Category Archives: Duesenberg

Matrix and Cult August/September

By Maz Woolley

Cult and Matrix are both brands of the Netherlands based I-Dbv who are producers of models under several brands, and who distribute others such as Goldvarg in Europe. Cult and Matrix models are both sealed resin with photoetch and other detailing. The former to 1:18 scale and the later to 1:43 made in China for the Netherlands. The announcements featured below are for models to appear in August and September and show that there is now a good supply of products coming out of China as they seem to have generally been able to start work up quite quickly after their national lockdown was lifted.

Matrix

The surprise to me in the latest announcements is the new Race Collection which is a new area for Matrix to explore. The models are prefixed MXR and like the road cars they are models of very specific vehicles. As usual the road vehicles are very upmarket specials for the most part, though the ‘stretched’ mini is a mundane beast amongst the luxury cars and with a 1275 engine at best probably not that much fun to drive!

In some cases pre-production shots are not available and pictures of real cars are supplied. These are not included here though they may be seen on the Matrix Website.

August


MX50304-031 Citroen CX Safari BBC TV 1982
MX51607-041 Porsche 356 Zagato Carrera Coupe silver
MX51607-042 Porsche 356 Zagato Carrera Coupe white
MXR40906-021 Invicta 4.5-litre S-Type Low Chassis Winner Monte Carlo Rally 1931 #128 Driver : Donald Healey
MXR40906-022 Invicta 4,5 litres S-Type Second Rallye Monte Carlo Healey #115 1932

No pre-production image available

MX30110-031 Mini Cooper Limousine white / red 1990
MX30110-032 Mini Cooper Limousine white / blue 1990

No pre-production image available.

MX40603-051 Ford GT40 MkIII blue 1967
MX40603-052 Ford GT40 MkIII red 1967
MX50604-141 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Superfast Speciale Coupe 1956

September

MX40406-081 Duesenberg J-519 -2548 Cabriolet D Ieteren open blue 1935
MX40406-082 Duesenberg J-519 -2548 Cabriolet D Ieteren closed blue 1935
MXR50101-021 Shelby Cobra Daytona Type 65 1965
MX50108-141 Aston Martin DB2/4 Vignale HRH King Baudouin blue / silver 1954
MX50108-142 Aston Martin DB2/4 Vignale HRH King Baudouin black / copper 1954
MX50301-161 Cadillac V16 Series 90 Fleetwood coupe 1937,black

No pre-production photograph available

MX50301-162 Cadillac V16 Series 90 Fleetwood coupe 1937,green

No pre-production photograph available

MX50403-011 DeSoto Adventurer 1 Ghia white 1953
MX50403-012 DeSoto Adventurer 1 Ghia silver 1953
MXR41311-021 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage 1000 km Nurburgring Moss/Gurney #5 first 1960 white

No pre-production photograph available

MXR41311-022 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage Cuban GP Moss #7 first 1960

No pre-production photograph available

MXR41311-023 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage Sebring 12 Hours Moss/Gurney #23 retired 1960

No pre-production photograph available


Cult

The 1:18 scale Cult models below are all due to ship in late August. Unlike Matrix, Cult includes more workaday models in their series the Austin 1100 shown below is an example one of these.

CML030-1 Jaguar XK150 -S- OTS Roadster green
CML030-2 Jaguar XK150 -S- OTS Roadster red

No pre-production photograph available

CML080-1 Austin 1100 yellow 1969
CML080-2 Austin 1100 maroon 1969

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Duesenberg SJ Beverly Berline

By Steven Williams

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

This 1933 Duesenberg SJ Beverly Sedan is built for B&G Models by eMc Models in Kjev (Kiev), Ukraine who produce arguably the finest “small batch” 1:43 scale models available. Of the ones I have seen, this Duesy may be the most detailed. I hope you enjoy seeing it.

I saw the 1:1 at the Amelia Island Concourse a few years ago.

The plain side lacks the enormous external exhaust headers. When the 1:1 fires up, it sounds like a race engine, because essentially that is just what it is. Yup! “That’s a Duesy.”

