All posts by Maz Woolley

Corgi Model Club Update #36

By Maz Woolley

Text Copyright of the Author. Photographs/Illustrations from the Maker or Wholesaler.

The next model in the Corgi Model Club collection is a replica of Corgi Toys #236 Austin A60 ‘De Luxe Saloon’ Motor School Car. This was a very popular model with the play value provided by the steering functioning when a circular display on the roof was twisted left or right. This is due with subscribers later this month. It was made as #236 mostly in mid-blue in RHD for the UK and in a darker blue with LHD as #255 for the continent. The club model will be the RHD version seen in British shops.


This looks like it will be a very faithful replica of the original model which graced so many carpets in my childhood. Even the papers originally supplied in the box have been replicated. Something that many otherwise original models are lacking.

The Club hope that this will arrive in the warehouse shortly so that shipping can start only a few days later than scheduled this month. The combination of the Chinese New Year shutdown and the re-routing of freight to avoid the middle eastern conflict make life very challenging for all producers in China.


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Bentley Collection looking for a new home

By Maz Woolley

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

Patrick Grumillier, the well known Bentley model creator and collector whose models we have featured here in MAR Online from time to time has informed us that he has decided that it is time to sell his collection. He is currently looking for a private sale.

Patrick’s collection consists of: a 1:43 scale collection of 860 models, 80% New Boxed of which 500 are commercial and top-of-the-range models, 150 are craft models in limited series, and 150 are unique models made to order or by the seller. In addition there are ten display cases and thirty books about Bentleys.

If you wish to look at some of the items then they can be seen on the French language bulletin board https://forum-auto.caradisiac.com/topic/381661-rolls-royce-et-bentley-143%C3%A8me/ under patgru/Albums. There are some photographs below and also in articles elsewhere in MAR Online.

Photographs supplied by Patrick

Whilst MAR Online does not carry advertising we thought that a reader may possibly be interested in acquiring some of these models. Anyone who wishes to explore this further should email Patrick at the following address: patrick.grumillier@wanadoo.fr. Please note that Patrick is based in France and communicates in French so a translation of any English used in emails might be appreciated.


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Reader’s Letter – Another Australian Car Model


Further to the article on ACE MODELS of Austalia, I also made a discovery on the internet.

I collect convertibles from 1945 to today in 1:43 scale and I discovered on the site Gateway Models (via aBay) a model which came to enrich my collection (which currently comprises of 968 models).

it is a Bolwell Nagari 1972 spider (made in a limited series of 150 examples: there were only 18 examples of the real car) – it also exists as a coupé.

Below are the photographs of the model received very quickly from Australia with very reasonable shipping costs.

A nice addition to my collection of this Australian rarity.

Jacques Cointet
France
by email

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Reader’s Letter – Ace Models

John F. Quilter’s feature on Ace Models highlighted models produced from a largely unknown Australian brand. MAR online readers may well be familiar with Biante, Classic Carlectables and Trax, but being a small one man company, Ace Models often gets overlooked. Founded by Tony Hanna in Brisbane, the company produces a fine range of models, many of which are not produced by any other manufacturer. Some are based on types of well known British cars, but with an Australian bias, the A40 Devon being one of them, but in the guise of the ubiquitous ‘Ute‘.

Also produced is the Buckle Mini Monaco coupe, which bears a striking resemblance to the Broadspeed Mini GT 2+2 from 1966. Another is John Steed’s Broadspeed Jaguar XJ12C from ‘The New Avengers‘ TV series. This model comes with a figure of the man himself, complete with his umbrella. The late Peter Brock’s super little Austin A30 race car is unusual but probably the most unusual of all is the Glas Goggomobil, which Ace produce in a choice of colours.

