Thursday, December 30, 2010

MOTORMAX 1/43 1948 FORD - GREASE DIORAMA 2



A "Reel Rides" Series Diorama by Motormax featuring a scene from the popular movie Grease. Diorama includes a 1:43 scale die-cast replica of the famed "Greased Lightning" 1948 Ford and movie character figures. Shop here

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

CORGI 1/32 JAMES BOND ASTON MARTIN DB5 MODEL - THUNDERBALL


Detailed diecast model of the Aston Martin DB5 driven by Bond in the 1965 film Thunderball. It features extending front machine guns, ejector seat with villian figure, rear pop-up bullet shield and a front bumper ramming device. The film starred Sean Connery as James Bond 007. Shop here

THE ASTON MARTIN DB5 FROM THUNDERBALL


In early 1965, one of the three vehicles was deployed again in Bond’s next appearance: Thunderball. During the pre-title sequence, it was allowed to again show its opponents what it had. The scene took place outside the Chateau d´Anet palace near Paris: Fleeing from shooting pursuers, the rear wall moved out and two pipes beneath the bumper poured a hefty stream of water onto the three approaching gangsters.

The Aston Martin DB 5 made further appearances in GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). For Pierce Brosnan’s first Bond film, three cars with the license plate number BMT 214 A were employed in February 1995. They were used on the set in Gréolières in Southern France. In Monaco, there was then a car chase with a yellow Ferrari 355 GTS. In Tomorrow Never Dies the DB 5 makes a brief appearance. Scenes were created in London and on the grounds of New College in Oxford, England. The car is to continue to appear in the films as Bond’s private car, while his company car can vary depending on his mission.

JAMES BOND 007 - THUNDERBALL


Thunderball (1965) is the fourth spy film in the James Bond series after Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963) and Goldfinger (1964), and the fourth to star Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Ian Fleming, which in turn was based on an original screenplay by Jack Whittingham. It was directed by Terence Young with screenplay by Richard Maibaum and John Hopkins.

The film follows Bond's mission to find two NATO atomic bombs stolen by SPECTRE, which holds the world ransom for £100 million in diamonds, in exchange for not destroying an unspecified major city in either England or the United States (later revealed to be Miami). The search leads Bond to the Bahamas, where he encounters Emilio Largo, the card-playing, eye-patch wearing SPECTRE Number Two. Backed by the CIA and Largo's mistress, Bond's search culminates in an underwater battle with Largo's henchmen. The film had a complex production, with four different units and about a quarter of the film consisting of underwater scenes.

Thunderball was associated with a legal dispute in 1961 when former Ian Fleming collaborators Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham sued him shortly after the 1961 publication of the Thunderball novel, claiming he based it upon the screenplay the trio had earlier written in a failed cinematic translation of James Bond. The lawsuit was settled out of court and Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, fearing a rival McClory film, allowed him to retain certain screen rights to the novel's story, plot, and characters.

The film was a success, earning a total of $141.2 million worldwide, exceeding the earnings of the three previous Bond films and breaking box office records on the first weekend of opening in France and Italy. In 1966, John Stears won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, and production designer Ken Adam was also nominated for a BAFTA award. Thunderball is, to date, the most financially successful movie of the series, and, adjusting for inflation, made the equivalent of $966.4 million in 2008 currency. Although a commercial success, Thunderball received mixed reviews from critics. Some critics and viewers showered praise on the film and branded it a welcome addition to the series, while others complained of the repetitively monotonous aquatic action and prolonged show duration. In 1983, Warner Brothers released a second film adaptation of the novel under the title Never Say Never Again.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

JOHNNY LIGHTNING JAMES BOND DR. No 1961 SUNBEAM ALPINE SERIES II



The Alpine was launched in 1959 and has the distinction of being the first car ever to be seen being driven on screen by a Mr James Bond. It also had an extensive roll in ‘Get Carter’, for it was an undoubtedly attractive car. Shop here

Saturday, December 18, 2010

CORGI 1/43 1950'S JOKERMOBILE FROM DC COMICS BATMAN




Completing this series of models of DC Comics style vehicles is the only 'baddie's' car - complete with a great driver figure. Will the rumoured second series feature more of Batman's enemies?