Details and Dials:

The tail lights actually say S T O P in red:

Note the tire markings on the model – unbelievable!

MAR Online featured another B&G Duesy recently: the “Walker–LaGrande” coupe, but I still like this Beverly Sedan! What do you think?


We welcome your comments and questions.   Please go to our Model Auto Review Facebook page or email the Editors at maronlineeditor at gmail.com.

Matrix Announcements September 2019

By Maz Woolley

Matrix models are resin cast in China for the Netherlands with photo etched and other added detailed parts. The models shown in this article are all made to 1:43 scale.

Matrix focus upon modelling specific versions of cars, mainly those produced by body builders rather than standard production models. They cover a wide range of eras so any release may have a vintage car alongside a car from the 1970s. This article looks at models that they have announced which will be released over the next few months, they are all new releases and unfortunately there are no pictures of sample models for some of the items.

Having produced the Jaguar Kensington designed by Ital earlier this year Matrix has now announced the Jaguar XJ12 PF styled by Pininfarina. Collectors of Jaguar models are now able to build an impressive collection of ‘alternative versions’. The Rover P6 Coupé by Graber is another to look forward to, and one wonders why Rover did not make a coupé themselves as it is a very stylish car.

Older cars from Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, and Duesenberg show an impressive attention to detail and we look forward to seeing the first samples of the Talbot-Lago which is a classic elegant French car with swooping wings and faired in wheels.

More utilitarian vehicles feature in the shape of hearses from Mercedes-Benz and Citroën. The Pollman conversion on the Mercedes-Benz was an alternative to the frequently modelled Binz conversions. The Citroën is based upon a Slough built ID estate car and makes a change from all the left hand drive Citroën hearses previously modelled.

MX51302-151 Mercedes-Benz 680S Tourer Sindelfingen #35255 white 1927 open

MX51302-152 Mercedes-Benz 680S Tourer Sindelfingen #35255 white 1927 closed

MX41302-091 Mercedes-Benz 220SE W111 Pollmann Hearse black 1966
MX41302-092 Mercedes-Benz 220SE W111 Pollmann red 1966

No sample shown. Similar to the above.


MX41706-011 Rover P6 Graber Coupe grey metallic 1968

MX40406-061 Duesenberg SJ J-562-2592 Dual Cowl Phaeton La Grande / Union City Body Co. 1935 open

MX40406-062 Duesenberg SJ J-562-2592 Dual Cowl Phaeton La Grande / Union City Body Co.1935 closed

MX41302-201 Mercedes-Benz 630K Sport Cabriolet by Hibbard & Darrin #38182 blue / blue 1927 open
MX41302-202 Mercedes-Benz 630K Sport Cabriolet by Hibbard & Darrin #38182 blue / blue 1927 closed

No sample shown of the closed car. It will be very similar to the open car apart from having a closed hood.


MX40304-011 Citroen ID19 Cortege Slough Factory Hearse black 1962

MX40304-012 Citroen ID19 Cortege Slough Factory Hearse grey 1962

MX51904-041 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet Saoutchik blue 1948 open
MX51904-042 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet Saoutchik blue 1948 closed

Sample images were not supplied for either Talbot-Lago


MX50102-111 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Ghia Convertible white 1947

MX50102-112 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Ghia Convertible white closed 1947

MX51001-071 Jaguar XJ 12-PF Pininfarina silver 1973
MX51001-072 Jaguar XJ 12-PF Pininfarina bronze 1973

No sample shown for the bronze car.


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Matrix Releases August/September 2019

By Maz Woolley

Matrix has announced its intended releases for August and September. These models are to 1:43 scale, cast in resin and with photo-etched detailing. They are made in China for the Netherlands. Again the releases feature rare or unique hand built vehicles. All are new models though some are new versions of existing mouldings.

In a few cases pictures of the real vehicle supplied by Matrix have been used to illustrate the nature of the model to come.



MX40604-051 Ferrari 500 Superfast Speziale 1965

This model is of the car owned by HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. It was painted a metallic green colour, Verde PInto, because green was the Prince’s favourite colour. Inside it was fitted with extensive beige leather trim.

