred in 1941, and during the war 1943, to be
exact Coke opened 10 bottling plants in Europe at
the behest of General Eisenhower. After the war, these
were a base for future European business. The model is
decently detailed, with an opening hood and rear door;
the former shows off a chromed flathead; the latter a
giant rear section with a ribbed rear floor, all above a
moderately detailed chassis with a steerable front end
and steelie wheels.
2012
Holiday Caravan Tractor Trailer
1:43 | $34.95
Cokes holiday advertising has featured the Coke
Santa since 1931. Haddon Sundblom painted the jovial
spokesman that year, and he never could have imagined
that it or the brand it represented would become as
iconic as they have. Since then, Coke has fielded specially
decorated trailers to mark the season, and this one, loosely
based on a Freightliner day cab, pulling a 40 trailer, carries
the tradition over in scale. Released in 2012, a year after
Coke celebrated 125 years in business, the tractor is done in diecast, with bright chrome steps and
exhaust, twin driver mirrors, and a radio antenna. Its the trailer that makes this release special,
though; ringed with tiny plastic dots, the hauler lights up when its switched on. Ho, ho, ho.
2013
Sources
48 DXCMag.com
1:64 | $34.99
Sometimes, getting the raw materials to a Coca-Cola
plant takes longer than a single day trip; on those
occasions, the fleet breaks out trucks like this pair of
sleeper-equipped Kenworths (well, we think theyre
Kenworths), towing trailers. These pre-production
samples are decently detailed actually better than
some of the other, larger scale releases in this lineup, and
the full-diecast tractor and diecast-framed trailers will
feature full interiors and opening rear doors when they
go into production for release. More decos will join the
lineup in coming months, including an Its the Real Thing
set; since changes can be
done with relative ease,
its a good bet that Coke
collectors will get much
more to choose from, and
soon, on each and every
one of these models, in
virtually every scale. Drink
it in.
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50 DCXmag.com
International
New Models
First Editions
Treasure Hunt
T-Hunt
Flashback 2007
he 2007 Main-Line Hot Wheels releases had so many variations and name changes that it
made most every collector confused. There were color changes, base changes that went
from chrome to black to silver, wheel colors and style differences, interior color changes, and
changing paint types in the tampos, which went from enamel to metallic. There were card and base
name changes, too, as we just outlined in Spot the Difference.
The first car on the list is the Dodge Challenger Concept 2007 New Models 1/36.
This car had eight variations that included
four color changes, along with shade
swings and wheel changes. Right after that
is the Chevy Camaro Concept 2007 New
Models 2/36, with nine different variations
including an international carded variation,
making for a total of 10. There were four
color changes, three base color changes, a
front grille which kept changing from flat to
semi-gloss, and one interior change that
happened with the pearl orange metallic
Kmart Event car. The international variation
is the red enamel car with black plastic
Malaysia base and 5-spoke wheels.
The first release of the New Models 9/36
was candy blue metallic and labeled 67
Chevy Nova. That was quickly changed to
66 Chevy Nova, along with a color switch,
to Champagne Metallic. The only color that
was labeled 67 Chevy Nova was the blue
one. All the others were labeled 66 Chevy
Nova and there were four variations of
those. All told, there were only five variations of this car.
One of the oddest things that happened
in 2007 was with the 1966 Batmobile New
Models 15/36. The first release came with
smooth front and rear lights, smooth grilles,
and all small 5-spoke wheels. Very shortly
after, the lights and grilles became textured.
If that wasnt enough to strain the eyes (and
minds) of every collector, there happened
to be a major wheel mess-up at the factory.
Maybe the wheel guy lost his glasses, or
it was a bleary-eyed Monday; Batmobiles
emerged with 5-spoke rear wheels and
5-dot front wheels, or vice versa, with the
rarest being a model equipped with 5-dot
wheels all around. Those are very hard to
find and have sold for as high as $140. After
all of the wheel commotion died down, the
Batmobile started being found with smooth
grilles again, but only in front. All the others
were textured. This car had a lot of collectors running crazy for a couple years, looking for all of the variations.
