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.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

HOT WHEELS - BATBOAT

The first appearance of the Batboat was in the 1966 film Batman. It was subsequently used in the 1960s Batman television series. It was created by Glastron Industries.
Mel Whitley and Robert Hammond designed the Batboat from a Glastron V-174. They added a red flashing beacon, glowing eyes, batzooka hatches, seats for both Batman and Robin at the front of the boat, twin wind screens, a center console, an outdrive jet cover, and an aft to deck cover with a glowing Bat-Signal on the tail fin. Although the boat was powered by a Merc Cruiser Chevrolet V-6 and Attwood Corporation manufactured the hardwire, a water squirter and a jet nozzle were added to make the Batboat look like it was nuclear-powered. It took 31 days to build.

Eventually, a replica was built of the Batboat. When the Batman television show was cancelled, Glastron used the two Batboats for promotions on tours. After much touring, the boats were sold. One boat went to a Glastron dealer who was a Shriner. He used it in various Shriner parades. This Batboat was then moved to the Car Stars museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.



The original BatBoat was originally designed for the 1966 Batman movie and was subsequently used in the 1966 Batman TV Series. Designed as a submersible hydrofoil with retracting foils, the Bat Boat was powered by a Mercury Cruiser Chevrolet V6 engine. The boat was fitted with twin wind screens, glowing "bat eyes," a red flashing beacon, bazooka hatches and a glowing Batman signal in the tail fin. Our Hot Wheels version comes equipped with a trailer and attaches to the 1966 Batmobile Series 2. Buy it now

CAPTAIN SCARLET SPECTRUM PURSUIT VEHICLE


The 'Spectrum Pursuit vehicle' completed the trio of 'Scarlet' models, also to 1/48th scale. It was finished in a light metallic blue for its ten year production, though this was slightly darker than in the series. It feature an outward sliding door which when opened would lower the rear-facing figure of Captain Scarlet to the ground (the drivers of these SPVs always sat and drove via a TV monitor screen). Also featured were a hinged nise panel with a concealed firing missile, folding aerial and retractable rear quad track unit. In its final years the normally white rubber bumper was replace with a lack one and the 'Spectrum' roundel decals were replaced by somplified labels.

Monday, February 15, 2010

VANGUARDS - AUSTIN MINI COOPER S 1275 MK1-STEVE McQUEEN



McQueen bought his Mini from Hollywood Sports Cars and had it taken straight to Lee Brown’s custom shop. He didn’t like the green body and white roof so had the car refinished in medium brown metallic with a beige roof. Brown also chromed and then reversed the wheels to widen the track, fitted a wooden dash, a fold back sunroof and had trimmer Tony Nancy re-cover the seats in brown vinyl. The engine was ported and balanced. McQueen never had front number plates on his cars as he felt it spoilt the clean look.Twenty years later Lee Brown spotted an advert for the car and bought it back, so he now owns the car he originally customized for the film icon. Buy it now.

Friday, January 29, 2010

MINICHAMPS 1/43 ASTON MARTIN DBS "THE STIG"


The Stig is the name given to the racing driver on the BBC show Top Gear. In the show he is cast as a mysterious "Tame Racing Driver". He is credited as a presenter alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
The Stig's primary functions on the show are to post Power Laps times in various cars around the Top Gear Test Track in Dunsfold Park, and to train each week's guest in setting a lap time in the Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car feature on the show. In addition The Stig carries out other driving and personal appearance duties when the need arises.
The Stig has also appeared on some of Jeremy Clarkson's motoring specials, such as Heaven and Hell, Thriller and Duel.





This diecast model of the Aston Martin DBS is exquisitely detailed, and an exact replica of the car 'The Stig' drove around the Top Gear test track as part of the 'Power Laps' series, in a stunning time of 1 minute 23.9 seconds. It is part of a series of collectable models being produced by Minichamps in association with Top Gear.

There are just 2,009 of this model worldwide, making it highly collectable, and it is beautifully presented in fully branded packaging, including the track time this car achieved on the TV show.
The coming together of Minichamps, the UK's leading diecast brand, and Top Gear, TV's greatest motoring show, is a fantastic combination most collectors have only dreamed about until now, and gives you the opportunity to own a piece of history. Don't hang around - they'll go faster than you could possibly believe!

Top Gear Minichamps 1/43 Aston Martin DBS ready made diecast car (black) including figure of 'The Stig', as featured in the 'Power Laps' on BBC Top Gear. Only 2009 pieces of each model are available worldwide. Minichamps are high quality die cast models (rather than a toy), and are highly collectable. See more