"Doug,, Are you the person that coined the term "preHongwell". I found the term in a series of website on Hongwell. Most sites had your name in them. I am retired now so I have to limit my collection. I collect only 1/43 toys. Cost mostly under $5.00. Mostly open cars. But I love your sites. I had about 3000 3 inch long models, But I gave about 7000 models to Jeff Bray to sell on commision."
Pete Foss
Editors Response: Peter, I may have used the 'pre-Hongwell' term
regarding Schuco's older models. I'm glad you enjoy the Webzine. I also
have many 1:43, 1:36, 1:24 and 1:18 scale models but 1:64 is my primary
interest. It sounds like you have an impressive collection.
"Hi, I enjoy reading TOTC very much! Thanks a lot for your great effort. In the October issue of TOTC there was a reader from Austria who wanted to know, if there exists a method to ,open' and ,reclose' toycars. Yes there is! (Just Rememberthe screws on the Lone-Star diecasts!) This is very easy to do it by yourself. All you need is a driller, a bench vise, a screw tap (M2) and screws M2.
First you open the rivet on the toycar's body with a driller of about 5mm. Now you can remove the chassis from the body. Drill a hole in the rivet (1.5 mm) and after that you can cut a thread with the screw tap of 2 mm. Now you only have to shorten the screws (M2) and your toycar can be opened an closed anytime. As a proof I send you this 'screwed' diecast model, it is a BMW 733 from Majorette. Best regards from Switzerland,"
Sebastian Seinig
Editor's response: Thanks for the tip, I'll have to try this myself.
"Hi Doug, this is Kevin from MCCH... congratulations on your great articles again! Always enjoy reading them. I choose not to post on MCCH, but I'd like to point out in your "Expanding the Collection" section, the Real Toy SUV in rallye paint scheme is in fact a Land Rover Discovery. But you're right, those graphics, chrome spare wheel cover and detailed wheels *do* make it look like a Mitsubishi. Thanks again for your great web-zine!"
Kevin
Editor's Response: Thanks Kevin, I went back and corrected my mistake.
Glad you like TofTC.
Editor's Note: In the November 2002 issue, an article on Bertone featured a 1:43 scale model amoung the 1:64 and readers were encourged to try and find it. Two readers did so and they correctly identified the Polistil Dino 308 GT/4 as the ringer. As noted, the image had been modified with the addition of black 'boxer' trim and the actual wheels from my real car. The real car and model are shown here. I agree its a shame this car was never done in 1:64.
"The Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 (Polistil) is a 1/43 model. It is a shame that we do not have a 1/64 interpretation of this beautiful Ferrari."
Terry Daniel
"Hi Doug, My guess is that the 1973 Ferrari Dino 308 GT/4 - Polistil
is not 1/64 scale. Doesn't look like it's from the Penny line and the wheels
just don't look right. What fun! Cheers, "
Jayme Ahearn
BMW 733 - Majorette (with screw)
Polistil's 1:43 scale model of the Ferrari Dino 308 GT/4
The real article and the source of the wheels for the altered image.