Only 37 Ferrari Superfast cars were built and Prince Berhard’s was unique amongst these in being fitted with a 4.0 litre engine at the Prince’s request rather than the usual 5.0 litre unit. The bodywork was designed by Pininfarina.

I understand that the car is currently to be seen in the Louwman Museum which is in Den Hague in the Netherlands.

MX40604-052 Ferrari 500 Superfast metallic blue 1965

Using the same moulding a metallic blue car will also be released.


MX41001-131 Jaguar SS100 2,5-Litre Roadster Van den Plas black and red 1939

The car that this model is based upon sold for 1.4 million US Dollars in 2016. Based upon a Jaguar SS100 chassis it carries a body made by Carrosserie Van den Plas of Belgium, not the company of a similar name in England. Van den Plas were a leading Belgian Coachbuilder in the 1930s.

The bodywork was in a style pioneered by French coachbuilders, Figoni and Falashi in particular, with all the edges curved and wings and running boards in exaggerated rounded sweeping shapes.

Interestingly this 1939 chassis was exported to Belgium in 1939 but stored during the war years and the body was built when Van den Plas restarted business after the war using the only chassis they had to hand. It was shown at the Brussels show in 1948. At the time it was proposed that Jaguar‘s would be built for Europe in Van den Plas‘ Belgian factory.

This car was subsequently shipped to the US where it was restored in 1991 and where it is today. It has been seen at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

MX41001-132 Jaguar SS100 2,5-Litre Roadster Vanden Plas white 1939

The same model painted white which presumably Matrix has identified that it has been at some point in its life.


MX40108-071 Aston Martin DB3S FHC metallic green 1956

The Aston Martin DB3S was a sports racing car to replace the unsuccessful heavy DB3. Only two works Aston Martin DB3S fixed head coupés were built in an attempt to improve aerodynamics over the open cars. Sadly they were unstable at speed and both crashed in the 1954 Le Mans race later being re-bodied as open cars.

Later three customer road cars were built as fixed head coupes as modelled by Matrix.

MX40108-072 Aston Martin DB3S FHC metallic black 1956

Using the same moulding a version of the car in black will be available from Matrix and its dealers.


MX50108-111 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage DHC green 1952 open

This car was sold for over 250,000 UK Pounds in 2012. It will certainly looks different to the DB2 models we usually see with factory bodies. This car was one of three built on a DB2 chassis by the Swiss bodybuilder Graber. After years out of sight it was bought in ‘barnfind’ condition. It was eventually completely renovated in the 1990s and then upgraded in 2011.

MX50108-112 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage DHC green 1952 closed

The same car modelled with its hood up.


MX41302-181 Mercedes-Benz 680S W06 Torpedo Roadster Saoutchik #35949 grey 1928 open

This car sold for in the US in 2013 for over eight million dollars. It is one of only three short windscreen models made, and the only one known to survive. The body was made by Carrosserie J. Saoutchik of Paris in 1928 although the original order was never collected by Charles Levine of Columbia Aircraft Company and the car was then sold to a director of the Standard Oil Company.

The car was totally re-built in 2010 and was 2012 Pebble Beach best of show winner.

MX41302-182 Mercedes-Benz 680S W06 Torpedo Roadster Saoutchik #35949 grey 1928 closed

The same car as above but with its hood up.


MX51705-091 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Shooting Brake #67XJ green 1930

A relative bargain when sold in the US in 2015 for just under 182,000 US Dollars. The Phantom II was introduced in 1929 and had a 7.9 litre six cylinder engine and servo assisted brakes on all four wheels. It used a lower chassis and looked sleeker than previous Rolls-Royce models.

This car was originally fitted with a Weymann fabric body as a saloon car. However the body proved to be less satisfactory than the engine and chassis so it was re-bodied as a Shooting Brake. In 1962 the Scottish car collector and sportsman, a descendant of King James V of Scotland, the Earl of Moray purchased it for his collection where it stayed until Charles Bickley of Florida acquired the car. It was then shipped to the United States where it was restored and repainted in its current dark green finish. It then joined other notable cars in his Woodie World museum.


