Category Archives: BMW

Egeskov Castle – 1962 Isetta

By Eugen Pedersen

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

Two BMW Isettas grace this collection both looking almost new. The white one is stated as being made in 1962 which was the last year that BMW made the Isetta having made over 160,000 of them from 1955 onwards. It was replaced by the more conventional 700 in their range. The BMW Isetta was derived from the Italian ISO model but BMW re-engineered it so heavily there are no interchangeable parts between the ISO and the Isetta.

BMW used a 250cc single cylinder four stroke engine of their own design to power this car

The Author’s Photographs

Image of original publicity material from BMW.com website

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Egeskov Castle – 1960 BMW

By Eugen Pedersen

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

This classic BMW in black enamel paint with contrasting coach lines is probably an R60 which was made between 1955 and 1969 using a 600cc variation of the classic BMW flat twin engine and Earles front forks.

In 1961 BMW needed all the motorbike sales they could get as the car division, and hence the company, was still in a ‘touch and go’ state after rejecting a restructuring plan by Mercedes-Benz in late 1959 and then introducing its own recovery plan in 1960. Luckily for BMW the government provided some assistance whilst the ‘new class’ cars were launched in 1961 which were a big success for BMW.


Author’s Photograph

1962 American Market brochure cover – as shown on https://bmwdean.com/

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Herpa Juniors – Part Two

By Robin Godwin with contributions by Daniel Beck

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

I would like to start this article by incorporating information provided by Daniel Beck in response to part one of my articles on Herpa Juniors which may be found here.

Daniel says:

“many thanks to Robin Godwin for his interesting article on the Herpa Junior series. I like these simple yet accurate diecast models, although (or because?) they were obviously no success. I have some additional information which could be interesting for Robin and other readers, since I found an article on the range in an old German magazine, and I have the Opel Corsa model in my own collection.

The Herpa Junior range was in fact presented in a German model car magazine in February 1993, in Modell Fahrzeug no. 2/1993. The actual 1:66 scale models are not pictured in the article, only the 1:87 scale versions of four cars announced in the new range: BMW 325i, Mercedes-Benz C 220, Opel Corsa, and a Mini Cooper, which was probably never released by Herpa in this scale. According to the text, the models were designed to meet the European CE standards to be sold as children’s toys for ages 3 and up, at a price of five German Marks per item, which is in fact half of the contemporary price of Herpa 1:87 scale plastic cars. However, Modell Fahrzeug estimated that it would be a challenge for Herpa to build up new distribution channels for their diecast toy range, since supermarkets and filling stations would be an important place where such products were sold. In the same article, the then-new Microchamps range of detailed 1:64 scale models for collectors made by Minichamps is also introduced, a concept that proved to be more successful in the long run. In the 1990s, the price for a Microchamps model was around 15 German Marks.

All the photographs above are copyright of Daniel Beck who provided them using models in his collection

On the base of the Opel Corsa from the Herpa Junior series is in fact moulded ‘Made in Russia‘. The model was probably made by the Radon factory in the city of Marx in the Saratov region, one of the leading diecast model manufacturers in the former Soviet Union. At the same time, Radon produced a quite similar model in 1:66 scale under their own name, which is quite unusual because they otherwise mainly focused on 1:43 scale. The model reproduces the AVVA, a prototype of a compact hatchback car made by VAZ (Lada) in the early 1990s, but its base is almost identical to the one of the Opel Corsa, apart from the moulded scripts. It would be interesting to know more about the collaboration between Herpa and the Russian manufacturer… “

Daniel Beck


To return to part two of the article on Herpa Juniors:

Illustration from the small leaflet showing a “Rallye” series that, as far as I can tell, never made it into production. The Opel was available as a regular passenger hatchback in four (perhaps more) different colours and illustrated in the leaflet. The Golf VR6 was apparently never produced, despite these illustrations appearing to be photos of actual models. The Golf was also shown as a regular passenger vehicle, also in four colours. Doubtless, duplication of racing numbers/stripes was intended to keep costs down


