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HOT WHEELS OF THE YEAR ››› THE PASSION, PRODUCTS & PERSONALITIES Man on Fire! FIREBALL TIM GO!3...1...2... AND THE CULTURE Ferrari 312P CMC Models a Mythic OF COOL Race Machine FUFRUIONUS SubaruWRXSTi 1972 Ford Gran Torino ATTACCAKT Kyosho’s Pantera Roars ENDTREARGTOHNE Century Dragon Brings the “Wow” to 1:43 1970 Charger R/T DISPLAY UNTIL MARCH 4, 2014 SPRING 2014 $6.99 US $8.99 CAN GREENLIGHT’S FAST & FURIOUS CARS HIT THE STREET DCXMAG.COM







contents die cast x | SPRING 2014 features 40 OUT OF THE BOX 32 24 | CMC Ferrari 312P 32 | Man on Fire 40 | Furious Fun Sebring Spring Fireball Tim Lawrence isn’t really GreenLight Collectibles Fast & 28 | Automodello 1962 wacky — he’s just drawn that way Furious Movie Cars Mustang I Concept That’s No Pony 36 | Kyosho Pantera Wildcat 44 | GT Spirit Porsche Spirit Speaks 48 | Hot Wheels Elite Ferrari 458 Italia Matte Attack IN THIS ISSUE: CMC’s Ferrari 312P is an awesome bit of hands-on fun, and we got the chance to go deep on this 1,600-plus- piece model. (Photo by Peter Hall) 4 DCXmag.com

UP FRONT QUICK LOOKs DCXmag.com 6 | Editorial 56 | Auto World 1957 Chrysler 300C The ultimate diecast 57 | Auto World 1970 Chevelle SS454 community Resinating: Welcome to the Revolution 58 | AUTOart 192 Porsche 804 “1962 German Grand Prix” What’s on the web this time around? 8 | Scale Mail 59 | AUTOart Alfa Romeo 33 TT 12 Well, models - lots of them. It’s true: we 60 | Minichamps 1938 Bentley can’t fit all the cars we’d like into every Questions, answers, comments “Embericos” issue, and several of the releases appear 62 | Century Dragon Jaguar C-X75 at our doorstep between printings. 10 | Inside Line Concept Thanks to the DCXmag.com website 63 |CMC Ferrari 312P Berlinetta and the Die Cast X Facebook page, we Events and industry news 64 | Hot Wheels Elite 1966 Batmobile can keep putting those cars at the top with Figures of our list, with on-the-spot reviews, 12 | Showroom 65| AUTOart Honda NSX Type R photos, and the occasional video up for you to enjoy. Just click over to the site, New releases & first looks or “like” our Facebook page to join the coolest community of collectors on the REGULARS web! 52 | Hot Wheels Highway Exclusive Releases: Look Twice, It’s Alright 66 | Collector Profile: Bur’s Beauties Jim Bur is an industry insider —and loves to collect, anyway Die Cast X (ISSN 1551-854X) published quarterly by Air Age Inc., 88 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 USA. Copyright 2013, all rights reserved. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Wilton, CT, and additional offices. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40008153. CONTRIBUTIONS: All materials published in Die Cast X magazine become the exclusive property of Air Age Inc., unless prior arrangement is made in writing with the Publisher. Descriptions of products were obtained from manufacturers or their press agencies and do not constitute an endorsement by the Publisher or guarantee their safety. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Call (866) 298-5652. Outside the U.S.: (386) 246-3323, or go to our website: DCXmag.com. Rates one year (4 issues): U.S. $25; Canada, $28, including GST; all others, $32. All international orders must be prepaid in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. ADVERTISING: Advertising rates are available on request. Please send advertising materials to Advertising Dept., Air Age Inc., 88 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 USA; phone (203) 431-9000; fax (203) 529-3010; email: sales@ airage. com. EDITORIAL: Send correspondence to Editors, Die Cast X, Air Age Inc., 88 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 USA. Email: [email protected]. We welcome all editorial submissions but assume no responsibility for the loss or damage of unsolicited material. To authors, photographers and people featured in this magazine: all materials published in Die Cast X become the exclusive property of Air Age Inc. unless a prior arrangement is made in writing with the Publisher. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: To make sure you don’t miss any issues, send your new address to Die Cast X magazine, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142- 0235 USA at least six weeks before you move. Please include an address label from a recent issue, or print the information exactly as shown on the label. For faster service, go to DCXmag.com/cs, and click on the customer service link. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Die Cast X magazine, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235 USA. Spring 2012 5

EDITORIAL Resinating: SPRING 2014 | VOLUME 10, NO. 2 Welcome to the Revolution EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Joe Kelly Jr. I DON’T KNOW IF THE RECENT SURGE IN RESIN HAS SNUCK UP ON YOU, but the Deputy Managing Editor Katherine Pierpont number of high-quality, urethane-based replicas we received for this issue sure surprised me. Copyeditor Suzanne Saunders My take? is new crop just might re-energize — if not out-and-out re-invent — the hobby. CONTRIBUTORS It’s true, and the reason is simple: leverage. Not the stick-and-fulcrum, “let’s-move-this-rock” Bill Bennett, Wayne Moyer, Mike Zarnock kind, but the hard math of profit and sustainability for the manufacturers. Diecast models cost a lot to tool and build, and the result of that effort and outlay needs to sell in numbers sufficient ART to make the profit margin work. Back when the hobby was slammed with twenty-buck Ertl 1:18 Creative Director Betty K. Nero 1969 Camaros, the costs of tooling — around 30 grand, at that time — allowed for a reasonable Art Director Kevin Monahan profit, which gave companies like Ertl (and Sunstar, and Yat Ming, and ...) the cash for more tools. Photographers/Videographers Peter Hall, Fredy Perojo ose days are gone — as are most of the plum subjects, and some of those companies. e icons, like that 1969 DIGITAL MEDIA Camaro, have all been done, often more than once. Web Producer Holly Hansen Choosing a car to manufacture these days that will bring acceptable return on investment is hard, if not ADVERTISING impossible, especially since that 30 grand cost has now Advertising Director Mitch Brian ››203.529.4609 reached the 100-plus thousand mark. Now, collectors Senior Account Executive Ben Halladay who already have their Camaros in every color Chevy ››203.529.4628 ever made are asking for more obscure cars that would Sales Assistant Tracey Terenzi ››203.529.4637 never sell in numbers worthy of those startup costs. CONSUMER MARKETING/PRODUCTION Resin casting, however, can put cars on the shelves in e Media Source, a division of Source Interlink a fraction of the time at a sliver of the cost. is means that a lot of less-known cars will get done in about Companies, Inc every scale. But there’s a caveat. Most resincasts are sealed body releases. at means no engine detailing, MARKETING & EVENTS and eyes-only access to the cabins. e chassis on Associate Creative Director Leslie Costa most have scant detailing, at best. Steerable wheels? Production Assistant Paul Streeto Probably not. Working suspensions? No, not even if you Event Manager Emil DeFrancesco stand on top of the model — which, given the figures these things tag for, is not something you’d want to try. PUBLISHING Group Publishers Louis V. DeFrancesco Jr., Yvonne M. DeFrancesco Paul Walker 1973-2013 HOW TO REACH US One thing is true about the EDITORIAL culture of movies: those who MAIL 88 Danbury Road, Wilton CT 06897 USA live fast and die young become Phone (203) 431-9000; Email [email protected] immortal. at will certainly be the case when we remember SUBSCRIPTION Paul Walker, star of the Fast & CUSTOMER SERVICE (866) 298-5652, Furious films, who passed away +(386) 246-3323 (outside the U.S.) or in a car crash along with his DCXMag.com/cs good friend and fellow charity organizer Roger Rodas as this 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED issue went to press. In a world If you are ever dissatisfied, you may cancel your where so much of what is on the subscription and receive a full refund for all big screen is fake or inflated to unmailed issues. DCX is always a great gift idea! impress, Paul Walker proved - Just call us, or go online, and give a gift today. however tragically - that he was the real deal. Rest in peace. at last item — cost — is a factor that resin will have to sort out in order to get more market share. Since these new models represent a more focused appeal when compared to that old Ertl bowtie (or the outstanding Die Cast Promotions/Highway 61 variant that followed it) and will therefore sell in far fewer numbers, the manufacturers need to bump their per-unit prices to make a buck. at will make the models rarer, more desirable to their core audience, and — if the stars all line up for resin — bring some much needed stability and interest to a hobby that’s always looking for a new wave of collectors. What do you think? Best letter wins a new Hot Wheels Elite 1:18 ... diecast. Magazine Publishers RCX.com of America Joe Kelly, Jr. | Editor-in-Chief PRINTED IN THE USA [email protected] 6 DCXmag.com



Scale Mail YOUR FEEDBACK | WRITE TO US AT DCX AIRAGE.COM WE WANT TO HEAR Lotus Position standing — as was CMC — and we’ll make sure that prices are FROM YOU! more accurate from cover to cover in the future. For the record, I really like race cars, and your article on the Lotus 56B was the CMC Mercedes 300SLR “Fangio” is priced at $409, and Tell us what you like, what very good. I’m fairly new to collecting, so I’m not familiar with the Maserati bare chassis is $356. We also botched the price you don’t and why Die Cast X the manufacturers. Who is TSM, and what other models do for the CMC Mercedes 300SLR engine in “Showroom.” It lists is the best diecast maga- they make? for $147, not $135. My apology for the mistakes. In a related zine ever! Send snail mail to Jonathan Beech, email letter, another collector stated that the price we’d quoted for “Letters,” Die Cast X, Air Age Hello, Jonathan. TSM is the current handle for the former the 1:18 Paragon Jaguar XJ6 was far less than he paid. Unlike Media, 88 Danbury Road, TrueScale Miniatures, a company in Chino, CA, headed by a CMC, Paragon does not state an MSRP on their website. Our Wilton, CT 06897 USA, or fellow named Glen Chou. ey make lot of different models, printed price was $100; we’ve seen the cars go for as little as email us at [email protected]. mostly in 1:18 and 1:43 scales — and they also distribute $70 and as much as $150, from different online sources. Shop We'll edit letters as needed, several product lines through their retail division, Sunrich around. — JK and though we will read them Toys. In the beginning, TSM used existing mold sets (which all, we don't have room to they improved on) to kick-start the line; now, more often than Paragon's 1:18 Jaguar sells, on average, for around answer or publish every one. not, the models are all-new tools with high detail. We’ll be $100 - sometimes more, sometimes less. at's featuring more and more of their products in coming issues. what happens when a manufacturer doesn't put In the meantime, you can find them at tsm-models.com, or forth an MSRP. And no, we won't sell you ours. sunrichtoy.com. — JK Numbers Game Great issue, but you guys need to get your act together when it comes to prices! ere were two CMC cars that were listed with prices that were way off. One was the 1:18 Maserati “birdcage” frame, and the other was the 1:18 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR “Stirling Moss.” What happened? What are the real prices supposed to be? Phil McHale, email Hello, Phil. Yep, you’re right, we screwed up the prices on a couple of cars, and didn’t realize it until we’d gone to print. ankfully, the collectors who spotted the glitch were under- SEARCHIN' FOR STACEY anks for a great issue, again, and for covering so many different cars and models. I enjoy the mix of different cars and scales, and the different prices. I really enjoyed the article on Stacey David. He seems like a genuinely nice man, and I always loved his shows on Speed Channel. Now, Speed Channel is gone. What happened, and where can I find Stacey’s show? Is it still called Gearz? Al Rushell, email Hello, Al. anks for reading DCX. Stacey David is exactly as he seems on the show — a great guy, with a lot of talent, who grew up loving cars and learned early how to do things the right way ... which is what a lot of viewers who miss Speed wish Fox would have done with the beloved car-centered station. e channel was phased out of the North American market in August of 2013 (it apparently still airs in other countries — almost reason enough to take a TV vacation). e slot has been taken over by a new programming paradigm and given a new name: FOX Sports 1. Stacey David’s Gearz was one of the casualties of that change- over. at’s the bad news; the good news is, you can still watch Stacey by checking out Lucas Oil’s MAVTV (mavtv.com) and seeing if your cable TV provider carries the show. And yes, it’s still called Gearz. — JK 8 DCXmag.com



inside line events & industry news Got Room? W e have seen the future — and it’s a place that’s really all about the past. A new website has debuted, called The Collection Room, and from where we sit, it’s an ambitious, well-rounded, extremely well-designed set of pages and social media outlets geared toward ... well, collecting. The site, which is geared to go live as we go to print, is a real eye opener, Rodrigo and his crew are working up a new section on the site that will mostly because there’s a bit of everything on there. Like pedal cars? allow for selling, buying, and trading, and it’s set to debut later in 2014. In Check. Lunchboxes? Got you covered. Think the world rises and sets on the meantime, we suggest you drop in and check it out — and if you like PEZ dispensers? There’s a place for you and all your plastic pals, all neatly what you see, joining is easy. Just use your email, Twitter, or Facebook organized and constantly updated. According to the site’s founder Rodrigo account, then browse to your area of interest, and start sharing your Conde, the idea behind the site was simple: “My plan was to create a collection. Drop in. Tell them DCX sent you. gathering space for collectors to share their passions and interests, as well as connect with like-minded people. I wanted to bring more people The Collection Room: thecollectionroom.com into collecting too, because starting a collection can be hard. Connecting with people who are “veteran” collectors can ease things up for newcomers.” Diversity is what collecting is all about, and of course, our particular favorites — as seen not only on the site, but on the Collection Room Facebook page — are the many different scales and vintages of diecast, resincasts, and plastic, in all different scales, and in varying conditions. So, how does that play in the diecast world — especially for new collectors trying to round out a collection? “The Collection Room will be the best place for collectors to extend their knowledge, because fellow collectors will help you with any question you have. We are planning to have community leaders for different types of collections, too, to make The Collection Room into a powerful resource.” 10 DCXmag.com



