017-dcx2016spring-dl

out of the box by matt boyd The Great One CMC 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO 1:18 | $499 I t is at a time like this that I wish that I spoke Italian, for Ferrari’s fiery native tongue must surely have a deeper reserve of passionate superlatives from which to draw that might convey what the 250 GTO is to automotive enthusiasts. That it is the greatest Ferrari ever seems self-evident—for its beauty and for its engineering elegance. That it holds the record for the most valuable car sold at auction seems to bear that out. Is it the greatest GT car ever? Its utter dominance in competition as well, as the final shape seems the various surfaces. Seats were metal bezels. Up under the dash is hard to refute. And as a wily divinely inspired. The low nose almost always cloth-covered racing on the passenger’s side is a visible masterstroke of rules exploitation and bobbed tail with integrated buckets, most frequently blue in electrical relay panel, and amusingly and racing politics manipulation, spoiler radically reduced drag color, and that is how the model there is a chassis brace that juts it symbolizes so much of what is from the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, appears. The seats have finely down through the footwell—proof most fascinating about the Ferrari which the GTO was ostensibly woven 4-point harnesses with that the chassis was not the nameplate. It is a rolling shrine to a modification of. That spoiler hand-tooled aluminum (rather garden-variety Berlinetta. There is Ferrari’s genius: mechanical, artistic, was not in the original design, than etched) buckles. The raised a thin-tube roll cage that skirts the and strategic. Let’s face it—it might but wind-tunnel testing metal gate shifter for the 5-speed perimeter of the interior, as well. well be the pinnacle of human revealed its importance, so transmission is meticulously re- What is there to say about achievement. OK, that might be the first GTOs that were created, and a full suite of gauges the Colombo 3.0L V12? The taking it too far. Maybe. But you get built had it quickly riveted is perfect down to their polished “250” designation denotes the cc the idea. The GTO is beyond great. It on; subsequent models had is a legend that legends aspire to. it blended into the body in That puts a hefty burden on any the fashion we know now. diecast manufacturer daring to take The various slots and vents it on. The GTO is hallowed ground. were purely functional and If you’re not going to do it well, were added primarily for heat don’t do it. But CMC has shown us management. And yet they add to time and again over the years that the aesthetic, as well. CMC sent us it is up to any challenge in scale, a preproduction sample of the silver and its previous efforts bearing car, and while that color is less the prancing-horse crest have iconic than the usual red (which delivered. Among them have been CMC also makes, along with yellow three variants of the 250 series: and blue), it wonderfully showcases the 250 California Spyder, the 250 CMC’s execution of the body. I’m GT SWB, and the 250 Testa Rossa. always tickled by CMC’s functional In addition to being immaculately elements: the radiator-filler access rendered, it is significant hatch on the nose, another on (and perhaps not altogether the C-pillar (differential cooler coincidental) that two of these are perhaps?), and the racing style the GTO’s closest forebearers. That quick-fill fuel cap. The triple vent CMC would undertake a GTO was slots in the nose come covered with inevitable—and greatly anticipated. hatches, but the mounting screws Volumes have been written are functional, so you can remove on the GTO’s voluptuous curves. them if you desire. And its shape was as seductive to The interior of the model is the air as it is to the eye. History not as spartan as one might tells us that the GTO’s principal suppose. As each of the 39 GTOs designer, Giotto Bizzarrini, was was hand-built, the cars varied in an alumnus of the University of their interior appointments. Some Pisa and was granted access to were bare metal, while others, the school’s wind tunnel—and, like CMC’s model, had diamond- perhaps, to the school’s chapel, pattern leather upholstery covering 50 DCXmag.com

Giotto Bizzarrini’s masterpiece was as seductive to the air as to the eye, resulting in a machine that was at once the most beautiful and the fastest car of its time. Others have eclipsed its speed in the decades since, but its beauty? displacement of a single cylinder, itself, CMC had only to repaint the CMC’s Colombo V12 is a masterpiece in its own right. Just like its full-scale inspiration, and it came in various states of cam covers and transfer its scale V12 it is essentially a brunette version of the 250 Testa Rossa’s mill, and the detail is equally tune. The GTO enjoyed the top- over to this model. The replication awe-inspiring. spec version out of the 250 Testa is exquisite, as expected—braided Rossa sports racer—the magnesium hoses, real metal hose clamps, the cam covers are black crinkle finish ability to look right down the throats rather than rossa, but otherwise of those Webers! Unbuckling the it is identical down to its dry-sump leather hood tie-downs is a chore oiling system and six Weber 38 DCN (and rebuckling them later is worse!), carbs—enough air for 300+hp at a but it’s worth your time to do. In fact, lofty 7,500rpm (in a car weighing it’s probably worth it just to leave just over 2,000 pounds!). Like Ferrari them unbuckled so that you can

