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HTRUENATSINUGR!E ››› THE PASSION, PRODUCTS & PERSONALITIES INSIDE THE 100+HOT FOR THE HOLIDAYS BAT GCAEVOE RWGITEH BARRIS VEHICLES INSIDE EXCLUSIVE PROTOTYPES FIRST LOOK TO CLASSIC COLLECTIBLES Replicarz Marmon Wasp M2 Machines Auto-Lifts 7 DreRaidme Motorhead Miniatures 1970 Oldsmobile CMC Ferrari 250 GT SWB Cutlass SX AUTOart 1954 Display until December 31, 2012 Porsche 550 and more! WINTER 2013 | DCXmag.com MAXED OUT! Auto World Legends of Drag Racing







contents Die CAst x | winter 2013 features 30 | King of Kars 28 | Long Live the King George Barris’ cars available now An afternoon with George Barris OUT OF THE BOX 24 | Auto World Blue Max Funny Car Mad max 34 | CMC Ferrari 250 GT SWB Spyder California California dream 40 | Minichamps “Mullin Automotive Museum” Night at the museum 48 | Brooklin Buick Collection Focus on the classics Die Cast X (ISSN 1551-854X) published quarterly by Air Age Inc., 88 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 USA. Copyright 2010, 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. 4 DCXmag.com

UP FRONT QUICK LOOKs REGULARS 6 | On the Web 44 | Automodello 1966 Fitch Sprint 55 | Hot Wheels Highway and 1964 Sunbeam Tiger The ultimate diecast portal 46 | Motorhead Miniatures/Auto Flashback 2003 World 1970 Oldsmobile SX 8 | Editorial 52 | Acme Real Art Replicas 60 | Driven Let’s make a difference 58 | Replicarz 1:18 Marmon Wasp Slot car racing 10 | Scale Mail 66 | Collector Profile: Rivers Run Questions, answers, comments Jim Timmerman’s 62 years of collecting 12 | Inside Line 62 | Minichamps 1954 Mercedes- Events and industry news Benz 300 SL Coupe 14 | Showroom New releases & first looks 64 | AUTOart 1954 Porsche 550 “Carrera Panamericana” ON THE COVER: CMC loves to show the world how high-end models get done, and our cover car this issue—all 1,600-plus pieces of it—is their latest primer for perfectionists. Auto World is no stranger to making collectors happy; their new “Legends of the Quarter Mile” Blue Max funny car is here to wow. So is the ever-smiling King of the Kustomizers, George Barris, who shared his collection with us. And yes, he let us sit in the Batmobile. ON THIS PAGE: George Barris readies himself for a cruise in the David Lee Roth California Girls 1951 Mercury. Photo by Tony Donaldson.

ON WEBTHE DCXMAG.COM: THE ULTIMATE DIECAST PORTAL THINGS HAVE BEEN TRENDING UPWARDS for DCX on the web this past couple of months, and if the traffic we’ve been seeing on DCXmag.com and our Facebook page is any indication, the holiday season will be a good time to stop in and catch some new sights. ere will be plenty to see. In addition to using the web to expand our cov- But that’s not all. We have another trick up our sleeves: real-time erage of the cars we feature in our pages, our focus for social media going interaction. If all goes as planned, we’ll be launching a new video show forward will be the “in-betweens”—those great models that emerge soon that will offer collectors a chance to join us live as we explore new on the market in the weeks between publication of our print and digital releases, talk to the personalities in the hobby, and share insights and editions (like the Ottomobile 1:18 resins, Hot Wheels Elite Ferrari 458 inside info on the scale car collecting passion. e arrangements are com- Italia GT2, the AUTOart 1:43 Lamborghini, and the Automodello Bricklins ing together as we go to print; thanks to a partnership with one of the In- pictured above). ternet’s premier streaming services, the as-yet-untitled show will debut this winter as a regularly scheduled feature on our website. e best part? at means that we’ll be stepping up our online presence with even In addition to enjoying their first look at new video reviews, collectors will more photography, in-hand reviews, and of course, more video. Starting have the opportunity to log on and join the program in a moderated chat around the time this issue goes to print, several new feature vids will that will run alongside a live, hosted, on-screen video feed. Want to see a start appearing on DCXmag.com, and will be available at facebook.com/ detail again? Have a favorite model you’d like covered? Have a question for diecastxmag. ese videos will bring you close to the newest models and the host or the guest? Just ask and we’ll do it, answer it, or handle it right give you the details and features of the freshest and best products the then and right there. hobby has to offer. We’ll open some doors, tilt a few hoods, and (as in the case of the outrageous CMC Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California featured this It’s just one of the ways that Die Cast X is doing everything we can to issue) even pull a few wheels and tires—all in the name of bringing you as bring you in, show you the best, and keep the hobby going strong. Stay close as you can get to the cars you need to know about before you have tuned to our Facebook page and website for more info—and start saving the model in your own hands. for that comfy chair for your computer desk. is is going to be fun. 6 DCXmag.com



EDITORIAL WINTER 2013 | VOLUME 9, NO. 1 aLeDti’ffseMreankcee EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Andy Goodman 2012 IS DRAWING TO A CLOSE, and unless a bunch of chisel-wielding Mayans were right Contributing Editor Joe Kelly Jr. about that calendar, we’re going to have the opportunity over the next few weeks to enjoy what Group Editorial Coordinator Katherine Pierpont we have, and celebrate, in our own ways, the things that are important to us. Copyeditor Suzanne Saunders To me, the greatest part about being a diecast collector is the community filled with others CONTRIBUTORS just like me, who I can share my passion with. Attending events like RCX, Summer Smash, or Bill Bennett, Wayne Moyer, David Reider, the DiecastSpace Conventions allows us to get together and share stories, have a few laughs, Mike Zarnock and talk about our latest acquisitions. Back home, we can browse forums like diecastpub.com, hobbytalk.com, or go to the Die Cast X Facebook page and interact with collectors from around MEDIA SERVICES the world, in the time it takes to boot up a computer and type a message. Sure, times are tough; Vice President Media Services and everyone has had to rethink spending that extra buck, but at the end of the day, we seem to Corporate Strategy Laurene R. Booth have it pretty good ... great, actually. Creative Director Betty K. Nero Art Director Kevin Monahan What about those who don’t? How about the people who will be spending their next few Graphic Designer Gustavo Galicia months in the hospital? Or for those whom every dollar needs to go towards food, clothing, and Staff Photographer Hope McCall shelter? In the warmth of our homes, amidst the love and comfort of our families, remembering Content Specialist Joseph Arthur what is truly important can be tough. Web Producer Holly Hansen Traffic Supervisor Tracey Terenzi A few weeks ago, I was cleaning out a clutter-filled closet and came across a box filled with brand new toys—little items that I bought for my kids a while back that I had completely ADVERTISING forgotten about. It was mostly Hot Wheels and Disney Pixar stuff; when I looked at the kids’ Sales Director Mitch Brian 203.529.4609 toy box, I realized—with not just a little gratitude—that the new items would get lost in the piles Senior Account Executive of favorites they already owned. So I grabbed my keys, took the box to the Hershey Medical Ben Halladay 203.529.4628 Center, and handed it to the receptionist for donation to the Children’s Ward. I didn’t stick Account Executive Brian Vargas 203.529.4649 around but I’m pretty sure that her smile was repeated on a few kids’ faces later that day. Account Executive, Canada Dean Eusepi 514.326.3102 We don’t ask for a lot around here. Our job is to give you the information you need to stay in Sales Coordinator tune with this hobby, and the people and trends within it. But, I’m asking all of you who can do Julie Wolvek 203.529.4630 so to pack up a box of new, never opened cars—maybe the ones gathering dust, or some of your doubles—or go out and grab a few dollars worth of current product off the pegs at your local CONSUMER MARKETING mega store. You don’t have to wrap anything (it’s actually preferred you don’t); just drop what Consumer Marketing Manager Mike Valanzola you can in your local Toys for Tots box, bring it to a local place of worship, or take it directly to a Newsstand Director John Morthanos hospital or facility in your community that helps children. Marketing Manager Barbara Begley Event Manager Emil M. DeFrancesco It’s a simple request that shouldn’t take much of your time. We can make a big difference Social Media Coordinator Devang Patel if everyone pitches in just a bit. So, as you sit back with your favorite magazine (we hope) and begin to dive into this issue, spare a thought or two for those who are so easily forgotten. Love, PUBLISHING hope, sharing, caring, and happiness are all built one smile at a time. Group Publishers LOUIS V. DeFRANCESCO JR., We at Die Cast X wish you all the very best this holiday season. YVONNE M. DeFRANCESCO HOW TO REACH US EDITORIAL MAIL 88 Danbury Road, Wilton CT 06897 USA Phone (203) 431-9000; Email [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION CUSTOMER SERVICE (866) 298-5652, +(386) 246-3323 (outside the U.S.) or DCXMag.com/cs 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED If you are ever dissatisfied, you may cancel your subscription and receive a full refund for all unmailed issues. DCX is always a great gift idea! Just call us, or go online, and give a gift today. Magazine Publishers RCX.com of America Andy Goodman Editor-in-Chief PRINTED IN THE USA 8 DCXmag.com

OVER 2000 DIFFERENT MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM. Available only at Select Hobby Shops, Catalogs and Mail Order Companies. 2012 Edition 1 228 pages color catalog available www.MinichampsNA.com www.KyoshoUSA.com 2012 catalog • 56 color pages www.SparkNA.com Available only at Select Hobby Shops, Catalogs and Mail Order Companies.

