skins and dash, and flocking for e forward boot is more A realistic pullout tray in the cargo area reveals authentic mechanical details beneath. the carpet. Nominally a 2+2, in interesting than your usual cargo reality the rear seats are little more bay, thanks to a removable carpeted than an upholstered cargo shelf, insert tray, under which resides the infringed upon as they are by a fuel tank, battery, and huge carpeted hump to clear the a mini-donut spare transmission. e instrument panel tire, plus a variety of is very sharp: flat-black surfaces, well-crafted instruction with crisp molding and bright paint labels and warning and decal highlights for the radio, decals. Moving aft, climate controls, and gauges. e we flick up the stubby big scale helps there too, and this engine cover. Despite model makes the most of it. e its size, the panel is sun visors pivot, and even the heavy—heavy enough mirror surfaces are convincing. to sag under its own About the only disappointment is weight and prevent it from the pedal set; it is a little chintzy. It staying open unsupported. should be noted that the Carrera Inconvenient Newtonian Laws aside, Engine detail is excellent by virtue of multipiece 3D molding and realistic textures I really like this engine presentation— and linen blazers with the sleeves and colors. and we’re only half done, because rolled up, this icon of the Yuppie as with so many Porsches, much of decade is actually cool. It has aged the engine is accessed from below! beautifully and still looks classy and In this case, the view from below quick today. Premium ClassiXXs is dominated by the amusingly has done a tasteful job rendering it, circuitous exhaust system routing, and the big 1:12 scale confers both a which seems to circle the engine presence and a tremendous sense area at least twice—from the of value. You’d be hard-pressed to manifolds down and around to the find more car for the money in the squarish catalytic converter housing, diecast space. For these reasons, then rearward to the long horizontal it’s an easy car to recommend, and muffler, where it goes across the the car’s minor flaws—attributable length of the car and back again, to mostly to cost savings—are easily exit the tailpipe pretty much where it started. It’s also worthwhile to forgiven for the money you save. ✇ note the 5-speed transaxle, which protrudes forward from the engine. SOURCE Premium ClassiXXs; distributed by is is the only definitive indication american-excellence.com of the car’s vintage. Presence of comes with both a traditional the engine is a gem. e Cabriolet the Getrag G50 identifies it as a Cabriolet boot cover insert—made is more a boulevardier that a hard- 1987–89 model rather than of the same soft-touch rubbery edged track car, but it has the from an earlier year. plastic as the seats—and a rigid same hardware as all contemporary plastic up-top with a nice taut Carreras—starting with that 3.2L FINAL backlight. Having display options flat 6. e model’s engine is a THOUGHTS is welcome with a replica, but complex, multipiece molding with any owner opting to shroud the lots of texture and multiple realistic e Porsche Carrera’s Cabriolet virtues with the paint hues depicting various types 911 Carrera 3.2 top up should buy the Targa or the of metal, plastic, and rubber. And Cabriolet is Coupe—both of which Premium again the German penchant for quintessentially ClassiXXs has made over the years. labeling everything is in evidence. ’80s. But unlike skinny ties e Porsche comes with a boot e larger scale helps with the presentation on items cover and a full up-top. like the “Carrera” scripts, the engine heat extraction vents, and the taillight lens embossed with “Porsche.” 50 DCXmag.com
OUT OF THE BOX BY MATT BOYD REPLICARZ 1949 BLUE CROWN SPECIAL INDY WINNER 1:18 | $250 T he headline to Bill Holland’s Indy story is one of a narrowly missed opportunity turned into a triumph of consistency and perseverance. It’s a tale that overshadows one of the most impressive rookie debuts in Brickyard history. But it’s also a tale of what could have been—for Holland was never able to repeat that one shining moment of Indy triumph, and he disappeared from the big stage almost as quickly as he had arrived. Holland hailed from Philadelphia and violating team instructions! Notably, it, contrasted nicely with white and mechanical simplicity of FWD was was a fixture in the Sprint Car scene, Holland returned for a fourth trimmed in red. Sponsorship was thought to be an advantage. It also winning the AAA Eastern Division consecutive run for Lou Moore in still in its infancy in 1949, but there lightened the car and lowered its championship in 1941—and would 1950 and amazingly finished second are a couple of sponsor decals on center of gravity by eliminating the have again in 1946 had it not been again! A driver finishing second the sides, along with a red Mobil driveshaft. suspended that year. e dominant or better in four consecutive Indy Oil Pegasus on the nose and the ’46 performance caught the eye of starts is virtually unprecedented, “Blue Crown Spark Plugs” primary Power came from an top Indy team owner (and former never mind a rookie doing it in his banner—all of which are expertly Offenhauser inline 4—with driver) Lou Moore, who tapped the first four! One could reasonably have rendered. 