The initial packaging was blister type with a prominent star announcing “new from herpa”  in German. There are five languages describing the range on the back – German, English, French, Italian, and Dutch. There is no leaflet included with this packaging


The second blister packaging with ‘neu…” removed and a modified blister to accommodate the leaflet. The third type of packaging was shown above with the Opel, and I would assume that all models were eventually available in the third type. Italian and Dutch were dropped from the third type


At some point, Herpa produced the BMWs and Mercedes-Benzs as promotional models for the car manufacturers. All three Mercedes-Benz items appeared in special boxes featuring a unique Mercedes-Benz part number, a round hole in the side to determine the colour of the contents, and only two languages on the box – German and English. The BMW boxes were much more impressive, with colour appropriate illustrations on three sides and both end flaps. A BMW part number was on the remaining side, but I don’t know if it was unique for each colour. Box language was German only except for ‘Made for BMW by Herpa‘ on the bottom.

E-Klasse as a promotional for Mercedes-Benz. The box is plain, but unique since you can just see “E-Klasse” and the part number on the end flap. Note viewing hole on the side


The colour coded BMW box was way more impressive. I have also seen this box in red, with a red vehicle inside. I have never seen a promotional box for any of the “utility” models such as ADAC or Polizei. Don’t waste your time trying to find that part number online


This was a special set produced by Herpa, presumably for BMW dealerships. I have seen a few of these for sale online and all have had the blue passenger sedan, as per the outer box illustration, so this may be a factory error or an owner swap

This was an excellent small range, reminiscent (for me anyway) of many late 1960s Matchbox products, but produced to a constant scale. They were more accurate than most contemporary small scale vehicles. Wheels/tires could have been better, after all, they were just decent looking whizzwheels, but as mentioned, display very well. Their simple construction ensured the robustness required for child’s play.

Why did they go away? Despite an attractive price point, their main competition would have been the well-established Siku range, competitively priced and slightly larger. Schuco reissued its Piccolo range in the same time window, pushing nostalgia buttons for collectors, so the small car model market was busy. Did the 1:66 scale keep collectors away? I recall buying these at hobby shops, which mostly leaned towards HO scale model trains, Herpas traditional sales outlets. Perhaps that was the wrong market to pitch to, or was it just too much for the market to bear? Except for the Opel Corsa, these can be found quite easily on major online auction sites.

More information can be found in this Addendum.


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Minichamps 1:87

By Maz Woolley

From time to time MInichamps seem to release a small number of 1:87 scale models and then release nothing further in this scale for some time. Here are a couple of mouldings which Minichamps has announced made in ABS in China for Germany. Competition in this market segment is keen with Model Car World‘s Brekina and PCX87 ranges as well as Herpa, WIking and Busch. Perhaps this is why Minichamps only releases a small number of models?

BMW X7 – 2019 – Black
BMW X7 – 2019 – Metallic blue
BMW X7 – 2019 – Dark red metallic

BMW X7 – 2019 – white

Opel Ascona – 1970 – Light blue
Opel Ascona – 1970 – Light green
Opel Ascona- 1970 – Red
Opel Ascona – 1970 – Yellow

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Herpa Junior

By Robin Godwin

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

Herpa are known largely for their extensive range of 1:87 scale plastic vehicles, but back in the 1990s they jumped into small scale diecast toy cars for a short period. That scale was the oddball 1:66, and although nobody seems to be able to completely explain the origin of 1:66, there is historical precedence from the late 1960s and early 1970s Schuco of Germany, Penny (Polistil) and Speedy (Mercury), both of Italy. There are others, like REI of Brazil, but those were apparently cast from the original Schuco dies. Exact 1:64 scale was not as ubiquitous then as now, so producing at 1:64 may not have been an obvious marketing requirement at the time, especially with the European history in 1:66.

By way of disclaimer, I’m sure that one of the excellent German or Dutch (or perhaps Herpa’s own inhouse magazine, Der Mass:Stab) print magazines has featured Herpa Juniors in more complete detail, but I can’t recall reading about them in the English language press.