Features include detailed scale diecast, flip-up canopy revealing interior & fixed joker figure and moulded 1950 Joker figure on base plate. Shop here

Thursday, December 16, 2010

CORGI JAMES BOND 007 " MOONRAKER " SPACE SHUTTLE & HUGO DRAX FIGURE BOX SET






This anniversary issue was in production for a short time. It is retired and "SOLD OUT". Most Corgi models released in their Movie & TV line are in 1:36 scale. In 1995 a group of investors bought the collecting arm of Corgi from Mattel, which purchased Corgi back in 1989. Independed once again Corgi started to reissue many of its popular in past models under the CORGI Classics name. In 1997 a group of models from Corgi movie lines, including James Bond 007 vehicles, were reissued. "Since the first James Bond model - The Aston Martin - was produced in 1965, Corgi has had a continuous working relationship with the producers of the James Bond 007 movies. The James Bond collection celebrates the relationship by recreating some of the most famous models produced over the years.

In 1979 Corgi launched the 'James Bond Space Shuttle' to coincide with the press review of 'Moonraker' in which featured. This detailed recreation of the original has , as its main feature, two large opening cargo doors which when opened reveal a large satellite with hinged solar panels and is released with 54 mm white metal figure of 'Hugo Drax'.

The Corgi 65401 - Moonraker model that we have here was reissued in 1997 as a part of James Bond Collection 007, which was first time re-released of famous Corgi James Bond 007 vehicles models. Model packed in a large size gift box (featured on the picture for this listing) in, which you will find the model with satellite, (model featuring opening cargo doors, operational arm, retractable landing gear) and specially made by Corgi for this release In addition it has a collector gift card that packed in a brown envelop with prints that reads " Top Secret, Highly Confidential Information". This is a great James Bond 007 collectible memorabilia item and can be a great gift! Issued almost a decade ago this model became a not so easy find item. Buy it now

HOT WHEELS 1/12 BATMAN 1966 TV SERIES BATCYCLE




Batman is a 1960s television series which was based on the DC comic book character. It aired on the ABC network from January 12, 1966  to March 14, 1968. The series starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, two crime-fighting heroes who defended "Gotham City". A memorable part of  the series were Batman and Robin's crime-fighting vehicles, which included the Batmobile, Batcycle, Batcopter and the Batboat.

The original Batcycle designed for the TV series was built from a Yamaha Catalina 250. The attached sidecar featured a portable go-cart with its own Yamaha engine that propelled off the sidecar when Batman™ slowed down or stopped. The Batcycle was customized with a batshield molded into the fairing and fender guard. Since its first appearance in the 1940s, the futuristic gadgets and unique styling of the Batmobile appealed to car lovers everywhere. This Hot Wheels line pays homage to the history of the Batmobile with our second series of 1:50 scale vehicles, using models specific to the Batman movies, comic books, animated series, and television show. Buy it now

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

MOTORMAX 1:43 DIE-CAST FORD - ROBOCOP DIORAMA


It's great to see more dioramas involving die-cast vehicles. Following in the footsteps of the classic Johnny Lightning dioramas - Ghostbusters Attack of Mr Stay Puft and Back to The Future Great Scott...Its a Time Machine we've got a new player with Motormax. At 1:43 sized, Motormax uses slightly larger die-cast vehicles to that which Johnny Lightning did who use 1:64 which is the normal Matchbox, Hot Wheels size. 1:43 isn't much bigger though and let's face it, your unlikely to be taking this out of the display packaging anyway so aren't going to have the Ford Taurus police car sitting right next to one of those vehicles anyway.