27 victories to its name, it was the Sprint Car veteran to replace Tony assumed such would have been most successful engine design Bettenhausen in one of his Deidt the beginning of a dominant career, ere’s a chrome race header in Indy history. e Blue Crown chassis/Offenhauser-powered but it was not to be. Holland ran running the length of the right Specials used the 270-cubic-inch Blue Crown Specials for the 1947 afoul of the sanctioning body later side, and steering arms on the version with twin Riley side-draft race. e 40-year-old rookie made in 1950 and received a two-year forward section of each side that carbs that produced nearly 400hp. the most of the opportunity. He suspension. He returned to Indy in connects to etched metal brackets stormed to the front from his eighth 1953. It looked as if he might catch attached to the front wheel hubs. e engine detail would normally be starting spot and led 143 of the lightning in a bottle again, qualifying left to the imagination with a resin 200 laps. But Holland, being new to the car on the front row, but in the e rest of the front suspension is model, but not so here—the cowl the team, did not yet have a solid race he never led and finished 15th. a mix of metal and molded parts. opens! Doing that reveals the single communication rapport with his And that would be his final Brickyard If the boxy double H-arm setup most innovative component on pit crew, and he misinterpreted a start. He could not even reach looks unusual, there’s a reason. this replica: the three leather straps cryptic pit-board sign late in the qualifying pace in 1954. Still, a record Sandwiched between them are that tie down the cowl. With most going. inking it was instructing him of four podiums and a win in five driveshafts—the Deidt was front- models, you’d need to unfasten the to slow down to help his teammate career starts stands as one of the wheel drive! In an era when it buckles, which can be difficult and Mauri Rose regain a lap, Holland let most impressive averages in wasn’t uncommon for 75 percent frustrating—and even more so to him by. But Rose was on the lead racing history. of entries to fall out of the race and refasten. But Replicarz has come lap already, and that pass was for crashes were all-too-frequently up with a hidden slide catch system the lead. ey finished in that order, at’s plenty of history to fatal, the added stability and that looks like a normal buckle but with Holland having dominated but serve as inspiration for a model finishing second. e two returned from a company like Replicarz, as teammates in 1948, and they steeped in racing lore as it is. Last again finished 1-2—this time Rose fall, we surveyed a number of leading Holland across the line the company’s exclusive Indy- without controversy. winning offerings in 1:43—including the winning trio of Blue Crown e driver duo returned for a Specials—and now we have a third time in 1949, and this time it look at one in exquisite 1:18. e was a charm for Holland. He started model is crafted primarily of resin, fourth and cruised to a relatively with numerous cast and etched easy victory, leading 146 of the 200 metal parts. e resin material is laps. He was challenged late in the a particular benefit with respect race (and against the objections to the dozens of heat-extracting of the team) by—you guessed louvers that cover the engine cowl it—Mauri Rose, but Rose was and lower flanks. Each is properly unable to complete the pass and he contoured and slotted realistically— subsequently retired with magneto fine detail that would not have been failure. e incident earned Holland a possible with traditional diecast spot on the Borg-Warner Trophy— metal. e finish is first-rate—the and earned Rose a pink slip for blue has a lovely metallic sheen to 52 DCXmag.com
Brickyard Redemption Three Years in the Making can be released simply by sliding Above: e metallic blue paint is present on the model. e fronts limited edition, so it has instant the top section of each buckle to gorgeous, and the resin material were mounted inboard so are not credibility. As you read this, the the right. e cowl then swings allows exceptionally fine molding modeled. 100th running of the Indianapolis open to reveal the 270 Offy. e on the heat-extracting louvers. 500 is just a few weeks away. molding on the engine is slightly FINAL THOUGHTS Excitement for the event will be coarser than the rest of the model, Right: e clever slide-catch higher than it’s been in years, and but aluminum paint plus a full set of buckles allow the cowl to be For collectors, this car hits on everyone will be reflecting back plug wires, fuel lines, coolant hoses, opened, revealing the 270ci all cylinders. From a technical on the history of “ e Greatest and throttle linkage make the Offenhauser engine. Bottom left: standpoint, the FWD Deidt chassis Spectacle in Racing.” What better presentation. Driveshafts pass through the and Offy powerplant are interesting time to add to your Indy car boxy H-arm front suspension, and historically significant. Bill collection the exceptional Replicarz e cockpit is what you would which is comprised of a mix of Holland’s story is compelling, expect of a 67-year-old racecar: and this model depicts the most Blue Crown Special? ✇ an upright leather-trimmed metal and molded parts. important car in his short but bucket seat, the most rudimentary Bottom right: e matte brown memorable Indy career. And the SOURCE of instruments, and not a trace textured plastic makes a convinc- model is a Replicarz exclusive in Replicarz replicarz.com of safety equipment. Replicarz ing substitute for leather. Only molds the surfaces in hard plastic, the bare essential instruments but the paint and texture yield a are installed, and their simulated convincing facsimile of leather glass faces are clearly readable. to anything other than touch. add to the authenticity. ere’s e gauges are legible and have a stubby gear lever on the left simulated glass faces. e etched with linkage tracing forward to the metal steering-wheel spokes front-mounted gearbox. ere’s even a chrome quick-release fuel cap—mounted just behind the driver’s head, of all places! Another testament to the bygone era is the rolling stock: e skinny Firestone Deluxe Champion tires would look at home on a motorcycle. It’s interesting to note the asymmetric tread pattern—the right half of each tire is treaded, while the left half is essentially a slick. ey are mounted on skillfully molded spoke wheels with chrome knockoffs. e Blue Crown Special featured 4-wheel disc brakes designed by aircraft manufacturer Lockheed. Only the rears are visible, but the rotors, calipers, and brake lines are all
