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

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

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

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

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

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