Scale Mail YOUR FEEDBACK | WRITE TO US AT DCX AIRAGE.COM WE WANT TO HEAR So, How About Me? anks, Jon, and you can stop pretending; your letter (and a FROM YOU! few others) motivated us to write the article about the GT3’s So, how do I get my collection featured on the back page of that we all know and love. I’m glad you enjoyed “Turn Key Rac- Tell us what you like, what your magazine? e last few issues you have been featuring ers” and hopefully we’ll continue to stoke your passion for this you don’t and why Die Cast X collector profiles. I have been collecting diecast and resin wonderful hobby. ere are a lot of really great new models is the best diecast maga- models for over 40 years. I have more than 1,000 various that we’ll be reviewing in upcoming issues. e fun has just zine ever! Send snail mail to models between 1:43 and 1:12 filling my basement to capacity. begun. -BB “Letters,” Die Cast X, Air Age At this point, I now have to sell or give a model away for each Media, 88 Danbury Road, new one I add to the collection. My wife, who understands Got It - Don’t Got It Wilton, CT 06897 USA, or and accepts my hobby, has limited me to the basement, email us at [email protected]. which is approximately 1,200 square feet, so I can’t complain What a great magazine–my only complaint is that you only We'll edit letters as needed, too much. But back to the question—what is the process to publish quarterly. I would be one of many collectors who and though we will read them get featured in your magazine? would sign up for more issues if you published bimonthly or all, we don't have room to Jared Levington monthly. But that’s not the reason I’m writing in. I don’t want answer or publish every one. e-mail to sound like I collect for monetary gain, because I don’t, but Limited to 1,200 square feet of display space, huh? You say I am wondering if anyone publishes a checklist or price guide “understanding”, we say your wife sounds like a walking, talk- for 1:18-scale diecast? I collect only 1:18 models, but collect ing dream. Anyway, on to your question. Submitting your col- from a wide range of manufacturers including inexpensive, lection for a possible magazine feature is pretty easy. Just log but very cool, Jada Toys and high-end CMC Ferraris. I want to on to our submission form at rcx.webconnex.com/Collector know what I have, and what I (still) don’t. Can you help me? Is Profile, fill out the requested fields, and attach some sample there any type of resource you can recommend? photos. If you’re selected for a feature, we’ll contact you by Warren Lefoure phone to firm things up and get any additional information and e-mail photos. Good luck—we look forward to hearing from you. And, Warren, we all wish there was one cumulative resource in print get that lady some flowers or something. -AG or online, but unfortunately nothing like that currently exists. You Asked, We Answered ough some specialist sites do try and follow a particular scale, with so many manufacturers in the industry, past and I just received my Summer 2012 issue and was absolutely present, the countless products out there would make a mas- blown away. I am going to pretend for a moment that because ter catalogue a huge endeavor. And, here’s the thing: prices of my letter being printed in your Winter 2012 edition, you fluctuate constantly, so printed values are old as soon as the took my request seriously and included the “Turn Key Rac- ink is dry. So, what we would suggest is using online auction ers” story. What an outrageous article. I was stuck on it for sites as a resource. No, they won’t help you to catalog what over a week before my mind would allow me to get to the rest you already own, but places like scoomer.com, thetoypeddler. of the issue. It was great to read about all the available GT3 com and ebay.com can all be great places to learn about the diecast out there, and you covered such a range from entry current values on models. Also, with so many retailers using level to high end–thank you. e AUTOart no. 89 997 GT3 these outlets as alternates to their brick-and-mortar stores, was a model I had considered picking up in the past, but never you’ll get the chance to see new products for sale, too—after did until now. I have about 50 or so AUTOart pieces within my reading about them on DCXmag.com, or seeing them in our collection, and I must compliment their attention to detail and videos, of course. –AG accuracy. ey deliver a quality product for the price point and I really feel I get my money’s worth when I purchase their products. Bill Bennett—thank you for sharing your real-world race knowledge with those of us who can only afford to ap- preciate racing in scale. Jon Penicolia e-mail MORE, PLEASE Joe, I have been a fan or yours for years, since when you wrote for Toy Cars & Models. I just want to take a moment to thank you for being so well-rounded when it comes to the hobby. I am so used to seeing one-sided opinions on the forums, and so much negativity, I have stopped visiting them entirely and am strictly sticking to DCXmag.com and magazine for news and info. Anyways, your “Born to Rock” article last issue was outrageous. ank you for the detailed step-by-step. It was great to learn the process and your simplified breakdown gives me the confidence to give one a shot. I picked up the Batmobile and will attempt the build soon. Can we see more of this type of hands-on building, or even some simple modifying of diecast in future issues? Christopher Mavornickolis e-mail Wow Chris, thanks! My days at TC&M were some of the happiest I’ve had in the hobby—up until I joined forces with DCX, of course! And I agree about those forums—some of them, anyway. ings can get nasty when the “trolls” decide to bash a model, manufacturer, or a fellow collector when opinions differ. We like to keep things fun—what this hobby is supposed to be—and I do appreciate your joining us on the DCX site and here in the print edition. at article was a blast to write, and if more readers like you want to see some more how- tos, we’ll be happy to include them in future issues, and on the web. ere’s an awful lot of great stuff out there, and a lot of tricks and techniques we can all share, from adding foil trim and “blackwashing” grilles and vents, to complete repaints. Good luck with that Batmobile (I’ll be building that one, myself, over the holidays; see “Driven” in this issue). Post some pics of yours on the Die Cast X Facebook page when you’re finished. If you get jammed up, e-mail me at [email protected]. I’ll be glad to help. -Joe Kelly Jr. 10 DCXmag.com



INSIDE LINE EVENTS & INDUSTRY NEWS DIECAST DIECASTSPACE.COM MUSIC CITY REGIONALS EVENTS e Music City Regionals, held in Nashville, TN, from June 27-July 1, brought together the industry’s most recog- nized designers, customizers, historians, and impassioned collectors for four days of scale model mayhem. As 4TH QUARTER 2012 if the cars weren’t fun enough (they were), “Diecast Uno” and Bingo were part of the festivities, and many col- lectors won special event models. For those who preferred the cash-and-carry method of acquiring new rolling October stock, the room-to-room trading was intense, with two full floors of the hotel host- 7 Wayne, NJ ing collectors prowling, shopping, and swapping. e event also included a Legends Wayne NJ Toy and Collectibles Dinner, featuring speaker “Mr. Hot Wheels” himself, Larry “Elwood” Wood, a ROAK Show, Company #1 Firehouse (Random Acts of Kindness) party, autograph signing sessions, downhill racing, and waynenjtoyandcollectiblesshow. even a diecast vending machine. As always, the DiecastSpace.com crew did an com amazing job, kept the action going, and delivered another great opportunity for col- lectors to get together and enjoy the hobby. at’s always music to our ears. 1 28 Depew, NY 2 Motoring in Miniature 42nd Annual Toy Show, Hearthstone Manor 8 [email protected] 7 21 Houston, TX 3 Space City Hot Wheels Collectors Club, Bayland Community Center [email protected] November 4, Noblesville, IN Circle City Toy Show, Hamilton County Fairgrounds 9 circlecitytoyshow.com 4 5 4 Wayne, NJ 12 6 Wayne NJ Toy and Collectibles Show, Company #1 Firehouse waynenjtoyandcollectiblesshow. com 11 Philadelphia, PA Retrocon, e Greater Philadelphia Expo Center retrocons.com 10 23 - 25 Jersey City, NJ Toys On e Hudson, Westin Newport Hotel toysonthehudson.com December 9 Stanton, CA Rack & Cue Die Cast Car Show, Rack & Cue mikethediecastguy.com 9 Kirtland, OH Christmas Train and Toy Show, Lakeland Community College 11 cleveshows.com 1. Collector George Ragsdale taking a moment with Hot Wheels designer Larry Wood. 2. Hot Wheels Redlines for sale on Sunday. 3. Custom Batmobile that was on display. 4. Custom VW Drag Bus contest entry. 5. California natives Mike and Patti Price came to Nashville. 6. Mike Zarnock signing autographs and answering questions. 7. Johnny Lightning Head De- signer Tom Zahorsky signing autographs with his daughter Emma at his side. 8. Pro Custom- izer Chris “Nightstalker” Walker. 9. Larry Wood showing off the signing sheet he designed for this event. 10. “Pawn Stars” toy expert Johnny Jimenez of e Toy Shop was there all weekend. 11. e goodies inside the DieCast Space.com vending machine are always a big hit with the attendees. 12. Larry Wood signing Hot Wheels tracks at the autograph session. 12 DCXmag.com



SHOWROOM NEW RELEASES & FIRST LOOKS For the Technophile AUTOWAVE Bluetooth Cars 1:43 | $100 Just when we thought that our smartphones couldn’t get any smarter, along comes AutoWave with a new app for your iPhone, Droid, Blackberry, or just about any portable wireless device. No, the app won’t help you locate sushi or organize your Springsteen bootlegs; this one uses Bluetooth to control a 1:43 car. Really. Once installed, the AutoWave application will motivate a motorized Fiat 500—at a decent clip, we might add—across a smooth surface of your choice. is car itself has good scaling, great paint, working headlights and taillights, and accurate trim replication right down to the rubberized (and hence smash- proof) side mirrors. Driving the thing is fun; the touch-screen interface features inputs for a three-speed trans, and tilt-to-drive speed and steering controls (or a virtual joystick) to keep the little Cinquecento reined in and pointed where you want it. Next up from AutoWave are a Ford Mustang Boss 302, and an Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Prepare to get absolutely nothing done at your desk for a while. You have been warned. – Andy Goodman autowave.com.hk WATCH YOUR REARVIEW GREENLIGHT Hot Pursuit series 10 1:64 | $5 GreenLight has had phenomenal success with its Hot Pursuit series, and it’s easy to see why. Each vehicle is a replica from an actual police department, and the latest series keeps the tradition going with models from the Wichita, KS Police, Henderson, NV Police, Milwaukee, WI Police, La Vista, NE Police, and even the FBI. Topping off the series is the Ford 2012 Police Interceptor utility vehicle that was such a hit among police departments nationwide. With authentic tampos, realistic light bars, rubber tires with alloy style rims, and a limited run of 5,500 sets, these will likely be just as popular within your own scale fleet. Go ahead—cop a set. – Andy Goodman greenlightcollectibles.com Beast of Change JADA “LoPro” Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 1:24 | $20 Jada is known for sleek, low stance renditions of today’s most desirable vehicles, and their take on a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 sure fits the bill. e ground-hugging, aggressive, two-toned wheel and tire combo adds even more flair to the 632hp V12 beast; dressed in “Giallo Orion Yellow,” the model’s finish matches very well to the eye- searing, real-time factory color code. It’s scaled and proportioned nicely, and the shut lines for the engine cover, hood, and doors are even and accurate. Lifting the doors reveals a moderately detailed interior featuring all plastic molded pieces; a few touches of chrome add some sizzle here and in the plate-cast engine bay. For the asking price, it’s a great show. Here’s the kicker: an extra set of wheels, tires, and the needed hardware are included for a quick wheel swap to give the Murcielago a new look as the whim strikes. – Andy Goodman jadaclub.com 14 DCXmag.com