out of the box by The DCX Team Maisto 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1:18 | $30 As Chevy’s pony-car contender approaches its golden anniversary, it has reached an interesting crossroads. Not so long ago many enthusiasts feared that they had seen the last of the Camaro. After languishing through the full-size 2016 Camaro, the model A Bargain ’Vette with a late 1990s with an aging design, delivers tremendous value. Backseat and Zero Excuses obsolete technology, and declining Maisto makes its 2016 Camaro sales, GM decided to retire the in SS trim in three colors: Nightfall Corvette. Sporting variable valve One satisfying detail that F-Body in 2002. That left the Gray Metallic, Hyper Blue Metallic, timing and direct fuel injection, it Maisto works into most of its Mustang as the sole survivor of and Red Hot. The finish on all makes 455hp—enough to crack Special Edition cars is functional the pony-car war that had been three is well above pay grade; the off sub-4-second 0–60 sprints springs in the suspension, and raging since the Camaro’s debut metallic cars especially shine with and low 12s in the quarter mile. the Camaro enjoys them as well. in 1967. To add insult to injury, the the sheen of fine metal flake. The As is its custom with models of The 5-spoke wheels are nicely Mustang got a makeover just three metallic cars get matte aluminum modern cars, Maisto depicts the done, and there are detailed brake years later; the resounding success 5-spoke wheels, while the red Camaro’s engine with a deeply rotors and calipers behind them, of the heritage-themed 2005 car gets the same pattern wheels molded plate, highlighted with though they sit a bit deep. Tires Mustang touched off a wave of in semigloss black. The overall some metallic paint. It’s not a are perfectly molded with the retro-modern styling from the Big contour of the 2016 is similar to terribly attractive powerplant, but appropriate stagger to both tread Three. In 2008, Dodge resurrected the fifth-generation car but the the model represents it accurately width and sidewall height. Tread the Challenger, its plus-size pony, two share no panels, so Maisto’s enough. The only knock is the pattern is realistic, too. The chassis but Chevy was still on the sidelines. tooling is all new. Parked side by hinges; Maisto uses dogleg hinges itself has decent detail on the Fans got flashes of hope with a side, the new car is sleeker and to keep costs down, and that limits exhaust system, but otherwise series of concept cars, but it wasn’t more compact. The grille and hood throw. there is little to see. until 2010 when the Bowtie faithful headlight recess—one of the were rewarded with the return of car’s most direct callbacks to The Corvette-sourced LT1 V8 may not look like much, but it’s got a great personality— the Camaro for its fifth generation. the 1967–69 first generation—is and 455hp! Maisto’s relief-molded plate does a decent job with the help of some GM stylists laid the retro lower and more aggressive. At this painted highlights. theme on thick, and a healthy price point, I would expect slightly dose of Corvette DNA gave the thicker panel gaps, but they are Camaro impressive performance even and there is no evidence of despite weighing in at more paint pooling at the edges. Light than two tons. In response, Ford lenses are well sculpted and clear— reworked the Mustang in 2014, as is the glass—but oddly the rear adding a dose of civility and quarter windows have painted sophistication to its benchmark borders that are much too thick. American V8 sports coupe, but Open the tall doors to see Chevy has counterpunched once the snug cabin with its high again with the 2016 Camaro. beltline and low roofline. The The sixth generation’s relatively presentation is made with hard modest exterior changes disguise plastic throughout, but it is crisply thorough reengineering beneath molded and textured, and strategic the skin. Now based on the use of paint simulates the various cutting-edge Alpha platform, materials effectively. The peculiar which it shares with Cadillac’s down-slanted instrument cluster world-class ATS and CTS sedans, is detailed, but you’ll have to the Camaro has trimmed weight contort your body to see it. These and exterior dimensions while cars are equipped with a traditional adding yet more tech from the 6-speed manual transmission flagship Corvette. The result is (an innovative 8-speed auto is an affordable domestic coupe an option), and the three pedals that offers supercar levels of have a metallic finish to them. The performance. It’s a long way from aggressively bolstered sport seats the Camaro’s rudimentary origins are nicely shaped, but with so 49 years ago, but objectively it much dark plastic throughout, it is is by far the best vehicle ever to a challenge to see the detail Maisto carry the Camaro badge. That’s has worked into the interior. reason enough for Maisto to offer The SS-trim Camaro comes one in 1:18 diecast, and like the with the same 6.2L V8 found in the 54 DCXmag.com
On the surface, the sixth- generation Camaro seems little changed, but that hides a completely new platform. No exterior panels were carried over, so Maisto has an entirely new casting for 2016. FINAL THOUGHTS record of the evolution of Chevy’s e Camaro is one of those cars potent pony car. ✇ that never fail to capture the attention of enthusiasts when a SOURCE new model is released. Both for its Maisto heritage and—especially in the case maisto.com of this sixth-generation model— its performance, it generates excitement and rekindles the fierce rivalry with the Mustang. How long that excitement lasts is anyone’s guess, which is why Maisto’s affordable 1:18 replicas are perfect for a subject such as this. At $30, every collector can afford to pick up each new Camaro and keep a full e tires have the correct stagger ...or matte aluminum. Brake discs are e interior is accurately molded—right down to the downward-pitched instrument and realistic tread, and the 5-spoke present, but their depth seems a bit panel—although the dark color makes the detail hard to see. wheels look good in semigloss black... exaggerated.