As I said, name changes were a big part
of 2007, too and not all were as easy to
figure as the Chevy Nova with its simple
card change. New Models 21/36 started
out with the name Ferracin; the card was
labeled as such, and the metal Malaysia
base was also imprinted with that name,
below a car painted in red enamel. The next
release was still red enamel, and was found
continued on page 53
FALL 2013 51
Street Beasts II
Treasure Hunts
066 Sharkruiser
Street Beasts II
Treasure Hunts
New Models
067 Arachnorod
Street Beasts II
Treasure Hunts
New Models
068Rodzilla
Street Beasts II
Treasure Hunts
New Models
X-Raycers
133 Slideout
All Star
070 Stockar
X-Raycers
All Star
071 Phastasm
X-Raycers
135 Go Kart
All Star
New Models
072 Vandetta
X-Raycers
All Star
New Models
Aerial Attack
All Star
New Models
Aerial Attack
All Star
011 Wastelander
New Models
Aerial Attack
All Star
New Models
076 Blimp
Aerial Attack
All Star
New Models
All Star
New Models
078 24/Seven
142 Invader
All Star
079 Formul8r
All Star
New Models
All Star
All Star
New Models
081 Tantrum
145 Mo Scoot
082 33 Ford
All Star
083 70 Chevelle SS
All Star
New Models
021 Ferracin
New Models
New Models
New Models
024 Supdogg
New Models
088 Audacious
New Models
New Models
All Star
149 Shredded
All Star
Code Cars
150 63 Corvette
All Star
Code Cars
151 59 Cadillac
All Star
Code Cars
152 Nissan Z
All Star
Code Cars
All Star
Code Cars
All Star
New Models
091 Monoposto
Code Cars
All Star
New Models
All Star
Mystery Cars
New Models
093 I Candy
Code Cars
New Models
Code Cars
New Models
Code Cars
159 Corvette C6
Mystery Cars
New Models
096 Xtreemster
Code Cars
160 Symbolic
Mystery Cars
Mystery Cars
New Models
Code Cars
New Models
Code Cars
162 DC Batmobile
Mystery Cars
New Models
Code Cars
Mystery Cars
Mystery Cars
New Models
Code Cars
Pop Offs
Code Cars
Mystery Cars
038Hyperline
Pop Offs
Code Cars
Mystery Cars
039 Volkswagen
103 Dieselboy
Code Cars
Mystery Cars
040 Ground
FXPop Offs
104 68 Cougar
Code Cars
Mystery Cars
041 69 Camaro
Team: Camaro
105 Motoblade
Code Cars
169 F-Racer
Mystery Cars
042 67 Camaro
Team: Camaro
Code Cars
Mystery Cars
107 So Fine
Code Cars
044Camaro Z28
Team: Camaro
Mystery Cars
Mystery Cars
Mystery Cars
045 Pony Up
109 Pharodox
Track Stars
046Hyper Mite
Track Stars
Mystery Cars
Track Stars
175 Track T
Mystery Cars
048 CUL8R
112 Backdraft
Track Stars
Mystery Cars
Taxi Rods
Track Stars
Mystery Cars
050 55 Chevy
Taxi Rods
114 Rivited
Track Stars
Mystery Cars
051 70 Roadrunner
Taxi Rods
115 Iridium
Track Stars
179 Chaparral 2D
Mystery Cars
Taxi Rods
116 Baseline
Track Stars
Mystery Cars
Gold Rides
117 Anthracite
Track Stars
Gold Rides
118 Spectyte
Track Stars
055 HUMVEE
Gold Rides
119 Piledriver
Track Stars120
056 Unobtainium I
Gold Rides
Hollowback
Track Stars
Engine Revealers
121 69 Pontiac
Engine Revealers
Treasure Hunts
059 58 Corvette
Engine Revealers
Treasure Hunts
Engine Revealers
Treasure Hunts
061 Hummer H2
Team: HUMMER
Treasure Hunts
Team: HUMMER
Treasure Hunts
063 Hummer
Team: HUMMER
127 Brutalistic
Treasure Hunts
Team: HUMMER
128 Jaded
Treasure Hunts
52 DCXmag.com
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SOURCES
Minichamps Mercedes-Benz
SLR McLaren Stirling Moss
1:18 | $135 by Joe Kelly, Jr.
SOURCES
fall 2013 55
quick
LOOK
56 DCXmag.com
ntroducing something
new isnt ever easy.
Before World War II, the
Packard Motor Company
had ended production of its
Twin-Six V12 in 1939, replacing it in 1940 with a new
Super-8 straight-8 engine
making 160 horsepower, using Packards first hydraulic
lifters to keep it quieter.
Dealers had doubts that
the drop in cylinders would
satisfy former V12 buyers
hungry for power, so Packard
had to stage a race at their
proving grounds where
the Super-8 cars handily
beat the older Twin-Sixes.
In 1941, Packards got new
front ends with their headlights blended into the front
fenders, but the classic tall
grille announced to the world
that the car was still a Packard. Buyers could continue
specifying one of several
coach-built bodies, and along with the limited-production
Packard-Darrins, the top of the 1941 line was the Model
1450 Custom Super Eight One-Eighty 7-Passenger Touring Limousine (talk about a mouthful), a most impressive
automobile built on Packards limited-production 148-inch
wheelbase chassis.
