Tales of Toy Cars - New finds for July 2003

Expanding the Collection

The following toy cars were purchased or received in trade by Doug Breithaupt in the previous month. Some are new but others are older diecast acquired from other collectors. The prices paid are also shown. This addition to 'Tales of Toy Cars'. is intended to share recent finds with fellow collectors. If you have found some interesting diecast cars recently, let me know and send an image if possible, attached to an e-mail.

PLAYART

DAF - $5.00

MINI DINKY

Mercedes-Benz 230SL - $7.00

Ford Corsair - $7.00

PILEN

Ford Fiesta #806 - $7.00

DIAPET - CHERICA

Nissan Cedric HT - $7.00

WELLY

VW Lupo - trade

Mercedes-Benz CL600 - trade

1955 Mercedes-Benz 190SL - trade

YAT MING

Alfa Romeo - $1.00

Alfa Romeo sedan - $1.00

Alfa Romeo wagon - $1.00

Audi A6 wagon - $1.00

Jaguar 'X' type - $1.00

BMW M3 - $1.00

Opel Speedster - $1.00

Vauxhall 220 - $1.00

SIKU

New VW Beetle Cabriolet - trade

1968 Continental Mk. III #V298 - $12.00

MODELS OF THE MONTH

1965 Shelby Cobra 427 - Matchbox Barrett-Jackson - gift

Volkswagen Bus - Playart, $5.00

ADDITIONS THIS MONTH

Two models have been selected for special attention this month although quite a few others could have been selected. The first model may be the best Matchbox casting of the Mattel era. The Shelby Cobra 427 was first offered in an Elvis series and I expect many collectors like me waited for a better version. A week ago I received the Barret-Jackson version shown here. It was sent to me as a random act of kindness by a fellow collector who knew I had not been able to find one. It is truly appreciated and worth the wait. The detail is excellent and the paint colors are spot-on. I like the scale of 1:60 or so and this is now the best Cobra in my collection.

Playart's VW Bus is one of the more interesting variations. The casting is quite good although the cheap wheels don't help. The two side doors are delicate and attached with external hinges that have a very realistic look and feel. At the same time, I'm sure that most of these doors came off in play.

Also from Playart this month is the curious DAF. It's models like this that make Playart a favorite for collectors. This becomes the first DAF diecast in my collection.

Mini Dinky models are also rare and rather fragile due to metal fatigue. I hope the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL and Ford Corsair show no signs of self-destructing but only time will tell. With opening engine compartments and trunks, these remind me of Impy or Penny Toy models. These were made available through Tom Larson.

Also from Tom is the delightful Ford Fiesta from Pilen of Spain and a rare Diapet Cherica Nissan Cedric HT. The Fiesta was also done by Guisval but the Pilen model is a bit more sturdy. The interior is cast into the base as with other Pilen models but this looks fine. The Diapet is a very nice casting and I am very pleased to add a first example from this manufacturer to my collection. The scale is about 1:55, much like Siku, and the quality is very like Tomica. The doors open and I like the authentic color.

Dave Weber sent 8 more new Yat Ming 1:72 scale cars my way and all I can say is thanks! Yat Ming has offered 3 new Alfa Romeo models, what a treat. The Jaguar 'X' type is the first in small scale as is the Audi A6 Wagon. The BMW M3 Cabrio is the best so far and the Opel/Vauxhall Speedster/220 twins put the Matchbox example to shame. I only wish they were a bit larger but perhaps Yat Ming is targeting these at the model railroad community.

Siku's 1968 Lincoln Continental Mk. III has been on my wanted list for a long time. This one has been repainted black, a good color for this car. Otherwise the condition is excellent. The original color was orange, an unlikely choice for this classic personal luxury car. Doors open on this model. This same car has been done by Hot Wheels and Johnny Lightning in custom form. It's nice to have a stock version. Also from Siku is the new VW Beetle Cabriolet. Perhaps it's just the scale but the interior seems to be 80% of the car! This Siku has soft rubber tires with tread, something I had not seen from Siku before.

It is rare to see the same vehicle from both Hot Wheels and Matchbox these days but the Cadillac Escalade follows the new Dodge Viper GTSR in an opportunity to compare Mattel's two brands. Hot Wheels has gone the 'car-tuner' route with an Escalade that should be animated. Matchbox produced a stock version but could not resist slapping dopey tampos on the sides. Also from Matchbox is a police version of the 3-series BMW sedan and the fun Opel Frogster concept. I like the Frogster and it is nice to see Matchbox offer something unique like this. Too bad the rolled rear cover is non-functional.

Additional Hot Wheel models include two more 'car-tuners', the Mitsubishi Eclipse and the Toyota/Lexus HKS Altezza are cars that look like the artwork of 7th grade boys. Still, 7th grade boys may be the target market for these models. I'm not big on flat-black paint unless it's on a period hot rod. The GMC Motorhome has traveled many miles of play-time and in reality as it was sent to me from Estonia! While I do not collect motorhomes as a rule, this one shares the motor and transmission of my real 1968 Cadillac Eldorado and is of interest. The Honda Civic Si deserves credit for not being a cartoon version of the real car. Since these cars really do race in Europe and elsewhere, the tampos are even appropriate. The 'Ground FX' is another fantasy car from HW but it has the look of a land-speed challenger. The body comes off to show the cockpit and a 16 cylinder power-plant. Who are 'Jones - Heralds - Weise' as noted on the body work? Yet another mystery now that I finally know who 'Dayla' is on the 'Turbolence'. Finally, I could not resist this version of the Austin Healy 3000 Mk. III. The silver detailing on the body and cockpit surround show that HW can do nice work when they choose to do so.

While visiting a small toy store in Seattle I came across a new (to me) diecast manufacturer. Spin Master is the company name and they are offering 4 different castings in a 'Light FX Tuners' series. I swallowed hard before paying $5.99 for the Eclipse. The castings are metal with plastic bases and each has a small switch that is activated when pressing the driver's side front wheel. The switch turns on a laser-red light that shines out of the head, tail and fog lights as well as the rear plate. Two light strips on the bottom of the car also allow the light to shine under the car. While the lights are a gimmick, they do create a nice effect.

Mega-Speed is not a name that commands respect in the diecast world but they do make decent copies of Maisto and Tomica castings. The VW Jetta and Ford Mustang are clearly Maisto copies while the Lexus/Toyota appears to be from Tomica's work. I'm not as sure about the Honda or F1 models. The colors on the F1 models are intended to take advantage of the Ferrari/McLaren rivalry. Some suspect that Mega-Speed and Summer are connected.

Racing Champions keeps adding new models to it's 'Fast and Furious' series. The Ford Crown Victoria Miami Police model joins the Chevy version from last month. This is the first time I have seen this casting and it is quite good. Perhaps a stock model will follow. I could not resist another color of the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse. This one is clean of tuner tampos and the teal blue is very nice. Just this year we have seen more new Eclipse models than over the past 10 years. I just need someone to again do the 1st generation model (1990-94), as the Ertl version is a tough find.

SPIN MASTER