out of the box by Matt Boyd Auto World Don Grotheer 1969 1/2 Plymouth Road Runner 1:18 | $95 B y now, most muscle-car fans know the story of Mopar’s fabled A12 cars—the beefed-up B-bodies launched midyear in 1969 to fill the gap between the standard 383 and the big-buck-option 426 Hemi in Plymouth Road Runners and Dodge Coronet Super Bees. But how they came to be—and why the A12 package was launched exclusively in the Road Runner and Super Bee— has to do with Chrysler’s peculiar marketing strategy for its midsize performance cars. Chrysler had offered a three-tiered anyone could accomplish with one To help raise the profile of the Six Pack, Plymouth deployed Don Grotheer to teach big-block-engine lineup since of these cars. the Supercar Performance Clinics at drag strips across the country in a Road Runner 1966, when the range-topping Auto World has re-created swathed in his factory racing colors. “Street Hemi” was added to a Grotheer’s clinic car using its roster that already included the refreshed Road Runner based off Mopar applied to the A12 were BBL” announced to the world 383 and the 440 “Commando.” of the old Ertl American Muscle reinforced internals and a more that you were driving something But with the 1968 redesign of the tooling. Contours on this casting aggressive cam, but the signature special. Grotheer painted the B-bodies, it was decided that the have always been good, and the addition was that trio of Holley hood but left it otherwise stock; 440 would be reserved for the bright tricolor paint scheme looks 2-barrel carburetors mounted on it’s great to be able to lift it top-trim GTX and Coronet R/T great with the various sponsor an Edelbrock high-rise manifold— straight off on the model to get models, while the new budget- decals on the fenders. Gaps which is clearly evident on the an unobstructed view! Grotheer’s performance Road Runner and around the doors are a little wide, model. That induction change aftermarket tweaks included Super Bee models were launched but that’s really the only clue to didn’t just yield horsepower; it also blueprinting and installing 13.0:1 with 383 power. The Hemi was the casting’s age. Flat-black paint formed the basis for the marketing pistons, a hotter Isky cam, and a optional on all models, but it added in the grille and careful edging strategy. An aggressive scoop— set of chrome Hooker headers. We nearly $1,000 to the sticker—a around the headlights add an air molded into a flat-black fiberglass have to take the cam and pistons hefty 30 percent premium, of sophistication, and the fit on lift-off hood—emblazoned with on faith, but the headers are here. which put it out of the reach of the lift-off hood is much better “440-6” (on Dodges) or “440 6 They’ve been reshaped a bit; the most buyers. than I recall from the Ertl days—it’s The 1969 Runner and Bee actually probably better than the The model gives a solid representation of the Road Runner’s no-frills interior, but it needed something more befitting fit on Plymouth’s version! would be nice to see the aftermarket tach and Hurst Competition Plus Shifter that their affordable character. But Road Runner interiors were pretty Grotheer’s car was equipped with. rather than dilute their branding basic; if you wanted luxury, you strategy by poaching the 440 from bought a GTX! This one has a the GTX and R/T, Mopar engineers basic black vinyl bench seat and a got to work exploiting some of its sweeper-style speedometer, both untapped potential and developed accurately rendered. Grotheer’s the famed 440 “Six Pack.” The car still survives today, and A12 package was put together photos reveal a couple of minor specifically to maximize that discrepancies from the model. The potential, delivering a balanced all- original had the standard triangular around performer with a host of center Plymouth steering wheel engine, suspension, and driveline with a 2/3 horn ring, whereas improvements, all for $462.80— this model shows the optional less than half the cost of the Hemi! metal-spoke Sport wheel. And To help get the word out on Grotheer installed a column- the reinvented Runner, Plymouth mounted aftermarket tach and enlisted veteran Factory Mopar Hurst Competition Plus Shifter, racer Don Grotheer to teach a whereas the model has no tach series of “Supercar Performance and the stock shifter. But these Clinics” around the country using quibbles aside, the interior is quite an A12 demonstrator model dolled representative of a Road Runner, up in his racing colors. Grotheer and details like the flocked carpet threw some basic hop-ups into are a nice step up. his car; the idea was to show We all know the engine is attendees of the 80 clinics that where it’s at with a Six Pack car. Grotheer conducted what virtually Among the engine upgrades 56 DCXmag.com
Performance Clinic Teacher’s Pet real car had them routing out Grotheer swapped them out for a did it leave an impact in that short legend. Grotheer’s Road Runner through fender cutouts, whereas set of slicks mounted on Keystone time! It didn’t even have much is a memorable piece of Six Pack the model has them dropping Klassic mags, which the model of a racing pedigree—the NHRA history and a nice addition to Auto straight down. The chrome valve nails. Even the stance is right. The bumped it up into classes where World’s ever-expanding roster covers and air cleaner are spot- chassis plate is black plastic but it was woefully outgunned— of midpriced 1:18 muscle. If you’re on, and it’s cool that Auto World features nice molding in the torsion meaning that it earned most a Mopar enthusiast, this one is painted the engine bay white—that bar suspension and the Dana 60 of its performance reputation was the color in which the car was rear axle, which Grotheer stuffed the hard way. The A12’s strong worth a look. ✇ delivered, before Grotheer had with 4.89 gears in place of the performance on the street Imperial Customs spray it in his stock 4.10s. together with its value, catchy “Six SOURCE race colors. Pack” branding, and innovative Auto World autoworldstore.com The stock A12 Road Runner FINAL THOUGHTS marketing techniques like the rolled on 15x6 steelies and G70 Plymouth Supercar Performance Goodyear Red Streaks, but The factory 440 Six Pack lasted Clinics all helped spread the just 2 1/2 model years, but man The car was originally delivered to Grotheer in white, and Auto World correctly Already a stout performer with its 3x2 Holleys on an Edelbrock high-rise, Grotheer kept the trunk and engine bay that color. took it up a notch with more compression, an Isky cam, and Hooker headers. Auto World nails the intake setup and has included chrome headers—all in full view thanks to the lift-off hood. summer 2016 57