SHOWROOM NEW RELEASES & FIRST LOOKS Grand Prix Fixe GOLDEN ERA MINICHAMPS “Mullin Collection” 1937 Delahaye 145 Grand Prix MINICHAMPS 1:43 | $95 “Mullin Collection” 1927-’36 Delage-ERA Henri Chapron’s beautifully re-bodied Type 145 was featured in the last issue of DCX; this time we have Minichamps’ beautifully made resin-cast model of the first of the 1:43 | $95 Type 145s as it looked when raced by the French Ecurie Bleue team. is particular Few single cars have generated this much history: First, this car, Chassis 48771 (now in the Mullin Museum, of course), won the French govern- Delage was part of the team that won every (yes, every) ment’s one-million-franc prize for the first French car to beat the all-conquering Grand Prix in 1927, then, in 1936, Dick Seaman drove it to German teams, which it did at Montlhéry in a non-Championship race. Photos show dominate voiturette racing so thoroughly that he earned a that Minichamps has modeled the wide two-seat body shape and the aerodynami- spot on the 1937 Mercedes GP team. Siamese Princes Chula cally faired cycle fenders accurately. e resin casting is smooth with lots of crisp detail, and Bira (White Mouse Racing) bought it from Seaman, but this sample does have a couple of pinholes under the nose. Minichamps’ authentic French Blue and had Delage build a new independent front suspension paint is excellent and the red/white stripes are done with neatly applied and snugged-down decals. chassis, and replace the aging Delage straight-8 with a new Photo-etched parts are used for the big curved grille, air intake screen, big wire wheels, the hood six-cylinder ERA engine for the ’37 GP season. e parts of straps, and what could only have been a big air deflector above the scuttle. A well-done “engine this car and two others were jumbled during wartime storage; turned” dash with a full set of detailed instruments dominates the interior, but all the controls are just Rob Walker bought the IFS chassis, ERA engine, and enough where photos show them. ere aren’t many pre-war Grand Prix models out there, and even fewer parts in 1946 to rebuild it for Rob Walker Racing. Still in his are this good. - Wayne Moyer signature dark blue, it’s now in the Mullin Collection - and the carvillemodelsshop.com subject of this little gem of a model. e resin castings are clean and crisp, paint is excellent, and the Elite Force IFS chassis, six-cylinder exhaust, and rear suspension details are all just as HOT WHEELS ELITE they should be. Check out the plumbed oil tank and shifter to the left of the 2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta drive shaft, pedals, and detailed gauges in the cockpit. e photo-etched wire 1:43 | $55 wheels and polished knock-offs match With 703 Italian stallions on tap from its 382cid V-12, Ferrari’s F12 Berlinetta is the most powerful photos and yes — those are hoses to the street car Modena has ever built. Add to that an aluminum space-frame chassis and a Pininfarina big drum brakes. Yet another Minichamps body with F1-inspired “aero bridge” air ducting around its sides (rather than topside) and you have masterpiece - and another reason to visit the real one of the most potent supercars now available. Fortunately for those who don’t have a spare $330K cars, some day. - Wayne Moyer lying around, Hot Wheels Elite has just released this gorgeous diecast as a pacifier for tifoso or tifosa carvillemodelshop.com on a budget. It doesn’t read as such; the classic 2-seater Berlinetta shape is exactly right any way you look at it, those “aero bridges” are open, and it’s fully trimmed out, down to the tiny Ferrari badge on the wheel hubs. Speaking of wheels, most photos show a different design, but there are shots of some F12s - possibly later examples - wearing this style. e Ferrari Red paint is very glossy and panel lines are so crisp it looks like the doors could open. Inside, the tan and black upholstery is ac- curate, as are the dash, console, pedals, and wheel-mounted shift paddles. Photos show F12s with yellow tach faces, not white-on-black as Hot Wheels has it. Dimensions are literally perfect. Yes, this one says “Mattel” — but it’s far from a toy. - Wayne Moyer hotwheels-elite.com 12 DCXmag.com

Ed-citation SPARK 1958 Edsel Citation Convertible 1:43 | $73.99 Although it was a sales disaster at the time, the Edsel has become more popular over the years, and none more so than the top-of-the-line Citation convertible. Spark’s new resincast of the distinctively styled car is simply one of the best 1:43-scale models to come along for a while. Its excellent “Spring Green” paint matches chips perfectly, and every bit of trim, outside and inside, is reproduced with great scale fidelity using a combination of plated, photo-etched, and hot-printed bright chrome. Yes, the “E-D-S-E-L” letters on the rear fenders are barely visible, but they’re perfectly spaced and aligned. Lenses are separate, fluted pieces; check out the extremely thin chrome trim on the taillights. e horse-collar grille and hood vents have a black wash and the thin, clear glass fits flush in the frame. And then there’s the interior - authentic two-tone uphol- stery has thin white piping on the seats and chromed color separation lines on the door panels; of course the handles and cranks are plated, while ash trays are printed silver. ere’s a full set of correctly detailed gauges, photo-etched pedals, and a delicate steering wheel replete with a “Tele-Touch” shift hub. e workmanship is flawless - and dimensions are precisely on scale. - Wayne Moyer jmmodelautos.com GOLDEN TIGER ofMMeetercoyr AUTOMODELLO BROOKLIN 1965 Sunbeam Tiger “50th Anniversary” 1960 Miller-Meteor Cadillac Ambulance 1:43 | $165 1:43 | $162.95 e Rootes Group built the Sunbeam Tiger for one purpose - to bring U.S. dollars to the U.K. All of the 1,649 cars built in 1964 were Wayne Corporation bought two longtime Ohio “professional car” coachbuilders in 1957,and shipped over here, and the first right-hand-drive Tiger wasn’t built merged them to form the Miller-Meteor Company. From the very beginning, all Miller-Meteors until January 7, 1965. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of were built on Cadillac Commercial chassis. ese were big cars - and Brooklin Models’ new larger that first “wrong side” Tiger, Automodello has released this beau- casting equipment has made it possible to release this striking model of the 1960 Miller-Meteor tiful miniature of it for the British-based Sunbeam Tiger Owner’s “Guardian” ambulance in their “Community Service Vehicles” line. e heavy white-metal body Club. e model has the rounded hood corners add leaded-in cowl is crisp, absolutely free of mold lines, and loaded with detail; dimensions are exactly right for the seams of the early Mark I, but also the square front lower door giant Caddy chassis, too. e shape, with the fiberglass roof added to provide more headroom, corner and visible rocker panel joint of later cars - details which matches photos perfectly. Its two-tone white and gold paint (one of four authentic Guardian color match a photo of another English Tiger, as seen in author William schemes) is excellent, but it’s in factory-fresh markings - no “user” graphics. Only the windshield Carroll’s Tiger: An Exceptional Motorcar. e beautifully done frame, fin caps, and molding around the gold side trim is over-painted; everything else, including RHD dash and pedals (only two??), optional Minilite wheels, and the long side trim, is done with individual plated parts. ere’s nice two-tone upholstery up front, “Mediterranean Blue” paint (my Tiger sales brochure says calls out an accurate plated speedometer, radio, and glove box panels, but none of the relief details have “Wedgwood Blue” ) are the only changes from the original version, been picked out. In back, the gurney is stowed on its side in front of the wood-grain equipment but this RHD model is limited to just 165 pieces. Scale fidelity of the cabinets, and the attendant’s seat is also folded down. is is a great pick for pro-car collectors. photo-etched chrome trim must be seen to be believed; the side - Wayne Moyer stripe is absolutely straight with tiny “Tiger” scripts and Rootes brasiliapress.com badging at the rear, while the SUNBEAM letters are perfectly aligned. Yes, the all-important “Powered by Ford” badge is here, too. Workmanship is flawless and dimensions are right on scale - tiny and beautifully done. - Wayne Moyer diecasm.com Caddy, Cornered BROOKLIN 1960 Cadillac Series 62 6-window Sedan 1:43 | $135 While the 1959 Cadillac was the flashiest ever built, a 1960 facelift made the car much smoother and less flamboyant, with a full-width grille, toned-down chrome, and smaller fins. Brooklin has released this very impressive model of the top-line Cadillac sedan, the Series 62 Six-Window. e body’s lines match photos from all angles, and Brooklin has combined the use of their new chrome-plated wire side and fender trim with the plated “birdcage” roof and window frame casting to create an almost fully detailed model with fine scale fidelity and an excellent two-tone paint job. All the trim is plated except for the front fender badges (missing, here) and over-painted fin caps; the “Pelham Blue” and “Olympic White” colors match paint chips very well. Inside, the upholstery patterns are correct, and the door panels have arm rests but no handles, cranks or trim. e plated dash center section and instrument cluster are equally accurate, but the relief-cast faces and details haven’t been picked out. ere’s been some criticism of the fin height in some circles, but we’re thinking that’s the result of lens-distorted photos online. As far as we’re concerned, Brooklin has the lines just right. - Wayne Moyer brasiliapress.com SPRING 2014 13

SHOWROOM FFAR OUT Nash-ville HOT WHEELS ELITE 2012 Ferrari FF BROOKLIN 1939 Nash Ambassador 1:43 | $55 Eight 4-Door Touring Sedan Introduced at the 2011 Geneva Show, the Ferrari FF (“Ferrari Four”) broke new ground in several areas. Its 6.2 liter, 651-horse V-12 was the biggest engine ever 1:43 | $135 stuffed into a street-legal Ferrari, and while it’s not the first four seater from Nash sales for 1938 were dismal, but in spite of the red ink new CEO George Modena, its high-roofline (“shooting brake” in Euro-speak) Pininfarina body is the Mason insisted upon new - not just face-lifted - bodies for the 1939 line. first to carry two pairs of adults comfortably for long distances. Finally - maybe most Although the styling was certainly evolutionary, the ’39s had larger wheel openings importantly - it’s the first Ferrari with 4-wheel drive... driver selectable, in this case. (and larger wheels and tires), smoother, lower-looking lines, and an unusual front Hot Wheels has the curvaceous shape exactly right from the nose to the subtle end with a tall horizontal-strake grille flanked by smaller vertical-barred inlets. ducktail spoiler. e same for details; if it’s visible in photos, it’s there, to scale, on the Brooklin’s latest hand-built white-metal beauty is this very well-done model of the model, including the tiny (really tiny) Pininfarina scripts, the trim tab in the rear aero best-selling ’39 Ambassador Eight, the 4-Door Touring (aka “Trunkback”) Sedan. tunnel, and almost-invisible Ferrari badges in the wheel hubs. Behind those accurate wheels are detailed discs with Ferrari-badged calipers. is sample’s highly glossy e Brunswick Blue paint is smooth and glossy and is set off by lots of separate red paint does have a little orange peel on the sides; interior detail is just as complete bright chromed parts. e addition of plated wire beltline moldings and plated wipers as the outside highlights, with accurate high-relief seats and side panel upholstery, means that only the relief-cast window moldings and vent window frames still lack separate belts with photo-etched hardware in back, photo-etched switch panels chrome. Rectangular headlights are correct, round sealed-beams would appear and chrome trim on the doors, and a dash full of accurate details, including the yellow next year. Beauty rings and small hub caps (with engraved “Nash” scripts) were face on the detailed tach. Dimensions are accurate, too. Hot Wheels really nailed this standard for the Ambassador Eight. Brooklin has the fake wood dash right, but the one. - Wayne Moyer speedometer and other relief details are almost invisible. Overall lines are right on hotwheels-elite.com the money, as are major dimensions. It’ll be a while before anyone else does one of these - especially this well. - Wayne Moyer brasiliapress.com Romeo, Romeo Chicago Fuzz AUTOART PREMIUMX 1973 Chevrolet Bel Air Chicago Police 1:43 | $37 Alfa Romeo 33 TT 12 “Francorchamps 1975” 1:18 | $329.99 AUTOart’s Signature Series Alfa Romeo Tipo 33TT12 demonstrates something close to detail overload in the sub- $500 category. For one thing, this model of the Derek Bell / Henri Pescarolo-piloted winner of the 1975 1000Km at Spa is a true high-ender: delicate, multi-paneled, and spidery, the car comes in a clamshell package that had us a little e Bel Air became Chevy’s entry-level challenged at first; once we got past the screw-and-strap securing hardware, the car’s mind-bending (for the price) model when the entire lineup was revised in feature list had us remembering some of our favorite scale rides from makers who once defined the upper reaches of 1973, and the low-end 4-door sedan was a the scale. We won’t get into the car’s impressive feature list, here — Bill Bennett does a fine job of that while review- favorite with Police, Taxi, and other fleet buy- ing this model’s sister release, the ’75 Monza winner, in this issue — but we will tell you this: even the included hard- ers. PremiumX’s new resincast wears the ware and tools — a real set of tweezers (no cheapo punched-and-folded steel, here — these are beautician grade), a correct color scheme and graphics for the chromed lug wrench for the removable wheels, an extra locking nut, and even a bag full of tiny spare “rivets,” lest you Chicago P.D. in ’73; body lines are accurate lose a couple of the delicate pieces during handling — is top-shelf quality. Is this AUTOart’s finest release yet? Quite and every detail, from the complex grille to possibly, yes. - Joe Kelly, Jr. the translucent red taillights, is present and autoart-models.com correct. Window surrounds, handles, and rocker panel moldings are printed chrome while the legible Chevrolet and “Bel Air” scripts appear to be ultra-thin, perfectly applied etched pieces. e 1973 Illinois plates are legible under magnification (or with very good eyes), and the standard-issue spotlight and steel wheels with small caps and beauty rings are here, too; while this light bar doesn’t appear in photos of contemporary Police- package Bel Airs, it is on other Chicago cruisers so PremiumX is most likely correct. Interior detail is very well done with excellent upholstery detail, silver-printed relief handles and cranks, some wood-grain trim, and an accurate decal instrument panel, but no sign of any communications gear or other Police equipment. Dimensions are within 0.02 of perfect 1:43. - Wayne Moyer ixomodels.com