They’re Here Maisto Muscle Machines wave 12.1 1:64 | $6 From 1999 to 2005, American muscle car fans got their thirst for the outrageous quenched as a wildly styled line of chrome-engined, tough- standing diecast machines brought something different to the market. Thanks to the May Cheong Group (Maisto), the lineup is back again after a seven-year hiatus. Maisto’s team of designers have kept the original feel of the series, but they promise to take the Muscle Machines’ badass cari- catures even further as time goes by. In the meantime, the inaugural 1:64 re-release features a 1955 Chevy Bel Air, a 1968 Dodge Dart Super Stock Hemi, a 1929 Ford Model A, a 1933 Ford, a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302, and a 1963 Plymouth Savoy. As on the originals, these are sealed pieces—but when something looks this cool on its skin, who’d want to go inside? With wave 12.2 expected before the holidays (and knowing how fast Maisto can turn out product) we suggest you put on some muscle. – Andy Goodman musclemachines.com Cobra Commander Elevate Me Maisto M2 Machines Auto-Lifts release 7 1968 Ford Mustang GT Cobra Jet 1:64 | $14 Every now and then, diecast manufacturers get a call from their retailers asking for an early release 1:18 | $35 ... something they can have before other mass-market chains. That’s the story behind M2 Machines’ In 1968, Ford’s secret weapon, the 335hp 428 Auto-Lift series 7. Keeping the continuity with the series’ first six releases, each blister pack includes Cobra Jet big-block, made its debut in the the popular M2 Machines lift and a matched pair of vehicles. Two-fers of the 1968 Firebird 400s, 1967 Mustang, thanks to Bob Tasca. Ford, of course, Ford Mustang GTs, and ‘67 Dodge Custom Royal Lancers come in each packet. If you’re an M2 collector, made more of the cars, and the result was one chances are you’re looking for your car keys. Head to Hobby Lobby for these; if the nearest location is of Dearborn’s most iconic factory race pack- too far to wheel it, hit your other keys—the ones that say “qwerty”—log on and lift off. You won’t want ages. Maisto’s “Wimbledon White” example is to miss these. – Andy Goodman proportionally accurate and features opening m2machines.com doors, hood, and trunk; the exterior graphics are correct, with the only nits being chromed marker lights (they should be clear) and overly shiny wheels. Not a deal breaker, at this price. The interior is comprised of plastic molded panels throughout, with a well detailed and accurate dash and readable gauges. Beneath the ram air hood, a well plumbed and wired 428 Cobra Jet engine rests, complete with original catch can and a fan shroud warning label. The working suspension and functional steering are very nice features at this price point, too. Overall, a slick example of pre-SVT Ford his- tory in an affordable package. - Andy Goodman maisto.com winter 2013 15

showroom Hard Core Auto World 1970 Ford Torino GT 1:18 | $80 Auto World’s apple red American Muscle 1970 Ford Torino GT screams “catch me if you can” in big letters. Featuring fine details like a matte black shaker hood scoop, matching rear louvers, painted window trim, and chromed bumpers, door handles, and hood pins, the exterior com- pares well to Motor Trend’s 1970 Car of the Year. The red interior has high-back bucket seats, a console with mounted 4-speed shifter, and a detailed, well-gauged dash. Under the hood lies a plumbed and wired 429-cubic-inch Cobra Jet V-8 engine bay, complete down to its Autolite battery. A cool detail—the chas- sis’ red oxide color with body color paint overspray—sets the stage for a detailed suspension, drivetrain, and dual exhaust system. Rounding out this limited edition (1,250 made) beauty is a set of Magnum 500 wheels wrapped in Goodyear RWL rubber. It almost looks good enough to eat. - Andy Goodman autoworldstores.com Prime Pony This beautiful 1965 Mustang coupe replicates the original 1:43 scale drawing from Ford’s circa-’65 Mustang sales brochure almost to perfection, while its ultra-thin, photo-etched badges and window moldings are PremiumX 1965 Mustang Coupe better than the printed trim on Ford’s own 100th anniversary model. Every detail is there, and to scale; while the chrome trim around the fake front louvers wasn’t standard, it was available as an aftermarket 1:43 | $35 part. The high-gloss paint is just a shade brighter than a “Rangoon Red” factory paint chip, and the crisply printed sill stripes would be correct for the aftermarket, as they’re missing Mustang lettering. Interior detail is complete, but confusing; two- tone door panels were part of the Décor Group that included two-tone seats and a woodgrain wheel, neither of which the model has ... but, in 1965 almost anything was possible. The beautifully done optional styled steel wheels are complete with tiny ponies on the cen- ter caps, and there’s relief chassis detail on the baseplate, too. Giddyup. – Wayne Moyer premiumxmodels.com Cheap Kicks for ’66 Shelby Collectibles 1966 Ford GT40 MkII 1:18 | $50 Shelby-philes used to have to pony up heavy bucks for a top-shelf replica of the 1966 GT40 that took the ’66 Sebring with Jerry Grant and Dan Gurney at the wheel. Not any more. While it’s a few hundred pieces (and dollars) shy of the parts count and price point of those mega-buck models, Shelby Collectibles’ 1:18 GT40 Mark II sports a mold set that will surely yield more winners at a substantially relaxed price point. True, it’s got some glaring glitches (like left-hand drive), but the Sebring car’s dark blue paint is deep and glossy; like the red and black non-liveried variations (also LHD), the model carries decent interior, engine bay detailing, and a solid level of cast and painted pieces under its bonnet and chassis. What it doesn’t carry is the sheer, jaw-dropping impact of those hyper-detailed high-enders. But if you’re looking to fill some holes in your collection, without blowing one in your holiday budget, we recommend you have a look. - Bill Bennett 16 DCXmag.com

Imperial Force AMERICAN EXCELLENCE 1975 Imperial 4-Door 1:43 scale | $95 1975 was the final year for Imperial as a separate line of full-size luxury cars; when the name was re-intro- duced in 1981 it was on a smaller Chrysler Cordoba-based car. en, when the name was re-introduced in 1981, it was on a smaller Chrysler Cordoba- based car. American Excellence has captured the 1975’s slab-side lines and the unique waterfall grille accurately. e light metallic green paint is truly excellent, and the simulated vinyl top has an especially realistic sheen and texture. e small hood ornament is missing, but “Imperial” and “LeBaron” scripts can be read with a magnifying glass. All the photo-etched parts, including the very thin side spear, are applied without a trace of glue. Rolled-down side glass combined with thin, flush-fitting windshield and backlight glass (all done in crystal clear butyrate) make it easy to see inside. Deep plush seats and upholstered door panels with woodgrain and painted relief handles all match photos well. More woodgrain trim on the dash and steering wheel, detailed instruments, and a tiny Imperial badge on the glove box all contribute to a very realistic interior. – Wayne Moyer jmmodelautos.com Crafty Caps SIGNATURE Replica Hood Ornaments 1:2 | $40 In the 1920s and 1930s, a car’s calling card rode atop its radiator shell. Pierce had its elaborate archer; Mercedes its three-pointed star; Duesenbergs wore a hand-formed, stylized bird—the “Duesenbird.” Whether it came as original equipment, or was an aftermarket add-on, having a hood or- nament on your car made a statement. ese days, the little metal sculptures have become treasured by collectors who appreciate the era and the artistry that brought these images to life. If the idea of scouring the globe looking for the real thing seems daunting, Signa- ture has released a series of 13 1:2 scale replicas of some of the most unique ornaments, from marques like Pierce-Arrow, Graham, Packard, Voisin, Isotta-Fraschini, and Pontiac. ough not ornaments in the strictest sense, Signature has also tooled up a 1965 Mustang pony and a 1980 Dodge Ram just for good measure. Beautifully chromed and mounted on Lucite bases, these look amazing when in a group, and they’re just the thing to add a bit of nostalgia—you might even say ornamentation—to any office or home. - Bill Bennett WEIGHTY SUBJECT Sold! AUTOART F1 Paperweight GREENLIGHT Auction Block series 15 1:8 | $24.95 1:64 | $5 Accessories are what makes the car guy It’s been nearly a year since GreenLight released the last wave of their popular Auction Block series, but (or gal’s) auto decor stand out, and if your release 15 is now available. Better late than never; these six pavement eaters were worth the wait. All of crossed-flags night light and checkerboard of- the cars they’ve modeled here were sold through the Mecum Auction network for between $46,000 (a fice curtains aren’t cutting it anymore, try this 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback) and an amazing $562,500 (for a one-of-a-kind 1969 Chevy Corvette L88 on for size: a 1:8 Formula 1 tire and rim com- Coupe). e series also includes a 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A, a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda, a 1973 AMC bination that can be used either as a tealight Javelin, and a 1970 Dodge Hemi Charger R/T. All feature opening hoods, detailed engines, full interiors, candleholder when the mood strikes, or an real rubber tires, and factory alloy-style wheels. Going once ... twice ... - Andy Goodman authentically scaled paperweight when it’s greenlightcollectibles.com time for business of another kind. e source may surprise you; AUTOart has had a lot of fun these last few years converting what look to be real automotive components into “lifestyle” items, from carbon-fiber suspension arm desk lamps and brake-disc clocks, to velocity stack drinking glasses, twin-carb salt and pepper shakers, and aluminum shift-handle basin pumps (that’s “toilet plungers” to us Yanks). is particular bit of desktop whimsy uses diecast and “road-scuffed” rubber to replicate a racecar’s unsprung componentry well, whilst proving that in addition to making some great models, the people at AUTOart have a mischie- vous design ethic—and a healthy sense of humor. What fun. - Bill Bennett autoart.com WINTER 2013 17