QUICK LOOK ACME 1957 SMOKEY YUNICK “DAYTONA BEACH AND ROAD” CHEVROLET 1:18 | $115 By WayneMoyer Above: Smokey Yunick knew During NASCAR’s first few years the modified classes retired with only 36 miles remaining. the hot ticket at Daytona would drew more entries (and fans) than the “Strictly ACME is releasing a 1:18 scale model of Smokey’s car be the new ’57 Chevy. He opted Stock” class, but by 1950 dealers were noticing for a 210 post sedan wearing the the “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” effect and Detroit as the first in a new 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Series. (Yes, signature black-and-gold livery began quietly helping out the better drivers with sponsor- this is a 210—go figure!) What you see on these pages is from his “Best Damn Garage in ship. Soon after, it surpassed the modifieds to become the first preproduction sample to reach these shores, and Town.” ACME does a nice job NASCAR’s premier series, and the class was renamed the it’s a beauty. e black-and-gold paint is very good for a with the printed graphics and “Grand National” series. By 1957 the major teams now had test shot, and the crisply printed graphics are absolutely separately molded and plated active factory support, and although Smokey Yunick, pro- correct and complete. Note the thin red outlines to all the brightwork. prietor of Daytona Beach’s “Best Damn Garage in Town,” numbers. e body lines are accurate (the cars really were Below: What made Chevy fast— remained officially an independent, he had no difficulty in “stock” back then), though the model doesn’t have the and Smokey’s Chevy faster— getting his hands on the latest goodies from Chevrolet. And indented “louvers” on the front fenders; it’s possible the was the 283 Fuelie. ACME he had the ingenuity to make the best possible use of it. sheet metal sent to Smokey didn’t have them. All the big- does a fine job with it, even in ger pieces of brightwork (yes, race cars still carried plated preproduction form. e season began with the Daytona Beach and Road bumpers and side trim back then) are separate plated Course race, an event run on two miles of Daytona Beach parts, while the name scripts and crossed-flag “Fuel sand and two miles of a parallel two-lane highway con- Injection” badges are either very thin photoetched pieces nected by hairpin turns. Smokey brought a new bright or bright chrome printed on super-clear film. Everything black-and-gold 1957 Chevy 210 with the brand-new opens and is hinged correctly; the hood lifts on parallel hinges to show the correctly painted and well-detailed 283 cid V8 equipped 283 Fuelie. Open the pivoting doors to see the authentic with the new Fuel bench seat with a single fabric and photoetched lap belt, Injection option under correct separate plated handles and cranks, and a dash the hood, on which with legible instruments. e rules allowed the rear seat was emblazoned to be removed to install a simple roll bar, and ACME has “245 Horsepower.” that right, too. Frame rails are molded in high relief, but the Driver Paul Goldsmith aluminum-colored exhausts (which have small mold lines) could only qualify and suspension pieces are separate. e front suspension the car in 20th place, functions on its coil springs; there are coils under the rear but when the flag leaf springs, too, but one-piece shock absorbers keep dropped he soon them from moving—at least on this prototype. Hand- overhauled the lead- brake cables are separate, but there are no fuel, hydraulic, ers and led much of or brake lines. Wheels are nicely detailed (and they were the race until plowing gold for this race) with lug nuts and valve stems. is one’s through the infamous a beauty “as is,” and it’s a good bet ACME will add a few car-sized pothole on more bits to the production version. the north turn. White smoke plumed from SOURCE the Chevy, and it was ACME acmediecast.com 58 DCXmag.com
Minichamps McLaren Ford M23 James Hunt 1976 Japanese GP 1:43 | $80 By Matt Boyd J ames Hunt’s drive in the final race of the nearly 500hp—enough to make that rainy day at the Fuji Above: With the cowl and upper 1976 Formula 1 season is perhaps circuit like driving on ice! The distinctive reversible double- bodywork removed, the extra the most heroic third-place four-valve heads that gave the engine its name are quite layer of detail on the Ford- finish in Grand Prix history. Infused visible, along with the intake trumpets for the Lucas Cosworth DFV is impressive. with such drama, it served as the mechanical fuel-injection system. Effort has been made Below: Big downforce wings and climactic scene in 2013’s feature in detailing the Hunt driver figure as well, but the engine is deeply grooved rain slicks were film Rush and, more signifi- the true standout. tested to the limit on that rainy cantly, the climactic scene in day at Fuji. Hunt’s daring and the real-world racing epic that When it comes to replicas of bygone-era race cars, his triumph set the stage for a was the 1976 F1 season. With we cannot help but note the absence of the tobacco highly desirable replica. his valiant third-place finish, Hunt sponsorships that are now prohibited by law. Hunt’s overcame torrential rain, a rash of car carried “Marlboro” as its primary sponsor, the red wrecks, and a late-race tire failure, which and white colors of which became synonymous with forced him into the pits with less than McLaren. Its omission is a legal necessity that is no fault of 10 laps to go. Returning to the track in fifth Minichamps or the model, but it’s still unfortunate. That is place, he reeled in the cars ahead, completing a daring and the only aberration, however, on a replica that otherwise improbable drive that culminated in Hunt passing fourth and accurately pays tribute to an important piece of racing then third places on the second-to-last lap. Though Hunt history. James Hunt was one of the most charismatic himself did not know it at the time, that was just enough to personalities in the F1 world, and the car that secured him secure him the World Championship by a single point from his crowning achievement would make a worthy addition rival Niki Lauda. to your collection. With this much history and drama, there is no question SOURCE that Hunt’s McLaren Ford M23 deserves to be immortal- Minichamps carvillemodelsshop.com ized in scale. Minichamps has one of the most extensive F1 libraries in diecast, but this one moves right to the front of the grid—for its significance, yes, but also for its techni- cal detail. And that’s not something we always say about a 1:43 model, but it’s entirely justified in this case. In addition to tremendous paint and surface detail, which we have come to expect of Minichamps, this McLaren adds com- plex chassis detail, complete with metal coil springs and an intricate latticework of suspension links all wrapped around a Hewland transaxle. And that’s just what we can see from the exterior, but this replica has another layer— the cowl and upper bodywork are both removable. With that cowl removed, we get an excellent view of the Ford-Cosworth DFV powerplant. The 3.0L V8 had been an F1 standard for nearly 10 years, and by 1976 it powered most of the field. In the McLaren, it produced spring 2016 59