The diorama is a good one, it does represent the scene but is not 100% looking like a still frame from the movie. In fact the diorama scene never really happened. You've only got one fuel pump bay which the police car is parked like a customer would if they'd just filled up and had gone inside to pay. In the background you've got a shop and a carwash. The figures of Robocop with his arm outstretched and oversized gun in hand is in the right hand side of the diorama and a criminal is in the left side, having surrendered. Of course this isn't what actually happened in the movie. In the movie the criminal who was robbing the station, (Emil who was one of the criminals who killed officer Murphy who became Robocop), never actually surrendered, he fired a machine gun at Robocop while constantly yelling in a panicked voice, "NO! We killed You!" This was after Robocop said his classic Murphy line "Dead or Alive You're Coming With Me!" After unsuccessfully trying to kill Robocop, Emil then tried to escape on a motorbike before the gas station blew up and he crashed into a car. The diorama would have been better if Emil had his machine gun, and the motorbike was maybe standing beside him. But it's just great that there's a Robocop diorama. --James N Simpson  Shop here

ROBOCOP


RoboCop is a 1987 American science fiction-action film directed by Paul Verhoeven. Set in a crime-ridden Detroit, Michigan in the near future, RoboCop centers on a police officer who is brutally murdered and subsequently re-created as a super-human cyborg known as "RoboCop". The film features Peter Weller, Dan O'Herlihy, Kurtwood Smith, Nancy Allen, Miguel Ferrer, and Ronny Cox.


In addition to being an action film, RoboCop includes larger themes regarding the media, resurrection, gentrification, corruption, and human nature. It received positive reviews and cited as one of the best films of 1987; spawning merchandise, two sequels, a television series, two animated TV series, and a television mini-series, video games and two comic book adaptations.

Monday, November 29, 2010

RC2 JOYRIDE 1/18 JAMES BOND CORVETTE MODEL - A VIEW TO A KILL


This 1985 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-I is one of the littler known Bond cars to feature in a movie. Which starred the cool Roger Moore as it turned out to be his last movie as the secret agent. The Corvette was not much more than a stunning way of trnsport for Bond in this movie. As he has to go to Silicon Valley in Nevada to beat Zorof which ends in a fight on a small airship over the Golden Gate bridge. The Corvette is an American legend and has lasted since the late 50's with the newest still being produced. So with looks and power it was a brilliant choice as a Bond car for the era and marked a change in direction in the film series.

The JoyRide Entertainment Series features detailed models of vehicles from television and film. These fully assembled models are crafted using die-cast metal with some plastic components. Features include opening doors, opening hood with a detailed replica engine, opening rear window hatch and turning wheels. Shop here

JAMES BOND - A VIEW TO A KILL (1985)


A View to a Kill (1985) is the fourteenth spy film of the James Bond series, and the seventh and last to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Although the title is adapted from Ian Fleming's short story "From a View to a Kill", the film is the third Bond film after The Spy Who Loved Me and Octopussy to have an entirely original screenplay. In A View to a Kill, Bond is pitted against Max Zorin, who plans to destroy California's Silicon Valley.

The film was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who also wrote the screenplay with Richard Maibaum. It was the third James Bond film to be directed by John Glen, and the last to feature Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny.

Despite being a commercial success and earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Song, A View to a Kill was poorly received by critics and was also disliked by Roger Moore himself due to his age. Christopher Walken, however, was praised for portraying a "classic Bond villain".

JAMES BOND ROGER MOORE ERA LOTUS ESPRIT MODEL SET


This set includes die-cast models of the Lotus Esprit (underwater version) from the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me and the Lotus Esprit Turbo from the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only. Between 1973 and 1985, Roger Moore appeared as James Bond in seven films.