K.A.R.R.-isma BILL BENNETT’S “Lifestyles of the Auto Obsessed” HOT WHEELS ELITE “K.A.R.R.” 1:43 | $70 Before Michael Knight’s bad, black, cyber-Trans Am Once again, our intrepid man on the scene has been testing accessories “K.I.T.T” took to fighting crime, there was “K.A.R.R.,” and gadgets for car folk. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Knight Industries’ first - and decidedly flaky - proto- type robotic car. Unlike its prop- BEACH BOMBS erly bolted-together sibling, K.A.R.R. had a few screws Motorhead Miniatures “Fast Women” loose (not to mention a couple of rogue 1:18 | $19.99 per 2-figure set e female form has never been too far from the raison d’être of the “Fast Women” lineup from Moto- rhead Miniatures. And we’re not complaining. ese latest sets, called “Spokes- models,” each feature a pair of booth babes done circuits in its main processor), and was stashed safely SPRUNG at the behest of collectors away until a couple of bumbling thieves unwittingly who wanted to see a return set it loose. at made K.A.R.R. a menace — and a AUTOart “suspension” belt to the lineup’s roots - dyed handy plot device which appeared in two episodes of though they may be - Knight Rider: “Trust Doesn’t Rust,” and the tellingly $49.95 with more skin, and more titled “K.I.T.T. vs. K.A.R.R.” Here’s a spoiler, in case Ah, the expanding waistline. Nothing says holiday distinctive faces ... even a you missed it: K.I.T.T. wins. Another winner is the excess like a full belly, and there’s no better way tat or two. e cold cast 1:43 version of the bad seed Poncho as done by Hot to make an automotive fashion statement and resin figurines certainly Wheels Elite. e diecast body is heavy, smooth, and keep your pants up whilst making merry than deliver on all fronts (and deco’d up correctly, with a silver grey treatment below AUTOart’s “Suspension Belt.” e 1 1/4\" (3cm) not to shabbily in the back, the waist and a yellow, not red, scanner in its nose. black cowhide belt is fitted with two racy polished either), and they come with We love the shape of the thing - HWE has finessed aluminum coilover shocks, working with suspen- bases to stand on. Another the car convincingly - and the butyrate glazing, crisp sion bell cranks and fulcrums in the buckle to allow new wrinkle: no names. Set wheels and tires, and fully detailed interior make the up to one centimeter of play in the belt’s length. It’s number 324 comes with the girl wearing the pink top car a piece that’ll fit nicely alongside even higher-end a precision piece, and the expansion and contrac- and jeans shorts, and the lady in the yellow-striped resin 1:43 models. e lensing up front, moderate (but tion take place with nary a move needed on behalf bikini; set 325 features the lounging gal in the brown nicely picked out) chassis detailing, and the smoked of the wearer. is will come in handy whether and red bikini, and a friend wearing an orange and red T-tops, rear glass, and taillights make the car an you’re bending over to pick-up that torque wrench, two piece. If you’re pining for some plastic pulchritude authentic piece that should engage adult col- or reaching for the gravy boat. Buckle up. - Bill to place about your pride and joys, (and who would lectors and younger fans alike. - Joe Kelly, Jr. Bennett blame you?), a simple browse to the Motorhead Min- hotwheels-elite.com autoartmodels.com iatures site will do the trick. - DCX Staff motorheadminiatures.com FORMULA FOB AUTOart “Formula One” Keychain $32.95 e steering wheel has become one the most important, technologically advanced pieces of gear in the modern Formula One race car. With exception of the accelerator and brake pedal, everything else the driver needs to interact with the car - controls for shifting, rev limits, launch, communication, brake Fin Fatale and suspension bias, even hub-mounted feedback video displays - all reside in the wheel. AUTOart’s Formula steering wheel keychain puts a AUTO WORLD Christine miniature version of this technological wonder in your pocket; attached 1958 Plymouth Fury with a stitched vinyl strap to a stainless steel key ring, the little wheel is finished in faux carbon fiber and has individually machined knobs 1:43 | $79.99 in green, red and silver, as well as simulated green, yellow, red and While Michael and K.I.T.T. were tearing up the Uni- white lights. e hand grips pull out from the hub and twist to allow versal back lot, author Stephen King was penning a attachment of security dongles, ID cards or additional keys to the wheel missive about a massive old Plymouth that came off the assembly line populated by more spooks than a itself ... just the thing to keep the keys to the paddock secure. - Bill Bennett autoartmodels.com Hallowe’en hayride. at novel - Christine - eventu- ally made it to the big screen in one of the better-realized efforts from King’s creepy catalog. A while back, Auto World did a re- release of the old Ertl/Joyride 1:18 diecast of the car, and now, they’re adding this exceptionally well-done resincast. Par- don us if we say that this thing is killer; the quality of the piece is obvious, with a slick red and white paint job (yes, incorrect for a 1958 Fury, but accurate to the film car) that covers a perfectly proportioned body. Real lenses are at each end, and the smoked windows — as seen on film when the car was in attack mode — are trimmed out in a mix of carefully cast resin and photo-etched metal. More processed steel is used to replicate the Fury’s golden side spear — a little flat, but nicely textured — and the model’s wipers, fender- top trim, hood badge, and cowl vent are also acid-dipped. One of the coolest details — intentional or not — is the slightly dulled, hyper-realistic sheen on the bumpers; too many 1:43 models wear the same chrome wattage as much larger replicas. is one just looks real — and full-interior variants are on deck for later in 2014. — DCX Staff autoworldstore.com SPRING 2014 15

SHOWROOM RUNNERS Because we like action on wheels as much as anyone else, we’ve decided to include some choice RC pieces in our Showroom section from time to time. e criteria? ey have to look like the real thing - and arrive ready-to-run. Hey, we know you’re picky. And busy. If you like radio control, check out any of the cool titles geared toward the hobby at AirAge. com. In the meantime, check these out: King’s RADIO ROCKS Cobra LRP Porsche GT3 “Green Hell” AUTO WORLD Spinout Shelby Cobra 427 1:10 | PRICE TBA 1:18 | $89.99 If you know what “Grüne Höelle” means - and no, it’s not a Goth-metal act from Comedian Eddie Murphy (yes, he used to be a comic) once did a bit about Elvis Sweden - you’re probably already taking a good long look at this LRP Porsche Presley’s string of campy (though hugely successful) movies. Elvis’ scriptwriters GT3 Cup racer from RC maker LRP. e model and the company are both new were never too taxed; whether e King’s character was a pilot, a cowboy, or a (they haven’t even figured out their pricing, yet) but it looks to us like this crew hitchhiking hobo (we’re not kidding), it was never long before Elvis was hip-swivel- knows a thing or two about putting a great-looking body on the hoof - perfect ing and strumming his way through a flotilla of girls batting their Maybelline-d eyes. for those collectors who like their images on the move. And move, it does: based Murphy’s take was spot on. So is this model of the star car from Presley’s 1966 on the S10 “Blast TC” chassis, the ready-to-run car comes toting a 540-sized less-than-epic grinder Spinout, in which Elvis was cast as Mike McCoy, a traveling motor, a digital speed control, and LRP’s A2-STX Pro 2.4GHz transmitter, as entertainer and part-time race driver who tows his 427 Cobra from place to place well as a fully adjustable on-road suspension built with ball bearings in all the behind a 1929 Model J Duesy. Getting dizzy, yet? e mold set is an Ertl-sourced big right spots. LRP also includes four-hole “Big Bore” shocks, anodized parts, block Cobra that has emerged from the wayback machine with dog-leg hinges on sway bars, foam-insert VTEC tires, a charger, a battery pack, and, most impor- its opening doors and hood, steerable wheels, and a pinpoint-correct livery for the tantly, a full-on, highly detailed user manual for both the experienced user and movie machine. Done in white with red meatballs and rolling on correct magnesium- newbie alike. Head banging is optional. Rock on. - DCX Staff colored Halibrands at all four corners, the visible casting lines at the rear are a tipoff LRP.cc/en to the mold’s age, but the piece is otherwise built and finished off well. e car has a moderately detailed interior, a neat, vinyl-wired engine, and a well-done chassis, too, all of which arrive in a box decorated with a reproduction of the movie poster and a few stills from the film. Taken in the context of its intended audience, this one’s going to be a hit. Uh huh. - Joe Kelly, Jr. autoworldstore.com Screaming Eagles GERMAN LESSON AUTO WORLD 1977 Pontiac Trans Am LRP Mercedes-Benz DTM 1:43 | $69.99 each 1:10 | PRICE TBA e parade of new 1:43 resins continues to impress us, especially this emerging line Another just-emerging runner from LRP is this Mercedes-Benz C-class AMG DTM - truly a trick sedan, thanks to accurate proportions, a low-slung stance, from Auto World, whose recent foray into the scale and the medium has been ex- and the same S10 tub-style chassis used on the Porsche. at tub has a lot of tremely well received around here. is pair of 1977 Pontiac Trans Ams had us tearing advantages - strength being the principal benefit - and it makes for an adapt- into the packaging, thanks to what appeared to be a high level of detail and some able platform that takes RTR (Ready to Run) to its extremes. True, you can great paint. And with just a few nits to pick, we were right: though the tumblehome take this Merc out of its box and happily romp away on any paved surface, but of the resincasts’ lower bodies is a little too vertical, and the “snowflake” wheel and the real joy is the car’s abilities to grow alongside your own, thanks to a fully tire combo is a tick too big, the overall presentation of the cars is neat and almost adjustable suspension, shocks, and steering. Like the Porsche, the model’s complete, with great brightwork, super glazing, and a flawless build. Cleared-over shell has all the good looks and aggressive styling of the real racer, and comes decals call out the T/A 6.6 on the cars’ shaker scoops, and the screaming chicken pre-decorated (as does an available replacement body, sans chassis). e best on both models is perfectly placed; though it’s not noticeable on the black version part is the parts ... as in the catalog of available spares and speed-oriented bits (and yes, there will be a “Smokey” version - this isn’t it), there should be black trim this manufacturer has on hand for the more accomplished driver or adventur- around the openings for the T-tops and window gasketing around the upper doors ous beginner. Either way, we thought this one looked great both moving or and body. Back on the positive: the interiors are accurate, and the engine-turned standing still. - DCX Staff dash is replicated with a neat appliqué; underneath, the T/A has good chassis detail LRP.cc/en - except for the missing forked-tongue exhaust tips that made the T/A all the more distinctive. at note, above all, is one we’d have liked to see. Overall, a nice effort. - Joe Kelly, Jr. autoworldstore.com 16 DCXmag.com