The story starts in 1993: from the Herpa website: Company profile, Milestones for 1993 “Another novelty is the launch of all-metal toy vehicles suitable for children.”  That these were always childrens’ toys is evident above and in the simple (but accurate) castings, easy rolling plastic wheels and tires, prices (which were generally half those of the 1:87 Herpa plastic cars) and, presumably, the Junior label. The range seems to have gone away by about 1998, but may have lasted a bit longer.


Cover of the fold out leaflet included with later blister packaging. Cityscape graphics blended in with backing card illustrations


The 1997 “Collection” (i.e, full range) catalogue describing the juniors as toys. All of the “utility” BMWs are illustrated, but only the blue passenger sedan is shown. Other colours included green, yellow, maroon, and perhaps more 


More from the 1997 “Collection” catalogue. This catalogue issue is later than the specific small Junior leaflet shown above, which does not include the E-Klasse and SLK Mercedes. All reference to Juniors and 1:66 scale was deleted for the 1998 “Collection” catalogue


There are only five basic models in the range, illustrated above, with multiple livery and colour variations. They are all contemporary 1990s vehicles as could be seen on European roads. A sixth model, illustrated in the Junior leaflet, was to have been a VW Golf VR6 (a “generation 3” Golf) but it was apparently never issued. Perhaps plans were put on hold pending the switch to the generation 4 Golf body style in 1997, by which time the end of the range may have been in sight. The Beemers and Mercs were all made in China, although only the Beemers so indicate on the base. I have read on several different websites that the Opel Corsa was made in Russia, but I’m unable to verify that since I don’t have one in hand and I’ve never seen a photo of the base.

Four of the five basic castings. Left to right: BMW 325i, Mercedes-Benz C 220 in Taxi livery, Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse, and Mercedes-Benz SLK. The BMW features a tampo kidney grill printed directly onto the painted metal. The three Mercedes-Benz have plastic grill inserts (which may or may not be part of the interior tub moulding) with hot chrome foiling applied to excellent effect. I don’t have every variation, but all those that I do have black plastic interiors


In general, the castings are excellent with very fine body panel gaps and even the bases have reasonable cast in detail. Front and back lighting, trims (but not window trim) and specialty markings such as Taxi, ADAC (a German automobile club) and others are tampo printed. Windscreen wipers are black printed on raised moulding in the plastic windows.  Roof accessories on the special utility liveries are plastic items, mounted through holes in the roof. Interior details are hard to see in black, and I’m not sure if there is actually more than one component. Dashboards may just be fold ups attached to the interior tubs, and the steering wheels are almost certainly fold ups – which would account for the bad (and inconsistent) angles on virtually every model I have.

The tires on the BMWs and the big Mercedes-Benz are all the same smooth, non-treaded plastic (except for outer edge treads) and mounted to low friction axles for play value. The wheels are separate plastic inserts and quite accurate. Although the whole effect is similar to the usual “tires too wide” typical of small-scale vehicles with go-fast wheels, the models display very well from the side. The SLK has similar sized tires, but it is much harder to determine if the wheels are inserts or painted centers on solid plastic hubs – I’m undecided.

The BMW base (top) has what appears to be a lightly spun rivet (or perhaps just a pin) in the rear with a Phillips screw in front to secure the base. The C 220 Mercedes and SLK (second from top, and bottom) have no visible means of attachment for the metal bases. The E-Klasse has a very small Phillips screw in the front. Only the BMW has country of origin cast into the base


The Opel Corsa, reputedly made in Russia. I have never seen one “in the flesh” or for sale, either in hobby shops (when I was working in Germany between 1994 and 1999) or on eBay – but I’m still looking. This is the last retail packaging (ie, non-promotional) for the range – call it type 3 if you will, and is very similar to Schuco Piccolo packaging. There was no leaflet included (too big). (photo internet)


Part Two of my articles on Herpa Juniors will cover more details of the model packaging and a special set made for BMW.