Also included is an individually numbered collectors box complete with miniature reproductions of four James Bond 007 film posters from the Roger Moore era. Shop here

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Motormax 1/64 Ford Crown Victoria City Taxi Cab - American Graffiti Metropolis Diorama


A "Moments in Time" Series Diorama by Motormax featuring a Bustling Metropolis scene from the popular movie American Graffiti. Diorama includes a 1:64 scale die-cast replica of the yellow Ford Crown Victoria City Taxi Cab and one figure . Shop here

Motormax 1/64 Ford Thunderbird - American Graffiti Downtown Diorama

A "Moments in Time" Series Diorama by Motormax featuring a Down Town scene from the popular movie American Graffiti. Diorama includes a 1:64 scale die-cast replica of the 1956 white Ford Thunderbird and one figure . Shop here

Beautiful Cars in American Graffiti Movie

AMERICAN GRAFFITI


American Graffiti is a 1973 coming of age film co-written/directed by George Lucas, and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips and Harrison Ford. Set in 1962 Modesto, California, American Graffiti is a study of the cruising and rock and roll cultures popular among the Post-World War II baby boom generation. The film is a nostalgic portrait of teenage life in the early 1960s told in a series of vignettes, featuring the story of a group of teenagers and their adventures within one night.

The genesis of American Graffiti was in Lucas's own teenage years in early 1960s Modesto. He was unsuccessful in pitching the concept to financiers and distributors, but finally found favor at Universal Pictures after United Artists, 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Paramount Pictures turned him down. Filming was initially set to take place in San Rafael, California, but the production crew was denied permission to shoot beyond a second day. As a result, most filming for American Graffiti was conducted in Petaluma.

American Graffiti was released to universal critical acclaim and financial success, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Produced on a $775,000 budget, the film has turned out to be one of the most profitable movies of all time. Since its initial release, American Graffiti has garnered an estimated return of well over $200 million in box office gross and home video sales, not including merchandising. In 1995, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film culturally significant and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Johnny Lightning 1/64 The Italian Job Mini Cooper BLUE


Johnny Lightning's mini coopers are painted just like they were in the movie. You can all three colours that were used in the Italian Job, this one (blue), red and white. All have the same white stripes and white rectangle on the roof as the ones in the movie did. The only disappointing thing is they don't have numberplates. The red one is usually the most expensive to obtain, maybe because it was in earlier scenes in the movie as well, maybe as it was driven by Charlize Theron. All colours have the same blister card with the red mini on it.

You can also get dirty versions of the three minis, they are supposedly representing different things, LA road grime on the red car, back alley dirt on the white one, and downtown rust on the blue (as if the car would rust that quickly in the time frame of the movie). Anyway the dirt all looks the same no matter what its supposed origins are. They also come on the exact same blister card as the clean versions which means if you only want the three colours but don't mind if their clean or dirty you should be able to obtain the three cheaper and they still look like they are part of a trio set. --James N Simpson Shop here

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Hot Wheels 1/50 1966 TV Series Batboat Vehicle


The Batboat is the latest in Hot Wheels' line of 1:50 scale vehicles based on the 1966 'Batman' television series, joining the Batmobile, Batcycle, and the Batgirl cycle ( at the time of this writing, the Batgirl cycle is still only available in a limited edition San Diego Comic Con boxset ).

The Batboat comes with a black plastic trailer, customized with the addition of batfins over the wheel wells, and bat insignias on the hubcaps. This trailer is a completely imaginary item, since on the television show ( and in the 1966 theatrical film where the boat was first introduced ) we never saw the Batboat being towed on a trailer of any kind. The boat was always seen to be docked by a pier, ready to go. The trailer attaches to a hitch added to newer editions of the previously released 1:50 scale Batmobile. Unfortunately, when the two models are displayed in tandem, it points out what appears to be a size discrepancy between the two, as the boat seems to be somewhat smaller in scale than the car. The boat does not stay securely, and only rests loosely atop the trailer.