SHOWROOM FOSTER’S CHILD AUTO WORLD “Foster’s King Cobra” Funny Car 1:18 | $89.99 e Legends of the Quarter Mile from Auto World just keep a-comin’, and that’s not a bad thing. AW’s model of Sid and Gerald Foster’s 1972 Mustang flopper is the latest take on the line’s FoMoCo funny car mold set, and it’s one of the flashiest in an array of anything-but- subtle models, thanks to a great casting and phenomenal paint and graphics. e highlight of those markings is the brightly foiled lettering at the car’s sides - not an easy, or inexpensive process - and the rest of the car’s plastic (possibly a light resin) body is glass smooth. Lift it, or take it off completely, and the Logghe chassis and Chrysler Hemi are in full bloom; once again, Auto World’s well dialed-in formula for replicating the running gear of the cars is on display, with a mix of vinyl, plastic, and steel cables, wires, and pipes; from the top of the injector scoop to the ground-scraping zoomies, there’s a great palette of textures and colors, not to mention crisp, believable castings and liberal chrome. e seat wears a fabric and photo-etched harness, and the chassis rolls — really well — on scuffed slicks and treaded front tires. e car’s top numbers of 223 miles per hour, in a 6.61 second blast, recorded in 1972, made it a top-ranked machine. Auto World’s dedication to this lineup, and to building in a ton of bang for the buck, make the model one well worth having. - Joe Kelly, Jr. autoworldstore.com Phoenix THAT’S NO NINJA AUTO WORLD 1972 Pontiac Trans Am AUTOART Honda NSX Japanese Police 1:18 | $79.99 Back in the good old days of mass-market, twenty- 1:18 | $189.99 buck large-scale diecasts, the Ertl company ruled the Anyone who’s been tailed by a trooper in a striped-up roost with nice-looking replicas of popular muscle Mustang, Camaro or Hemi Charger can tell you that hot shoe cars. In 1995 they debuted one of their best ever — a cop cars aren’t uncommon. But when the lawman is rolling in an 1970 Pontiac Trans Am — and that mold still looks as exotic ... that’s a different story. AUTOart has taken one of their better re- good now as it did back then. When considering Auto cent mold sets — a killer early ’90s NSX (in home market “Honda” guise) - and World’s latest use of the tool, we’d go so far as to say done it up in Japanese black-and-white police car scheme. ey’ve added a few touches that it’s never looked this good - thanks to some very — like the light bar up top, and the radio bolted to the dash (as well as the corresponding antenna for the rear nice detailing and greatly improved assembly and fender), but the model beneath the badge is easily the highest-detail take on the classic aluminum-bodied NSX paint. Seen here as a 1972 T/A in Cardinal Red with that’s yet been done in mid-scale, with opening doors, hood and trunk, working pop-ups for the projector-style white and black stripes and a black interior, rolling headlights, and a fully wired, piped, and labeled miniature of the car’s mid-mounted 270HP “C30A” V6 under its on great honeycomb wheels, Auto World’s variant rear window/engine cover. at may not sound like a lot of grunt, but in the superlight NSX, that was more than surpasses the older versions on a lot of levels. Some enough to pull the car to 60mph in the five-second range. anks to development input from none other than the of that is because these guys are bolting the cars to- late Ayrton Senna, the car’s suspension kept it planted in the corners - great stuff when chasing Yakuza out of the gether a whole lot better than Ertl ever did — and the prefecture. Steel brake discs, real hinges, great lensing and glazing, and the usual AUTOart precision in the paint balance of the boost is the result of some added bits and build make it all the more arresting. — Joe Kelly, Jr. and details, like the flexible vinyl wires on the 455 HO autoartmodels.com engine (replete with painted block, and surrounded by lots of little hand-picked paint details — a nice touch), Wheeler Deal a carpeted and fully painted interior, and the finessing of the castings around the grille. Little things do mean AUTOMODELLO a lot, here, and the painted headliner and more aggres- sively decorated chassis — though built from the exact 1977 TVR M-Series Turbo same castings as the original release, almost twenty years ago - pop a whole lot more. Only one more detail 1:43 | $119.95 might have blasted this one into a higher level of wow When Triumph quit building their U.S.-legal straight-six engines, TVR was left - matching the chrome framework for the windshield without a powerplant. Ford of England agreed to supply the 3-liter “Essex” V-6; and backlight by detailing the trim around the door with the bigger engine the TVR became the 3000M. For those who wanted still glass openings with some thin chrome, and some more power, TVR had Ford tuner Broadspeed develop a turbocharged version, black for the window seals. Still, for fans of the Firebird the 3000M Turbo. TVR Chairman Peter Wheeler drove one for many years. is - and for the good work Auto World is doing these second TVR model from Automodello is a limited edition (123 made) miniature days - this one is hard to pass up. — Joe Kelly, Jr. of Wheeler’s wheels; an even more limited all-black “Homage Edition” is also autoworldstore.com available. e basic body is, as it should be, identical to the first TVR Automodello marketed (successfully — it’s now sold out), but the hood, mirrors, and wheels have been changed to accurately reproduce Wheeler’s car, and a radio antenna has been added. e most obvious change is the excellent metallic burgundy paint with authentic silver “Turbo” stripes. Inside, the accurate upholstery has a realistic leather sheen, and the dash decal is all new, with a different instru- ment arrangement and a radio face, all of which are nicely detailed. Although the authentic alloy wheels are very well done, there are no brakes behind them. Workmanship is flawless, but my calculator says the model is closer to 1/41 scale; no big deal in a model this small. - Wayne Moyer diecasm.com 18 DCXmag.com



SHOWROOM RED, WHITE AND WOW Lambo Field AUTO WORLD Bruce Larson “USA-1” Funny Car AUTOART Lamborghini LP570-4 Superleggera 1:18 | $89.99 1:43 | $49.95 Speaking of the Legends series, this 1970s-vintage Camaro repre- e gonzo edge of supercars is a lofty place where mere mortals (read that: working sents the bow-tie contingent as Bruce Larson’s particularly patriotic stiffs like us) seldom get to play. Here, a specialty air intake can cost a few grand; “USA-1” funny - one of the prettier cars Larson ran in his career, and, specifying a different wheel, tire or brake combo, four times the amount. Want a thanks to its Hemi engine and sleek shape, one that kept him running special color with that, too? Better raid that lock box you never told the wife about. and winning match races in the early ’70s, despite the lack of a major corporate Lamborghini’s Gallardo is such a car. In base form, it’s a V10-powered screamer sponsor. e decos on the model match perfectly to a few in-action shots we found that can scare most folks bloodless. But for seekers of the aforementioned edge, (some of which showed alarming, full-flame burnouts), and the livery - including a there are variants like this LP570-4 Superleggera, a more powerful, lightened (by 88 high end grouping of tamped-on sponsor logos, all sealed under a piano-smooth pounds) and more expensive version. We’ll spare the laundry list of what Lambo has clear coat - makes the car a great adjunct to the ever-growing Legends set. Our hacked, unbolted, or otherwise pared down to make the car lighter, so we can get favorite business, topside, is the beautiful metallic in the blue stripes - a great, and right to this excellent (and very orange) model from AUTOart. is “Arianco Borealis authentic contrast to the rest of the colors on the car; underneath, it’s that same, Pearl” (a close-to-four grand option) covers a great casting that rolls on black well-done funny chassis that’s rolled under nigh on all of the Legends of the Quarter wheels fronting ceramic brakes with orange calipers (sixteen thou, please). e parts Mile cars, done here in a correct red. Here’s our greatest hope: that the success of and pieces - including real screening in the nose — are sweet; so is the model’s full this line will allow AW to break out some new bodies (which they are - stay tuned), — and fully detailed — interior, which includes a legibly-gauged dash, and a center and drill down even deeper into one of the greatest eras in drag car history. We’ll be stack wearing readable buttons. e lenses are the real deal, and so are the tamped- waiting. — Joe Kelly, Jr. on and foil-based markings all over; for fifty bucks - options included - this is a hell autoworldstore.com of a cool little car. — Joe Kelly, Jr. autoartmodels.com Club Rules ALL HAIL ALONSO GT SPIRIT Porsche 911 (993) Carrera RS Club Sport HOT WHEELS ELITE Ferrari F2012 “F. Alonso Malaysian GP Victory” 1:18 | $135 GT Spirit sent along this wicked-looking Carrera RS Club Sport as we were getting ready to wrap this issue, and 1:18 | $100 it’s still sitting on the edit desk, all mean, low, and yellow. Boy, is it yellow. And wow, is it slick. is is our fourth Balance is a critical element in racing, and for every sample from the company, and we have yet to see a single flaw, of any kind, on any of this maker’s resincast cars. yin, there’s a yang. at was the takeaway when Fernando Alonso took the Malaysian GP in March is one, wearing an appropriate “Speed Yellow” on its body, takes the cake. e casting is dead-on, finessed in of 2012 from behind the wheel of a Ferrari F2012 — every area (just look at the delicate radius of the upturned edges of the air dam, and the graceful arc of the inlets a car that had been roundly criticized for its lack of in the complex rear wing), and it wears pristine lensing, utterly clear glazing, and cross-drilled disc brakes with handling in dry conditions. at was the yin; when “Porsche” red calipers behind its RS-specific wheels. is was an important machine: not only was it a stripped- a light drizzle suddenly became a torrential storm down, scare-your-buddies at the track variant of the already quick 993 series 911, but this car carried the last (actually red flagging the race for a time), Alonso air-and oil-cooled engine to hide beneath the tail of a Porsche, tweaked for the Club Sport to 3.8 liters and 300 emerged from the pits on intermediate tires — and horsepower. All that clear butyrate makes seeing into the cabin easy, and the pared- proceeded to yang the hell out of the likes of Lewis down perches for the driver and one passenger (there’s no back seat) wear fabric Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen, Paul di Resta, and Mi- harnesses with p/e buckles. ere’s a roll cage, great floor detailing, and a neat, chael Schumacher. It wasn’t all easy, but Alonso’s hi-relief “Carrera RS” badge on the rear deck. And did we mention that it’s yellow? skill with the in-between rubber took him home - DCX Staff a little over two seconds ahead of Sergio Perez in GTS-models.com a Sauber-Ferrari. Judging from race-day photos, HWE’s done a great job of snap-shotting the livery on the car as it appeared that day; while one or two logos (Shell Oil being one of them) are done in high- quality, last-minute decals (isn’t licensing fun?), the majority of the deco above the car’s fine-flake metallic red is placed with great tampo strikes. e sealed body and all of its wild appendages look dead on, as do the wheels, carbon-toned suspen- sion arms and Pirelli P Zero rubber — which might have looked better with some scuffing — forgivable on this pre-production sample. Even better, this special edition comes with a wee Fernando along- side. Some may find the rear wing a bit too thick — but why rain on this parade? F1 fans — especially those with Ferrari in their blood — rejoice. - Joe Kelly, Jr. hotwheels-elite.com 20 DCXmag.com