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Solido July 2023

By Maz Woolley

Solido’s July announcement is a little more muted than of late. Just a handful of models in only two scales: 1:18 and 1:43. In all cases these are recolours/re-liveries on existing castings. In all cases Solido have managed to maintain prices at a very competitive level with their 1:18 scale models costing little more than many other mainstream manufacturers 1:43 scale lines, though it should be noted that their models tend to have fewer opening parts than their competitor Norev. Solido’s 1:43 scale models are considerably cheaper than many of their competitors, and like most others have no opening parts. At this time of limited disposable incomes I hope that Solido sales reward their restraint in increasing prices.

In 1:18 in addition to new versions of the A110 Alpine we also see Alfa Romeo Formula One Grand Prix cars from the 2022 season. A Rally version of the Renault 17 , a Porsche track car and a Toyota Supra finish off the offering.

In 1:43 we just see two new colours on previously issued castings of the Alfa Romeo Guilia and the BMW M5.


1:18 Scale Releases


S1801623 – Alpine A110 RALLY #20 F.Delecour Rallye du Var 2021

S1801624 – Alpine A110 RALLY #28 P.Delecour Rally du Var 2021

S1801616 – Alpine A110 Gendarmerie

S1810201 – Alfa Romeo C42 – V. Bottas – Emilia Romagna GP 2022

S1810202 – Alfa Romeo C42 – G. Zhou – Canada GP 2022

S1809002 – Toyota GR Supra White 2023

S1803706 – Renault 17 – Pouchelon/Dorangeon – Abidjan Nice Rally 1976

S1807204 – Porsche 935 K3 #6 B.Wollek/H.Pescarolo – 1981 Suzuka 1000km


1:43 Scale Releases


S4313104 – Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Blue

S4310504 – BMW E39 M5 Red

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OttO Mobile July/August 2023

By Maz Woolley

Otto and GT Spirit are produced for the same French based company in China. Otto tends to specialise in out of production models and GT Spirit on the latest sports and performance cars, though there are exceptions to this. Most of Ottos products are to made to 1:18 scale, though GT Spirit produce 1:18, 1:12 and 1:18 scale models. Both firms make sealed resin products with no opening components of any kind and claim that this allows for a much higher quality finish to be achieved. Both are premium priced products when compared to Solido or Norev metal 1:18/1:12 scale models.

The models shown below are all releases announced by Otto for July/August this year. The images are publicity photographs or computer generated mock ups of pre-production models and may differ slightly from the models eventually released later this year.

The most exciting choice for UK Collectors is likely to be the first version from Otto of the MG 160ZR . This was one of the cars still in production the day that the Rover Group Longbridge factory closed and is bound to be a popular model here in the UK especially as the steering appears to be right hand drive and these early 2000s Rover Group cars have been scarcely modelled in any scale. There is a 1:43 scale white metal Kit of the ZR from K&R Replicas but this is not easy to produce to a good standard. The ZR160 was a 1.8 with nearly 160bhp and a top speed of over 130 mph. It was a heavily tweaked and tuned car based on the tamer Rover 25. I expect that a racing green version will follow in due course as that was a popular choice on the real car.


Otto Mobile


OT1003 Toyota Yaris GR Red 2021

OT1006 BMW E46 M3 Convertible Grey 2004

OT1020 BMW E61 M5 Touring Black 2004

OT1021 VW Jetta MK2 Black 1987

OT409 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IV White Rally Catalunya 1997

OT413 VW Golf VIII R Lapiz Blue

OT416 MG 160ZR Blue 2001

OT423 VW Tiguan R Blue 2021
OT430 Renault Espace 3 Green 2001

OT431 Skoda Octavia WRC White Rallye Monte Carlo 2003

OT890 Honda Civic Type R GT FK8 Spec Red 2020

OT998 Renault 4L JP4 Red 1987

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AutoCult – May 2023

By Maz Woolley

AutoCult is a German firm founded in 2015. The ‘mission’ was to create models of long forgotten automobiles which stand out because of their engineering, styling or just their place in history. With their annual book AutoCult show their models and document their place in history. The models are moulded in resin in China in limited production runs and are made by traditional creation of a master rather than using CAD and automated mould creation. The range has a number of themes like ‘streamliners’, ‘delivery vehicles etc. Models are sold by dealers and museum shops.