MXR51001-021 RACE VERSION Jaguar XJ-S Coupe Group 44 Bob Tullius 1978

Bob Tullius won the 1978 Trans-Am Driver’s Championship giving Jaguar the Manufacturers Championship. It was sold in 2013 in the US for about 150,000 US Dollars. It’s five litre V12 Jaguar engine produced an estimated 500 bhp .

Jaguar US were aware of the muted response to the XJS as a replacement for the E Type Jaguar and supplied a stock XJS to the Group 44 racing team in 1977 which they modified and Bob Tulius won the Driver’s Championship. For 1978 it was decided that the car had to be even better to compete at the highest level so an acid dipped body shell was sent from the Jaguar factory in the UK and the car was hand built using lightweight components and a heavily tuned Jaguar V12 engine.

When last sold the car had been left cosmetically untouched since its outing at Daytona in late 1978.


MX41302-151 Mercedes-Benz 500K DHC by Corsica red 1935 open

Corsica were an English firm of coachbuilders despite their Italian sounding name. Their works were in King’s Cross in London from 1920 onwards. The early 1930’s were highlights in the firm’s history with a stunning Daimler Double Six roadster and lots of bodies on the Bugatti 57 and 57C chassis. One of the Bugattis was even made for Sir Malcolm Campbell. Sadly the death of the companies founders in the Second World War meant that Corsica was closed never to re-open.

Here is one of the few cars that they built on a Mercedes-Benz chassis. It was purchased new in 1935 by Sir Max Aitken, a newspaper proprietor, before being sold on to the German Ambassador to Great Britain by 1938. In 1939 it was shipped to the US where it has been restored several times over the years. and even exhibited in the late 1990s at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum, in Auburn, Indiana.

MX41302-152 Mercedes-Benz 500K DHC by Corsica red 1935 closed

This is a model of the same car with its hood raised.


MX41804-071 Stutz DV32 Super Bearcat green 1932 open

Sold in 2011 for over half a million US Dollars this car was created in the early 1930s a time of intense competition amongst US car makers to make the best cars. Less than ten of the Super Bearcat are thought to have been produced and the car was a swansong for Stutz as by 1936 the company was closed, indeed no more cars seem to have been assembled from about 1934 and the cars sold later seem to have been sold from stock.

In May 1931, the new DV-32 engine (DV for “Dual Valve,” “32” for “four valves per cylinder”) updated the old Vertical Eight and power output increased by 40 percent to about 150 bhp. Performance and efficiency which was only bettered by the Duesenberg Model J. This engine powered the new Bearcat, a name associated with Stutz from its early days. The Super Bearcat was fitted with an ultra-light Weymann fabric bodywork and a short 116-inch wheelbase and had a tight convertible top, roll-up windows and an advanced integral luggage trunk.

This car has been in several well known US car collections over the years, the Harrah collection for example.

MX41804-072 Stutz DV32 Super Bearcat green 1932 closed

This is a model of the same car with its hood raised.


MX50406-031 Duesenberg J SWB French True Speedster by Figoni #J-465-2509 black / red 1931

Figoni built three bodies for Duesenberg chassis. The car modelled represents one which was built as a true speedster with no side windows. The cars designer was Gordon Buerig also famous for Cord and Auburn designs in subsequent years.

This car took part in the Nice to Paris rally and shown in the 1932 Cannes Concours D’Elegance.

MX50406-032 Duesenberg J SWB French True Speedster by Figoni #J-465-2509 black / blue 1931

The same car as above but in a different colour scheme.


MX50108-011 Aston Martin DB2-4 Allemano Coupe #LML/761 maroon 1953

This chassis fitted with a DB3 engine was bought by Mr J. O’Hara and shipped to the Italian coachbuilders Carrozzeria Allemano based in Turin in Italy. It was fitted with a unique Berlinetta body designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi .

The car was shipped to the US in the late 1970s after which it was restored and shown at Pebble Beach and placed on display at the Blackhawk Collection, Danville, California.