SHOWROOM Number One Pontiac BROOKLIN 1937 Deluxe Six Touring Sedan 1:43 | $120 Although the all-new 1937 Pontiacs used the same B-Body as their GM stable mates, for the Deluxe Six it had to be shortened in front of the cowl to fit the 117-inch wheelbase. Brooklin’s “Buick Collection” success has led to a similar “Pontiac Collection.” is 1937 Deluxe Six 4-Door Touring “Trunkback” Sedan is its first release. e body is correctly similar to Brooklin’s Buick model, but the nose and chassis have been accurately shortened, and Pontiac details, like the prominent Pontiac “Silver Streak” trim and pedestal- mounted headlights, are just as they should be. Our sample’s glossy “Starlight Blue” paint has some orange peel that may not be typical of production units; the small combination hood ornament/latch handle, name badge, door handles, hood vent trim, trunk hinges, and windshield divider are all separate, polished pieces, making this one of the few Brooklin models with a fully detailed exterior—except for the grille, which is lacking the body-color horizontal bars dividing each side into four sections. Dog dish hubcaps and chrome beauty rings look just right for the Six. Interior detail is a bit sparse, but the woodgrain dash is correct. Brooklin has recreated the Trunkback lines accurately, and the dimensions are right on the money. – Wayne Moyer brasiliapress.com Forward-looking Virgil Exner’s 1955 “Forward Look” styling transformed Plymouth from exceptionally dumpy Plymouth looking cars to long, sleek, low machines. ese cars looked even sleeker when done as con- vertibles and lower when their convertible tops were down. Brooklin usually models meat and BROOKLIN 1955 Belvedere Convertible potatoes sedans, but this time they’ve done the top-line Plymouth Belvedere Convertible, and they’ve really done it well. e model’s glossy “Seminole Scarlet” paint matches chips perfect- 1:43 | $120 ly, with just traces of orange peel, and there’s lots of separate chrome-plated trim, right down to the delicate side spears that are slightly recessed into the body. at trim was often used to separate eye-grabbing two-toned schemes, but single-color cars like this weren’t unusual. Legible relief-cast Belvedere scripts are painted over and a tiny emblem has been omitted from the doors, but everything else is here. e big news is that this is the first Brooklin model to have separate plated inner door handles, and there are arm rests and correct top bow wells, too. e two-tone dash is correct, although the relief instrument faces are painted over and the inner door panels should be red. Dimensions are right on, and best of all, Brooklin’s rag- top Belvedere just looks right. – Wayne Moyer brasiliapress.com Little Big Cat AMERICAN EXCELLENCE 1971 Mercury Cougar 1:43 | $95 Mercury’s third generation Cougar was a significantly bigger and heavier cat. Although it shared the Mustang’s body shell, the Cougar managed to look quite different and was much more of a personal luxury car. is 1971 Cougar is the latest offering from American Excellence, and it gets very high marks for its body shape and even higher marks for detail. All the trim, including the thin wheel arch moldings and brightwork at the bottom of the realistic vinyl top, is done with carefully applied photo- etched pieces. Tiny chrome name scripts and red-on-chrome badges are here in scale relief (how do they do that?), as are the 71’s wrap-around turn signals and large rectangular grille. e car’s high-gloss paint matches “Ivy Bronze Poly” chips well; clear glass and low- ered door windows let you see the well-done upholstery, woodgrain dash, and recessed instrument face decals. Relief window cranks are neatly painted, but other inner door panel details haven’t been picked out. Overall lines match photos from any angle, and the wheelbase is right on 1:43, but body dimensions average 1:40 scale. We can’t spot the stretched bits—can you? – Wayne Moyer jmmodelautos.com 18 DCXmag.com

e Last Big Six MINICHAMPS 1969 Aston Martin DBS 1:43 | $45 Aston Martin built two versions of the four-seat DBS Coupe in 1969, one with the long-awaited quad-cam V-8, and one with the classic DOHC six. Beautifully done photo-etched wire wheels and vent louvers behind the rear quarter windows identify this gor- geous model as one of the last six-cylinder Astons. Minichamps has nailed the fastback shape and all the details perfectly, while all dimensions are right on the spot. “Ruby Red” paint is very well replicated, and only the multicolor Aston badges are printed on; all other trim is either chrome-plated or photo-etched. Chrome window surrounds are right on scale. e headlights have jew- eled lenses, while other lights have correctly colored plastic lenses. Don’t be misled by images of American-market Astons, this European car has the turn signals correctly placed outboard of the quad headlights. Upholstery patterns match photos, interior handles are neatly printed silver, detailed gauges in the woodgrain instrument panel are included, and the classic wood-rim wheel is especially well done. Add in crisp-relief chas- sis details with aluminum-painted exhaust pipes and separate mufflers, and you have a really fine miniature at a bargain price. – Wayne Moyer carvillemodels.com OFF ROAD TWIST JOHNNY LIGHTNING Jeep Cherokee/DCS Event Car 1:64 | $5 Johnny Lightning has been a name synonymous with the 1:64 market for decades, and it’s no wonder why. With castings like this Jeep Cherokee on tap, who wouldn’t be impressed? Covered in olive green, the finish looks right on in comparison to military colors. Featuring a front push bar with a winch and a fresh air snorkel emphasized by color-matched “Outlaw”-style rims and beefy off-road tires, it’s obvious this truck is ready to hit the trails for some serious bumping in the mud. Sitting to the truck’s right, and sharing its mold set, is JL’s exclusive event car from the diecastspace.com Music City Regionals, held in Nashville, TN, this past July. Covered in a white finish and accented with a black push bar, air snorkel and rims, only 100 of these specially-marked pieces were produced and distributed at the show, compliments of JL. If you’re a White Lightning or chase car collector, you’ll definitely want to add this one to your wish list. – Mike Zarnock johnnylightning.com License to Lola/Aston Martin’s Gulf Oil-liveried #007 LMP1 prototype dominated the 2009 five race Le Mans Series, winning the rill Team, Constructors’, and Drivers’ Championships, and was the highest finishing gasoline-powered racer to complete the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing fourth behind the diesel-powered cars of Peugeot and Audi. Powered by a raucous AUTOART production-based engine, and liveried in the iconic powder blue and orange of Gulf Oil racing, this car brought back welcome memories of races from the 1960s and 1970s when Gulf cars played such an important part in the action. AUTOart’s #007 ac- Lola/Aston Martin curately captures the stance and aesthetics of this wonderful race car. e outside skin is all about cast-in aerodynamics and B09/60 (DBR1-2) applied graphics atop AUTOart’s amazing paint; with four antennae and a pitot tube bristling from the car’s surface, along with the small body latches and through-the-body fender vents, the little details do a lot. Underneath the skin, the non-functioning #007 suspension and power plant details are mostly shrouded beneath carbon fiber ducting and plumbing, as in life. Opening the cock- pit’s delicate doors exposes a no-frills, single-seat interior replicated in understated accuracy. If Bond were a race driver... 1:18 | $220 - Bill Bennett WINTER 2013 19

SHOWROOM Old Rivalries Live On HOT WHEELS Snake and Mongoose Hauler sets 1:64 | $ 35 e “Snake” and “Mongoose” legend remains the hold down straps that go over the rear end of one of drag racing’s most talked about rivalries, the car to hold it in place. ose cars are also detailed and now, thanks to Hot Wheels, everyone can own a to perfection, from the white stars over a wide blue/ replica piece of the story. ese are exact scale copies of the 1967 Dodge thin red stripe to the “Snake” on the front spoiler. Anyone who collects D700 Crew cab haulers that Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen traveled Snake and Mongoose or any type of drag racing memorabilia will want this between meets in; featuring authentic livery (with the exception of a few set once they’ve seen it. And now, you have. Each set is sold separately pricier-to-license sponsors like Coke, Bell, and Cragar) they’ve been me- and can be purchased directly from Mattel’s website. – Mike Zarnock ticulously recreated. e rear bed is done in diamond plate, and it even has hotwheelscollector.com Quick Work MIGHTY MOUSE INTRO TECH PitStop Furniture AUTOART Home Accessories | $ varies Alfa-Romeo Giulia TZ2 Intro-Tech’s “PitStop Furniture” series of chairs, desks, and accessories is taking some popular automotive themes—and more than just a few auto parts—to make a line of 1:18 | $165 comfortable, slick looking units to round out and complement your man cave/chamber/ Many experts consider the Alfa-Romeo TZ2 one of the toy room. e top line “Formula One” executive chairs are built atop spring-loaded struts finest GT racers ever built, second only to its bigger cousin, with a cross-drilled brake rotor and caliper base; a shift-knob adjuster, coil-over arm the Ferrari 250 GTO. e lightweight little car had a 1570 rests, and tilting seat backs make the seating customizable and comfortable cc four-cylinder DOHC twin-plug engine (modified for for work or gaming, and they roll on mini 22-inch five-spoke race racing, or course), and it’s a rare ride, too: only 10 or 12 of wheels. So does the straight-backed “Grand Prix” race chair, the fiberglass-bodied racers were built for Alfa Romeo by which features adjustments for height and tilt. Got guests? Carlo Chiti’s Autodelta. Raced in Europe, TZ2s had wins at the 1967 Nurburgring 1000km and the Reims 1000km, e “GT Receiver” race chairs are set onto punched-out, and they can sell at auction for seven figures. AUTOart’s fixed frame rails. Each of the seats feature tire tread 1:18 scale replica is a pretty little piece that goes note for armrests, and come finished in durable leatherette, in a note with the 1:1. e shape and stance are spot-on; our series of available colors. e “Racing Style” desk is a favorite exterior detail is the articulated wiper arm. Going riot, too—right to the spoiler-themed document shelf deep is easy because the nose hinges up from the front, and available pull-out tray and “creeper” computer allowing access to the nicely detailed engine. Wiring is at tower—just so clients know you think “fast” when a minimum (as it should be for a car of this vintage), as you’re at work. And it’s all designed, and built, right here is the equally minimalist and authentic interior. is is a in the USA, just like Intro-Tech’s line of car covers and ac- beautifully executed model of a classic, though mostly cessories. Sitting still never looked so good. - Joe Kelly, Jr. forgotten, Italian car. Pay it some attention—it’s very, very intro-techautomotive.com good. - Bill Bennett 20 DCXmag.com autoartmodels.com