AutoCult also wholesale two further lines Avenue 43 and Tractorism. These do not feature in the annual book but offer some interesting models again made in resin in small batches.

All the models shown in this article are pre-production models photographed by AutoCult and are made to 1:43 scale.


AutoCult

There are three new AutoCult models expected in May. From the category ‘Brands of the Past’ is a Minerva AL Three Position Cabriolet Van den Plas. In the popular ‘Streamliner’ category there is the BMW S1. And in the rather more everyday ‘Delivery Vehicle’ category there is the Kohlruss T1 Samba ‘Der kleine Mozart’.


#02030 Minerva AL Three Position Cabriolet Van den Plas (Belgium, 1930)

Minerva started making bicycles in 1897 with the new style of ‘safety cycle’, moved through motor assisted bicycles before making cars from the start of the Twentieth Century. A triple victory in the ‘Ardennes Race’ established their name and they were soon positioning themselves as makers of high quality vehicles and dropped making bicycles and motorbikes.

Although they initially used a four cylinder engine, a six cylinder arrived in the mid-1920s and it powered the model Type AB aimed at the wealthy. The Type AL continued the growth in size with a V8 engine being fitted when it was launched at the 1929 Paris Motor Show. This 125hp luxury car chassis had a wheelbase of 152 inches. Most of the bodies were made by a Belgian Coachbuilder D’leteren and designated Carosserie de Grand Luxe. The model is actually bodied by another Belgian coachbuilder Van den Plas.

The economic conditions made sales difficult for all car makers, especially those selling luxury products, and demand for a Minerva AL was limited despite its good looks and quality. Minerva received only 50 orders for the model.


#04037 BMW S1 (German Democratic Republic, 1949)

After the end of the Second World War BMW’s Eisenach factory found itself located in the Soviet Zone and from 1949 in the new country of the German People’s Republic (DDR). Under Soviet control the factory was patched up and production of the BMW 328 using spares stockpiled during war production was restarted. In this era when public competition between the two Germanies was intense and the restartig of BMW production was intended to show off the Communist’s prowess at getting industry restarted again.

As a glamour project technicians in Eisenach set about building a racing car for the 2 Litre racing class with a wheel enclosing aerodynamic body. A tubular frame was dressed with aluminium panels to provide a smooth surface. The Designer/Engineer responsible for the car was Georg Hufnagel. After winning a couple of races the car was converted into a road legal two seater and shown at an exhibition in Leipzig in 1950.


#08020 Kohlruss T1 Samba ‘Der kleine Mozart’ (Austria, 1955)

On March 8th 1950 the production of the Kombi version of the Volkswagen Transporter began At the first International Motor Show after the Second World War, which took place in April 1951, Volkswagen introduced the a ‘Sonderausführung‘ (German for “Special Version”) which became popularly known as the ‘Samba‘.

One of those who recognized quite early that these buses offered a first-class travel vehicle for small groups was Hans Kohlruss. With his Volkswagen Steyr, the Austrian had earned a good reputation – especially in his homeland. He offered Samba-style Volkswagen buses which he modified himself with a series of small windows, including two roof windows over the front area. At first glance it was not easy to identify the Austrian offshoots from the German original. A small, rectangular company emblem on both sides behind the front wheels was the only proof of the Viennese specialty. The small factory usually left the original Volkswagen logo at the front but if the customer wanted this to be replaced by a customized one as it is here with ‘little Mozart’.


Avenue 43

The Skoda Trekka appears in two different colours under the Avenue 43 brand (ivory #60096 and blue #60097). In fact the two versions are substantially different as the ivory has a full hard top whilst the blue one has a full length canvas tilt.