MX11302-192 Crayford Mercedes-Benz W116 450SE Estate red 1977

This is a new version of a previously used moulding. An estate car conversion carried out by the UK bodybuilder Crayford on the Mercedes W116 Saloon.


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A Special 1934 Duesenberg, A New Model from B&G

By Mikhail Bashmashnikov

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

This 1:43 model is from B & G / Historic Line, created with EMC, and is numbered HL-11: the 1934 Duesenberg J Coupe # 2569/J – 554, with coachwork by A. H. Walker – LaGrande, Indianapolis.

The B&G model was introduced at the Antique Toy show, Allentown, PA, in November, 2018, and at the 36th Annual East Coast Toy Soldier Show, Hackensack, NJ, the same month. B&G also previewed this project at the 55th Annual Festival, Macungie, PA, and at Monterey AutoWeek / Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, CA, last August.

The one of a kind Duesenberg J Coupe was ordered on May 19, 1934, directly from the Duesenberg company. The customer was J. K. (Josiah Kirby) Lilly, Jr., one of the owners of the largest pharmaceutical company in the world and grandson of the founder of Eli Lilly & Company (founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, Indiana).  The Colonel was also a famous collector and philanthropist as well.

J. Herbert Newport, the chief designer at the factory then, designed the unique streamlined body, a very advanced design for that time. The manufacture of this unique body on a short chassis was completed at A. H. Walker Body Company in Indianapolis. They had taken over the facility in 1931 after Weymann American Body Company closed its doors. Walker built only 6 bodies on the Duesenberg chassis. Enthusiasts call them “Walker-LaGrande” because LaGrande was the fictional name invented by Duesenberg leadership for their coachbuilder.

As a result, the 3-ton car was ready for J. K. Lilly, Jr. on his birthday on September 25th,  1934, with a final record price of US$25,000 including the most expensive bodywork – $6,750 – ever installed on a Duesenberg chassis.

The car was painted a dark blue color, with a leather-covered roof in the same color. In addition to the body, another $1.000 was spent separately on an exclusive radiator grill. The grill was assembled from separate plates that has been made individually. It cost $500, plus another $500 for chrome plating !!!

The car was very extravagant and unusual. As a result perhaps, less than a year later, Lilly sold it for much lower price.

The current owner, the sixth owner, of this Duesenberg is Jay Leno, who bought it in April 1993. The car underwent a complete restoration in a specialized workshop in south Los Angeles and now holds a central place in the Duesenberg collection in “Jay Leno’s Garage”! The US magazine, Autoweek, had a great article about jay and this car back in July, 2018.


For future owners of these models, please pay attention to the radiator grill. After many trials and errors, this 1:43 radiator has been made with many, detailed separate pieces, each with etched details.

During the production process, those pieces were soldered together, nickel-plated, polished, and installed in each car. Thus, there was almost an exact copy of the process in 1:43 as there was in 1:1!

Numbers from 1-20 are a VIP Edition, with production limited to 200 pieces, Orders and more details are available at msbash@gmail.com.


Esval September 2018 Release Announcement

By Maz Woolley

All text by, and copyright of the Author. All images provided by the Manufacturer.

Esval models have been often been the subject of discussion on bulletin boards. They have announced many models of interest to collectors that have either taken a long time to appear or which have not yet been produced. Recently they sent out publicity material announcing twelve models to be released between November 2018 and  Spring 2019.  Sadly none of these are the 1938 Humber Snipe or 1958 Packard hard top coupe previously announced as future subjects and which also no longer appear as future releases on the web site or in the 2018 brochure.

Esval models are resin cast in China for the US to either 1:18 or 1:43 scale.

1:18 Scale Models

1937 Duesenberg SJ Towncar

This model is due for release in November 2018. It comes in four different configurations. This is the first 1:!8 scale model from Esval and if of the 1937 Duesenberg SJ Towncar by Rollson, which is known as the last Duesenberg ever made. This car was modelled by Esval a couple of years ago in 1:43 scale.

 

The cars first owner was a wealthy German avant-garde painter, Rudolf Bauer who had it built even though Duesenberg had already gone out of business. It was intended to be the longest and most distinctive Duesenberg ever built. The body was constructed by Rollson, an American coachbuilder that specialised in town cars or town cabriolets. The car was delivered to the owner in 1940.