showroom Wide-Open The second generation Opel Meriva B minivan, introduced in 2010, featured front-hinged Golden Girl Opel front and rear-hinged rear doors that opened the passenger compartment from end to end. Minichamps’ model was first released as a promo piece for Opel, so we knew the overall shape ACME Trading Minichamps and all details were going to be right. Its metallic silver paint is excellent, but the gloss black top shows a hint of the ripples in the diecast below. It looks kind of low key, but it’s accurate Linda Vaughn 2010 Meriva in that the full-scale Meriva’s only chrome is on the grille, the rear hatch trim, and on the Opel Figure emblems—the model has those faithfully reproduced with scale-size plated parts. Window 1:43 | $55 moldings are neatly printed, but the tinted glass makes checking out the interior difficult. Once 1:18 | $30, $150 (with you get some light in there, the dash and its detailed instruments with authentic red outlines, car) navigation panel, detailed console, and door panels with chromed handles all match accurately. She’s held a lot of titles Wheels are a realistic aluminum color, with disks and calipers visible behind them, and there’s over the years, but for more chassis detail than you’ll find in most models in this scale. Although the Meriva isn’t avail- most of us, Dalton, GA’s able over here, Minichamps’ fine model certainly is. – Wayne Moyer Linda Vaughn will always carvillemodels.com be remembered for her years as “Miss Hurst Gold- True Love Hurts en Shifter,” a public rela- tions gig that frequently Sunstar required the otherworldly southern beauty to perch Russ Truelove on the trunk of a pace car and hold on to an outsized 1956 Mercury stock car Hurst T-handle during a 1:18 | $95 parade lap. ACME Trading Russ Truelove had made two (count ’em, two) payments Company’s 1:18 figure on his brand new 1956 Mercury Montclair when he entered of the one-time dental it into the 1956 Daytona 500, and before he got to mail the technician comes three next coupon, he’d run out onto the sand at well over 100mph ways: as a standalone and flipped, rolled, and crunched the car in front of a horrified piece, as a figure with the crowd. Truelove emerged from the wreck only a little worse shifter platform (seen for wear, but the car ... ouch. Sunstar’s model of Truelove’s here), or in an homage set stocker was actually patterned after the mostly restored rac- that also includes a 1:18 er; this deco’d early sample is nicely done. Based on Sunstar’s Lane Exact Detail 1972 Platinum Collection 1956 Merc, it features the same opening Hurst Olds Indy Pace Car doors, hood, and trunk, steerable wheels, and working suspension. In addition to the tilting visors and seats, the car also and a mounting wedge has a working glove box and a few of the race day tweaks that Truelove’s ill-fated FoMoCo bruiser wore that day on the (not shown). The star of sand. We loved the race day graphics done in hi-res tampos and the roll bar and “steelies” all around. Other details like the show is Ms. Vaughn, the stock motor, the chromed side-dump exhaust, and the spare-equipped trunk may, or may not, be changed before of course, and this crisp production, but the overall feel and display of this one is outrageously good. We hope this signifies the beginning of more resin sculpt pays respect “true” stock cars from this maker. Shiny side up, please. - Joe Kelly, Jr. to Linda’s legendary pro- portions, mane of blonde hair, and smiling face. The gold mini dress and white go-go boots (a winning combination, we might add) have just the right luster. So does that giant gearshift, and the package looks just perfect. The little Linda’s hand is cast to grasp the grab handle on the shifter. Whether standing alone, or on full display, ACME’s figure of this still-vivacious Queen of the Raceway had us at “hello.” - Joe Kelly Jr. 22 DCXmag.com



OUT OF THE BOX BY JOE KELLY JR. AUTO WORLD BLUE MAX FUNNY CAR 1:18 | $90 I t’s a good bet that the phones and social media room at Auto World’s South Bend offices are on full alert these days, thanks to its recently launched “Legends of the Quarter Mile” series. e way we see it, once folks get done barnstorming the retail outlets for their copies of the first release (this 1:18 “Blue Max” funny car) and start buzzing the wires and web about all of the other scheduled images (see the sidebar), unsolicited suggestions for new models will start arriving in cyber buckets. Relays will fry, earpieces will melt, and things will get pretty deep, pretty fast. MMadax

Auto World has put every pipe and plug wire right where it belongs, and the result is this eye-popping blown Hemi. e chassis is a well-layered nest of cleverly cast vinyl, styrene, and metal, all painted and put up beautifully for the price. Auto World’s “Blue Max” funny car is an all-new, clean-sheet model, a heck We hope so, anyway. “Pretty” lucrative match races against of a good value, and a great choice to lead the new “Legends of the Quarter and “fast” is what this series the likes of Austin Coil’s “Chi- Mile” series. is all about, and judging by Town Hustler,” Jim Lieberman’s “Jungle Jim,” and Roland Leong’s this production-approved “Hawaiian”—as it happens, the sample of the late Harry second car up in the Legends M. Schmidt’s famous series—in the years leading to mini-Mustang Ray Beadle’s buying the Blue flopper, the new Max team. line is going to make fans of 1:18 Tony Karamitsos, who is 1970s-vintage running the designs for these funnys hop on the at Round 2’s headquarters “gimme” train. (when he isn’t hotfooting his e large-scale own Camaro down the quarter cars won’t be mile), knows the field well, and alone; in true Auto uses the knowledge to build World fashion, in authenticity. ese models kit-based releases represent all-new tooling, so in 1:18 and in 1:25, and a Tony and company had the 1:64 electric scale racing chance to get things right, and sub-series, will cater to build in the little details that matter, from a clean sheet other segments of the hobby— perspective. resulting, we’d imagine, in even more calls to Auto World’s at shows on the model. headquarters. It’s a sweet piece, at a great price—and that’s something IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS we always like to see around We haven’t seen any of those here. e body shell is spot-on; second- and third-order releases cast in styrene, and painted yet, but the leadoff piece is in a remarkable scale metallic killer. is particular Blue Max blue, the lightweight top is thin- replicates the John Buttera-built, sectioned and accurate, and Ed Pink-engined ‘71 Mustang decorated in tamped-on sponsor that Schmidt’s team used in and team signage that’s been put under a dead-smooth clearcoat. From the ersatz grille and headlights to the pour le mérite (aka Maltese Cross) logos on its flanks, we pored over the piece and couldn’t find a mold parting line, a drop of glue, or a flaw in the deco anywhere. Beneath the body, Karamitsos and his crew used their knowledge of all things quick to add details like the plumbing for the fire bottle, WINTER 2013 25

OUT OF THE BOX and a chromed sub-frame under the car’s nose. You can see these thanks to the included body-up strut, or pull the cable out of the bundled ‘chute and remove the shell entirely, because of the design of the rear hinge. TUBULAR Above: Details like this ’chute tether - the front axle, and the overall to put on display … and the e chassis under that removable fastened to the rear axle, as it would be completeness of the image, from almost certain overloading of in life—prove that Auto World’s designers the scoop to those wicked, up- a switchboard somewhere in lid is made from smart sectional know where things belong. ticked headers, is top-notch. Indiana, right ... about ... now. castings that join to replicate its Right: A photo-etched buckle, fabric bent-tube construction well. e harness, and levers for the shift and fuel Hey, the whole thing is top- SOURCES black-painted metal is accented shutoff round out the metal-framed notch. No, there aren’t piles of by chrome for the suspension driver’s seat. photo-etched metal, and we Auto World autoworldstore.com and steering linkage up front; didn’t see a single bit of turned while the tiller isn’t hard-linked aside from butterflies that look brass or stainless braid. What to the wheels, it all looks crisp, a tad small inside the chromed we did see is the start of a new and flashy. So do the wheels scoop, the huffed Hemi is cast series of high bang-for-the- themselves—straight-rolling and painted with a metallized buck model cars we can’t wait lightweight Halibrands up front blower, a rubber drive belt, and and enormous five-spoke a set of eight steel injectors. classic chromed rims in back, A second octet of bent metal both mounted with convincing wires is run to the base of the “Goodyear” rubber. Just ahead of supercharger’s housing, and the pumpkin, the driver’s station the unit is mounted between a is more than decently turned creditable brace of Hemi heads out, with a fabric harness, metal wired with red, cast-vinyl plug buckles, and a proper set of leads. More of the bendable levers and pedals. Driver Richard stuff is used for the fuel lines that run forward to the fuel arp would be right at home tank and filters just south of under here. So would motor man Ed Pink; Next up in the “Legends of the Quarter Mile” series—and seen here as a pre- production sample —will be the equally famous “Hawaiian”, followed by several more models, kits, and slot racers in a few different scales. Make room. Now. ALOHA, BABY Roland Leong’s “Hawaiian” funny car was a match-race adversary of the Blue Max on several occasions, and if Auto World’s schedule stays on track, you’ll have the chance to re-create that pairing in your own display as you read this. As we went to print, only these images of the pre-production car were available to share; early samples were still in the tweaking phase and were looping between South Bend and the factory where the models will be built. From what we can see, the model will carry over much of the Hemi-fired running gear and chassis used on the Max—naturally—and will nail the Charger’s distinctive topside dead-on. Changes will certainly be made before production (wheels and tires are in flux as we write this), and we’ll keep you posted on the final product. Mahalo. 26 DCXmag.com

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Long Live the King An afternoon with George Barris bymikezarnock e may have penned the design for the world’s most recognizable automobile, but few living legends are as accessible to their fans as George Barris. Elfin, outgoing, and positively beaming when a H pretty car (or lady) comes into view, the bespectacled 87-year-old is a constant presence on the show circuit, as a legendary designer, celebrity judge, car guy of the first order—and a solid friend to the hobby. Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to spend could zero in on George’s other passion: collecting scale Joseph arthur quality time with George at industry events, and models. If all went to plan, we’d soon be standing in the conversations inevitably and enjoyably turn to the shops in which entertainment history had been made... countless cars that he’s fostered since the mid 1940s. we would get to see, touch, and most likely sit in the Barris has certainly been around—and it never takes very automobiles that had blown our minds as kids... long to find common ground for some easy banter. and we were going to talk to their creator about his toys. As we wheeled our silver rent-a-whale into the back By the time the door opened, we were in full geek lot of Barris’ North Hollywood shop, we knew we’d be mode. None of us could stop grinning, not for a moment. experiencing that camaraderie yet again. We also knew that today’s sit-down would be different. We’d only be To The Batcave touching on the real car side of Barris lore, so that we George Barris’ inner offices are jammed floor to ceiling 28 DCXmag.com