CMC captures the curvaceous body with all its vents and scoops in exquisite detail. The familiar ducktail spoiler was a late addition to the design, which was pre- scribed by wind-tunnel numbers. Above: The interior is hardly plush but is The simple blue fabric seats are authentic. Borrani wire wheels are a study in scale not as austere as that of many racing cars. The real leather safety belts have hand- precision. The spinners on this early sam- CMC’s rendering of the raised gate is just tooled aluminum buckles. ple were fixed, but production pieces will one of numerous details. Right: Ferrari have functional knock-offs that will allow saved weight and mechanical complexity bask in the model’s V12 glory any an unfettered view of the brake discs. by eschewing window crank mecha- time you like. nisms for simple sliders. CMC’s function, The chassis was declared FINAL THOUGHTS of course. Below: The spare takes up a modified version of the virtually the entire trunk. I love all the 250 Berlinetta, but it differed It is impossible to adequately little functional details, like the quick-fill significantly. It was comprised convey the GTO’s importance in fuel cap! of a latticework of thinner frame automotive history. The language sections rather than the beefier just doesn’t do it justice. Perhaps 52 DCXmag.com stock pieces, shedding weight I would fare better in Italian? while improving stiffness. It did But if words neglect to honor retain, though, the Berlinetta’s it sufficiently, then at least this suspension—independent coil replica does. CMC’s mind-boggling springs in front, with a solid-axle/ level of detail and craftsmanship leaf-spring setup out back. CMC demonstrate a profound respect for replicates these perfectly with all- the GTO. And its accuracy, in turn, metal parts, and all are functional. helps us collectors reaffirm our love Production models will have and respect for the car. I’ve seen functional knockoff spinners and some great Ferrari models over the removable Borrani wire wheels, but years. This may be the best—just this pre-pro sample’s wheels were as the GTO itself is the best of all of locked on. Still, we can see the fine the Ferraris. In CMC’s case, G-T-O detail on the 4-wheel disc brakes behind the intricately spoked stands for “Get This One.” ✇ wheels. SOURCE CMC cmcmodelcarsusa.com



out of the box by Matt Boyd Mid-Motor Magic from Minichamps 2013 Porsche Zuffenhausen Cayman S 1:18 | $179 The Porsche name is steeped in tradition: traditions of performance and engineering excellence built upon the bedrock that is the 911 model, which enters its 53rd year of consecutive production in 2016. With such love and respect for its signature model, the Stuttgart-based sports car meister has been understandably reluctant to abandon its traditional rear-engine layout despite certain stability compromises inherent to that setup. Reluctant, but not altogether unwilling. From its earliest days, Porsche had it’s the one to own. It’s also the Garnet red leather contrasts the Sapphire Blue exterior perfectly. Dash detail is dabbled with mid-engine layouts one Minichamps produced as outstanding—and look: a traditional manual transmission! as part of its racing program, its an exclusive in red for Porsche 550 Spyder being unquestionably dealerships (long sold out), but now semiautomatic is also highly prescribes the 3.4L version— the most recognizable. When the company has produced one regarded). The footwell has the good for 325hp and four-second Porsche teamed up with in Sapphire Blue Metallic for the corresponding three pedals. The sprints to 60mph. There’s no Volkswagen to produce an entry- hobby market. It is limited to just instrument panel is likewise a joy, access to the engine from inside. level road car positioned below the 504 pieces, so expect this one to with legible gauges and deft paint In that sense, the model is little 911 in the late 1960s, it chose the sell out quickly, as well. accents. different from the full-size Cayman dynamically optimized mid-engine The blue finish is lovely; the The rear portion of the cabin (servicing is done from below). layout for its 914. In 1996, when metal particles are more properly is just a high shelf, under which When we flip the model over, the company sought to relaunch grains than flakes, and the bright the Cayman’s flat-6 engine we see moderate relief-molded an affordable roadster model it color perfectly accents the resides. The car’s S designation engine detail—primarily exhaust- dubbed the Boxster, it again went sinuous curves of the Cayman. to a mid-engine layout with great The Porsche crest on the nose is success. When it was updated etched metal, and the scripts on in 2004, a hardtop version—the the rear deck are finely painted. Cayman—was added, an inversion Panel gaps on this model are of the typical coupe-precedes- generally excellent; the rear hatch convertible trajectory. The pair bulges ever so slightly—a fair was updated again in 2012, proving tradeoff for the clever hidden more forcefully that given an hinges. The textured plastic inserts inherently balanced foundation that form the vents behind the from which to build, Porsche’s doors, which are such a signature engineers can produce truly element of the Cayman, are well exceptional results; the Cayman/ shaped but could use more depth. Boxster siblings are credited The headlight clusters are very among the best-handling cars at nice; they depict the Porsche any price. Dynamic Light System, which The Cayman follows the swivels the low beam in concert product hierarchy established by with speed and steering angle. the 911: the base model and an Garnet Red full leather was S variant offering more power, chosen as the interior on this sharper handling, and various model, and its vibrancy presents other performance-oriented a nice contrast to the body color. improvements and options. Above It is molded in a mix of hard- and the S sits a couple of limited edition soft-touch plastics, and the matte special-purpose models: the finish gives the look of leather. The GTS and the GT4 Clubsport. And aluminum trim and accents that while the limited GTS and GT4 dress up the Cayman’s interior capture the imagination, it’s the S (the majority of which is sourced that makes the most significant from the 911) are represented by performance impact by offering metallic paint, delicately applied. 95 percent of the performance of The center console is superb; the the limited-edition models for a presence of a traditional 6-speed fraction of their cost premium. For manual on this car will please the typical Porsche enthusiast, purists (although Porsche’s PDK 54 DCXmag.com