The models shown below are models I own of a Ford Falcon XL which won the 1962 Armstrong 500, driven by Bob Jane and Harry Firth. It was the last 500 mile race to be run at Phillip Island prior to relocating in 1963 to its current home at Bathurst, and was the first ever win in the event for the Ford Falcon. The Ute is a Ford Falcon 1 Tonner based on a 2002-05 Falcon BA. The 05 model is the Peter Brock/Larry Perkins Holden Commodore VHSS which they raced to victory in the 1982 James Hardie 1000 kms at Bathurst. The number 11 race cars are the Holden Commodore VP and VR winners from the Bathurst 1000 in 1993 and 1995, driven by Larry Perkins and Gregg Hansford, and Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall respectively. 

In partnership with John Pisani, Tony Hanna had previously produced the long since defunct Models 56 by Armco, some of which can still be found on the Ace Models web site, www.acemodelcars.com.au


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Geneva International Motor Show 2024

By Fabrizio Panico

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

Here are a few photographs that I took recently at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.  It was a ‘weak’ show with only Renault and a few Chinese brands attending in addition to old car displays and hypercar displays. Perhaps not worth the cost of a flight, but I was curious to see the Palexpo again as were 168,000 visitors to the show.

Here in alphabetical order are some of the displays that caught my eye:

AlfaRomeo-Montreal-1970

AstonMartin-Valkyrie-2021

Bentley 4,5 litre tourer Le Mans 1927

BMW Isetta 600 1958

Bugatti type 41 Royale roadster Esders recreation 1930 built 1990

Ferrari 296 GT3 2022

Ford USA Mustang Shelby GT350 1965

Jaguar XK120 coupé‚ 1951

Kimera Evo 38

Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo Gr5 1980

Lucid Sapphire

Maybach Zeppelin DS8 1934

MG K3 1933 (3)

Peugeot 203 Commerciale 1950

PicPic M IV limousine 1914

Renault 5

Renault Matra Espace Williams F1 1984
Voisin C25 Aerodyne 1934

A rather eye catching display

Set of Dacia models available from Dacia Dealers

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Auto Review Books have moved to a new Web Address

By Maz Woolley

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

Rod Ward‘s website has been known as zeteo.com for many years but this has all changed this week as he has moved his website to a new hosting arrangement and has passed the zeteo.com web address on to another web user, though he retains the Zeteo Publishing name.

So from now on if you want to see what Rod has available, and he is close to publishing his 200th title, then you will need to use his new website and sign up for his newsletter. At present the new site is up and running but final tuning/corrections are being made so it may change slightly over the next few weeks.

Rod’s books can now be found at autoreview-books.co.uk.


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A New Venture for Officina 942

By Bruno Boracco

Officina 942 is an Italian producer of scale models based in Turin,

After the success of their ranges of 1:76 scale models they are now preparing a new series in metal to 1:43 scale. The first models are to be the Fiat 801 Corsa 1920 and the Fiat 802 Gran Premio 1921. The models will be sold together with a nice small book with the story and pictures of the original car.

The photographs below show prototypes of these models and a booklet.


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Promotional Models – Renault 5

By Fabrizio Panico

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

In Paris at Retromobile Renault surprised us with the Rafale a new hybrid coupé SUV which is available as a full hybrid or a plug-in hybrid. The full hybrid has a 1.2 Litre turbocharged three cylinder engine to generate power for the battery.

Now at the Geneva Motor Show Renault have surprised us again with the launch of the new 5. The Renault 5 E-Tech is a fully electric car using styling cues from the original 1970s supermini. It is based on the electric only AmpR Small platform which may also be seen under the expected retro styled R4 mini SUV. It will be available in various packages of range and power.  It will initially be available in white, black, dark blue, yellow and metallic green.

A 1:64 scale Renault promotional model, shown below, was available at the Geneva show, but only in white, and it was sold out in a very short time.  I expect that it will be made available in another three colours when the promotional versions are released for wider sale.