The Trekka was made in New Zealand and based on Skoda Octavia underpinnings shipped from Czechoslovakia to New Zealand’s North Island. The chassis was shortened and a new boxier body looking like across between an Land Rover and a Fiat Campagnola was fitted. Production began in 1966. It was all powered by a 1,221cc engine and it had independent suspension and a four speed gearbox all capable of an on road top speed better than a Land Rover. It’s lack of 4 wheel drive and articulated suspension meant that off road performance would not have been at all similar to a Land Rover.

This vehicle was officially supported by Skoda and badged with Skoda badging. There is even one in Skoda’s Museum today. A total of about 3,000 Trekkas were built.


Tractorism

Two variations of the Deutz D16006 are expected in June 2023. #90219 without cabin and #90220 with a cabin).

The D 16006 is an articulated tractor from the Deutz brand from the D-06 series . It was the top model from Deutz at the time. Although the manufacturer assigned the D 16006 to the D-06 series, technically the tractor had very little in common with other tractors of this generation.

Klöckner -Humboldt-Deutz AG ceased production of construction machinery at the end of the 1960s. The main reason for this decision was that many of the other construction machinery manufacturers were important buyers of Deutz engines and they did not want to compete with them. So the idea came up to convert a wheel loader made as construction machinery production into a large tractor with articulated steering. 

The driver’s seat and controls were rotated so that the engine was now in front and this model was primarily intended for the heavy ploughing on very large farms.  Indeed the model presented in 1969 was mainly aimed at the export market but had little market success so production was stopped after a few dozen units had been manufactured. The D 16006 was in the Deutz catalogue until 1975 even if few were sold.


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Recent AutoCult and Avenue 43 Releases

By Maz Woolley

AutoCult are based in Germany and their sealed resin models are made for them in China. Most of their models are made to 1:43 scale, as are all the models shown in this article. AutoCult models generally feature unusual prototypes which spotlight hidden corners of motoring history.

This article looks at the third and fourth releases of models from AutoCult in 2023 and also at a just released Avenue 43 model which is distributed by AutoCult but which does not form part of the AutoCult collection.

AutoCult Release Three

03024 Škoda 736 Buggy Czechoslovakia 1975

In the 1960s and 1970s the Californian fashion for glass fibre buggies, usually fitted to Volkswagen Beetle chassis, was popularised by TV programmes and films. Firms round the world turned to building their own version of the Beach Buggy often suppled as a kit for self assembly, especially in the UK where self-assembly meant a large saving in purchase tax. These were cool cars even if drivers in the UK found that they often got very wet driving them.

In the 1970s, the influence of the ‘cool’ buggy images from the West crossed the Iron Curtain to join western jeans and Beatles LPs as items of desire. At Škoda engineers were allowed to build an experimental buggy and two years later a prototype was created based on the underpinnings of the rear engined 110L. Perhaps this was created with an eye to the western export market which took a large proportion of Škoda exports. The wheelbase was shortened and the floor pan stiffened to compensate for the lack of a roof. Unlike most other buggies the car was made of steel.

Four more models were made by apprentices after the prototype was finished. Today only one remains and it can be seen at the Museum at Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Republic.


05043 Maybach SW38/42 Pullman Limousine, Germany 1940

Maybach is associated in popular memory with large coachbuilt limousines from the inter-war years. Spohn based in Ravensberg bodied many of these cars for the rich and famous. The model from AutoCult replicates a limousine believed to have been created in 1940 on the four litre 38/42 Maybach chassis. The bodywork is heavily curved and accented by chrome strips. The twin spare wheels are buried in the front wings.

The car popped up in advertising in 1958 in the UK with no information about how it came here. It is not known if the car still exists.


12018 Land Rover Mk3 Shorland Armoured Patrol Car, GB 1973

Those who grew up in the UK in the 1970s will be entirely familiar with these armoured Land Rovers from the news coverage of the troubles in Northern Ireland operated by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). Development of these armoured Land Rovers preceded the troubles by some years with the first prototype running in 1961. In 1966 as the troubles started the RUC ordered ten of these vehicles.