SHOWROOM Evoque-ative ROLL OVER, ROVER CENTURY DRAGON 2011 Range Rover Evoque Coupe CENTURY DRAGON Land Rover “Huey” 1:43 | $129 On the other hand, Range Rover’s turbo’d four-cylinder Evoque has polarized a lot of 1:43 | $129 Land Rover fans since it rolled out for the 2011 model year. For one thing, it’s down- It would be hard to quantify the accumulated love that’s been lavished on the oldest right swoopy looking, with a wedgy body and low roofline, a swept-back grille, and, Land Rover. Over the past six-odd decades, millions of folks have heard of it, thou- in this “Coupe” trim, a wide glass “Panoramic” roof. Century Dragon didn’t hesitate to sands have seen it, but only a select few get the chance to take this nigh-on-price- go full-bore on this exquisite model of the top-tier “Coupe Dynamic” version; every less piece of British motoring history out of the museum for a spin, lest something... iota of the car’s outside detailing is here, done in raised foil lettering, photo-etched awkward happen. at’s ironic, given the toughness that the Land Rover became badges, and remarkable, multi-piece lenses. e glazing is utterly pristine and clear; known for - but completely understandable, given the little drab truck’s first-born not only is the roof in place, it’s the clear version (versus an available tinted variant), icon status. We’ll get right to it: this Century Dragon replica of “Huey” - named for its and that allows for full views of the model’s completely detailed, red-seated interior. registration plate, HUE 166 - is a confoundingly good model, done to startling level of completeness and finesse. e resincast body is crisp, flawlessly painted, and is one’s a right-hand driver - no doubt due to the model’s popularity in world wears a fabric-textured roof; the sags and wrinkles in the top are contrasted by the markets - and the fully rendered dash, door panels, and console don’t miss a trick. straight, clean lines of the rivet detailing all over, and the photo-etch used for the Of course, the model’s perfectly rendered wheels conceal steel brake discs, and window frames, hinges, and rub corners on the wee truck’s rear section. More p/e sure, the clear plinth makes taking in the fully detailed chassis all the easier. e hard is up front, and makes up the grille; shine a light in there to discover a set of lensed part? Choosing a color. Century’s done the entire catalog of available Evoque paint headlights, and even more photo-etch for the radiator proper. Bring the light to the schemes. What a remarkable miniature, from a company we hope to hear a lot more sides or rear, and there’s a full (bare bones) interior. Our favorite bit? e intricate from in the future. - Joe Kelly, Jr. chassis, detailed to the brass drain plugs on the diffs, made easily accessible without centurydragonshop.com having to unscrew the piece, thanks to a clear plinth. at’s clever as hell. is is an amazing little piece. - Joe Kelly, Jr. centurydragonshop.com what a Director Ron Howard’s Rush - the hit movie about the rivalry between F1 pilots Niki Lauda and James Hunt — has rush ... fans of Formula racing drooling into their popcorn over the machinery up on the screen. We’ve decided to break out a trio of Hot Wheels Elite 1:43 Ferraris wearing the winning Austrian’s name; they’ve been around for a while, but they’re still on the market, and more will certainly be appearing as the months go by... including the inevitable movie-licensed replicas. You can spend a lot more on higher-end pieces, but when it comes to bang-for-the-buck, these standard issue models are hard to beat. And think of the popcorn you’ll be able to buy with the savings. Ferrari 312 B3-74 / France GP 1974 Ferrari 312 T / South Africa GP 1976 Ferrari 312 T2 / “6-Wheels Test” 1977 1:43 | $35 1:43 | $35 1:43 | $35 Still new to Ferrari (from BRM), Niki came in second at By the time the Ferrari team hauled into the pits at the Niki Lauda showed remarkable resolve when he went the France GP in 1974, cranking this hastily reworked South Africa GP in 1976, Niki Lauda and designer Mauro back to racing a scant six weeks after his August 1976 Ferrari 312 through 80 laps to come in behind Ronnie Forghieri had locked in, and were hard at work making crash. e suspected reason for the crash was a failure Petersen’s Lotus Ford. Ferrari had shaken up their Ferrari a force to be reckoned with. e 312T was a of the rear suspension - and a still-bandaged Lauda race design staff after a disastrous 1973 season, and major improvement over the 312 B3, and had begun its returned to his 312 T determined to perfect its trac- though the B3 was a much-improved machine (it development while the B was still toughing it out in 1974, tion. One interesting attempt involved this six-tired took the pole 10 times in ’74), it was less than reliable. bringing a new, transverse gearbox into the mix (hence, rig - called the 312 T6, in-house - that took a novel HWE’s nailed the car’s shape and stance, and the the “T,” for transversale). at new balance meant vastly approach to traction by using pairs of front tires in the tamped-on and decaled markings are accurate for improved handling. On March 6, 1976, Lauda took the rear. If only for those crazy shoes, this cool-looking the race, as seen in pictures taken that day. e giant race after 78 laps, led the entire time, garnered his third model of the one-off car came out as a favorite. e “snorkel” air intake, chromed front airfoil and rear wing consecutive victory in a row - beating James Hunt by 1.3 shape and markings are authentic, as seen in several (a skoshe too “chromey,” but well done), and the fair- seconds. Once again, the model replicates the winning photos of the car, as is the delicate wire antenna on ly high level of detail in the cockpit and in its individual car closely, right down to the delicate striping that ran top of the car’s fairing. ere’s photo-etched detailing pieces (including a photo-etched radiator screen and around the racer’s upper body. e airfoils look great, in the scoops, a neat chromed air foil and rear wing, a harness buckle, and a texture-tamped seat harness) as do the slew of sponsor and corporate markings; the full cockpit, and great markings all around. As on the round out a collectible that puts authenticity in hand cockpit is complete, and the engine/exhaust detail out other models, those markings aren’t always exact - on real rubber “Good Year” tires - making it a great back is very good, too. Photos show the car with gold- some are too big, some too small - but they hit the starter car model for new (or old) Lauda fans. centered wheels, as well as black, that day - possibly mark far more than miss. Big budget models, trans- due to a tire change, maybe poor photo rendering - but kits, and hand-builts might get you closer to dead-on, overall, this model is a memento to one of Lauda’s better but at these prices, we’d say any of the cars are worth days before the events of August 1, 1976. rushing out for. 22 DCXmag.com

Experience aviation and military history up close and personal!...Discover Aiken’s! AIRCRAFT MODEL REPLICAS AT Aiken’s Airplanes • Online store includes aircraft models from • Large number of military models from WWI, Franklin Mint, Corgi, Hobbymaster, Marushin, WWII, Vietnam and modern era. Model Power and many more! • Most are fully assembles and ready to display! • Thousands of authentic diecast, plastic and • Excellent sales team toll free at mahogany desktop models in small to large scales 1-877-2AIKENS (877-224-5367) “Sale prices are for a limited time only!” HM-HA8102 Reg. $79.95 HM-HA8401 Reg. $89.95 HM-HA8203 Reg. $89.95 MIL-88001 Reg $199.95 ON SALE FOR $66.95 ON SALE FOR $76.95 ON SALE FOR $79.95 ON SALE FOR $179.95 Stearman N2S-2 Kaydet U.S. Navy P-47D Thunderbolt - Lt. Col. Francis Gabreski, 61st F4U-1 Corsair - VMF-214 “Black Sheep,” Lt. SBD Dauntless - U.S. Navy “Battle of Midway” Fighter Squadron Edwin L. Olander Ballistic Plastic Scale: 1:18 Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:48 Wing Span: 27.75” Wing Span: 8” Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:48 Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:48 Length: 22.25” Length: 6.25” Wing Span: 10.25” Wing Span: 10.25” Length: 9” Length: 8.5” HM-HA1982 Reg $84.95 HM-HA3817 Reg $74.95 CARO-6141 Reg $119.95 HM-HA3818 Reg $84.95 ON SALE FOR $76.95 ON SALE FOR $67.95 ON SALE FOR $89.95 ON SALE FOR $74.95 Douglas A-20G Havoc - “Hilda Shane,” 22 F-16A Fighting Falcon - “First Jet Squadron,” Nieuport 11 Norman Prince M7 Priest HMC - 68th Armored Field Artillery Sqn., RAAF, New Guinea, 1944 117 Squadron, Israeli Air Force Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:48 Bat., 1944 Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Wing Span: 6.25” Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Wing Span: 10.25” Wing Span: 6.25” Length: 4.75” Wing Span: 1.55” Length: 8” Length: 9.25” Length: 3.25” HM-HA4204 Reg $84.95 JSI-60022 Reg $159.95 HM-HG4706 Reg $42.95 TMC-AP40AVTS Reg. $204.95 ON SALE FOR $76.95 ON SALE FOR $139.95 ON SALE FOR $37.95 ON SALE FOR $157.45 Douglas A-20G Havoc - “Hilda Shane,” F-86F Sabre Jet, Maj J. Jabara, USAF 1953 M7 Priest HMC - 68th Armored Field Artillery P-40E Warhawk Flying Tigers 22 Sqn., RAAF, New Guinea, 1944 Ballastic Plastic: 1:18 Bat., 1944 Wing Span: 25” Ballastic Plastic: 1:24 Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Length: 25” Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Wing Span: 18.5” Wing Span: 10.25” Width: 1.5” Length: 16” Length: 8” Length: 3.25” Visit us online at: www.aikensairplanes.com or call us toll free at: 877-224-5367 Based in Memphis, TN

OUT OF THE BOX BY BILL BENNETT Sebring Spring CMC FERRARI I t was a couple months shy of the Summer of Love, but Ferrari had something a bit 312P more combative in mind when they debuted the 312P at Sebring in March of ’69. Sleek, sensuous, and low, the open-topped barchetta (little boat) had arrived to fight in the 1:18 | $459 arena of international sportscar racing in the under-3-liter prototype class with Mario Andretti and Chris Amon at the wheel. Ferrari certainly had an axe to BY THE NUMBERS blending of metals and (a tool is included to spin the grind; this race marked their Replicating Ferrari’s sole factory manufacturing processes also knockoffs) and you’ll find a hub return from a self-imposed entry that day, this scaled- makes the car a monkey puzzle and vented disc brake assembly one-year hiatus, after a rule down 312P captures chassis of thin-section, beautifully beautifully and realistically change had sidelined their #0868 looking as it did on placed panels that swing up or replicated. Among acres of championship-winning 4-liter arrival at Sebring — but before completely off the model. Take pressed metal bulkheads and 330P4 for 1968. ey’d spent crew members had applied the the nose away (or just look really fine-scale suspension bits, coil the year diligently. ough sponsor and contingency stickers closely before you install the spring “cooling hoses” run to the down on displacement when that would adorn it for the race. separately packed piece for the front brakes, but the units are compared to some cars on the Fair enough; though this early first time), and soak in the oodles fixed in place — non-steerable, field, the 312P took the pole and review sample had yet to get its of small details in the foot box, and with a locked-down ultimately came in second (first ride height adjusted (see sidebar), including little bell cranks that suspension. Copper lines run in class) atop a giant field that the four large white roundels, operate between the clutch and from the hydraulic cylinders contained Porsches, Camaros, done in bold white, each with brake pedals, and the master atop the footwell, and the twin Chevrons, big-block Corvettes, a black painted “25,” mark the cylinders plumbed with copper fuel fillers not only open, but Alfa Romeos, a VW-powered model as the in-class Sebring hydraulic lines. Pull a wheel have their own working locking 1600cc Heppenstall (yes, we winner. Painted in a rich rosso said “Heppenstall”), and even a corsa red, the body is a mixture of couple of Shelby GT350s. After diecast pieces and riveted brass the 11 a.m. start, it was the 3-liter stampings, and the result Porsche 908s that gave Andretti makes the hybrid and Amon the most trouble hull all the more throughout the race. e drivers realistic and rowed their little boat beautifully credible. and outlasted the Porsches to take the class win, but it was at a Ford that took home the big cigar. A 5-liter GT40 (chassis 1075) driven by a pair of Jacks (Oliver and Ickx) beat the 312P by a lap, but the Ferrari had put in a strong first showing. 24 DCXmag.com

With a parts count that almost rivals that of the real car, and a level of finger fun that will keep even the pickiest collector entertained, CMC’s 312P joins the ranks of high-end, high-detail racing Ferraris for the collector with a taste for the finer things … and good eyesight. SPRING 2014 25

out of the box The 312P was shaped in the wind tunnel, catches. If you think that’s cool, transaxle supported and fed by 1. The forward engine detail is hard to and refined during a year of testing; this pick up the hatch directly in front a latticework of small-diameter see, but tilt the tail, and there’s a party model took a tad longer to engineer and of the driver’s perch. It may take tubes coming off the firewall of excellent castings, paint, and labels tool - but the wait, in both cases, was some doing, but the reward is aft of the cockpit. There’s some for the control boxes, rear end, and worth it. three little blow-molded hydraulic crazy good detailing under complex exhaust. reservoirs servicing the brakes here: the four-valve motor’s and clutch. injection unit is up front, piped 2. Pressed stainless steel — slammed While you’re in micro mode, in copper with clear fuel lines, with rivet detailing and punched- have a go at the driver and and astride the plate-mounted out vent holes — brings an almost passenger doors. These are metal injector throats is a throttle aircraft quality to the car. Check out fashioned from brass and swing linkage that’s complete to the the gauges and intricate hinges for upwards on tiny, surprisingly return spring. At full scream, the doors. robust hinges. In the down the 430-horsepower (peak) position, they’re held in check by engine revved to a spine-tingling 3. The passenger side has some great workable locking mechanisms. 10,300rpm; going rearward on detailing, too, like this electrical panel Inside the cockpit, the upholstery the model, the 5-speed transaxle just outside the footwell. is a mixture of paper-thin that handled those rotations leather and vinyl, bracketed by is crisp, clean, and decorated 4. The clip-on scoop is a little fiddly to door sills made from riveted with metal hardware for the mount, but it’s made from stamped and stamped stainless steel. various end plates and bracketry metal and it’s finished off beautifully. The doors themselves have for the spaghetti-style multi- tunnels running through them section exhaust. Up top is an 5. Drivers had to squint to see this — all the better to feed air to oil reservoir and heat shield, as mirror during competition. You’ll need the twin radiators astride the well as Magneti Marelli controls, to squint, too. rear bulkhead — and the fully and a labeled, metal-bracketed gauged dash wears a wired-in coil. Underneath, a pressed steel 6. Pulling the wheels is easy — and the electrical center, replete with belly — apparently removable, reward is sweet. The detailing behind relays and fuse boxes. This is via a few screws — is pressed each one is stunning. very entertaining stuff; visually with dozens of relief “rivets,” and compelling, easy to view, and put there’s a beautiful bottom view 7. As for those wheels, they’re well together very nicely. of the V12’s dry sump, transaxle, done, too — and the rubber looks just Of course, the big show and delicate suspension. right. resides aft of the driver’s While the 312P’s initial harness-equipped seat, and performance at Sebring proved 8. The front end is a symphony of below the removable snorkel to be the high-water mark for bracing, hoses, suspension bits, and scoop (another separately its racing career, it’s still an delicate elements, just like on the packaged piece that snicks into important, historic racer. CMC real racer. place). The engine is so good that has done a masterful job of CMC is already offering it as a bringing us the car, and has a 9. The stacks for the injectors make solo piece. We’re grateful; thanks closed coupe on deck (which removing the scoop worthwhile to some authentic bracing and we’ll be showing off on DCXmag. - they’re spun metal, and they’re hard-to-access hinges, the com and in our next issue — stay beautiful. forward-tilting engine cover tuned). Missing as-raced livery would be a bear to remove aside (a detail that any number completely, which is a drag of decal makers will happily because its limited rise (to about rectify), this model is going to 45 degrees) means a birds-eye, make a lot of Ferraristas happy. full-on view of the 2990cc V12 No, this isn’t the Summer of ’69, is out of the question. Use the but this latest CMC is a bit of included prop rod, bring a good history that’s easy to love. light, and dial up the squint, and you can still see an engine and SOURCES CMC cmcmodelcarsusa.com You can’t say that CMC is asleep at the switch. When a few hand samples of the 312P made their appearance on several social media Hit the outlets (including ours), collectors in the know were concerned about a too-tall ride height — critical stuff, especially when a model’s Heights targeted price point is north of $400. The CMC crew took the message to heart and, as seen in this factory-supplied photo of a production model, cranked the car to the correct height. Bravo, boys, bravo. 26 DCXmag.com