QUICK LOOK DRAGON ARMOR WORLD WAR II BATTLE TANK TRIO 1:72 | $40 $42ea By the DCX Team Panzer IV Ausf. H—Vistula River, Poland, 1943 Churchill Mk III—14th Canadian Armoured Regiment in Dieppe, e Panzer IV (Pz.Kpfw. IV) was the only German tank manufactured for the entire dura- France, 1942 tion of WW II, and so it should be no surprise that it was also the most prolific and widely deployed of the war, with more than 8,500 built. A medium tank by class, it was adapted From its first appearance on the battlefield, the to oppose Allied tanks from its original purpose as a support tank to disable fortifications Churchill developed a reputation for withstanding and antitank artillery. Later-production Panzer IVs, like this Ausf. H, added supplementary punishment. With up to 4 inches of armor on the turret and side skirts, plus it was upgraded to an 80mm glacis plate in front, which helped forward hull and weighing more than 40 tons, it was it shrug off hits from the Sherman and other Allied tank guns. Beautiful surface detail and England’s heaviest, most heavily armored infantry- paint as well as delicate pieces like the triangular support brackets for the side skirts give support tank. And with the added firepower of the this model extra visual impact. As improved as the Ausf. H was, it was still at a disadvan- Mk III’s “6-pounder” anti-tank gun in a welded steel tage against the Soviet T-34, so it was partially replaced by the Panzer V, better known— turret, it became a formidable opponent. Sadly, its and feared!—as the Panther. effectiveness was not enough to prevent disaster at the Battle of Dieppe in August 1942. e objective Panther D Late Production— was to seize control of the northern French port from I./Pz.Rgt.24, France, 1944 the German Army and test the effectiveness of an amphibious landing under fire using a force of e Panther was Germany’s response to the inconvenient 6,000 mostly Canadian troops and armor. It failed effectiveness of the T-34 during the Russian Campaign. e Germans miserably. Nearly 70 percent of the landing force was needed a medium tank with a balance of speed, armor, and firepower to out- killed, wounded, or captured, though not through the maneuver, outlast, and outshoot the T-34. With the Panther, they largely got fault of the Churchill, which performed well in urban it. With aggressively angled glacis armor and a thick mantlet, the Panther combat. Dragon’s 1:72 model depicts one of the Cana- had tremendous forward fire defense, although relatively thin side dian Churchills outfitted for wading onto the beach at armor was a known weakness. e 75mm high-velocity gun was Dieppe. Note the extensions on the flanks covering the one of the most accurate on the WW II battlefield and offered air intakes for the engine cooling system, the one at exceptional penetrating power, making it a lethal opponent the rear covering the exit vent. e goalpost-shaped for virtually any Allied tank. Its drive system utilized complex pipes on the rear deck are extensions for the exhaust interlocking road wheels, making the Panther fast despite its system. e nice molding and paint detail on the tracks 45-ton bulk but susceptible to fouling by debris or mud. And the are highlighted thanks to the distinctive way that they compromises necessary for mass production in the declining industrial fully encircle the panniers. capacity of Germany late in the war left the driveline prone to failure. As a result, what opposing tanks could not accomplish, harsh conditions and mechanical problems SOURCE often did. is model is an Ausf. D, the first version of the Panther—recognizable by the Dragon Models USA dragonmodelsusa.com mail-slot machine-gun port in the nose and the raised “drum” cupola on top of the turret, both of which Dragon has authentically rendered. ✇
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hot wheels highway by mike zarnock From Regular “Treasure Hunts” to “Super Treasure Hunt$”! W hen Mattel started its Treasure Hunt Series With the introduction of the “Super Treasure Hunt$,” the prices on standard Treasure Hunts stayed low back in 1995, production was limited, and the enough to keep them accessible to collectors. cars had special rims and Real Rider rubber tires on them. They were highly sought after and collectors The telltale $ sign on the Super Treasure Hunt$ touched off a frenzy, with noncollectors snapping them up everywhere bought them up, making them instantly hard to sell on eBay. to find. “Hard to find,” of course, translates into “costly” on the secondary market when it comes to collecting anything. The 1995 Treasure Hunt cars range from $50 to $400+ on the secondary market and are still in high demand today. In the following few years, production numbers increased and the cars’ wheels and tires became nothing special, so the Treasure Hunt Series evolved into normal- looking cars. Their luster had faded along with collectors’ interest, and by the mid-2000s the Treasure Hunt cars had lost most of their collector value. Mattel, being the collector-friendly company that it is and having its ear to the collector voice, added a new kind of unnamed series to the 2007 Hot Wheels lineup. This was an add-on to the Treasure Hunt Series that the col- lectors dubbed “Super Treasure Hunts.” While the regular Treasure Hunt cars had become traditional, with normal paint and normal plastic wheels and tires, the idea behind the new Super Treasure Hunt vehicles was that they were the same castings as the regular Treasure Hunts but the paint had been changed to “Spectraflame” (candy color) and the regular plastic wheels and tires had been changed back to special rims with Real Rider rubber tires on them. This change gave a huge boost to collecting and got a lot more people excited about the hunt for these new cars. Finding these Super Treasure Hunt vehicles was just as easy as finding the “regular” ones because the packag- Among the first-year Treasure Hunts in 1995 was this Olds 442 (number 353) with The VW Bug (number 357) was another of the 12-car launch in 1995. special rims and Real Rider rubber tires. 62 DCXmag.com