Over time the vehicle was updated with a bigger engine and thicker armour plate. The Mark 3 came in 1971 with many optional features such as heavily armoured fronts to allow them to be used for ramming and special run flat tyres. Further versions were developed with the Mark 4 and 5 gaining new more powerful engines.

The AutoCult model is in a version used in the Netherlands by their National Police Corps for riot control.

AutoCult Release Four

01019 Amilcar CGS 3 Skiff, France 1925

Amilcar were quite well known in the early inter-war period. The were founded in 1921 to build small cars called Voiturettes which were lightweight two seaters with engines under 1100cc . This meant that they benefited by qualifying for a low level of tax.

By 1924 the Amilcar CGS (Chassis Grand Sport) had a 1.074cc engine and unusually for the period four wheel braking. The model represents a CGS chassis bodied by coachbuilders La Phoceenne from Marseille. They clothed the car in a mahogany skiff style body with an aluminium bonnet. All rather reminiscent of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film car of the 1960s.


07027 Triumph GT6 C-BFMS Landracer GB/USA 1971/2020

Keith Copeland‘s world record car was based on a 1971 Triumph GT 6 Mark 3. But this was entirely modified to make the speed record attempt in 2012.

The roofline was lowered by 5 inches and an entirely new bonnet was fabricated curving down almost to the ground. The front wheels were enclosed to reduce wind resistance and the wheelbase was extended from 2 meters to over 3 meters.

To attempt a new speed record Keith Copeland replaced the Triumph 6-cylinder engine with a 5.9-litre engine, a Brodix small-block rebuilt Chevrolet engine. For the engine tuning, he relied on the capabilities of the company Moran-Motorsports. They achieved 2,200 HP by fitting a twin turbocharger, methanol injection, and a cooling system charged with ice water. Unlike the original Triumph the engine drove the front wheels.

In 2010 and October 2012, Keith Copeland pushed his red-painted world record hunter onto the salt lake in Bonneville. In 2012 he reached 380 mph on his record attempt. The average value for his return run was 364.051 Mph which was enough to give him the new world record.


10010 Krauss Maffei KML 110 Germany 1959

During the post-war era Krauss Maffei built bus chassis in Munich and the bodies were made by Josef Rathgeber which was a sucessful coach builder for the railways also based in Munich. The bus division of Krauss Maffei AG grew strongly in the 1950s with a steady refinement of their offering with innovative technical solutions. A big step in this direction took place from 1952 with the introduction of the KML 90. The three letters stood for Krauss Maffei Lightbus. This bus marked a collaboration with Nordwestdeutsche Fahrzeugbau GmbH (NWF) based in Wilhelmshaven.

This was the companies first unitary bodied bus and allowed a rounded look with enclosed rear wheels and a striking front end. The low drag ratio of 0.4 was a considerable achievement at this time. The KML 110 took the large window area further than the KML 90 and had large transparent inserts both along the side and over the front of the bus.

Unibody buses and coaches were also developed by Krupp with its Setra range and Mercedes-Benz with their O series both of which sold in greater numbers whilst Krauss Maffei bus and coach products seem to have been absorbed by MAN.


Avenue 43 April

60092 BMW 2800 GTS Frua (green) and 60093 BMW 2800 GTS Frua (red)

The BMW 2800 GTS Frua was built by the Italian Design Firm of Pietro Frua . It was based on the BMW E9 platform, ad in particular a BMW 2800CS . The engine, chassis and transmission were standard but the bodywork was bespoke. BMW trialled the car but did not wish to put it into production and so Frua disposed of it to an new owner based in Spain where the green prototype was repainted in a deep red.

BMW Classic rediscovered the car and the restoration took from 2017 to 2019. After the restoration it was exhibited at the 2021 lla d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza.


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GLM/Stamp 2023

By Maz Woolley

Great Lighting Models (GLM) was created in 2012 and a couple of years ago it added a brand called Stamp Models to its output. These models are designed and made in China and are sealed resin models with printing and photoetch components. They produce 1:18 scale and 1:43 scale models with many models containing more than 100 parts. They claim that each model maker can only complete two models a day which gives us an idea why prices of models made in China are significantly increasing if that is standard across the resin model industry.