Thats the very car thats been chosen as a first release
ever from a new company based here in the U.S. New
SOURCES
SOURCES
fall 2013 57
quick
LOOK
Hot Wheels Elite The Dark
Knight Rises Bat Pod
1:18 | $159
58 DCXmag.com
The Bat Pods radiator and foot controls look great, and replicate the
rests and pedals that made the movie bike a road-worthy machine.
Those rims and tires are outrageous, too.
SOURCES
Sources
AUTOart autoartmodels.com
fall 2013 59
quick
LOOK
60 DCXmag.com
SOURCES
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by DCX Staff
62 DCXmag.com
SOURCES
Maisto maisto.com
1/2H.indd 1
great News!
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6/6/13 4:43 PM
quick
LOOK
Kyosho Ferrari
250GT Sebring 1963
1:18 | $285 by Bill Bennett
he 1962-1964 Ferrari
250 GTO is arguably
the most prized Gran
Turismo sports car of all
time. Loved by racers, owners, and auctioneers alike,
Ferrari built only 39 of these
iconic cars. Now, Kyosho has
dug deep and built a replica
of chassis 3987GT possibly the most revered of all
of the GTOs.
Ferrari was motivated
to build the 250 GTO when
Girolamo Gardini witnessed the 1961 unveiling of Jaguars
XK-E. Looking at the E-Type Jag, Gardini could tell that the
Jag would be far faster than Ferraris boxy 250 GT SWB
on the high-speed endurance circuits like LeMans, Monza,
and the Nurburgring. And so the GTO was created as an
extension of the line of 250 GTs using the V-12 Colombo
engine with six twin-choke Weber carburetors and a dry
sump from the Testa Rossa. Chassis components came
from the SWB, but were wrapped in far more slippery
Scaglietti coachwork.
After winning its first race outside Paris, 3987GT was
bought by Texas oilman and sportsman, John Mecom, and
driven by Roger Penske and Augie Pabst to a 1st in Class
and 4th overall at the 1963 12 Hours of Sebring. With its
beautiful white livery laid over a deep, metallic blue paint
job, it made for a breathtaking competitor; 50 years later,
this same car is part of Ralph Laurens automobile collection and is painted Rosso Corsa.
Kyoshos in the deep end of the Ferrari pool; as per the
license agreement, their offerings cant encroach on Hot
Wheels Elites price point for similar cars. Not to worry:
this piece has the features expected on a higher-end
1:18 model, including photo-etched hardware, an opening
quick-release gas cap, simulated leather bonnet belts,
wire-wrapped hoses, upgraded wiring, and a photo-etch
and composite steering wheel.
And, we might add, its gorgeous. It sits low, as did the
1:1, and the paint, while certainly glossy, isnt overly so, and
that makes it more appropriate (and accurate) for a 60s
race car. It also features an extraordinary set of miniature
deep-dish Borrani 56-spoke wire wheels, done to a level
that approaches hand-lacing. The lensing and glazing are
distortion-free, and even the little freestanding auxiliary
headlight in the middle of the nose looks right. The K-crew
has even included the little twin amber pit-signaling lights
for the racers roof. Below that, the cabin is all business,
with what looks to be finish-simulated leather or vinyl
bucket seats and rubber floor mats. The space behind the
seats is covered in a matted diamond-tufted vinyl, and the
instrument panel includes chrome bezeled and glasscovered gauges, with the massive tachometer sitting
centrally among the smaller gauges. No speedometer is
provided.
The shut lines are tight, with accurately scaled doglegs on the opening bonnet and boot, and the real
aspect door hinges pivot the leading edges inside the
fenders. On the nit-picker side, Kyosho hasnt scrubbed
away the parting lines on the cast hoses and tubing within
the engine bay,or on the undercarriage, and the chrome
pieces seem overly bright.
Still, this is one for the books, and for the shelves. An
important race car, done to a high standard, and reasonably priced.
SOURCES
64 DCXmag.com
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collector
profile
ack and Deb Struller are a typical suburban New Jersey couple who just happen to
have a house, a garage, and an off-site storage facility filled with decades worth of Hot
Wheels, GI Joes, plastic kits, and diecast cars. We know that because weve seen it and
so have millions of American television viewers who caught the collecting power couple on
SyFy Channels Collection Intervention last summer.
Above: Meet Crazy Jack Struller, street racer, car junkie, and
master of all things collectible.
Below: Deb Struller likes cars too
especially the Strullers rapid,
warmed-over yellow Duster.
Tell us
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The purchase?
Or the display?
Share your collection and your
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magazine is looking for collectors
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answer the profile
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and attach a few
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And who knows
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