The Cayman’s sinuous curves are unmistakably Porsche and unquestionably handsome. Minichamps portrays them precisely. Clever hidden hinges on the rear hatch are a nice touch. These stepped 5-spoke wheels are the standard The front hatch opens to a nondescript cargo area, but the depic- There’s no access to the 3.4L flat-6 from in here—just like on S models. They give a nice look at the drilled tion of the headlamp clusters equipped with Porsche Dynamic with the real Cayman. brake rotors with their authentic metal finish. Light System is excellent. related—but there is not enough have the proper stepped 5-spoke comes not from a competitor but appeal is obvious, and its history there to warrant more than that pattern of the standard Cayman S from the success of its mid-engine secure—two of the key elements first look. There’s a bit more in the wheels, and there are drilled brake siblings: the Cayman and Boxster. in forming collector demand. Add suspension department; an effort discs with a metal finish behind For pure driving excitement, to that the brand strength of was made to craft A-arms at all them (sorry, no carbon-ceramic they have few equals, and with Minichamps and the 504-piece four corners, and the fronts even rotors on this one!). the Cayman S offering nearly limited-edition status and you can have some spring compression equal performance to the 911 (the rear is rigid). Tire tread is quite FINAL THOUGHTS for $25K less, it represents one bet this one will go—fast. ✇ realistic, and the staggered tread of the outstanding values in all widths look spot-on. The wheels It is ironic that the biggest challenge of sportscardom. The Cayman’s SOURCE to Porsche’s rear-engine tradition Minichamps; distributed by carvillemodelshop.com spring 2016 55

OUT OF THE BOX BY THE DCX TEAM DRAGON WINGS SPACE MERCURY SPACECRAFT LIBERTY BELL 7 COLLECTION 1:72 | $30 D ragon Models takes its NASA’s second manned space flight, designated Mercury-Redstone considerable experience with 4, flew the capsule known as Liberty Bell 7 into suborbital flight piloted civilian and military aviation by Virgil “Gus” Grissom on July 21, 1961. e mission will always be models and aims a bit higher with its known as the one that got away—as the Liberty Bell 7 capsule sank Dragon Wings Space Collection. Covering to the bottom of the Atlantic during the recovery operation. Grissom the entire range of manned space flight, Dragon was extracted safely, but the capsule was lost—until 1999 when a celebrates the visionary machines that took salvage mission financed by the Discovery Channel retrieved Liberty us to the stars, starting with some of the earliest Bell 7 from a depth of nearly 15,000 feet. e cause of the sinking experimental vehicles of the National Aeronautics and was a new escape hatch with explosive bolts adapted from a fighter- Space Administration (NASA) and carrying on through the aircraft ejector system. e system fired prematurely moments after latest advances. Many of the smaller vehicles are rendered splashdown, and the capsule quickly filled with water and sank. in Dragon’s familiar 1:72 scale, giving collectors a sense of their compact size relative to traditional vehicles and Liberty Bell 7 got its nickname due to its shape, and the crew aircraft, and showcasing how daring NASA astronauts were painted a simulated crack on the side to further resemble the in achieving such tremendous technical feats. Liberty Bell. Dragon’s 1:72 model has the crack markings, plus the controversial escape hatch, and—for the first 50 Years of time—a proper window in the capsule. Notice Spaceflight in Scale also the escape tower and rocket assembly attached to the nose of the capsule. at stays in place on the up-leg of the fight but is jettisoned prior to reentry. APOLLO 12 LUNAR LANDING SET 1:72 | $95 NASA’s second mission to land on the surface of the moon was Apollo 12, with astronauts Charles “Pete” Conrad and Alan Bean, and Command/Service Module (CSM) pilot Richard Gordon. Conrad and Bean landed on the southeast edge of the Ocean of Storms, where the unmanned lunar probe Surveyor 3 had landed 2 1/2 years prior. It has the distinction of being the only space probe ever subsequently visited by a manned mission. Dragon’s replica depicts all three vehicles—the CSM, the Landing Module (LM) Intrepid, and Surveyor 3—plus figurines for Conrad and Bean and a display base with a lunar texture. e surface detailing is exceptional, particularly on the LM with its gold- foil shielding. e LM and the CSM have a bunch of extra antennae and reaction-control thrusters to attach; they look great, but the assembly process requires quite a bit of trial and error. Even so, the diorama-style set is complete and well detailed, and it presents well. 56 DCXmag.com

SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR WITH CRAWLER TRANSPORTER 1:400 | $78 e Shuttle Endeavour was the fifth and final operational spacecraft flown as part of NASA’s Space Shuttle program (the Enterprise glide test shuttle had no engines and never flew in space). It was built to replace the Challenger and was constructed out of structural spare parts from earlier shuttles. Endeavour was named for HMS Endeavour that Captain James Cook sailed on his first voyage of discovery, and the shuttle Endeavour carried a piece of wood from that ship in the cockpit. Dragon’s model represents how the Endeavour appeared as it was positioned for launch with its Crawler on each of its 25 missions—which included docking with the Mir Space Station and the International Space Station. It first flew in 1992 and was in service until 2011. At 1:400, the Endeavour replica is more of a standoff model, but the surface texture and detail is impressive even at this small scale—and it gives you some grasp of the sheer size of the shuttle and crawler platform. BOEING X 37B GLIDE TEST VEHICLE 1:72 | $42 e Boeing X-37B is an unmanned space plane now owned and operated by the U.S. Air Force, although it was initially operated jointly with NASA. It was designed as a reusable platform, like the shuttle, but smaller, more flexible, and without need of an onboard crew. e concept was to be able to launch and repair satellites or resupply space stations more economically that had been the case with the shuttle program. And being unmanned, it was designed to have a much longer operational duration—in 2010, it stayed in orbit for 7 1/2 months! Dragon’s model depicts it with its original Boeing and NASA markings, as it looked in the beginning of its testing phase. It can be displayed with landing gear up or down (parts and instructions for both are included), and it comes with a display stand. ere is also a version without the markings, which is how it looks during its Air Force missions. ✇ SOURCE Dragon Models dragonmodelsusa.com SPRING 2016 57

HOT WHEELS HIGHWAY BY MIKE ZARNOCK WITH THE PREMIERE OF SPECTRE in November 2015, the James Bond franchise now spans more than 50 years! e 007 movies have been fan favorites ever since the first, Dr. No, debuted in 1962, and cars have played a prominent role in almost every film. So it was only a matter of time before Hot Wheels released a series of Bond Cars. Each card in the five-car set displays the title of the movie, as it appeared on its original movie poster, along with an illustration of the car. ere are now 24 films to draw from; with any luck, many more will continue to be released. e numbers on the face of the card don’t go in the order of film release (which is how I would have liked to see them done). But hey, it’s a great set anyway! All of the James Bond 007 cars can be found at your local Walmart. Super Spy Style First up is Casino Royale, with its dark silver metallic Aston Martin DBS (1/5). An even darker color of the same model appeared in Quantum of Solace. Next is the candy-apple red enamel 1971 Mustang Mach 1 (2/5), with which Sean Connery tore up Las Vegas in Diamonds Are Forever. 58 DCXmag.com

Camouflage Stealth ANOTHER NEW LINEUP is a six-car set in Camouflage. But they’re not painted in the normal camouflage colors that you might be used to seeing, and there are also two cars that have a color variation within their paint schemes. Goldfinger has to be one of my favorite Bond films, thanks to Number 1/6 in this series has Oddjob and his razor-rimmed hat. e Lincoln Continental (3/5) the more traditional-looking camouflage colors. With its is the car in which he chauffeured Auric Goldfinger around and multiple shades then used to dispatch a fellow villain in a car crusher! of green, tan, and brown, the 1979 Ford Pickup fits right in. e 1963 Aston Martin DB5 e 1967 Shelby GT-500 (2/6) is one (4/5) in light silver metal- car that you might not think of when you lic on wire wheels looks think camouflage, amazing! is has to be the but someone did. is most iconic Bond car of all, semigloss light blue having appeared in seven street crusher has a Bond films. e card features “Boss” style orange Skyfall artwork. side tampo, along with black enamel and blue pearl markings. Next up is the 2012 Camaro ZL1 Concept (3/6) in Desert Camouflage colors. e car itself is brown metallic with olive and dark burnt orange markings, along with tan and black dots here and there. is is one of the paint schemes that has a variation in it. e difference is that some cars have bright orange in the markings, and the “07” on the side instead of the dark burnt orange. With semigloss cherry red paint, the 1968 Chevy Nova (4/6) is decorated with orange and light gray markings and has black tampos with white lettering on the side. e black plastic base and smoked windows make the bright white interior look even brighter. For “lead sled” lovers, number 5/6 is the Tail Dragger. is low-to-the-ground cruiser looks right at home with the paintwork that’s been laid on it. e dark candy blue base color looks great with the light panel painted body parts and orange scallops. Last but not-by-any-means least is another iconic Bond movie vehicle: the e Rodger Dodger (6/6) rounds out the Lotus Esprit S1 (5/5). e white enamel Lotus looks just as it did in e Spy Who series, and it, too, has a variation in the Loved Me. e only thing missing is the side wings when the car is in submarine camouflage paint. Its base color is candy tangerine with black, char- mode. But who knows? Maybe Mattel will bring it back that way the next time. coal, dark gray, and yellow tam- (It did “Hover Mode” with the Back to the Future DeLorean.) pos. e other variation that’s been found of this one has light gray replacing the dark gray in the tampos, so keep those eyes open! SPRING 2016 59