As to the boat itself, the overall color is a dark metal-flake blue, with red pinstriping similar to that on the Batmobile. This is very close to the color of the original boat as seen on the T.V. series. The top of the boat has fairly correct silver highlighted detailing ( although curiously, the 'antenna' between the cockpit bubbles lacks the highlighting ). The sides of the hull have a large white flared leaf or feather shaped area on either side, which appears to be a common feature on the original Crestflite V174, which was produced and modified by Glastron for the show. However, on the Batboat, this was modified with the addition of a sporty red and yellow flame design. The flame on this toy, while similar, does not match the original exactly. However, it is close enough to pass inspection ( if you're not comparing it to still frames from the series ). The large tail fin has the appropriate yellow oval Batman shields ( though they look a bit small ), but it lacks the three white hightlights on both sides that accent the batwing scalloping in the rear ( I don't know why, but this is one missing detail that bothers me a lot ).

The shape of the boat itself seems to be a bit thicker and stubbier than the actual boat used on the show. I may be wrong, but it seems to my eyes that the length of the bow has been foreshortened. Unfortunately, the sculptors of this replica apparently did not have access to the original vehicle from which to take their measurements ( unlike the Hot Wheels Batmobile, which was created from digital scans of the actual car ).

Although the Batboat itself is not entirely accurate, It's still a nice addition to the Hot Wheels line, especially since replicas of the vehicles from the Batman television series have not been seen on toy store racks in well over twenty years. --Davidp Shop here

Saturday, November 13, 2010

James Bond Double-Decker Bus: Live And Let Die



Detailed die-cast model of the Double-Decker Bus driven by James Bond in the 1973 film "Live And Let Die". It features a removable top section. The film starred Roger Moore as James Bond


In the film, as Bond and Solitaire try to escape Son Monique, Bond takes over a double-decker bus. He drives the bus under a low bridge, completely removing the top deck and causing it to fall onto a pursuing car. Buy it now

Thursday, November 11, 2010

JAMES BOND - MOON BUGGY & JAMES BOND FIGURE


From the film Diamonds are forever came, the 'James Bond Moon Buggy'. A strange looking black and white framework vehicle with black wheels and red dome, articulated pincer arms and a revolving radar scanner, it was scaled down to 1/45th. Buy it now

Thursday, October 14, 2010

STARSKY & HUTCH 5 Inch 1974 FORD GRAN TORINO & FIGURES


Introduced as a TV movie in April 1975, Starsky & Hutch immediately entered the annals of TV history as the first high profile cop show to shatter the mould of solo detectives with polar opposite characters and a penchant for guns, girls and squealing tires. it was the latter of these elements which introduced the bond of this successful partnership, Starsky's traffic troubling 1974 Ford Torino. Customized with a lightning flash of a go faster stripe, the $4,461 Gran Torino was one of only 1177 built for the US market. The show eventually ended in 1979 but the revival continues to this day. Shop here

Thursday, September 30, 2010

JOHNNY LIGHTNING 'FRIGHTING LIGHTNING' GHOSTBUSTERS ECTO-1A


This is 1997 Johnny Lightning 'Frighting Lightning' Ghostbusters Ecto-1A. Blue in color. This card is almost impossible to find. Buy it now

1997 JOHNNY LIGHTNING GHOSTBUSTERS ECTO-1A


This is 1997 Johnny Lightning 'Frighting Lightning' Ghostbusters Ecto-1A. Limited Edition 1 of only 12,000. Gold in color. Shop here

Johnny Lightnings GHOSTBUSTERS ECTO 1 A '59 Cadillac Diecast Vehicle


Johnny Lightning has released the Ecto 1A 1959 Cadillac Ambulance from the second Ghostbusters movie quite a few times. Only the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard has been re-released more frequently. It's been a while since there has been a re-release though, but with a third Ghostbusters movie in the works, no doubt we'll see the Ecto 1A from the second movie re-released and in stores in the near future again. Maybe we'll even the one from the first movie, in 2010 Hot Wheels have also released a very basic looking one from the first movie as well, it isn't quite the same quality as this one but it is a lot easier to get and cheaper to and maybe a good temporary one to have until you can get a Johnny Lightning one for a cheap price. Who knows if the 1959 ambulance is even going to be in the third movie, they may well do a Ratchet from Transformers and ditch the ambulance for a totally different emergency vehicle. I hope not!