➍ ➎ ➏ ➊ ➋ ➐ ➌ ➑ WATCH THE VIDEO AT DCXmag.com! ➒ THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS ARE FASHIONED FROM BRASS AND SWING UPWARDS ON TINY, SURPRISINGLY ROBUST HINGES. IN THE DOWN POSITION, THEY’RE HELD IN CHECK BY WORKABLE LOCKING MECHANISMS

OUT OF THE BOX BY DCX STAFF That’s No Pony AUTOMODELLO Automodello is a car savvy group, for sure. And they live on the edge, twisting up 1962 models for collectors who look for something unique. So far, they’ve had far more success than many, releasing a solid mix of classics (’34 Packard Victoria), exotic, MUSTANG I underappreciated sports cars (TVR, Fitch Phoenix, Bricklin, and a Sunbeam Tiger), wild CONCEPT designs (the Phantom Corsair), and historical designs (an incredible Duesenberg “Mormon Meteor”). e one thing that’s been a constant — besides impeccable quality and the 1:24 | $299.95 finesse of the images — is the “either-or” scale these models get released in: 1:43 or 1:24, 1:43 | $119.95 with no crossover. e 1:43 piece at’s great for those collectors for scale-specific collectors, and has virtually who fancy their models in better news for folks who collect every detail of either, or who keep an open from the edge. the 1:24 - which mind when it comes to scale. has virtually But it’s a stone-cold drag for SIDE SADDLE every detail of those who have to look over e folks who should be happiest the real car. the fence at a car they’d love to collect, but won’t sit well in their are Mustang aficionados. Anyone collection. According to head who remembers the 1964.5 man Jim Cowen (and our own Ford Mustang’s debut — or eyes), Automodello is fixing to knows the story of how it took fix that. is latest release — a the world by storm — probably 1962 Ford Mustang I Concept also remembers the first time car, seen here as a pair of pre- they saw the concept car that production pieces straight from first carried the Mustang name, the factory overseas — will come because little, if anything, about in both scales. at’s great news the concept’s styling had any resemblance to the production 28 DCXmag.com

A lot of credit is deserved for doing the Mustang I concept in any scale; doing it in two scales at one time is downright heroic — and all the better for collectors who appreciate the car’s history. pony car. envisioned something even The cockpit on the smaller model is fully detailed, right to the tiny “grommets” in the That’s not an accident. tighter and more fun to drive seats. Though the 1962 concept wore than the original, relatively the Mustang name — and even opulent, two-perch Thunderbird Najjar’s drawings showed a Not many cars had a midship the pony-on-a-stick logo had been, and studied the rounded, wedge-shaped two- motor, and shoehorning the that the Falcon-based coupes, enthusiast market that was seater with no bumpers of any power into the Mustang’s tube- convertibles, and fastbacks lining up to buy close to eighty kind. Up front were flip-up framed aluminum body required would one day wear — that thousand “real” sports cars headlights; farther back was Ford’s special project engineer original Mustang was never — small-bore MGs, Triumphs, an access hatch, then a low Roy Lunn to take a long look at intended for manufacture. Ford Jaguars, Porsches, Austin- wraparound windscreen that the work of other designers like did want a sports car in the early Healeys, and the like — across skirted the cockpit and ended at Giotto Bizzarini and Carlos Chiti. ’60s, but hadn’t yet decided what America each year, despite a backswept crossbar. On either Getting the engine itself was that car would be. Adding to their premium prices, finicky side, twin radiator grilles were easier; the concept’s drivetrain the mystery was a popular Ford hardware, rough ride, and hard- faired in just past the trailing was made from warmed-over, product already on the hoof — to-locate replacement parts. edge of the doors, and these off-the-shelf pieces from the Thunderbird — the origins of Looking was about as far as functional vents (arguably the overseas — a 60-degree, 1.5-liter which may have had something most ideas got those days; with only design element that had (92 cube) V4 engine and four- to do with John Najjar and Jim the Edsel disaster still playing any DNA transferred to the speed manual transaxle sourced Sipple’s design for the as-yet- out in the halls of Dearborn, any production Mustang) were part from Ford Germany’s front-drive unbuilt roadster. In 1958, FoMoCo new car program was a tough of the car’s greatest advance: Taunus 12M, bumped up to 11.0:1 had added another row of seats sell to the brass, especially those mid-engine power. compression, given special cams to the sporty T-Bird, and the with limited appeal. phone calls and letters from car Then, design chief Gene buffs had been coming in daily, Bordinat requested something begging Ford to ditch the rear special to give some hi-po gloss seats and make the car “fun” to Ford’s otherwise ho-hum again. 1962 lineup. Najjar’s sketches That wasn’t going to happen; got noticed — and were given the “Squarebird” was a huge the green light to be made real at success. But some at Ford Troutman-Barnes in California. spring 2014 29

OUT OF THE BOX Above: e 1:43 also has a great-looking and straight-back exhaust, and BY A NOSE cool note on the 1:24, but almost dash and door panels — and check out positioned longitudinally in the Automodello’s model of the impossible to believe in the 1:43 that wild windscreen. concept ahead of the rear wheels Mustang is going to have that version. ere are grab handles Below: e Firestone Gold Stripe tires still and behind the cockpit’s rear effect on new collectors, while on the doors and passenger- need some dialing in on these pre-pro bulkhead. doing a great job of charming the side dash, and on both cars, samples, but the wheels are great. old hands too. It’s a very well- the sideview mirrors wear little Bottom: e side scoops — seen here on Ultimately, two cars were done piece, as this one-of-one Mylar inserts; just when we the 1:24 — were functional, and fed air to built under Lunn’s guidance; one pre-pro set shows. e castings thought the show couldn’t get the radiators on both sides of the car. was a fiberglass mockup and look exactly right, from the any more interesting, we saw the Bottom right: Is this the 1:24 or the 1:43? the other was a running, driving chisel-tipped nose (which had tiny “Mustang” badge between machine that Ford used in a retractable license plate hatch the seats, done in photo-etch e good news is, it doesn’t matter — marketing campaigns at colleges on the real car) to the twin pipes on both cars. e models don’t both models are top-of-the-scale-class and other youth-packed places exiting the rear valance. We’re roll — and we can’t imagine why pieces, and well worth the price. (And if in order to gather data the old- glad we got to see both cars at anyone would want them to — you guessed 1:43 — you’re right). fashioned way: straight from the once — all the better to geek but it’s the wheels that put the potential buyer’s mouth. A select out over the way Automodello’s final note on these pieces (not few got to actually drive the car used their talents to carry even the chassis; true to form, there’s — and one driver, in particular, the smallest details over from nary a thing to see down below got a lot of attention. Stirling the 1:24 to the 1:43 — especially — yet another reason to keep Moss took the little aluminum when the details in question these secured to their oversized showpiece out for a spin at are as small as the tiny letters plinths). e units are tidy and Watkins Glen and the crowd individually affixed to both cars believable, with crisp castings loved it; editors for the major car — in correct scale — to spell out painted to look like magnesium, magazines got seat time with “M-U-S-T-A-N-G” and “F-O- a correct chromed hubcap, and Roy Lunn guiding them around a R-D” in relief. Wow. another little pony in the center. racetrack — or the roads located around Dearborn, when weather e paint is flawless — and We pored over this one permitted. so is the assembly. We’re used for a while, happily, taking it to seeing the occasional big all in before its return trip to At the end of the day, the glitch on early hand samples, Automodello. It’s been almost Mustang did exactly what it but not here; aside from the 50 years since the production was supposed to do: get wheels looking a little crowded Mustang made its name on the people looking at Ford on one side of the cars — both streets and in the driveways with new eyes — of them — and a couple spots of millions of Americans. e and create where the tires’ gold lettering half-century mark went quietly enthusiasm in had a smudge here and there, by for this concept with hardly advance for Lee these read like the real thing, a mention. We’ll be happy to Iacocca’s launch of only smaller ... and much smaller. soothe the sting of that injustice the phenomenon with the replica — maybe the that would take its e cockpit’s been done in a special signed tribute editions name just a couple leather-sheen blue on both, with that will also be available. And years later. a heavily detailed dash, etched- yeah — we’re in for a pair. center steering wheel, carpeted floor (replete with fire bottle SOURCES — nice), and tamped-on silver grommets in the upholstery — a Diecasm diecasm.com IT’S A VERY WELL DONE PIECE ... THE CASTINGS LOOK EXACTLY RIGHT, FROM THE CHISEL TIPPED NOSE ... TO THE TWIN PIPES EXITING THE REAR VALANCE 30 DCXmag.com



FMAIRN OENFireball Tihme’Lsajuwsrtednrcaewisnnt’htaretawBlYlyJaOEyKwELLYa,JRc. ky — Say hello to Fireball Tim Lawrence - and yes, that's his real name - and some of his outlandish designs. Clockwise from top left: Concept art for the movie Spyjinks; the original sketch for Fireball's Street Tuner Challenge \"Pursuit Star Car\"; what might be a cool box for a \"Groovin' Gremlin\"; Tim's advanced design for an interstellar ship from the movie Pitch Black; a wild, eight-wheeled \"Helitruck\" for the movie Six Cities. 32 DCXmag.com

e story of Fireball Tim Lawrence began with a pair of Hollywood screenwriters: Tim’s mom, Nancy, and his dad, Anthony “Tony” Lawrence. e senior Lawrence’s career in Hollywood TV and movies began in the late '50s, with a list of writing credits that included teleplays for e Outer Limits, Bonanza, Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, and Marcus Welby, M.D., among others, as well as the script for the 1966 Elvis movie Roustabout. But one credit in particular — the man we’ve come to know as Fireball Tim — may be destined to eclipse them all. Fireball (his legal name) was the youngest of five reared in the Lawrence’s Palos Verdes, CA, home, and early on, the redheaded kid knew he’d never stray too far from the Hollywood scene. His folks saw something brewing in Tim: he was constantly doodling, doing cartoons, sketches, and full-on illustrations, most with cars in them. Since positive enforcement was in the Lawrence DNA, Papa Lawrence started taking Fireball to all the custom car shows that he could. All that wild paint and chrome had an almost instant effect — Tim’s drawings got more refined, and soon, all the younger Lawrence wanted for birthdays or holidays was well-stocked art boxes filled with brushes, paints, pencils, and supplies. e pencils and markers never lasted too long; Tim was constantly sketching, even during school. “I used to love drawing cars on index cards because the teacher couldn’t see me doing it.” Lawrence told us. “I still have every one I’ve ever drawn. ere must be 800, maybe more, in the stack.” During high school in Ojai, Tim focused on drama and art, and at night, the ever-nurturing Lawrences would read Shakespeare aloud around the dinner table. When it came time to go to college, Tim opted out of the heavy curricula taught at UCLA for a community college — a choice that led to a bit of kismet. “I was working at a local bookstore, and one day, I was removing the covers from some returns when I came across a (former Ford stylist and noted futurist) Syd Mead book. I was moved by the art on its cover, and looked Syd up, in Los Angeles. I called to see if I could meet him. He said ‘okay,’ and when I got to his house, he was doing paintings for the production of Blade Runner.” Tim was thunderstruck by those pieces, and the way Mead put his cars and machinery into environments. For the next two years, Fireball would go every Friday morning to watch the designer paint. Syd liked the company, and told Tim about the Art Center College of Design. Tim wanted to attend — but the school was expensive. at didn’t slow Fireball down; he knew that his future lay on the other side of those doors, so he bumped up his earnings by teaching martial arts in the evenings — a skill he’d learned as a teenager from Chuck Norris SPRING 2014 33