Clockwise from above: 1. Barris Kustom City's showroom is a dream- scape of TV and Hollywood memories. 2. The Batmobile, Munster Koach and \"Kargoyle\" share space in the shop. 3. The #2 TV Batmo- bile's cockpit, replete with Batphone. 4. Kargoyle's wild paint and even wilder engine. 5. This body needed no Kustomizing to attract attention. 6. Racks of boxed celebrity car photos and build specs. 7. King George in front of his palace in Hollywood. with toys and models, and the spread of rooms makes it’s all correct, and they keep adding more and more You can see for a shrine of sorts to the designer’s life. Virtually (features), which is important, too.” I’m a bit of a nothing is kept in cases, and with few exceptions, toy freak… nothing is labeled. It doesn’t need to be—Barris’ mind Of course, there’s one car in particular that any The hobby is razor sharp, and he knows exactly where each piece exchange with George Barris must gravitate to, and kits, you belongs, where it came from, and how it came to be. his innermost office bears proof that you can never have to put have too many Batmobiles. The windowless chamber together, “I started car customizing for the model car industry is positively infested with the winged things, in so but the way back in the ‘fifties,” George said, “and I went many different configurations, iterations, scales and diecast, it’s to (plastic model kit maker) AMT. They were really colors that we couldn’t keep track of them all. From done, it looks professional, really acclimated. You want to make it off-the-shelf retail versions to one-off homages sent to beautiful, it’s stock? Boom. You want to make it custom? Boom. You Barris from fans of all ages and skill levels, some of the all correct. want to make it a race car? Boom.” replicas are killer, some sport glue smears, and some … well, they’re downright crappy looking. But here, in Barris knew that it took savvy marketing to get the same room where Barris’ original sketch for the those models into the hands of collectors. In their car hangs, all reality is suspended. So are square feet of heyday, AMT had that talent in spades, and the Barris Bat-themed accessories on the walls: Batman crayons, 3-in-1 kits— some original copies of which reside, built, Batman action figures, Batman birthday candles, in all their dusty glory on the office shelves—still cause Batman hand puppets, Batman Christmas ornaments, George to smile. Batman Pez dispensers, and even an assortment of eye-popping stereoscopic Viewmaster reels from the But it’s diecast that has George talking these days. original show are on display. He pointed at a cluster of current diecast movie cars and street machines, and picked out a couple. “You can Once the video shoot was wrapped, George ushered see I’m a bit of a toy freak… but if you couldn’t afford us past the replica James Dean Porsche 550 Spyder a Cobra, or a BMW, you (could) take a diecast, and and Knight Rider K.I.T.T parked in the showroom, put it on your desk. The hobby kits, you have to put and through a pair of doors at the rear. Something together, but the diecast, it’s done, it looks beautiful, winter 2013 29

happened as we crossed that threshold; four adult experience of seeing these icons with their doors open, males magically became kids wearing grown-up in the very spot where they were born, was a moving clothes and skin. Under the lights, in a garage scented one. We were being beckoned to see, sit, and soak them with the ghosts of gasoline and lacquer, the Batmobile— in, and at every turn, George Barris was there, smiling in this case, the second one built for television and enjoying our delight. production—sat silently gleaming next to another heart-stopping machine, the calliope-piped Munster And that’s when it hit us: for as long as many of us Koach. A third stall was populated by a Barris creation can remember, George Barris has always been there, in called “Kargoyle”— a late ’60s Cadillac Hearse with a the glimmer of chrome, the sparkle of a metalflake, or chopped roof and a blown engine. the long, low whine of a turbine engine howling into the night. He may not wear a mask and fight crime, but for As the man himself pressed hidden switches and his contribution to our collective car craziness—and all turned handles with an Oz-like flair, we got the chance of those moments when we sat cross-legged in front to sit in the cars, and hear firsthand accounts of each of the TV with our jaws dropping—George Barris is a machine from the man who had made them real. To superhero. From those big kids in the rented silver van: a van full of guys who had once spent hours glued to thanks for the memories, George. the television hoping to glimpse them rolling past, the King of Kars GeorgeBarris’cars available now by joe kelly jr. George Barris has been in the model car business for almost as long as he’s been designing and building the real things, and his older “Kustoms” have appeared in scale as everything from plastic kits to the heavy diecast Batmobile toys we’d smack each other with back in the ‘sixties. It’s a shame that those early kits lose their collectibility once they’ve been opened and enjoyed, and that the older diecast toys that survived the sidewalks, sand piles, and occasional low-level explosives we launched at them have become so rare and expensive. Thankfully, a lot of Barris’ classic designs are The Ala-Kart was the first Barris classic—and Danbury that George Barris had built for the show. currently available as modern models. And Mint's exacting, enchanting replica is a must have in 1:24. Facing a nearly impossible deadline of 21 days though it’s fun to dwell on his more obscure to deliver a running, stage-ready automobile plastic kits (some of which appeared not With perfect pearl paint, immaculate overlays for the series, Barris had formed the Munster too long ago as clever Johnny Lightning 1:64 of purple and gold, and working features that Koach out of three Model T bodies mounted pieces, replete with miniatures of the models’ include opening doors, a working suspension, to a hand-built frame, powered the Tom boxes), we’re a here-and-now bunch—so let’s steerable wheels and a fully detailed Dodge Daniel-conceived car with a bored-out Cobra keep our focus on four favorites you can score Hemi engine, the piece originally sold for 289 V8, and had adorned the nearly 18-foot- easily, and relatively inexpensively: the “Ala- $125; poke around, and you might still find long machine with blood red upholstery, gold Kart,” the “Munster Koach,” the “Drag-U-La,” one for that price, give or take, with more curtains, and ornate ironwork and coach and, of course, Barris’ most famous machine— going to MIB examples with paperwork. Bring lamps sufficient to landscape a moderately the Batmobile. your own mirror. large crypt. None of that made Fred Gwynne’s life any easier; since nobody had measured Trial by Fire Tall in the Family him, shots that required Herman to be at the Though it barely escaped a fire at Barris’ Nobody seemed too concerned about wheel required removal of the driver’s seat, so shops in 1957, the ‘29 Ford-based Ala-Kart lead actor Fred Gwynne’s 6’ 5” height—an Fred could sit on the floor. No wonder the late made it to the Oakland Roadster show in ‘58— astonishing 7’ 3” in costume—as production actor never looks happy in those studio stills. barely. Barris and company were broke; the neared on the new CBS show he’d be starring freshly finished car was put on humble jack in, The Munsters. Though his towering stature The Koach is Barris’ second-most stands wrapped in tin foil, and the display was worked to great advantage on screen as requested car, and it’s been done in 1:64 further enhanced with a floor mirror (which Herman Munster, the oversight ultimately by Johnny Lightning, in kit and built form, magically appeared at around the same caused quite a bit of leg cramping for Gwynne with beautifully done detailing. Racing time a ladies’ room mirror vanished), so that when it came time to drive the “family car” Champions/Ertl did the car in 1:64, too, with passersby and judges could see the Kart’s the added attraction of a Herman Munster upholstered and chromed undercarriage. A figure. few female attendees had crooked lipstick that weekend, but the car, with its canted When it first appeared, large-scale quad headlamps, rounded grille, and over- collectors found that Ertl’s 1:18 version came the-top upholstery, won top honors as across as a bit toy-like, and even though it “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” that scales at around 1:19, that same tool is on year, and the following year, too. the market right now, as a much-improved, better-realized piece through Auto World. It’s Hot Wheels made a slick, highly authentic a howl, with six opening doors, a steerable 1:64 Ala-Kart in 1996 that you can probably front end, flocked seats and flooring, scuffed still find for a pittance, but top dog is Danbury “pie crust” slicks and tires, and lots of chrome Mint’s 1:24 diecast of the Ala Kart, circa 2002. and “brass” detailing, for around $80—a fitting price. 30 DCXmag.com

Munster Koach Catch that Coffin tiny, it’s more accurate to the Barris original It isn’t easy to buy a coffin. You need a cadaver than the 1:18 versions tooled by Ertl, and Top: The Koach's rearmost seat was a cliffhanger, and a death certificate, for starters, and currently available as an Auto World release. for sure. obtaining said items can be troublesome - if The problem on the larger car is the coffin Middle: The potent 289 Cobra motor wears wild not outright felonious. Thankfully, nobody itself— it’s squared off—and the rear wheels intake pipes and headers. was paying too much attention to an ornate, and tires, which are too wide, and the wrong Bottom: All six doors open on the 1:18 release, on a round-corner coffer that had been used in style (the Munster Koach units would have fully flocked, blood-red interior. the film Some Like it Hot at the time Barris’ been a better choice). On the plus side, Upper right: Auto World's 1:18 Munster Koach is shops were sourcing parts for the second Tom the coffin opens, exposing a nicely done actually closer to 1:19—but it looks great in any TV Daniel-drawn design for The Munsters—the seat with a metal-buckled fabric safety fan's collection. Cobra-powered, twin-scooped Drag-U-La. harness, and controls. Though the casket The casket was liberated from the premises is the wrong shape, it’s got great detailing, Drag-U-La (purportedly in much the same manner as and the drag-link steering works from the that mirror at the Oakland Roadster show), steering wheel. Curiously, though the 289 Right: Though a few details are off, Auto World's built onto a boxed frame, and equipped with Ford engine appears to be a full-on casting re-release of the Drag-U-La is still a neat piece for running gear just in time to debut in episode from top and bottom, it’s sealed in. Oh, well. the money. 30—”Hot Rod Herman.” The car looks great parked next to the Koach, Bottom left: The driver's area is wide open, and it’s still widely available, and it’s a natural for well-detailed. Again, the 1:64 Johnny Lightning version Munsters fans, who will probably dig it. Bottom middle: The twin-scooped Ford V8 is all is worth looking for; though there, but entombed in the body. Bottom right: Front end detailing—including the tombstone \"radiator\" is, um, dead on. winter 2013 31