1:43 Scale Models

1950 Mercury Leo Lyons Coupe

This is due to be released in November 2018.

A custom car based upon the 1950 Mercury and built by a  20-year old called Leo Lyons. Drawing on the help of established custome builders in California like Ed Iskenderian and George and Sam Barris. Chassis and body panels were bought from Ford and “California Metal Shaping” custom designed and built the doors, hood, and top.  This car is regarded as the most radical custom version of the 1949-51 Mercury .

It was originally intended to make ten cars but in the end only the prototype was built. The model is based on the post-restoration version of this car.

2010 Porsche Cayenne 2 door Coupé by Merdad

Another release planned for November and a modern vehicle. The  2010 Porsche Cayenne 2 door coupé by Merdad. Merdad are a UK based coachbuilder who creates very expensive upgraded versions of Land Rover Evoques and Porsche Cayennes. It is not just a question of more powerful engines but they also fit strengthening frames as well as finishing the car in very high quality materials.

Only three of the 2010 versions were produced each slightly different and Esval has made two of them.

 

1920-21 Pierce Arrow Model 32 7-Seat Limousine

One of the models due in Spring 2019 is this 1920-21 Pierce Arrow Model 32 7-seat limousine. This was the largest car offered by Pierce Arrow at the start of the 1920s. Pierce Arrow was based in Buffalo, New York and is best known for its expensive luxury cars which did not survive the later depression.

The bodies for the Model 32 were designed by Leon Rubay, a freelance who also designed models for Marmon and Duesenbergs. In 1920, Pierce-Arrow launched the Model 32, which would form the basis of the company’s entire model lineup. This new chassis would be the only chassis available but would be available with 10 different factory body styles. 2,239 examples of the Model 32 were made before upgrades were made and the Model 33 was launched.

1951 GMC Series 100 5-Window pickup

November 2018 is the expected release date Our surprise new release this fall is one of the most legendary American pickup truck designs, 1951 GMC Series 100 5-window pickup.

The 1950s were the era when the classic American pickup became part of everyday US life and laid the grounds of the ‘lifestyle’ pickup of today. The Chevrolet and GMC’s so-called “Advance-Design” trucks led the way with production starting in 1947. These were entirely restyled and introduced new levels of comfort, convenience, and up to date looks. The new cab was wider, and offered more head and legroom. The model is based on a post-restoration vehicle.

 

1934-41 Adler Trumpf Junior 2 door Sedan

Spring 2019 should see the release of this model. A car for the masses was a German obsession throughout the pre-war period culminating in the KDF-Wagen. The 1934-41 Adler Trumpf Junior 2 door sedan was an early precursor which offered middle class families a practical and reasonably priced car.

Made in Frankfurt by Adler (Adlerwerke vorm. H. Kleyer AG), from early in 1934 the small two-door “Limousine” modelled here had a recommended price of 2,750 Marks. This model went on to be the company’s best selling car with over 100,000 being built before production ceased in 1941 during the Second World War.

 

1971 Trident Venturer Sport Coupe

The arrival of freely available equipment for building tubular frames and making fibreglass bodies spawned a collection of speciality car manufacturers in the UK in the 1970s. Some like TVR and Marcos are still remembered well, others have been lost in the past. Here Esval show a 1971 Trident Venturer sport coupe which they intend to release in Spring 2019.

Trident Cars Ltd. built cars from 1966 until 1977 in Woodbridge and then Ipswich. The first car was the Clipper convertible with a body styled by Englishman Trevor Frost. This was based on a TVR prototype TVR. The Clipper Coupe was built on a TVR Grantura Mark III chassis, but this was later switched to an Austin-Healey 3000 chassis. The Trident Venturer was launched in 1969 as a cheaper alternative to the Clipper using a similar body fitted to a Triumph TR6 chassis powered with a Ford 3-litre V6. Sadly the late 1970s was beset with financial crisis and Trident closed in 1974. An attempt to revive the company in 1976 but the company finally closed in 1977.  This car is now rare as only 84 Trident Venturers were built.