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Ace Models of Australia

By John F. Quilter

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

I recently discovered ACE Models from Australia.   Two of their 1:43 scale offerings in resin interested me.  One, is their 1965 Plymouth Barracuda which they offer in four colours,  white, red, metallic blue and gold.  This car has not previously been available in 1:43 scale except for the obsolete and currently unavailable WMCE-32W.    The Barracuda was Chrysler’s answer to the Ford Mustang of this era and it was based on their Valiant range but with a redesigned roof containing a very large fast back rear window.  Engines went from their 225 cubic inch inline slant six all the way up to high performance 272 cubic inch V8 with various tuning levels in between.  This resin model is quite a good replica of the actual car and my white version comes with a brown interior, a fair amount of detail to the base, and the correct wheels that were fitted to Barracudas. Although from an Australian model company it is interestingly a left hand drive version.  The only issue I had with my white example is that the two sill photo etch mouldings had to be reattached which I do with a small application of clear nail polish.   An issue not unheard of with resin models and the delicate photo etch pieces. 

The second ACE item that I acquired is a 1952 Austin A-40 ute which is an Australian only version of this range of Austins.    It is listed as a 1952 but these may have been available for multiple years there.   The grill is for the commercial version rather than the fancier one fitted to passenger cars.   The doors are of the smaller size indicating it is based on the four door Devon, not the two door Dorset.

The photograph above shows the Barracuda on it’s own from several angles as well as with a diecast Trax Valiant sedan which I modified into a convertible years ago.


Photos shown with the related Devon (by Pathfinder) and Dorset ( by Kenna) in white metal with the resin ACE model..


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A Case Study of the Disappearing 1:43 Scale

By Dennis Trebble

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

I am disappointed that Oxford Models no longer seem to care about 1:43 scale models. This is a pity as  much of its goodwill and initial sales were based around vehicles that were reminiscent of both Corgi and Dinky cars. This is not to say that they were copies, simply that they belonged to the same genre of interest and enthusiasm.

It was not so long ago that the company began to work its way through the iconic Rolls-Royce (and associated Bentley) cars that form much of the backdrop of period television and film. There is nothing like one of these to set the scene of wealthy and “upper class” living. In taking on this task, Oxford were remarkably successful in the way in which they were able to keep both quality of product and attention to detail. It is a tough path to walk, balancing between the economics of competitive costs and the desire to emulate the gravitas of such vehicles.

I did not manage to collect all that were issued, but have a collection of ten that I think are representative of Oxford Diecast’s efforts.

The first that I would like to consider is the Rolls-Royce 20/30 of 1936.


A comparison with the full sized vehicle shows just how close they got to getting the impression of weight distribution, paint finish and overall stance correct.


It is worth pointing out that the level ground pose of the model is more correct on the model than on the original, which would not have presented as quite so tail-heavy when new. The traditional Rolls-Royce radiator with triangular top and with vertical louvres is represented properly. An interesting facet of the radiator is that  the opening angle of the louvres was controlled thermostatically to assist engine cooling. Another piece of RR trivia is that the gear change in these cars was to the right of the driver, not the left. The model gives a clear view of the interior tub that is acceptable without being fussy.

By 1939, the Phantom III Sedanca de Ville had been created. Often viewed as the last of the “real” Rolls-Royces, this car was designed regardless of cost. To convey that impression of style and luxury, the model needed to be precise and leave no room for doubt about the image that it set out to portray. Unfortunately, this is one case where the makers allowed an omission to slip through. Beneath the headlights of these cars, the wind tone horns were mounted, one to each side. On the initial model, the stubs to take these had been located, but the horns were missing. This was also the case in the review published by the now defunct Model Collector magazine where the reviewer missed commenting about the omission. It was rectified on later issues of the car.


The choice of light tan as the body colour, whilst undoubtedly striking, seemed to be at odds with our usual perception of the marque. Knowing Oxford, they would have done  their research to ensure this was a genuine colour, though it somehow fails to convince.

This picture of the real car shows the distinctions between the two.