The Batmobile is the most famous TV car, ever—and Hot Wheels has it covered in 1:64, 1:43, 1:18, and more. Top: The \"Elite\" 1:18 features deep interior detailing Bat to the opening doors; stepping up to the $100 that compares to the real thing extremely well. Futura “Elite” version got you an opening hood, a Middle: These screened panels and enhanced mark- In the beginning, jet-turbine engine, a photo-etched, rotating ings make the car realistic from any angle. there was the Ghia- “Bat Detector,” enhanced detailing on the Bottom: The turbine engine is pure fantasy—but it built Lincoln Futura, and markings, and even an opening trunk with sure looks cool. it was good—good enough sticker-based gadgetry. Top rung was the to star in It Started With A Kiss, before it got “Super Elite” version, which added a few purchased by George Barris, who let it sit extra enhancements—like real metal rocket until he got the call to provide a “hero” car for tubes (with red rockets tucked inside), Batman. With less than a month to get the car finer fittings, more metal on the engine and designed and built, George saw potential in jet exhaust, even better markings for the the Futura—but he knew it was going to take gadgets, and a real aluminum “bat” base. The more than kisses to get the job done in time. original price was around $300—10 times the What happened next is the stuff of standard version, and steep for a non-limited legend, and the end result became the most release—and that made a lot of collectors kiss recognized and lusted-after automobile off the more expensive car in favor of the of all time—and quite possibly the most wildly popular “Elite.” desired diecast model of all time, too. After the heavily accessorized (and now, hugely Barris Built expensive) Corgi and Husky toy versions George Barris is a living legend, and an icon, stopped production, the Barris Batmobile and though many of us missed the Ala-Kart all but disappeared in diecast. Then Hot in its brief appearance in the less-than- Wheels released a proper 1:64 model of the classic film Hot Rod Gang, we still remember 1966 car at the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con, these other machines crossing our little and also debuted a special, flocked 1:18 run screens—and big imaginations—as kids. While of 525 individually numbered pieces, for it’s doubtful that any of these cars will ever around $300 apiece. A 1:87 version also soon realize the huge return of pristine ’sixties- appeared, with a plastic body, as did a couple vintage Corgis, they each have a lot of appeal of specialty releases in a the 1:50 “Batman as collectibles. Vehicles” line, including other, non-Barris Batman machines. Play nice, now. The 1:64 cars of the ‘66 Batmobile are cool, and very nicely detailed; Hot Wheels Elite With enough detail to fill a cave, also did a killer 1:43 mold set, with detailing the 1:18 $100 \"Elite\" version was including a wire antenna and a coiled cord for the “Bat Phone” on its console. There are the most popular among scale many variations of these, at around the car collectors. $50 price point. The 1:18 is the ticket for detail fans, in many ways. Though you can still get a great example for between $50 and $250, the gloss-black models originally sold at three distinct levels of detail and price. For around $30 new, the “Standard” version looked the part, mostly, and featured 32 DCXmag.com

1/2H.indd 1 8/27/12 9:43 AM 1/2H.indd 1 8/27/12 9:23 AM

OUT OF THE BOX BY BILL BENNETT California Dream CMC FERRARI 250 GT SWB SPYDER CALIFORNIA 1:18 | $440 Car geeks love to rattle off their dream rides: bombing around the ‘Ring in a Porsche GT3, for instance, or hooning a freshly restored Hemi Dart down Woodward Boulevard … maybe even pointing a Cobra toward Red Rock at dusk, with a nod to old Shel’s ghost as the side pipes chuckle and the sun goes down. 34 DCXmag.com

Born out of a desire to cater to the Ameri- cans who loved open-air performance, Ferrari’s 250 GT Spyder “California” became an immediate classic—and years later, is a perfect match for CMC’s no-holds-barred approach to replicating automobiles in scale. Pinin Farina’s design is brought out beautifully here, in a multi-media masterpiece that To those, we’d add an afternoon DREAM STATE boasts 1,634 individual pieces. Go ahead.. count ‘em. spent motoring in a Ferrari 250 Getting a high-end replica of the GT SWB Spyder “California.” car just got easy (if not cheap), thanks to CMC, whose excellent e joint brainchild of Ferrari’s 1:18 250 GT SWB (short wheel U.S. distributor and a southern base) Berlinetta provided the California Ferrari dealer, the bones and much of the meat for Spyder had the raw power of this release. With that in mind, the 250 GT race car, a decidedly we were fairly certain that the American name, and a body that “Cal Spyder,” once it arrived, caused ladies to swoon, boys would carry the beauty of the to dream, and men to consider real car, have the same technical leaving years of marital bliss prowess and parts count as that behind for just one ride. prior model—and maybe even deliver a surprise or two. Such is the effect of beauty— and when it comes to trance- Well, it does, it does; and it level pulchritude, few machines has. e first part is evident on can match the California. Built sight; painted in red with a tan, between 1958 and 1963, penned fine-grain leather interior, the by Pinin Farina, and hand- car is proportioned beautifully shaped and bolted together at and perched at a perfect height the Scaglietti works, each car on hand-laced steel spoke was made to the customer’s wheels. Here’s a kick: the tires individual specs, with engines are modern Michelins, right at various levels of tune. And down to the “Radial X,” “Made in although each two-seater was France,” and “Tubeless” cast into unmistakably a California, each their sidewalls. OEM-correct? of the only 105 made varied Nope. But it makes a heck of a somewhat in its details. One lot of sense for a modern driver. thing for sure: if you’re in the And it shows that CMC tooled market for one, bring along a this replica of a 1961-vintage semi trailer full of cash. WINTER 2013 35

OUT OF THE BOX Above: Tiny details—like this photo-etched “Ferrari” script, embedded in the model’s finish, and the working push-button trunk release— are all over the car, and are fun to discover. Above left: ere’s fine-grain, small-pore leather everywhere in here, even on the dash and door panels. Check out those switches. Left: e scaled-down, Colombo-designed V12 is one of the best-ever 1:18 engines, period. ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SOUNDS IS THE RIPPING CLOTH CACKLE OF A FERRARI V12 ON POINT, AND THAT’S JUST ABOUT THE ONLY THING THAT’S MISSING UNDER THE MODEL’S HOOD. California from a machine that and the screened, shaped-steel the tone with steel spokes and model’s surprises—a working exists today—on the road. cooling vents at the car’s sides. a hand-rubbed shine. e doors trunk release. It’s a little fiddly, CMC’s love of “real” materials is swing smoothly, and the jambs but pressing the push-button Once the eye gets past the on a high, here: in addition to the are decorated with steel sill catch whilst raising the lid is a impact of the overall car on salami-cut metal exhaust tips plates and piped weather strip. In hoot. Once it’s open, the boot’s display, the secondary details and the steel rockers, the wee between, the leather seats—done carpeted floor boasts a steel start sinking in. e photo- pads attached to the stamped- in a remarkably tight—grained rub strip, a fuel filler sporting etched grille sports a pair of metal bumper blades are hide, with carefully lapped steel clamps, and a full spare, driving lights, and it’s flanked formed from “ebonite”—ultra- seams—join a dash and binnacle held in check by a real leather by marker and directional vulcanized rubber— just like bedazzled with switchgear belt with what looks to be a lamps; the depth and clarity on the real California. Over the and gauges. More leather, dyed working buckle. at buckle was of these little jewels and the top? Absolutely—but we’re not black, tops the dash and door tempting, but we were content to high-mounted taillights is complaining. tops; beneath the latter, map just leave it be—for now. wonderful. Running back from pockets have been hand-sewn the covered headlamps— replete ANDIAMO into place. Behind a complete-to- One of our favorite sounds with fasteners for their metal e first impression is one of its-gaskets windshield, replete is the ripping-cloth cackle of a trims—the shut lines are sharp with rubber-bladed, folded metal Ferrari V12 on point, and that’s and even. at’s remarkable, wonder; going under the model’s wiper arms, this is CMC’s finest, just about the only thing that’s considering this sample’s pre- skin is revelatory. Of course, the most believable cockpit yet. missing under the model’s production origins. So are details interior is top dead center, and a hood. If there’s such a thing as like the “Ferrari” badge at the tail, faux-wood steering wheel sets Behind it lies one of the a kitchen sink when it comes to 36 DCXmag.com

“Happy Holidays! Santa and his elves are hard at work in our shop making sure we get your orders out on time.” 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-HA1956 Reg $79.95 HM-HA2806 Reg $84.95 HM-HA3010 Reg $89.95 HM-HL1103 Reg $69.95 ON SALE FOR $69.95 ON SALE FOR $74.95 ON SALE FOR $79.95 ON SALE FOR $62.95 RF-4B Phantom II - VMCJ-2 “Playboys,” MCAS F-22 Raptor - 199th TFS “The Kukaiumoku,” F-111E Aardvark - “The Chief,” 20th Tactical Fokker F-27 Friendship - “N2703,” Cherry Point 154th Wing, Hawaii ANG/PACAF, Hickam Air Fighter Wing Flagship West Coast Airlines Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Force Base Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:200 Wing Span: 6.25 inches Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Wing Span: 5.75 inches Wing Span: 5.25 inches Length: 10.5 inches Length: 10.75 inches Length: 5 inches Wing Span: 7.5 inches FREEINCLUDES Length: 10.25 inches SHIPPING! MIL-88002 Reg $199.95 CC99306 Reg $24.95 AA33420 Reg $79.95 CARO-6051 Reg $69.95 ON SALE FOR $179.95 ON SALE FOR $17.95 ON SALE FOR $59.95 ON SALE FOR $49.95 SBD-3 “Dauntless” S. Navy - VS-2 USS Avro Lancaster BI Westland Sea King HRH - Prince William Train- FLYBOYS MOVIE “RAWLINGS” NIEUPORT 17 Lexington, May 7th, 1942 “Battle of the Coral Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:144 ing Flight SAR 2011 22 Sqn. Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:48 Wing Span: 6.25 inches Sea” (Prebuilt Model) Wing Span: 8.5 inches Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Length: 5.5 inches Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:18 Length: 5.75 inches Rotorspan: 9.0 inches Length: 10.5 inches Wing Span: 27.75 inches Length: 22.25 inches HM-HA7714A Reg $115.00 DM-DRW50010 Reg IXJ-2006-16 Reg $29.95 SC-40045 Reg $59.95 ON SALE FOR $99.95 ON SALE FOR $22.95 ON SALE FOR $39.95 $49.95 P-51D Mustang - Maj. Donald Strait, 356th USN Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat Pepsi Cola Travel Air Fighter Group “Jersey Jerk” Die-Cast Metal ON SALE FOR $34.95 Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:45 Scale: 1:72 A6M2 Zero, Saburo Sakai, IJN Tainan NAG, Wing Span: 6.5 inches Wing Span: 10.0 inches Wing Span: 9.5 inches Rabaul 1942 Length: 5.5 inches Length: 9.5 inches Length: 8.5 inches Die-Cast Metal Scale: 1:72 Wing Span: 6.5 inches Length: 5.0 inches Visit us online at: www.aikensairplanes.com or call us toll free at: 877-224-5367 Based in Memphis, TN