The vehicle looks very good though, no matter which release you get. Most look the same however this one under the Frightning Lightning release had the slight differentiation of white words on the tyres. There was also a Halloween version released under Frightning Lightning that had orange hubcaps, that is also listed on Amazon, you'll find it here. At the time of this review (Jan 2010) these were the only two avaiable on Amazon. The best one to get however has the exact same ambulance (except without the white words on the tyres) and also has a New York police car and four Ghostbusters miniature figures. Its blister pack is displayed as a diorama with Stay Puft on the cardboard as the background. If searching for it on E-bay or somewhere it is called Attack of Mr Stay Puft.

All versions have the no ghosts symbol with the ghost putting up two fingers from the sequel. You can get the no white writing on tyres version on a few different blister cards as it was released quite a few times in a Hollywood on Wheels release as well as 10th anniversary on a (red card) and blue card with Ghostbusters symbol. The blue card is the most expensive to obtain of the white ambulances.

Under Frightning Lightning the vehicle was also released in a few colours, Gold, Silver, Blue and Orange. Although you would think the original white colour would be the most expensive surprisingly these alternative colours cost more.

If you're a Ghostbusters fan you've also got to check out the sensational figure from Necca of Slimer. (review by James N Simpson) Shop here

HOT WHEELS 25/44 GHOSTBUSTERS ECTO-1 WHITE WAGON

This replica of Ghostbuster Ecto-1 is sure to touch the hearts of many collectors. These are a nice model which looks most impressive, and has a real 'presence' on the shelf.


Hot Wheels Short Card 27/52 Ghostbuster Ecto-1

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

CORGI 1/43 LAND ROVER LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE


Three old school friends - the self styled leader, the timid dawdler and the mischievous scruff-bag with nothing to do and all the time to do it. Corgi have reproduced the scruffy one with Wesleys Land Rover in this charming set. Shop here

Monday, July 26, 2010

BARRIS TV AND MOVIE CARS


Great coverage of TV's Batmobile and the Munter's cars. Authors also remind you about cars you didn't know Barris did: The Beverly Hillbillies truck, the Flintstones (film of course) cars, updates of the Knight Rider Firebird, the Jurassic Park Explorers, and the infamous sitcom "My Mother the Car" (the butt of many Johnny Carson jokes). But also taking up space are forgotten cars from forgotton projects...the Bugaloos dune buggy and a TV special "Romp". Cars I would have liked to have seen but didn't make the cut include the Monkee Mobile, the Green Hornet's "Black Beauty" and the Stutz replicas made for the TV adventure series "Bearcats!". Overall a good book, but I have a hunch that only the surface of Barris' career has been scratched. How about a large format book with lots of color and details on the surviving movie cars and "Kustoms" that made Barris the legend he is? Buy it now

CARS IN FILM GREAT MOMENTS FROM POST-WAR INTERNATIONAL CINEMA


From Steve McQueen's Mustang to 007's killer Aston Martins, cars are the stars in a number of films, every bit as much as their human occupants. This book reviews the good, the bad and the ugly in car movies from both sides of the Atlantic. Packed with obscure facts, stills and arty posters, this book adds up to a visual feast of nostalgia for film buffs and motoring enthusiasts alike. Buy it now

HOLLYWOOD TV AND MOVIE CARS


This fun-filled history looks back at some of the most memorable and remarkable cars and motorcycles ever committed to celluloid. Colour photography, nostalgic movie stills, and an equally entertaining text examine the Tinseltown careers of photogenic vehicles. Buy it now

Monday, July 12, 2010

CORGI 1/36 THUNDERBIRD SAB 1 40 ANNIVERSARY EDITION


Celebrate a remarkable British innovation in the form of 'supermarionation', a revolutionary technique for achieving perfect lip sync between pre-recorded dialogue and sensors in the pupets' heads. Lady Penelope and Parker, complete with FAB1 - take a bow on behalf of the whole International Rescue organisation. Buy it now

Thursday, July 8, 2010

HOT WHEELS 1/50 SCALE 1966 BATMOBILE DIECAST MODEL


This is the long awaited 1:50 scale version of the 1966 TV series BATMOBILE. It comes off the back of a 100% accurate laser scan of the actual car and looks lovely. I think it must just be the inspired combination of red/orange on black that gives it that gripping power to enthral people for over 40 years.