All the models shown below are to 1:43 scale. Most of these models are due in July 2023 but some are announced without a firm date.


GLM 200204 DarwinPRO MTC Design Black Sails M235i Jagermeister New 2023

DarwinPro is a producer of body kits for sporting cars which upgrade the car to a wide bodied aerodynamic shape. These kits as distributed in the US and Europe and are made of carbon fibre and other light materials. Here the BMW M235i is modelled fitted with a DarwinPro kit and painted in the famous livery of the German drinks company Jagermeister carried by so many famous racing BMWs.


GLM STM59011 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham White Pininfarina 1959 July 2023
GLM STM59012 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Dark Maroon Metallic 1959 Pininfarina July 2023
GLM STM59013 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Black Pininfarina 1959 July 2023

For 1959 the Series 62 De Villes and two-door Eldorados though they all, including the four-door Eldorado Brougham shared the same 130 in wheelbase.  All Eldorados were characterized by a three-deck, jewelled, rear grille insert that replicated the texture of the front grille this would continue until 1966 model year with textures being revised each year. Standard equipment included power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission, back-up lamps, windshield wipers, two-speed wipers, wheel discs, outside rear view mirror, vanity mirror, oil filter, power windows, six way power seats, heater, fog lamps, remote control deck lid, radio and antenna with rear speaker, power vent windows, air suspension, electric door locks and license frames. The Eldorado Brougham also came with air conditioning, automatic headlight dimmer, and cruise control as standard.

One of the rarest ‘production’ Cadillacs of the 1950s is the 1959 Eldorado Brougham hand-built luxury sedan produced by the Italian coachbuilder Pinin Farina, distinguished by long, low lines and more sculpted tailfins, and one of the largest windshields ever used on an automobile. Just ninety-nine were produced, and few have survived. Inside it was upholstered in Italian striped cloth fabric. One curious feature of this rare car is that the rear quarter windows slide back out of the way when a rear door is opened.


GLM STM66001 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible Cobalt Firemist 1966 Open Roof July 2023
GLM STM66002 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible Cobalt Firemist 1966 Closed Roof July 2023
GLM STM66003 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible Ember Firemist 1966 Open Roof July 2023
GLM STM66004 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible Ember Firemist 1966 Close Roof July 2023
GLM STM66005 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible Inverness Green 1966 Open Roof July 2023

The seventh generation Eldorado is to my eyes one of the most balanced design of Cadillac models ever. Gone was all the fins and fussiness replaced by a straight through line with neatly detailed and sculpted sides. The stacked headlights and the wavy grille was very much of the moment, as was the full height vertical rear lighting units. It was all quite understated compared to what came before.

The car retained the 129.5 inch wheelbase used on the previous generation and the seven litre engine was also carried over. Front and rear seat belts were fitted as standard for the first time.

The 1966 model had a few detailing changes from the 1965 model year and the car also gained variable ratio power steering and optional heated seats.

GLM STM78004 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Red 1978 New 2023
GLM STM78005 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Custom Biarritz 1978 New 2023

The ninth generation Eldorado produced in 1971 was longer and bulkier than its predecessor. It inherited the previously fitted exclusive 8.2 Litre engine. To my eye it was a fussy design nowhere near as attractive as the 1966 car above.

Door glass remained frameless, and the hardtop rear quarter windows were deleted, replaced by an ‘opera window’ in the widened ‘C’ pillar. The rear window was slot like offering a compromised rear view in conjunction with the large C pillars. A stand-up wreath shaped crest hood ornament was new for this model.

Inside, there was a new curved instrument panel and redesigned seats. A fibre-optic ‘lamp monitor’ system, was introduced too. The car modelled is as it was after the minor facelift in 1975.

The longer wheelbase than the sixth generation reduced performance relative to contemporary premium personal luxury cars, but the Eldorado offered comfortable seating for six adults rather than just four.


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