Moving on to the post Second World War era, the company began to produce the first examples of cars with a standardised body comprised of pressed steel panels. Whilst some could be ordered with coach built bodies, the majority of both Silver Dawn cars and their Bentley equivalent, the Mark VI, were “factory produced”. I was impressed when Oxford brought out examples of both and took trouble to emphasise the subtle differences.


Whilst the main body casting is the same, the disposition of the front lights and number plates show good attention to detail as does the difference in windscreen wiper activation. Much the same is true of the fittings at the rear of the models.


Pity about the very thick aerial protruding above the screen on the Rolls-Royce! Of the two, I prefer the Bentley colour scheme as seeming to support a move away from traditional assembly methods.

Both the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S Series cars followed into the mid-1950s. These are often seen as the epitome of post Second World War luxury, with some justification. The Silver Cloud I was produced between 1955 and 1959, mostly with a Pressed Steel Company body shell on a separate chassis. Weighing almost two tons and powered by a 4,877cc in-line six, the car wafted up to 50mph in 9.4 seconds and had a top speed of just over 100mph. Any model of the vehicle needed to convey the impression of such weighty luxury. To Oxford’s credit, this is just what they did. Looking at the two pictures that follow it is difficult to distinguish the model from reality.


The depth of detail is remarkable – inside, there are picnic tables behind the front seats, a dashboard mounted rearview mirror, contrasting pale leather seats against crimson carpeting and wood veneer to be seen on door cappings and dashboard. Outside, the radiator grille, mascot and disposition of front lights are closely observed. To the rear of the model, the boot handle, bumper and over riders exhibit just how well the model makers were able to set the proportions between visually different cues. It almost feels as if the model should be as weighty as an equivalent white metal effort – such is the success of this effort.

The Silver Cloud II followed between 1959 and 1962, being powered by a 6,230 V8 engine. The example I have is  known as a Phantom V but is extensively based on the updated Silver Cloud platform. It carries bespoke bodywork by James Young and is presented in an unusual dark red and gold colour scheme. The outstanding property of Oxford’s effort is the razor-sharp separation of body colours and the spot-on location of exterior chrome work.


Wing mirrors were not fitted as standard by the factory and will have been customer-specified in the picture of the actual vehicle. The interior is displayed in a very clear fashion and you could almost believe that the light tan leather seats might be as cossetting as those  in the full sized car.

Whilst Rolls-Royce were developing the Silver Cloud range, their Bentley offerings also used the same floor pans. engines, transmissions and suspension systems to produce their own interpretation of the vehicle. In particular, the Continental and the S1 Fastback models were more likely to be coach built than their Rolls-Royce counterparts.


 With a straight six engine of 4,566cc capacity and a four speed manual gearbox, this car could do a genuine 124 miles per hour and in the early 1950s it made it the fastest four-seater in the world. It is thought that the swooping lines were influenced by the Cadillac 62 series coupe of 1948, though nobody would admit it.  The period road tests recorded speeds of 80mph in second, 100mph in third and 124mph in top. The S1 Continental picked up where the old R-Type left off – a beautiful coachbuilt four-seater, with a near 120mph maximum speed. They were constructed by a number of different builders – and were almost universally elegant. The best were the 151 fastbacks by HJ Mulliner.  

In comparison with the full sized car, I think that the model does not quite get the area of glazing correct – particularly on  the rear side windows that I think are too narrow in height. The understatement of the gun-metal grey combined with a lack of body decoration however, underlines the quality of these vehicles.

Finally, I have two examples of the Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible from 1971. It was a development of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow available as a coupé or convertible, using the standard Rolls-Royce V8 engine of 6.75 litres. A three-speed automatic transmission was standard and a four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs was augmented with a hydraulic self-levelling system ensuring a level of comfort envied by many.

The level of detail on these  models, I think, surpasses what had gone before. The interior is very well represented, showing both dashboard and central console controls; the seats continue the theme from earlier observations in their representation of quality leather items.


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