There are some annoying elements though, this would not be a fair review if I did not point them out. Like the rocket tubes at the back, these have been reduced to silly little stubs - I would bet to limit any pesky health-and-safety issues - and the beacon antler on top of the roll bar. These are splayed out at 45 degree angles in a most bizarre way. There was just no need for it.

Other than that, and the other faults Incorporated by Mattel to keep the perfectionist modellers happy (or should that be unhappy?), this is a half decent model.

Be aware though, that there are two version of this car available to by, the original series one BATs, and the new series two BATs that have the modified rear which incorporates a boat-hitch for those who wish to buy the accompanying BAT BOAT in the same scale. Nice car, nice model. (Daron G. Woodward "DGT1") --See more

HOT WHEELS - 1966 BATBOAT


This is one of Mattel's 1:50 scale 1966 BATMAN vehicle line and as such has caused a bit of a stir among the fans. The last time a Batboat had been available had been the 60/70s with CORGI and their strangely coloured boats.
This attempt to recreate it is much better. It is still not quite correct but on the whole it is very nice indeed, with its own trailer included.
Very smart addition to the range and a favourite with the fans. Now all we need is a 1:18 version to fit with the car! See more

Friday, June 25, 2010

SPICEWORLD THE MOVIE BUS


Spice World is a 1997 British musical comedy film directed by Bob Spiers, written by Kim Fuller and Jamie Curtis, and starring the best-selling pop music girl group The Spice Girls. The lighthearted comedy, made in a similar vein to The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night, depicts fictional events leading up to a major concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, liberally interspersed with dream sequences and flashbacks as well as surreal moments and humorous asides. The film premiered on 15 December 1997 and was released in British cinemas on Boxing Day, followed by the release in North America on 23 January 1998.

This is the Spice Girls 'Spiceworld' the Movie Bus toy. Buy it now



MORRIS MINI COOPER S MK1 - PAUL McCARTNEY




Paul McCartney's Mini was modified by legendary coachbuilder Radford. Paul, well known as a fan of Aston Martins, had the car finished in Aston Martin California Sage Green Metallic with DB5 rear lights. The interior was trimmed in black leather and had a Webasto-style fold back canvas roof, a popular extra at the time.

One day in early 1967, Paul, his assistant Alistair Taylor, and Paul's sheepdog Martha climbed into the car and drove to Primrose Hill where they saw a strange man wandering around. This was later Paul's inspiration for the song 'The Fool on the Hill'. Buy it now

Friday, May 28, 2010

MORRIS MINI COOPER MK1 - PETER SELLERS


If you were a celebrity in the sixties then a modified Mini was the cool car to own, and that trend was started by Peter Sellers’ 1963 ‘Wicker Mini’, modelled here.

Sellers asked Rolls-Royce dealership HR Owen to customize his Mini and they commissioned Hooper (Motor Services) Ltd, the spares and servicing arm of the former coach-building firm, to modify the car. It cost £2600 (when a standard Cooper was £679) but featured up-rated leather seats, electric windows and the famous hand stencilled wicker-work effect on its sides. Sellers used the car in the Pink Panther film ‘A Shot in the Dark’. Buy it now



Friday, May 21, 2010

SCHUCO 1/43 TEMPO THREE-WHEELS TRUCK FROM DIE LUDOLFS TV SHOW


What happens when reality TV meets one of Germany’s biggest car junk yards? Die Ludolfs, a funny look at a not-so-typical family business. With over four million spare parts-and no computers-chaos is the name of the game. Add the dynamics of a multi-generation family business and you’ve got one of the biggest hits on German television. Naturally a business like this acquires a variety of interesting vehicles. But die Ludolfs add their own distinctive touches, applying distinctive paint and decorations to every one.