HOT WHEELS HIGHWAY FLASHBACK 1992 F or the 1992 production year were of the workhorse type. Kicking off the new castings year, Mattel added 11 new e orange number 143 Recycling for 1992 was the ’56 Flashsider castings to the Hot Wheels Chevy Stepside pickup. Released line, starting with the 1956 Flash- Truck has a movable scoop, which initially with Ultra Hot wheels sider as Collector Number 136—a would pivot to a hole in the top of (top), a second version with turquoise 1956 Chevy Stepside the rear recycling container. e chrome Hot Ones wheels (bot- pickup with Ultra Hot wheels and Oshkosh Cement Mixer is next tom) came later. e Flashfire blacked-out windows. It was later at number 144, with a large red added even more flash and also released with chrome Hot Ones plastic mixing barrel, white plastic came with both types of wheels. wheels, as well. e Goodyear body, and blue metal fenders and Blimp got the number 137 spot—a base. e Tractor added to the gray plastic blimp with a white working class at number 145, with enamel metal gondola. If you turn its yellow plastic cab/cage, hy- the tail, it changes the signage on draulics, and a Malaysia base that the side to a Hot Wheels logo or matched the yellow enamel body. “Rev It Up, Rip It Up.” With black It seemed that the yellow was a enamel paint and a black plastic short run, and the Tractor’s color Malaysia base the number 140 quickly changed to red enamel Flashfire really stands out with with matching red plastic parts. its bright pink interior, rear wing, and side insert. is futuristic- e Bulldozer is number 146 looking bubble-top car also came with a yellow enamel metal body with Ultra Hot or chrome Hot and a blade that is movable up Ones wheels in 1992. Number and down. It has black treads 141—called Shock Factor—is aptly and rollers in the configuration, named, with large off-road tires resembling the powerful Caterpillar and heavy-duty shocks on all D Series. And of course, you need four corners. is black-and-pink something to supply fuel for all of buggy has a large rear wing and these hungry machines, which, I’m a built-in roll cage to keep it sleek sure, is why number 147, the Tank and safe. Truck, was added to the crew. Its red metal cab and matching plastic One of the all-time favorites base only add to the look of the is number 142: the Hiway Hauler. large blue-and-orange Unocal 76 logo on the side of the highly is flat-nosed box van has a red polished chrome tank. enamel cab, chrome front grille and bumper, along with large side fuel Rounding out the new castings tanks. e large white plastic box list for the year is the Hummer made it perfect for promoting just in desert camouflage colors at about anything you could imagine. number 148. e first release Its first release was an advertise- of this ample fighting 4x4 had a ment for Kool-Aid with two varia- metal body and plastic machine tions in the red ribbon along the gun mounted to the roof. It was side: one thin and the other thick. later changed to a plastic body and eventually lost the roof-mounted It seems that the theme for the weapon. bulk of the new castings for the Be sure to check out the 1992 Left: e eye-catching chrome tank of the Tank Truck was enhanced by the “Unocal 76” logo on the side. Above: e Bulldozer had the look of a Caterpillar D Series, and its blade moved up and down. 60 DCXmag.com

✔ 1992 Hot Wheels Checklist Above: e Recycling Truck was another e Highway Hauler ❑ 31......Classic Cobra work-themed vehicle for ’92. Its scoop had a version with a ❑ 33 .....Camaro Z-28 would pivot over the top to match up with thick ribbon on the ❑ 38 .....Dump Truck the hole in the recycling container. Below: Kool-Aid banner and ❑ 55 .....Road Roller another with a thin ❑ 77......Bywayman e Tractor came initially in yellow, but the ribbon. ❑ 98.....Nissan Custom “Z” color was quickly changed to red. ❑ 114....Pontiac Fiero 2M4 ❑ 126 ...Chevy Lumina e Goodyear Blimp’s signage ❑ 131....Nissan Hardbody changed when you turned the tail. ❑ 136 ...’56 Flashsider (New Casting for 1992) ❑ 137....Goodyear Blimp (New Casting for 1992) e Oshkosh Cement Mixer’s bar- ❑ 140 ...Flashfire (New Casting for 1992) rel rotated, and the Shock Factor ❑ 141....Shock Factor (New Casting for 1992) buggy came with off-road tires. ❑ 142....Hiway Hauler (New Casting for 1992) ❑ 143 ...Recycling Truck (New Casting for 1992) Hot Wheels Checklist for all the sure to watch my YouTube Channel, Michael’s book ❑ 144 ...Oshkosh Cement Mixer (New Casting for 1992) releases for the year, and don’t “Hot Wheels TV,” for video of all the Hot Wheels ❑ 145 ...Tractor (New Casting for 1992) forget that you can find all the new Hot Wheels releases. We open Variations: e ❑ 146 ...Bulldozer (New Casting for 1992) variations for that year and others a brand new case code as soon as Ultimate Guide is ❑ 147....Tank Truck (New Casting for 1992) in my book Hot Wheels Variations: they are released and cover all the available on his ❑ 150 ...BMW 323 website, ❑ 153 ...Thunderstreak e Ultimate Guide. In addition, be latest variation finds! ✇ MikeZarnock.com. ❑ 155 ...Turboa ❑ 156 ...Rodzilla ❑ 157....’57 Chevy ❑ 159 ...Big Bertha ❑ 160...Command Tank ❑ 161....Roll Patrol ❑ 163 ...Talbot Lago ❑ 164 ...Mercedes 540K ❑ 165 ...Suzuki Quadracer ❑ 166...Vampyra ❑ 167....’80s Firebird ❑ 168...GT Racer ❑ 169...Sol-Aire CX4 ❑ 170....Chevy Stocker ❑ 171 ....VW Bug ❑ 172....Mazda MX5 Miata ❑ 174....Limozeen ❑ 175....Ferrari 348 ❑ 176....Lamborghini Diablo ❑ 178....Hot Bird ❑ 181....Pontiac Fiero 2M4 ❑ 182 ...Shadow Jet ❑ 183 ...VW Golf ❑ 185 ...Propper Chopper ❑ 186...Ford Aerostar ❑ 187....Ramp Truck ❑ 188...Hummer (New Casting for 1992) ❑ 189...Gleamer Patrol ❑ 190...’57 T-Bird ❑ 191....Aeroflash ❑ 192 ...Corvette Stingray ❑ 193 ...Porsche 959 ❑ 194 ...Goodyear Blimp ❑ 195 ...Troop Convoy SPRING 2016 61