 

1949-50 Delahaye 135M Coupé by Guilloré

Another model due to be released in November. This is a stylish 1950s design from the French car maker Delahaye. This is a 1949-50 Delahaye 135M coupé by Guilloré.

Delahaye was one of the firms whose Grand Turismo cars were famous and fashionable in the inter-war period. The firm was a pioneer of the French motor industry opening its first workshop in 1896. Delahayes won a reputation for high quality engineering and after the success of the Delahaye 135 in the “Coupe des Alpes” in 1935 they focused on sportier cars. After the Second World War Delahaye revived production of the 135M and eight of this model were made from 1949-50 and only five now survive. The car has right-hand drive like many high quality French and Italian cars of the period. Delahaye’s 135 rapidly dated as the new generation of cheaper, faster and cheaper factory produced sports cars like the Jaguar XK120 emerged. Esval Models intends to make two versions of this car in dark blue and in off-white, each car has distinctive design.

 

1961 Cisitalia DF85 Coupe

Due for release by Esval this November. Italy had many small producers and styling houses in the 1950s. The 1961 Cisitalia DF85 Coupe, is a product of that era. Consorzio Industriale Sportiva Italia was established by Piero Dusio in 1939 and made a variety of sporting goods. After the Second World War Dusio built a number of Fiat-powered racing cars using the extended acronym Cisitalia and started making passenger cars in 1947. By 1949 Cisitalia was bankrupt by 1949 and Dusio moved to Argentina. In 1960, Dusio attempted to resurrect the Cisitalia brand. The 1961 Cisitalia DF85 Coupé was a car of the revived company and based on the Fiat 1500S.

The body was crafted by Carrozzeria Fratelli Fissore of Savigliano, one of the biggest names in the coachbuilding business after the Second World War. Like many of these small concerns records of their output are rare. It is estimated that fifteen to thirty of these cars were produced.


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Matrix Models Announced to May 2018

By Maz Woolley

All photographs are of prototypes supplied by Matrix

Matrix have now announced a whole group of new models shipping over the next few months. Most of these are also new mouldings being seen for the first time in their range. As ever luxury coach built vehicles are to the fore.  Some models do not yet have a prototype ready to be shown but most do and these are shown below.

A re-colour of an existing model is expected in March

MX10108-053 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake by Harold Radford 1964 Silver

 

All the remaining vehicles listed are wholly new models.

No prototype picture available

MXLM03-1608 Pegaso Z-102 BS 2.5 Cupola Coupe yellow 1953 LOUWMAN MUSEUM COLLECTION Expected April

 

MX41002-091 Jensen Interceptor Series II FF 1970 silver Expected April

 

MX41302-111 Mercedes-Benz 770 Cabriolet D (W07) Hermann Göring 1937 Blue Expected April

 

MX41302-121 Mercedes-Benz 770 Cabriolet D 1938 black Expected April

 

MX50806-041 Hispano-Suiza H6B Park Ward Coupe #11608 1927 green Expected April

 

MXLM03-1705 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith LWB Special Saloon Vignale 1954 silver LOUWMAN MUSEUM COLLECTION Expected April

 

MX41302-131 Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Stromlinienwagen Tan Tjoan Keng 1935 white Expected May

 

No prototype picture available

MX41607-071 Porsche 356 America Roadster 1952 green Expected May

 

MX50307-021 Cord L-29 Speedster by LaGrande 1931 maroon and cream Expected May

 

No prototype picture available

MX50406-021 Duesenberg JN 559-2587 Rollston 1935 brown
Expected May

 

MX51601-011 Packard Super 8 Sport Sedan by Darrin 1940 green Expected May

 

MX51705-081 Rolls-Royce Phantom Tourer by Barker #820R 1929 yellow and aluminium Expected May

 

MX51705-251 Rolls-Royce Freestone & Webb Silver Wraith Limousine #FLW26 1957 maroon and black Expected May

 

MX52108-021 Voisin C28 Aerosport silver 1935 Expected May

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