FIREBALL TIM (yes, that Chuck Norris). Maybe it was all that Zen, but used spray paint, cologne, white glue — things I hadn’t Something Fireball this way by the time he’d graduated from the Art Center, he’d even thought of. It solidified in my mind the idea that comes: Top left: e Lawrences locked in his technique — going so far as to draw up the creativity is an infinite resource.” hit the town; Tim with a few design that ultimately became the “Keaton” Batmobile four-wheeled friends; an for 1989’s Batman — for which he was paid a less-than- at creative wellspring has served Fireball well. In Acura worthy of e Agents of princely $250. the years since Disney, he’s designed and had a part in S.H.I.E.L.D.; Fireball's original the building of cars for hundreds of movies, including sketch for the \"Keaton\" Bat- It was a disagreement with a professor over his Lawnmower Man, Batman, Son of e Mask, GI Joe, mobile. use of environments (and Fireball’s thesis, involving a magnetically levitating “Maglev” monorail train) that or, Jurassic Park, and e Avengers. He’s done a slick got Tim out the door of Art Center — and into the arms series of “Five Minute Rides” on YouTube, featuring of the Disney Company. ere, Tim met his soon-to- great cars and some very interesting passengers, as be-wife Kathie, who was working as a colorist for well as television work, both behind and in front of the “Toontown” attraction, after gigs as a designer, the cameras, on Discovery Channel’s World’s Most costumer, and the production assistant who built a Expensive Rides, and Speed Channel’s Street Tuner robotic St. Bernard for the Stephen King movie Cujo. Challenge. He’s also written a couple of children’s Tim laughs at the memory. “When they couldn’t get the books - Fireball Tim’s Big Book of Wacky Rides and real animal to slam his head repeatedly into the car — the soon-to-be-released Big Book of Wacky States. duh! — they had Kathie build a dog that would.” e two His “Wackadoodle” website has all the coolest stuff for were laid off together after three years at Disney, but sci-fi, superhero, and action fans, with (of course) a not before Tim had contributed major design elements healthy dose of movie cars thrown in. As if that wasn’t to Euro Disney (now called “Disneyland Paris”). a full-enough card, at the time of this printing, Fireball’s working with GM to attract a younger audience to their Tim made a good living doing storyboards for higher-end brands. commercials — and then, a funny thing happened. “I thought back to a lesson I’d had in Art Center. e And, it’s working. So is Tim — constantly. Tony Lawrence instructor told us to do 60 sketches in a week — not a and his late wife Nancy wrote a lot of good things together big deal. But then, he threw in the clincher: never use — but the greatest story yet — the one titled “Fireball” — is the same medium twice. So, one was done in pencil, the still being written. We’re hanging on every word. next, pen, the next, watercolor ... you get the idea. After a week of agonizing, I had done about 20 — including Want to see more Fireball? Check out fireballtim.com. one in my own blood. When we were all asked to place our work on display, I realized that everyone had done around the same number of sketches — but that some people had stepped way out of the box, and had 34 DCXmag.com

RCX.com Mark your calendar! MAY 17 & 18, 2014 Orange County Fair & Event Center Costa Mesa, CA 35 MORE FROM THIS ISSUE AT RCCARACTION.COM

W i l d c a tout of the box byjoekellyjr. Kyosho Pantera 1:18 | $148 The De Tomaso Pantera wasn’t the first cross-cultural hybrid to offer Italian styling served with heaps of American V8 horsepower. There had been a string of those, including Bizzarinis, Duals, Iso Grifos, and even a little number called the Vetta Ventura, all of which ultimately thrilled the select (and well-heeled) few willing and able to foot the entry fee and the upkeep for the cars. That wasn’t a problem for the musicians and famous folks who loved the De Tomaso — but that love came at a price. A new Pantera cost around 10 grand in 1971. That was high-end money at the time, and early examples came complete with finicky fit and finish, creaky hardware, and frequently unfathomable electrical or mechanical problems. This often led to frustration, or worse. The “worse” was pretty bad. Straight off the showroom floor (sold at Lincoln-Mercury dealers here in the U.S.), the car’s explosive performance could goad a driver into pushing too hard, and a few folks either died behind the wheel of a Pantera or had accidents with fatal outcomes. Elvis Presley did his part to exact revenge: when his yellow ’71 wouldn’t start one Memphis afternoon — he pulled out a .38 and shot the thing in his garage. 36 DCXmag.com

Anecdotes and the occasional upwards of 330 horsepower when the review piece got here ricochet aside, the Pantera was (some say closer to 400, in early a day or two from deadline in a fine-looking car, and when all cars), the engine was mated bad shape. The pre-production was right with its Ford-powered to a ZF five-speed transaxle, sample had busted loose drivetrain and fiddly electrics, and it made enough torque to inside its styro shell, and had the De Tomaso was a riot to hustle the 3,100-pound car with proceeded to shake itself apart drive. Designed by American a minimum of shifting needed. whilst grinding against the pins Tom Tjaarda under the Ghia The note of the Holley-carbed that were supposed to keep it studio’s roof, the Pantera had a engine and the whine of the centered. It wasn’t a total loss, steel monocoque design — a first transaxle were a constant — and but the deep scratches, broken for De Tomaso — and it took the lovely — part of the ambience. So hinges, and bent, knocked-out, Italian sweep of its immediate was tire smoke and frightened photo-etched grille meant that predecessor, the split-window passengers; when pressed, we’d be needing a new one, and De Tomaso Mangusta, a bit the car would do zero to 60 pronto. The rep at Minichamps further. It also offered a decent in around five seconds, and NA (they handle Kyosho here level of comfort as standard top out at around 160mph — in the States) gave us top-shelf equipment, with air conditioning, supercar territory at the time. treatment; not only were they leather seats, electric window Unfortunately, the first batch surprisingly cheerful, they shot lifts, a stereo ... even a buzzer of cars did another thing very us a production example on a that told you if a door was open. quickly: rust. Those that didn’t fast boat. All of the add-ons became crumble into brown powder When the replacement got unimportant once the pedal was were usually “customized” by here, we were relieved ... and pressed. Ford’s 351 Cleveland V8 their owners to varying levels of impressed. This is a great piece, was placed just behind the cabin, success and degrees of taste, so when it isn’t in pieces, and the and mounted midship. Making finding an original, unmolested new tool is going to mean a lot to Pantera from those early years is fans of the early Pantera. It’s also not easy. going to have a positive impact on one of the finer 1:18 builders Panther Tracks in the hobby. Kyosho isn’t doing Our luck with early Panteras a lot of new tools these days, and - in scale - wasn’t very good, they’ve taken this opportunity at first. We almost panicked to go big on the model, building in opening doors, boot, and deck, button-actuated pop-up headlights, steerable wheels, and a working suspension, all centered on a great casting that’s been painted and polished to Kyosho’s Pantera is a great-looking car - and a welcome new tool from a maker with a great history in die cast. spring 2014 37

OUT OF THE BOX 1. Need caption 1 Under the boot up front, there’s glit2te. Nrienegdlycapptoiolins2hed aluminum a carpeted well containing a cabled-in battery, hydraulic tahnedectacafrtesrwmea’vrekesteaeinr cleaners on at shows, but brake booster, and a set of fans for the front- this engine needs a bumping up mounted radiator; as — it’s all silver and gray, and some in life, there’s a steel rod that crosses the of the castings, though detailed area and ties the pop-up headlights well, are a little wonky where together. ese go up with the push of a they meet their neighbors. Even too-large button under the cross brace is painted in the the car’s spoiler, and press back down with a snick. same lackluster finish, and it’s Pull the doors open (use the included tool, cowboy, or all parked between bare plastic you’ll be gluing those mirrors back), and the cabin is knocked walls. A little Ford Blue paint and together extremely well, with a heavily gauged and detailed a higher grade of metallic would center stack, sharp dash, soft- touch seats, a carpeted floor, and do wonders under here. fabric seatbelts. We did notice one of the car’s quirkier details No such complaints below; is missing: the cigarette lighter, which was placed exactly where the multi-link suspension — full- most folks’ elbows would rest on the console. on, with knuckles, arms, coil Lifting the rear deck up on its friction struts — a nice detail springs, the works — is a lot of — we were met by a flocked, e headlights pop up, and look good; we a deep luster. True to form, the form-fitting pan that represented fun to compress and release, and just wish the trigger button wasn’t so shut lines are surgical, and the the Pantera’s primary boot. obvious under the nose. hand feel is substantial, tight, and is was a great place to cook it’s been hung on a crisp, albeit rattle-free. your favorite luggage in the Below left: e 351 made lots of horse- real car; here, it’s removable to one-piece belly pan. Out back, power — close to 400 — in life; here, the e car’s chromed allow a look at the Ford engine neat castings could use a little color to bumperettes are fitted with and that ZF trans. Maybe we’ve the bottom of the FoMoCo 351 is bring the mill up to the level of the rest directional lamps up front, and been spoiled by decades of of the car. the model has a brace of bezeled- on display, and the headers and Below right: e cabin was intimate and in marker lamps on each side. comfy, and Kyosho’s got all the right stuff Out back, the complex tail muffs bring the show to an end in all the right places. lamps and four-bore exhausts set the model’s chiseled tail astride a photo-etched screen on off beautifully, and tamped- on “Pantera” and stylized “De the tail. Tomaso” markings grab the light. Overall, we’d have to say that e ride height, stance, and poise of the car are all dead on, and the Kyosho’s done some very good crisply cast and painted wheels and no-name, realistically — and value-conscious — work treaded tires fill the wheel wells to just the right degree. here. e model is built well, Exploration has its rewards. painted up beautifully, and fills a gap in a lot of collections. at gap will get even closer when the K crew brings out the GTS version of the car later in 2014. We’re happy to say that either one is worth a shot ... so to speak. SOURCES Carville Models carvillemodels.com THE PANTERA’S PRIMARY BOOT ... WAS A GREAT PLACE TO COOK YOUR FAVORITE LUGGAGE. 38 DCXmag.com

1/2H.indd 1 2/28/13 10:53 AM

is isn't your dad's Charger - unless you happen to be the character Dominic Toretto, as plated by Vin Diesel in the Fast & Furious movies. e wheelstand- ing, tire torturing ride (actually played by several cars over the years) is well done here in a neat, inexpensive GreenLight release. FFUUNRIOUSGREENLIGHTCOLLECTIBLES FAST & FURIOUS MOVIE CARS 1:43 | $20 EACH BY JOE KELLY, JR. Never mind Jaws, King Kong, or that wild movie series about homicidal, genetically resurrected dinosaurs. When it comes to sheer dollars-on-the- barrel success, one movie franchise stands head and shoulders above the rest for Universal Studios: Fast & Furious. With close to two and a half billion banked on the series, no manner of menacing fish or five-story- high ground pounder can unseat these gear- slamming, tire-screaming formula pieces. at makes the films a prime subject for car collectibles - and a great opportunity for GreenLight, whose recent deal with Universal has resulted in a Fast & Furious line of diecast in 1:18, 1:64, and now, these well-done, easy-to-afford pieces in 1:43. 40 DCXmag.com

It’s a cross-car-cultural phenomenon, and a potential goldmine of For a twenty-buck MSRP, this one's got some fine detailing. Scope out that \"Charger\" four-wheeled subject matter; in the F&F world, tuners meet torque- script, and those sharp taillights. monster V8s and drifters dice with wheelstanding American muscle cars. Audiences have loved the action since the first installment, BLACK HEART which introduced viewers to actor Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto, the It’ll make a lot of fans sad to hear that the ‘70 Charger R/T used in menacing, muscle-bound anti-hero with a heart who runs a garage F&F had a few secrets under its blower - one of which is that of the by day and makes serious side money racing on the streets of L.A. by cars used during filming, most had Chevy 350 crate motors for power. night. Toretto has a second night job - hijacking trucks and heisting Yes, beside the hero car - a certified blown Hemi beast that was only freight - that gets the attention of the FBI and local police, who send an used in carefully controlled studio scenes - the on-screen action was undercover cop (Paul Walker as Brian O’Conner) to put Toretto behind handled by yeoman cars, actually modified 1969 units, throughout the bars. When O’Conner meets Dom’s kid sister, Mia (played by actress production. Sad, but true; even the cheer-inducing wheelstand scene Jordana Brewster), all bets are off; the policeman soon finds himself in the original film was done with trick hydraulics - actually visible for deeply involved - so much so that he actually defends the Torettos a second, when the car launches in a cloud of equally ersatz smoke. from fellow criminals, blowing his cover willingly - and allowing Dom to flee. at doesn’t mean the cars didn’t look great going through their paces, and GreenLight has done a solid job bringing the Charger around During that film, we also get to meet the 900-horsepower, in accurate 1:43. Yes, it’s diecast, and remarkably crisp, at that. e 9-second-quarter Dodge Charger that had belonged to Dominic’s late sealed shell’s been precisely engraved, from shut lines to the cowl vent, father. Diesel’s character fears the hairy heirloom - until he is forced and the stance of the model looks right: slightly raised in front, and to use it to chase down a group of murderers, ultimately wrecking it jacked to tire-top height out back. e paint is deep and smooth - no after a final, pivotal drag race. By that time, the car had driven into the orange peel or runs in sight, and the trim, including the door handles, hearts of the audience, and because movies are magic, the Charger is done in tamped-on silver. Nicely chromed “hard parts” make up the has reappeared again and again in different states of rebuild during the bumpers front and rear, and there’s real lensing in the exposed quad franchise’s run. headlights and red plastic taillights. ere’s also butyrate glazing all ’round, and that makes the interior easy to scope out. It’s all here, with a GreenLight has brought that star car out in 1:43 - and sent along scale-perfect steering wheel, a great shifter, and black-on-black floor a couple of companion releases, a 1972 Ford Gran Torino and a 2009 Subaru WRX STi, appearing as they did in the fourth offering from the series, 2009’s Fast & Furious. Tuner terror: the WRX STi that features so prominently in the movie's final chase scenes makes for a great 1:43. GreenLight hasn't missed an important detail, anywhere. SPRING 2014 41