Wait. What? Yes, for those that haven’t noticed, the label “Treasure Hunt Series” is no longer on the card along with the telltale green stripe and Treasure Chest. This change was a good step for the collector all the way around. Not having the card labeled is a huge advantage for the collector who knows what to look for, leaving those who buy just to sell having to do a lot of research to know what cars to look for. They are now called “Secret Treasure Hunt Cars” because they are a special variation of a car already in production, and the only way to tell what they are is to have collector informa- tion. I had been suggesting for many years that Mattel do this, and I’m very glad that it has finally done so. The company also changed the Super Treasure Hunt$ from being a fancy variation of the regular Treasure Hunts to being a varia- tion of a different vehicle within the main line, making 15 Treasure Hunts and 15 different Super Treasure Hunt$. Within this special variation, there is now a small circled flame symbol hidden somewhere within the tampo decoration of the regular Treasure Hunt that shows the collec- Treasure Hunts went stealthy, starting in 2013. Regular Treasure Hunts, like this 2014 Poison Arrow, have no card tor that this car is a Secret Treasure Hunt along markings, save a little black circle flame and a bit of text printed behind the vehicle. with a hidden statement on the package behind the car that reads, “This Symbol on the side ing was identical to the Treasure Hunt Series with one exception: The of the vehicle let’s you know it is hard to find and highly collectible.” The “Supers” had the money sign “$” to replace the letter “S” in the lettering, Super Treasure Hunt$ just have the circled flame symbol in gold behind making the spelling “Treasure Hunt$.” You might remember how crazy the vehicle on the card without the statement. They will also have the people got looking for the green stripe card (color of money) with the “TH” symbol in the tampo somewhere instead of the circled flame. They Treasure Chest and the “$” on the early Treasure Hunt packaging. Every- will still have Spectraflame paint, special wheels, and Real Rider rubber one and his grandmother were looking for “the package with the money tires, making them easier to spot over the normal production vehicles. sign on it!” so that they could sell it on eBay. Now again, everyone—in- But either way, neither the Treasure Hunts nor the Super Treasure Hunt$ cluding noncollectors—was looking for a new package with the money has an easy-to-find label that says they are “Treasure Hunt” cars, so the sign on it so that they could sell it on eBay, making the cars hard to find advantage goes to the collector and not the seller. for the collectors! One good thing that came about from this change was that the regular Treasure Hunt cars continued to stay low in value. They have actually been as low as $2 to $3 on the secondary market, making them afford- able and more accessible to collectors in stores as well since they’re now left behind by those who just sell and don’t collect. As for the Super Treasure Hunt$, well, they were instantly $15 to $50 depending on the casting, making them worth going after by secondary sellers. With the green stripe on the card and the money sign in the labeling, it was just like before—until 2013, when Mattel changed the game for the Treasure Hunt Series altogether. 2013 was the year that the Treasure Hunt Series (on the card) disappeared. Now the Super Treasure Hunt$ are variations of regular-line vehicles, like this 2015 Toyota Off-Road Truck. The 2013+ Treasure Hunts also have the circle-flame logo hidden somewhere in the The Super Treasure Hunt$ version has special paint, special tires, and a “TH” hidden in the tampo print on the vehicle itself. The 2015 Piranha has it on the gill slits. tampo but no marking on the card, except a tiny gold circle flame hidden behind the truck. SUMMER 2016 63
hot wheels highway Flashback 1993 W ith 1993 being the 25th released in Collector Number order 1993 Camaro with white interior and clear windows is most rare—number 202. anniversary of Hot from 202 to 212. Wheels and the many different series of Hot Wheels The ’93 Camaro was the first vehicles that Mattel put together of the new castings for the year for the year—like Demolition Man, at Collector Number 202 and had Tattoo Machines, Revealers, and four variations to it. It was first of course the eight-car set of the released in purple enamel with a 25th Anniversary Series them- gray interior and smoked windows selves—it’s a wonder that Mattel on all large Ultra Hot wheels. It had even found the time to do any a black plastic Malaysia base with mainline Hot Wheels cars. There the exhaust coming out of the were 36 vehicles for 1993, with side by the rear wheel. It was later 11 of them being all-new castings found with a much longer exhaust pipe but only with the gray interior. Jaguar XJ220 with the closed spoiler—number 203. The Tredator—number 205. Oscar Mayer Wienermobile with black basic wheels—number 204. Pipe Jammer on Ultra Hot wheels—number 206. Vector Avtech WX-3 on Ultra Hot wheels—number 207. Shortly after its initial release, the eventually had. There was also interior changed to white with a a mail-away offer from Oscar smoked window and again to the Mayer that had chrome basic white interior with a clear window, wheels. The chrome basic wheel which ended up being the hardest variations eventually showed up of the three to find. on the retail packages and are the hardest to find. The Jaguar XJ220 was up next as Collector Number 203 with two The Tredator is Collector Num- body variations for its first year in ber 205 and has a red-enamel- production. It was painted metallic painted metal body with orange silver with a black plastic Malaysia plastic scoops and nose piece. It base, a black interior, and clear has large chrome fenders, engine, windows all on Ultra Hot wheels. and canopy, with black treads The Jaguar’s body was first and black plastic Malaysia base. released with an open rear spoiler There were no variations of the red that was then changed to a closed Tredator, but it would later come in one. The open spoiler cars are very green with three variations of that. hard to find. Collector Number 206 was a Collector Number 204 is the yellow enamel concept car named Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Hav- Pipe Jammer. It had a black Malay- ing so many different parts to it sia base with a chrome rear engine made for some interesting color and driver, all on Ultra Hot wheels. variations along with a few differ- The only other variation this ent wheel types, so you can only vehicle had was uncured chrome imagine how many variations it (dull). The Pipe Jammer name was