quick Detail is meticulous, down LOOK to a spring-catch No military vehicle is as recog- trailer hitch and nizable as the Willys Jeep, and functional safety no replica of it is as detailed as AUTOart’s. chains. AUTOart Willys Jeep with Trailer 1:18 | $330 By the DCX team Below: The utility trailer is C an you believe 2016 marks 75 years since the Willys Ford but assembled by both companies after the spring perfect for hauling the plethora Jeep entered service? It’s impossible to overstate of 1942. It is unlikely that many Jeeps that saw service in of scale accessories included. the importance of this vehicle—to the millions of theater were ever as pristine or as well equipped as Extra points for the function- servicemen it served, the company it established, the AUTOart’s version. It is painted Army Green—a deeper, ing metal leaf springs! Bottom: vehicle category it created, or the generations of admir- cooler color than traditional Olive Drab. The finish is flaw- Interior highlights are the fabric- ers it inspired. It is the most recognizable military vehicle less, and the insignia and unit markings are sharp and covered seats and the folding in American history, and with more than 650,000 built even. The model you see here is the second version of windscreen with an M1 carbine between 1941 and 1945, one of the most mass produced. this casting, to which AUTOart added a utility trailer and an mounted below it. Certainly it is among the most beloved. That fondness was impressive array of accessories. Additional accessories born of its versatility and ruggedness—and (odd as it may are fastened to the vehicle itself—among them, a spare, a seem by today’s standards) its power. The initial contract jerry can, a grease tube, and an ax-and-shovel set with wood-looking handles on the outside of the driver’s for what would become side kick panel. There is a folded roof frame tied down in the Willys Jeep was actu- back and a spring-loaded antenna mounted to a flexible ally developed by Bantam, antenna that loops over the front bumper with an included but as it was unable to build rope tie. There are also woven safety straps across each in sufficient quantities for open “door” with functional wire hooks. the Army’s needs, con- tracts were also awarded to The windscreen folds down onto the hood in scale Willys-Overland and Ford. fashion, and fastened to the back is a mount for a scale When the Army decided M1 Carbine. (In the accessories bundle is a Thompson to standardize the design, M1928A1 submachine gun and a M1911 Colt .45.) There’s Willys won out due to its swivel mount in the rear floor into which either of two L-head 134ci “Go-Devil” optional machine-gun mounts can be slotted—a 4-cylinder engine, which, .30-caliber Browning or an M2 .50 caliber. There’s also at 60hp and 105 lb.-ft. of a commander’s radio box. The passenger seat and rear torque, substantially out- bench pivot, and all seating services are covered in a muscled the competition. woven cloth. Detail on the “Go-Devil” I4 is very good, Subsequently, Ford built although it’s not a terribly glamorous powerplant. The additional Willys designs functional metal leaf springs make up for that—they are under license for the nothing short of spectacular. In fact, that is the word that remainder of the war. best describes this model: “spectacular.” AUTOart really shows its versatility here, proving again that it does a first- AUTOart’s exceptional class job with almost any genre it takes on. replica represents a Jeep as it appeared from 1942 SOURCE onward, with the stamped AUTOart autoartmodels.com steel grille developed by 62 DCXmag.com

Hot Wheels Elite Batcycle 1:12 | $150 (est) ByPeterCelona F or the 1966 release of the Batman TV series, many Some minor flashing is evident on custom vehicles had to be made to follow the comic- the figure’s hands, but detail on book story lines. Most notably is George Barris’s the handlebar controls and single Batmobile, but slightly less known is the Batcycle. It was combination gauge are good. produced by Kustomotive, conceived by Dan Dempski, designed by Tom Daniel, and built by Dan and Korky Korkes The Batcycle was built from from a 1966 Yamaha Catalina 250. The original bike had a Yamaha Catalina 250, and been built in an astounding five days. Three copies of the retained its parallel twin engine, original bike were also made for the series as backups. which is accurately modeled. The “hero” bike had rocket pipes and a Z-shaped stripe on the sidecar. The three backup bikes did not originally have the rocket pipes , and an S pattern was painted on the right sidecar fairing. The Z bike go-kart was fully functional thanks to a 55cc 2-stroke engine and 3-speed gearbox, while there were no motors in the S model go-karts. On a quick glance, the viewers of the TV show would probably not have even noticed the difference of stripe designs. Hot Wheels Elite has done a bang-up job reproduc- ing the Batcycle for us (I keep thinking CRACK!!! POW!!! BIFF!!!). There are two models of this bike in 1:12 scale: one with just the bike and sidecar rig, and this one pictured with the Adam West Batman and the Burt Ward Robin figurines. The figurines are affixed to their machines, but Robin’s go-kart is removable for display. The paint on each piece is excellent and faithful to the original colors. Decal placement is spot-on. Fit and finish is of very good quality. As you will notice, the model’s decal package reveals it to have been patterned after one of the S versions. Some parting lines and flashing are visible, most notably around Batman’s head and the handlebar controls on both the cycle and go-kart. Some of the smaller mechanical details on the motorcycle have been omitted but don’t really detract from the presentation quality of the model. Many other details were not omitted, such as the finely spoked wheels, period correct tire-tread patterns, and chromed parts. The figurines are a wonderful addition to the whole package. They capture the features of Adam West and Burt Ward remarkably well, and they are modeled with their capes flowing in the wind as if the Caped Crusader and his trusty sidekick are off to battle the forces of evil! If you are a fan of the series and already have the Batmobile in your possession, this piece will complement your col- lection. Stay tuned with Hot Wheels Elite, folks! Same Bat Time, same Bat Channel! SOURCE Hot Wheels Elite hotwheels-elite.com spring 2016 63