This is accurate replica of a post-war delivery truck in the funky colors of Die Ludolfs. Extreme detailing including authentic paint scheme (including simulated rust patches), old Christmas tree cargo, plus working doors, simple interior includes steering wheel and bench seat, diecast metal construction with plastic detail parts. Includes clear display case and base.
Schuco is a legendary German toy manufacturer, founded in 1912. The company achieved worldwide fame with its toy cars manufactured in the '30s, '40s and '50s, many of which were patented. While Schuco continues to issue a limited number of metal retro-toys for collectors, today the company is better known for its amazing diecast vehicle replicas. Working directly with manufacturers and car collectors, Schuco painstakingly re-creates each vehicle in miniature, often incorporating tiny details only visible with a magnifying glass. Most Schuco models are issued in specified limited quantities, and once gone, will not be made again. That’s why wise collectors know that a Schuco model isn’t just a purchase: It’s an investment with a lifetime return of enjoyment. Buy it now

Saturday, May 15, 2010

A VIEW TO KILL: RENAULT II



Roger Moore as James Bond, does amazing things at the wheel of a Renault 11 in a classic sequence at the Eiffel Tower. A View to a Kill (1985) deserves its title! Featured in A View to a Kill, Bond commandeers this car and takes it on a pursuit through Paris. During the pursuit the car has its roof chopped off and then later the entire back half of the car is ripped off. Buy it now

Sunday, April 25, 2010

LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE - TRIUMPH HERALD CONVERTIBLE AND EDIE PEGDEN


Last of the Summer Wine is a British sitcom written by Roy Clarke that is broadcast on BBC One. Last of the Summer Wine premiered as an episode of Comedy Playhouse on 4 January 1973 and the first series of episodes followed on 12 November 1973. Since 1983, Alan J. W. Bell has produced and directed all episodes of the show. The 30th series premiered on 19 April 2009 and concluded on 21 June 2009. On the 26 June 2009 the BBC announced that it had recommissioned the show for its 31st series, consisting of six episodes to be broadcast in 2010. Repeats of the show are broadcast in the UK on G.O.L.D. and it is also seen in more than twenty-five countries,[4] including various PBS stations in the United States and in Canada on VisionTV. Last of the Summer Wine is the longest-running comedy programme in Britain and the longest-running sitcom in the world.



The Herald was being developed for launch in 1959 when the vogue was very much for new cars to be of a monocoque construction. As Triumph was a small company they needed the chassis to be built by outside suppliers unfortunately none could oblige so Triumph took the brave decision to develop a new car around what seemed out of date technology.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

ERTL - JAGUAR XKR ROADSTER JAMES BOND DIE ANOTHER DAY



This is a very highly detailed 2002 Jaguar XKR Roadster James Bond Die Another Day diecast model car 1:18 scale die cast by Ertl. Includes Q-card CD ROM. Fold out lower door panels and retractable front grille panels to expose rockets. Opening trunk and fold down rear body panel to expose mortars, pop-up Gatling gun in the rear deck behind front seats, simulated spiked tires
Opening doors with detailed interior, Opening hood with detailed engine, Working front steering.

Friday, April 9, 2010

THE GREEN HORNET'S BLACK BEAUTY


The 'Green Hornet's Black Beauty' was another beauty from the Corgi stable, finished in gloss black with a green hornet on the vinyl-effect roof. The model featured a flying tracking probe released from the boot and a firing missile concealed behind the hinged radiator grille. Figures of Kato (driving) and the Green Hornet (firing a pistol) were also included. The actual car as used in the TV series was based on a 1966 Chrysler Imperial riding a 129 inch wheelbase (axle to axle), making the model around 1/45th scale. After a five year run, this excellent model was deleted, though it is still much sought after due to the series attaining cult status worldwide. Buy it now.