Audi Avus Quattro—number 208. used only once for this casting 1993 Lexus SC400—number 209. and was later changed to Cyber Hot Wheels Cruiser in 1994. Checklist Twin Mill II—number 211. The Vector Avtech WX-3 is ❑ 142....Hiway Hauler The Twin Mill II came with three different base color variations. The black is rarest and is Collector Number 207 and was ❑ 149....BMW 850i worth $30–$40 today. painted in pearl lavender with ❑ 188...Hummer a black plastic Malaysia base. It ❑ 196...3-Window ’34 The chrome-base Twin Mill II is next most desirable, at about $15. has a tan interior with smoked ❑ 197....Corvette Split Window windows and rides on Ultra Hot ❑ 199...Double Demon wheels. There were three color ❑ 200 ..Custom Corvette variations within the top and body, ❑ 202 ..’93 Camaro going between a very notice- ................(new casting for 1993) able light and dark lavender. The ❑ 203 ..Jaguar XJ220 wheels were also later changed ................(new casting for 1993) to 5-spoke. ❑ 204 ..Oscar Mayer Wienermobile ................(new casting for 1993) Collector Number 208 is the ❑ 205 ..Tredator Avus Quattro in metallic silver with ................(new casting for 1993) a black plastic Malaysia base. The ❑ 206 ..Pipe Jammer bright red interior showed very ................(new casting for 1993) well through the clear canopy type ❑ 207....Vector Avtech WX-3 window. As with the others on this ................(new casting for 1993) list, it had Ultra Hot wheels and ❑ 208...Avus Quattro later changed to 5-spoke. ................(new casting for 1993) ❑ 209...Lexus SC400 The Lexus SC400 is Collector ................(new casting for 1993) Number 209 and was nice look- ❑ 210 ...Dodge Viper RT/10 ing in metallic black with a clear ................(new casting for 1993) window and bright white interior. It ❑ 211 ...Twin Mill II had all small Ultra Hot wheels and ................(new casting for 1993) had no other variations. ❑ 212 ...Silhouette II ................(new casting for 1993) The Viper at the time was mak- ❑ 213 ...’57 Chevy ing headlines as one of America’s ❑ 215 ...Auburn 852 new Super Cars and everyone ❑ 216 ...Fat Fendered ’40 wanted one! It was like Ferrari as ❑ 217 ...’40 Woodie it only came in red, and that’s how ❑ 218 ...Street Roader Mattel first released it. Collector ❑ 219 ...Gulch Stepper Number 210 is Dodge Viper RT/10 ❑ 220...Bywayman in red enamel with a black plastic ❑ 222 ...Blazer 4x4 Malaysia base and a black interior ❑ 223 ..Baja Bug with a clear windshield sitting on ❑ 226 ..Ferrari 348 all large Ultra Hot wheels. There ❑ 228 ..Zender Fact 4 were many other variations of this ❑ 229 ..Mercedes 380 SEL car later on, including body color ❑ 236 ..Ford Aerostar and wheels, but not for 1993. ❑ 239 ..Mercedes-Benz Unimog ❑ 242 ..’93 Camaro Collector Number 211 is the ❑ 262 ..’93 Camaro Twin Mill II. Taking after the original Twin Mill, this new casting is And there you have it—all of the longer, taller, and wider. It has new Hot Wheels castings released Day-Glo yellow enamel paint with for 1993. Take a look at the 1993 a black plastic window and chrome Hot Wheels Checklist (above) for engines. It also rides on Ultra Hot the other 25 rereleased castings wheels. This car came with three for the year. To find their varia- different plastic base colors: black, tions, get a copy of my book, Hot chrome, and gray. The black base Wheels Variations: The Ultimate is the rarest and most expensive, Guide. There are four editions to somewhere in the $30 to $40 choose from that show all of the range. Next would be the chrome Collector Numbers from 1 to base, valued at around $15, and 1121, including all of their known then the gray base, at approxi- variations. It’s available at mately $5. mikezarnock.com or from your Rounding out the list for new favorite bookstore. ✇ castings for the year is the Silhou- ette II as Collector Number 212. Like the Twin Mill II, this second- generation design is larger all the way around. It came in purple metallic with a white interior and clear bubble top window riding on a set of Ultra Hot wheels. There was also a base variation in chrome and later came with 5-dot wheels. SUMMER 2016 65
REAR VIEW The “Stucker” e conversion from Stude to Tucker was meant to be convincing at speed and from a safe distance. at gives those looking to do a movie-accurate scale conversion Hollywood Stunt Double Gets Nose Job some leeway. (Photos courtesy of Mary Graddick, Tallahassee Automobile and to Look Like Movie Star BY RON RUELLE Collectibles Museum) [Editor’s Note: Ron Ruelle is one of the curators at hobbydb.com, a showing too much. website devoted to documenting and cataloging everything collectible, If you wanted to make your own 1:18 scale version of the “Stucker,” including diecast car models.] Road Signature is your best bet. e Tucker was available as a basic T he movie Tucker: e Man and His Dream is one of the version and a super-detailed limited edition, shown here. e rear- more fascinating car movies that don’t involve racing or mounted flat-6 engine features extra paint detail with orange header chasing. Only 51 Tuckers were made before the company covers and manifolds as well as additional chrome and silver bits. e went under, but director Francis Ford Coppola used his car also includes four opening doors and trunk (it’s up front, remember) own Tucker and borrowed as many as he could from other with luggage and a spare tire. Chassis details looks sparse at first, but owners, promising to take great care of them during filming. remember, as a rear-engine, rear-drive car, there was no driveshaft to model. But in one scene, a Tucker crashes and rolls over on a test track. If this film were made today, the crash scene would be simple to create in CGI, As for the Studebaker, Road Signature offered a 1950 Starliner and filmmakers could wreck as many pixelated Tuckers as they wanted. coupe, which shares the front end with the sedan but looks substantially But in 1988, when the film was made, that wasn’t an option. Neither was different from the back. e model accurately captures the complex wrecking one of the rare actual Tuckers. curves of the car. ere’s not much detail under the hood because the inline 6 takes up very little space. e trunk opens to reveal a spare tire, So a 1950 Studebaker sedan was called in as a stunt double. With its and the basic interior has good detail where needed. similarly shaped bullet nose, suicide rear doors, and fender bulges, the Stude was a good candidate for a little plastic surgery (sheet-metal A close look at the real stunt car shows that it was crudely assembled surgery?) up front and a nip/tuck to create the fastback rear end. No as it was only meant to be seen at a distance and at speed, so precision modifications were made to move the engine from front to rear, so isn’t required in re-creating it. Plus, it was also wrecked, which gives the scene had to be carefully edited to prevent the undercarriage from even more latitude to make a replica messy. With a bit of sheet styrene on the back end and the chrome details stolen from the Tucker, the Studebaker can be made into a reasonable miniature stand-in for the full-size stand-in for the real car. ✇ Road Signature offers up 1:18 models of both the Tucker and a 1950 Studebaker Starliner coupe. e movie crew used a sedan, but the back end requires a styrene makeover either way, so that’s not a big impediment. 66 DCXmag.com
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