QUICK LOOK e Mustang GT bodylines are exactly captured, and the two- tone paint is smooth and glossy. ere is even a siezure sticker in the rear quarter window. GMP 1988 NYPD POLICE MUSTANG GT 1:18 | $140 ByWayneMoyer GMP has always had a knack for F ord built almost 15,000 Fox-bodied Mustang LX badges, by the way, are bright photo-etched chrome; the scale engine detail, and the H.O. Coupes with “Special Service Package” enhance- Ford Ovals are, too, but have blue backgrounds. e NYPD 5.0L is certainly no exception. It ments for more than 60 law enforcement agencies, graphics are printed perfectly and are accurate down to is fully wired and plumbed. including the FBI. While most of those could be discerned the seizure statement on the quarter-windows. e light from lesser Ponies only by their SSP wheels and perhaps bar is done very well. Prop the hood up with the realisti- an extra antenna or two, a number of Mustang GTs were cally skinny prop and check out the wired, plumbed, and among the high-performance vehicles seized by enforce- nicely detailed 5.0. e plenum and all its hoses are there, ment agencies. Since they lacked the reinforced floor the battery is wired, and even the strut mounting bolts pans, heavy-duty automatic transmissions, and other are picked out. All the data plates and warning labels are high-performance additions to the SSP Ponies, they neatly printed. e sound-deadening mat under the hood were usually used in the D.A.R.E. programs or as show should be flat black, but that’s a minor error. cars—usually with a seizure statement prominently dis- played. New York had at least one such 1988 Mustang GT, Doors pivot open properly to view the equally well and that’s the subject of this soon-to-be-released done interior with soft carpet, accurate upholstery, and fabric belts with photo-etched hardware. Interior handles (in January) addition to are correctly printed in aluminum, and window controls GMP’s 1985–93 Mustang are picked out, too. Dash details include printed AC con- Collection. is is the first trols, radio face, and Mustang badge, along with the fully test shot to arrive, but with detailed big round tach and speedometer, smaller gauges, a single small exception, it and Blue Oval on the steering wheel. is early sample already looks good enough has both a clutch pedal and automatic transmission shift to hit the shelves. is writer handle; the transmission (which does have a lengthwise drove an ’89 GT for 16 years, seam) looks like the manual, so the shifter needs to be and if I could shrink to 1:18 replaced. Check out the chassis: separate and functional scale, I’d feel right at home in suspension arms front and rear, real springs around the this model. shocks, two-color plated exhausts, and the correct disc front/rear drum brakes with flexible hoses attached. e e hatchback bodylines front hoses need to be routed a bit better, but produc- are right on no matter which tion is still a couple months away as this is written. As way you look at it, and the mentioned, the authentic GT wheels have just the right accurate two-tone blue paint alloy color, the Ford badge is embossed in the caps, and is smooth and glossy and has their tires have Goodyear Eagle sidewall detail and correct razor-sharp color separation asymmetric tread patterns. Dimensions check out right lines. GT details like the letters on 1:18 scale, too. All in all, a very satisfying model! embossed into the lower body panels, taillight covers, SOURCE GT wheels, and GT badges GMP; distributed by acmediecast.com are correct and in scale. ose

subscribE TODAY DIGITAL EDITION INCLUDED! Expertly written and visually compelling. Die Cast X brings together award-winning journalists, renowned photographers and industry pros to capture the spirit of diecast like never before. Subscribe to Die Cast X which includes Digital Access across PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Android! ORDER ONLINE: subnow.dcastxmag.com or by phone: 866.298.5652 Mention A5NDCX