FURIOUS FUN and seats offset by nicely engraved and detailed silver dash and door Fenix Calderon, one of the bad guys in F&F 4, gets one of the sweetest rides in the movie. panels. Underneath, the model’s moderately engraved chassis has a e '72 Torino is a favorite among Ford fans, and this sculpt and near-stock paint scheme few details picked out in silver; up front, the blower, scoop, and pulley sticking out of the hood look just about right. Yes, a little satin-finish will get a lot of attention in any collection. chrome might have made that final detail look more like the movie rig, but overall, there isn’t a Fast & Furious fan who wouldn’t call this one wheel, and even a fire bottle strapped to its floor above a chassis that’s out as Dom’s car from across the room. nicely engraved, with a silvered exhaust. Which leads us to … SUBIE SOUL BAD GUY. NICE CAR. e Subaru WRX STi is a quick little critter, right off the showroom floor; It’s a real drag when the villain (in this case, one of them) gets a choice ride, and the car driven by Fast & Furious character Fenix Calderon all wedgy, scooped, low, and mean looking, they tote three-hundred- (acted by Laz Alonso) is - unfortunately - one of the prettiest, not to plus horsepower, all-wheel-drive, and redefine “hot hatch” for those mention rarest in life, of them all. at’s a double pity; according to the enthusiasts who have the close-to-40K it takes to drive one off the lot. wranglers for the green metalflake 1972 Ford Gran Torino that had so In F&F 4, shopping for this Subie in the police impound lot was a much much on-screen time, the workaday action stand-in cars - including a simpler affair; Dom simply smashes the driver’s side window in and pair of 429-powered 4-speed machines - were trashed during filming. gives the car to O’Conner. What follows is some truly impressive chase scenes - but we’ll keep the spoilers to the ones on the models. Dom’s car is cool; the Subaru WRX is trick, but this one is a real beauty, for a couple of reasons. GreenLight’s painted this piece up Folks won’t need to do any window smashing to get a copy of this with a fiery metallic that contrasts well with the car’s white side tricked-out STi for themselves, and that’s something we recommend stripe, and the chromed ten-spoke wheels and believable rubber - even if you’re not a fan of the series. is thing is a hoot. Deco’d up make the model pop. Dual exhausts with chromed double tips exactly like the movie car (sans license plates, on this sample), the emerge from beneath the car just ahead of the rear wheels, and the WRX’s shape and stance on trick, body-matching black and red rims is chromed bumpers, real lensing, and blacked-out grille and headlight spot-on. e matte silver and gloss black two-tone are sweet, too, and surrounds give the car a great look. Of the three, this one’s got the separated by fine red tamped-on striping; we sat through a replay of the darkest gut and the smallest window area, and that makes the movie and got a kick out of just how well it matches the real thing, right interior a bit harder to scope out; we brought a light to the party and down to the “Perrin” badge across its lower front valence, and tuner- found that it’s complete from the roll cage to the full dash, detailed clear taillights. All of the lensing, including the tear-sized headlights and door panels, and accurate steering wheel. All of that’s fine, but it’s tiny driving lamps, is done with separate pieces; the scoops, mirrors, this one’s paint that really grabbed us - it’s flawless, and on this and rear roof spoiler look great, as does the four-bore exhaust out back. extremely accurate casting, it had us picking up the car over and Inside, the car’s got a full roll cage in red, a detailed dash and steering over again to watch the light play over it - not so much as fans of the movie, but as folks who appreciate when a model is shaped just right. END CREDITS ere’s an awful lot that GreenLight can do with this franchise, and we’re sure that the licensing on this deal with NBC Universal will yield a lot of great movie machines. If they’re anywhere near as well- shaped (and reasonably priced) as these, they’ll have no problem finding their way onto collectors’ shelves. In the meantime, any or all of these F&F mold sets would work in alternate decos ranging from another famous movie Charger or two to bone-stock Subie hatches and laser-striped, factory-mag-wheeled Torinos — all of which are things we hope to see. Furiously. SOURCES GreenLight Toys greenlighttoys.com 42 DCXmag.com

1/3S.indd 1 12/2/13 10:52 AM

out of the box by dcx staff Spirit Speaks The cockpit on the 944 S2 reads like the GT Spirit Porsche real thing, thanks to sharp castings and believable textures everywhere. 1:18 | $135 (€99Euro) each Resincast model cars are gaining ground and market share at an accelerating rate. That shouldn’t be a complete surprise for collectors of the middle scale. There have been some slickly finished, high-quality entries into the 1:18 segment lately — truly manna from heaven for those scale-obsessed folks who are willing to forego opening panels and deep under-skin detailing, if the tradeoff is a flawlessly finished, limited production piece for their shelves. That leads us to this trio of collectors are only too happy to classic Porsches from GT Spirit live with. Here’s why. models. This recent offshoot of French model maker OttOmobile 944 S2 — one of the heavyweights in When Porsche debuted the the mid-scale resin world these front-engined, water-cooled 924 past couple of years — drew its in 1976 (and the V8-powered 928 first breath a year or so ago with a year later), even the purists a focus on sports cars in 1:18 and who loved the driving dynamics 1:12. So far, it’s been a case of of the 911 had to acknowledge tunnel vision: the lineup contains the promise of the new platform only cars from Stuttgart. But — and the fact that Porsche was gauging by the response the now fielding “conventional” maker has seen, that’s an sports cars alongside their arrangement a lot of Porsche beloved rear-engined machines. 44 DCXmag.com

Three for the road. Spirit GT’s resincasts of classic Porsches are well-chosen, beautifully built replicas of Stuttgart’s best - and more are on their way. By 1988, when Porsche rolled That faired-in look had a lot to 911S Targa good in sales brochures, but the out the 924’s more powerful do with our immediate attraction The 944 wasn’t the first drop- real reason for the styling had successor, the 944, its additional to the GT Spirit model; it’s got the top Porsche, but Porsche more to do with the widespread power and poise were a dose of car’s character and stance down did do something unusual notion that the U.S. Department sugar in an already saccharine perfectly, right to the believable in 1967, when they launched of Transportation was getting pot. In 1989, the 208-horsepower painted wheels and fender-filling the 911 “Targa” top. The style ready to ban the sale of S2 was added to the 944 lineup, tires. The car’s glazing is done of a removable roof, called a convertibles in the country over toting the largest four-cylinder in butyrate, and the full lensing “Surrey” top when Triumph had safety concerns. So, the Targa’s engine in a production car at the at the nose and in the tail is set tried it in 1961, was such a hit removable panel and stout roll time — a 3-liter — which made into bezels with faux bulbs. That with enthusiasts that Porsche bar (with a folding plastic rear it almost as fast as the 2.5-liter adds a lot to the car’s realism, patented the name, which had windscreen on early cars, and turbo (6 seconds to 60 vs. 5.5). and so does the sharply cast, its roots in the Targa Florio a fixed-in-place glass one in Then, in 1990, Stuttgart painted, and carpeted interior. races in Italy. That all sounded later examples) were actually contracted with the American The resincast seats, door panels, Sunroof Company to build the and dash are crisply sprayed and Bahama Yellow paint, exceptional spring 2014 45 S2 cabriolet. This was no torch- deco’d with applique gauge faces. build … the 911 Targa is a must-have and-hammer job; the precision Our favorite detail — on a car full for Porsche folks. Check out those transformation was performed of them — is the giant, scale- headlights! in the company’s facility in perfect tailpipe peeking out from Germany, using a new deck beneath the car’s otherwise lid and fenders, and additional profile-only belly pan. It, and bracing to keep the car’s the “P-O-R-S-C-H-E” signage handling tight and its balance tamped onto the car’s lower nearly perfect. The resulting transom, rings true to the real car (and its Turbo Cabriolet thing on a model that’s loaded line mate) looked like it had with subtlety, from the quality of always been meant to be a drop its paint and finish to the fitment top. Even better, the S2 wore of even the smallest piece. the same front and rear-end treatment as its pricier brother.

OUT OF THE BOX designed as a hedge against CARRERA RS 3.8 that topper is a slick Porsche a ban that never happened. e 911 is quaint and badge at the nose and “Carrera e Targa looks as good Regardless, it looked cool — and RS” signage on the rear deck. going as it does coming. e made the car an icon. Under that the 944 defines top- grillework on the rear deck is roof, the 911 was pure Porsche, down cool ... but the e soft compound rubber perfect, as are the markings, with a 2-liter, 160-horse flat six, real beast in this trio tires are knobby, huge, and done in photo-etched metal. a five-speed transaxle, and a top would have to be the low-profile — trying to slide the speed of around 140mph. outrageous 911/964 model sideways on any dry, hard e wheel deal. Each car sports correct, Carrera RS 3.8. Once surface demonstrates their grip. beautifully buff wheels with brakes vis- We absolutely loved this one on the table, we literally Behind the alloys, red calipers ible behind. It all adds to the realism these on sight because it brought out didn’t know where and photo-etched static steel GT Spirit cars have on display. a touch of nostalgia with its to look first: the car’s discs shine out from the dark. period-correct Bahama Yellow unmistakable lines, that Turbo Look past the butyrate glazing, Right: No single styling element is as paint and its beautifully done, 930-derived rear spoiler, the 18- and the cabin is jammed with recognizable as the Porsche “Whale Tail”, satin-polished Fuchs wheels inch Speedline wheels ... or that great castings for the front and the 964’s is a beauty. So is that wide, fronting steel disc brakes. e incredible “Violet Blue” paint that seats, dash, and door panels. wide rear stance. grilles on the rear deck are fitted GT Spirit slavered all over the perfectly, as are the chromed casting, from its frog-eyed aero e rear seat is absent. So is bumperettes and front bumper, snout to the outrageous wheel any carpeting, as it would be and the headlights, driving lights, flares out back. In a word: wow. on the real car. We had to look and taillights are all gorgeous — ose colors (reds, yellows, twice, but we spotted a set of among the best we’ve seen in a and all manner of in-your-face pull straps for the windows, an model car in this scale, thanks hues) were the icing on the cake old-school approach to weight to finely wrought bezels and on these 911 variants; under the savings that factory racers have crystal-clear lensing. e gold paint was a Euro-only stripper used for years. “targa” signage tamped onto that took the naturally aspirated the roll bar’s base on each side M64 six-cylinder to its limits, If we had to pick just one car is a little hard to see, thanks to bored out to 3.8 liters and a from the lineup, we’d probably the silver paint used to replicate nominal 325 horsepower. In the spring for that wild whale tail — very nicely — the sheen of lightened car, which came with to park among our mid-scale stainless steel; the neatly applied an aluminum hood and doors, Porsches, if only for its amazing — and scale-perfect “911S” and a welded-seam chassis, thinly profile and the hard-to-miss “PORSCHE” lettering on the rear glazed windows, and racing color. at being said, the other deck is a lot easier to appreciate. bucket seats, the performance two are equal in their appeal as It’s foil-based, slightly raised, and was staggering ... so much so must-haves for Porsche fans. At protected against snagging with that Porsche Cars North America a price that hovers near the $135 a clear, form-fitting plastic strip. thought the model too hairy for mark (€99 Euro; purchased from U.S. shores, opting instead to GT Spirit’s website, plus shipping Like the 944, this one’s got bring a federalized “RS America” — or available on the secondary a great cabin done in grays, variant here instead. retail market, at varying prices), blacks, and multiple textures. Like we said, this one had these are beautiful images of us on sight, and like the other well-loved machines, issued in e dash gauges are sharp and cars from this maker, we were 1,000-piece runs of any given appliqué-faced, and the carpeted impressed by the realism that color. Poke around. ey’re all floor sports a shifter and hand this mold set delivers. e paint well worth owning. brake, as well as a brace of side- is killer smooth, thanks to a mounted “foot cooker” heater four-step process that tops the SOURCES vents, which feed off the motor’s model (and all the GT offerings) double-walled exhaust boxes with a clear coat; beneath GT Spirit gts-models.com — a technique used by VW for decades. Of course, the paint is perfect, and yes, the lack of opening features means that the shut lines read like the real thing — all of which make this one very easy to recommend. THOSE COLORS REDS, YELLOWS, AND ALL MANNER OF IN YOUR FACE HUES WERE THE ICING ON THE CAKE ON THESE 911 VARIANTS 46 DCXmag.com