REAR VIEW Maisto was able to affordably and accurately reproduce Chevelles from ’71 (left) and ’72 (right) by strategically changing just a few molded parts, like grilles and marker lights. Small Differences, Big Deal BYRONRUELLE [Editor’s Note: Ron Ruelle is one of the curators at HobbyDB.com, a web- 1968 Chevelles came with vent windows on the doors; ’69s did not. based database and social-media platform specializing in collectibles.] Ertl also made completely separate seat patterns, interior door panels, H ave you ever found a model of your favorite car— and steering wheels to further differentiate them. And don’t forget that almost—but had to settle for a slightly different year or the stripe design changed, as well. Heck, even the rear-view mirror perhaps a different option package? In many cases, you’ll went from round to square. All in all, that’s over a dozen new molds, buy it anyway because it’s the closest thing you can including the body casting, as well as several different paint procedures! Despite the similarities, these would be separate entries in the find. But still, you ask, “ ey make a model of the nearly catalog, but hobbyDB’s system for linking items by themes, brand, scale, identical car from the year before. Why can’t they do mine?” and other factors make it easy to research different years of the same Even for cars that look mostly the same, modifying castings, make and model. at’s a good enough reason to collect them all! molds, and paint patterns can get quite expensive. It’s something curators and contributors at HobbyDB have to think about all the time as we document collectibles. We make judgment calls on whether the two vehicles are variants of the same thing or different models altogether. Let’s look at some 1:18 Chevy Chevelle SS models to see how difficult that can be. To most people, the 1971 and 1972 Chevelles are essentially identical. Maisto took advantage of this and offered models of both vintages. e only obvious differences are plastic bits up front: the grille changed, and the marker lights shed some chrome trim. And, of course, one model is a coupe and one a ragtop. Maisto molded the roof as a separate assembly that could be replaced with a convertible windshield and boot cover. Four parts needed to be modified to represent two years, and three parts to go from hardtop to soft-top. e only paint changes involved the grille. As such, it wasn’t hard for Maisto to justify the tooling for both models. Ertl made models of the 1968 and 1969 Chevelle SS, which, again, are basically identical cars. ese two, however, took a lot more work. e grille and bumpers are different, but so are the taillights, and they require some body modifications. On the real car, small panels in the rear quarters can be easily swapped out to Top left and right: Ertl differentiated the ’68 (left) and ’69 (right) Chevelles with vent windows on the earlier accommodate the larger ’69 lights, but on a model, that car, and different seat and steering wheel patterns—subtle differences requiring numerous molds. panel is part of the body casting. Ertl had to make a Bottom: e taillight differences between the ’68 and ’69 seem minor, but they cut into the main body casting, separate casting to make this happen. requiring significant retooling. 66 DCXmag.com

877.2AIKENS VISIT THE A TEAM ONLINE! HM-HA7712A HM-HA8503B JSI-60027 HM-HA3831A Reg. $109.95 | ON Reg. $89.95 | ON SALE Reg. $299.95 | ON Reg. $109.95 | ON SALE FOR $99.95 FOR $79.95 SALE FOR $269.95 SALE FOR $99.95 AV-8B Harrier II United F-16A Netz \"124,\" Giora P-51D Mustang P-51B Mustang Capt. States Marines Corps Epstein, Signature Series (Signature Edition) C.E. \"Bud\" Anderson, Diecast Metal Scale: 1:18 Diecast Metal Scale: 1:72 \"Old Crow,\" C.E. \"Bud\" 363rd FS Anderson Diecast Metal Scale: 1:48 Diecast Metal Scale: 1:48 PT-RB036 FOX2-BAMH101 WTY-72004 CG-US32509 Reg. $50.00 | ON SALE Reg. $49.95 | ON SALE Reg. $59.95 | ON SALE FOR $40.00 FOR $39.95 FOR $49.95 Bombs Away Pilot Helmet Ju-87R-2 Stuka Custom Metal Shape \"USN Blue Angels\" Diecast Metal Scale: 1:48 Dimensions: 3 x 14 x 14 Diecast Metal Scale: 1:2 HM-HA4201 TG-WOW039 JJ-ACE-23 ATL-7169-102 Reg. $89.95 | ON SALE Reg. $699.95 | ON Reg. $337.95 | ON Reg. $44.95 | ON SALE FOR $79.95 SALE FOR $599.95 SALE FOR $34.95 F6 Hellcat US Navy A-20 Havoc - \"La France FOR $237.95 Type IXD-2 Submarine Libre,\" WWII Fokker EIII, 246/16, U-181 Germany, 1942 Diecast Metal Scale: 1:30 Diecast Metal Scale: Diecast Metal Scale: 1:72 Max Immelmann Diecast Metal Scale: 1:30 1:350 www.aikensairplanes.com Based in Memphis, Tenn.

“PACESETTERS. 1:18 SCALE OVER 11 LONG AW223 - ‘71 Charger - World 600 45 years later this Charger still leads the pack. This 1971 World 600 Pace Car is a small slice in a rich history of Mopars. There were only 3 white Chargers made with a sunroof in 1971, and two of them were twins ordered as heavily-optioned R/Ts to pace the track at the 1971 Charlotte Motor Speedway for the World 600 ran on May 30th and the National 500 ran on October 10th. These rarities were ordered with the 440 cu. in. motor, black steel wheels, headlight washers, a factory sunroof, extensive comfort upgrades, yet no air conditioning. Now we’ve recreated the World 600 car in extensive detail in a 1:18 scale die-cast replica everyone can enjoy! Cruise by your local hobby store, or shop our autoworldstore.comentire selection of available replicas online at: Dodge and related logos, vehicle model names and trade dress are trademarks of FCA US LLC and used under license by Round 2 LLC. ©2015 FCA US LLC. 1971 Charlotte Motor Speedway Pace Car for the World 600, trademark of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Officially Licensed by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., www.speedwaymotorsports.com AW AUTO WORLD and design is a registered trademark of Round 2, LLC. ©2015 Round 2, LLC, South Bend, IN 46628 USA. Product and packaging designed in the USA. Made in China. All rights reserved.