Above: Each California was slightly different, but the egg-crate grille and driving lights—done here by CMC with crisscross metal stampings and jewel-level lensing—were a constant. Above right: Real steel, copper, rubber, and a full- metal tube frame make the scrupulously woven chassis come to life. Left: Twist off the “Borrani” knockoffs—threaded correctly for each side of the car—and here’s what you’ll see. ose steel leaf springs work, as do the shocks and the flexible brake hoses, and the craftsmanship is top shelf throughout. THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE VISTA OF MECHANICAL REPLICATION WE’VE EVER SEEN IN THIS SCALE, PERIOD. utter completeness, CMC has firing order plate affixed atop brake and fuel lines, steel springs EYES WIDE OPEN thrown it in here, maybe a couple the engine near the fan belt and and working steering linkages ere are rides we all hope to of times. e oval air cleaner is radiator hoses. From the tidy little are stunning, as are the various fastened by a trio of three-bladed prop that holds the hood aloft to textures, colors, and materials take, some day, and common wing nuts; below it, a multi- the little rubber bumpers around used to finish each piece. After sense says we’ll probably never piece throttle rod assembly and the engine bay’s perimeter, the we removed and reinstalled the get to pilot a Ferrari California spiral-steel-covered fuel lines 280-horse V12 looks real; we can road wheels to view the brake through the valleys and hills of wind into view and terminate only imagine the fun CMC had discs (via correctly threaded the Golden State. But thanks in tiny banjo fittings and metal putting all of these bits of detail in. “Borrani SPA”-emblazoned to a handful of artisans half a ends. e crinkle finish on the knockoffs), saw the chain- world away, we can still dream. cam covers is scale correct, e model’s biggest surprise— hinged hangers for the multi- Available soon in other, limited as is the gauge of every plug and its most impressive visual, muffler exhaust system, release colors and trims, CMC’s wire, electrical cable, hose, and save for its powerful presence discovered the clear drain latest masterwork gets our very clamp. On the passenger side, on display—is tucked away tubes that hang on either side highest recommendation. Dream a steel duct funnels fresh air to under the car. It’s true; the of the V12, and observed how on. the cabin, and on the driver’s undercarriage is the most the extraordinary clamps that side, the brake booster is tucked comprehensive vista of hold everything together were SOURCES under the fender below a gaggle mechanical replication we’ve individually riveted to the frame, of steel-clamped cables. e oil ever seen in this scale, period. we were looking for a mirror to CMC Model Cars cmc-modelcars.com filter is legibly labeled, as is the Built off of a tube frame, the park the model on. working suspension, copper 38 DCXmag.com



OUT OF THE BOX BY JOE KELLY JR. Henri Chapron designed and built a lot of beautiful cars, but this Delage stands out as a bona-fide movie star—and a great startup piece for Minichamps’ “Mullin MNiguhst eatuthmeAutomotiveMuseum”lineup. Andre Dubonnet’s “Xenia” was an ad- vanced design—and a haunting reminder of a lost love. 40 DCXmag.com

MINICHAMPS “MULLIN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM” LINE 1:43 | $95 EACH F olks shouldn’t begrudge Peter Mullin or his collection of classic cars. Getting all of those nearly priceless Bugattis, Delages, Delehayes, Hispano-Suizas, Voisons, and more under one roof took hard work, diligence, deep research—and, one would assume, equally deep pockets. Beneath Saoutchik’s streamlined body, the Hispano-Suiza H6C was a near-race car capable of extreme speed. Mullin calls the assembled fleet hints at an undisclosed number D8-120, chassis number 51760, in hard parts, using photo-etched of impeccable restorations his in 1:18. It’s a good bet that the ar- had been fashioned into a cabrio- metal or cast and plated plastic, “French Curves” collection, and rangement will come up as a win- let. With an eight-cylinder engine and the paint and assembly is if that name doesn’t endear the win for both parties, with another of just over 115 horsepower, the extremely good, bordering on man to you, Peter Mullin’s willing- “win” thrown in for those of us car’s mechanicals and frame were meticulous where smaller notes ness to share it should. e cars who will be enjoying the result. of the latest design from Delage’s like the eyelash-thin windshield are housed for all to enjoy in a factory in Courbevoie—lower, wipers are mounted. e fabric- building once owned by publish- e first two 1:43 samples, the lighter, and the perfect foundation finish roof is cast as rolled to the ing great Otis Chandler, now re- 1938 Saoutchik-bodied Dubon- for what would arguably become halfway point, and “secured” with vamped, re-decorated, and open net Hispano-Suiza H6C “Xenia” one of Chapron’s most beautiful straps; this allows a mostly unim- to the public in Oxnard, CA. Taste- and a 1939 Delage D8-120 styled builds. en the résidus hit the peded view of the gauged dash, fully crammed with automobiles, by Henri Chapron, arrived here as fan in Europe, and the D8 was tiller, and detailed, be-handled automobilia, and contemporary early-production pieces directly secreted away for the duration of door panels and seats. ough art and furniture that Mullin and from Minichamps’ U.S. distributor, the war. Afterward, the Delage the steering wheel spokes and his wife Merle have chosen as Carville Models. e bases and made it to the United States, sup- column-mounted gear shift stalk exemplifying the French Art Deco clear-topped cases for these are posedly after a shady French look just a little hammy in close- movement, e Mullin Automo- big, and decorated with a printed general fudged its documents, put up, the seats have been painted tive Museum uses remarkable backdrop and floor. e print- it on a ship, then stayed behind and then relief washed, and look decor, an open plan, and well- ing features photographs of the to plot a getaway of his own. e very much like lush leather— a chosen art and artifacts to give real cars, taken by ace lensman car became a hit in Hollywood, nice touch that speaks to more of context to the rolling sculptures Michael Furman—a nice touch and starred in the classic film a hand-built model than a mass- that populate the museum’s vast that invites comparison—and the An American in Paris. It’s been manufactured one. main space. models are secured above se- repainted since then—and if he lected enlargements from those really did exist, the French general More of that extra care is MODÈLES MUSÉE photographs, done in a ghostly never made the trip to join his ill- evident on the wheels, which Minichamps’ new line of 1:43 grayscale, alongside a close-up gotten prize stateside. have been sharply cast and then resincast models celebrates Peter insert of each car’s coachbuilder’s impressively pinstriped. But even Mullin’s collection, wears the Mul- badge. Slick, classy, and elegant, ough the outer packaging that effort pales when the tiny, lin name, and if all goes to plan, the packaging sets a great stage calls it out as a diecast piece, the legible coachbuilder’s badge, af- will ultimately replicate many of for the models. model is done in fine resin. Mini- fixed to the model just ahead of the plum pieces that the Mullin champs has visited this material the rear fender on the passenger Museum has parked under its UN AMÉRICAIN À PARIS before, to be sure, and they must side, comes into the macro view. vaulted roof. at’s going to be a Coachbuilder extraordinaire Henri have taken a lot of notes; the Scale magic meets exceptional heavy undertaking. e catalog Chapron couldn’t have dreamed shape of the car is perfect, and its beauty, and the takeaway is an insert that accompanied the cars the real-life story that would be profile matches the photo of the understanding of why Mullin calls out 22 designs in 1:43, and written around the car he deliv- real cabriolet printed on the back- loves this car—it’s gorgeous. ered on June 21, 1939. e Delage drop panel. All of the trim is done WINTER 2013 41

out of the box Minichamps’ Delage is festooned with tiny, tidy detail bits and great paint … ... and though a few interior details read as too thick, advanced techniques render the woodgrain and leather surfaces in here very well. TAChoueltloeMmctuoiolltinnivMe useum Belle Princesse the sweeping side grilles, and the not the top supplier, worldwide, Another of Mullin’s favorites is the panel lines all around, is excellent, of models in this range, and the Peter Mullin started his col- one-off Saoutchik-designed 1938 too. Behind well-framed curved marriage of their expertise with lection of French automobiles Dubonnet Hispano-Suiza H6C acetate glazing, the interior is fully Mullin’s esoteric love of fine after a chance encounter with a “Xenia,” named after race driver/ realized and complete, from the French cars is off to a great start. one-off Delahaye over 30 years pilot/engineer (and heir to the clustered gauges and blue seats Each model will see a limited run ago—and he hasn’t looked back Dubonnet fortune) Andre Dubon- to the “bamboo” wrapped steer- of 1,948 pieces. That’s a fairly big since. He’s been quoted as saying net’s late first wife. Mrs. Dubon- ing wheel. There’s even a set of run, as compared to the numbers that that first car struck a chord. net’s replacement apparently custom-fitted luggage hiding be- generated by the scratchbuild- “I ... realized that engineering wasn’t too fond of having the car neath the trapezoidal rear glass. ers and commissioned modelers masterpieces could also be called around, so Andre kept the Xenia As on the Delage, the coach- who would usually be called on ‘sculptural rolling art’ ... and I have hidden away, and drove it surrep- builder’s badge is affixed to the to do these somewhat obscure, passionately pursued these Art titiously when Mrs. Dubonnet the model, and again, it’s a perfectly but astoundingly beautiful cars. Deco creations.” Second wasn’t looking. Whether executed photo-etched piece. But mass manufacture means Pursuit is a fitting term; Mullin or not he got scolded for coming Taken alongside the exquisite more collectors will be able to has scoured the globe—and even home late with gasoline on his headlights, the deep gloss of the enjoy these images - in their own the bottom of a Swiss lake—to cuffs, we’ll never know; but as the paint, and the convincing sweep homes, and on their shelves - at a assemble his horde of classic second model to emerge from the of the glass, the details all over the price that makes them affordable. French cars. In the early days, the Mullin Automotive Museum col- piece make the model one well Next up is a ’39 Bugatti Type collection was located in Mullin’s lection, the scale Xenia is an Art worth having. 57C “Aravis,” followed by a 1937 garage (if you could call a space Deco piece that carries this new Delehaye Type 145 “Grand Prix.” decorated with classic columns lineup forward strongly. Fin’ Sounds like more winners, to us. and custom-woven tapestries a Aside from side windows that From the look of that catalog, French curves, indeed. garage) that featured a railroad- should rise just a skosh higher these will all be worth having. 1:43 style turntable; this allowed Mullin into the roofline at their tops, the remains the go-to source for col- sources to use a single door to use the streamlined resin body is cast lectors who relish left-of-center space to its maximum. perfectly, and looks exactly as subjects in scale. This lineup Minichamps minichampsna.com Then Mullin bought the Otis it should: poised, and fluid from promises a lot, and we think it’ll Chandler museum building in Ox- its rounded grille (reminiscent deliver. Minichamps has nard, CA, and doubled his efforts to of the “coffin-nosed” Cord that long been a major locate motorcars for the displays, pre-dated it) to its tapered, beau- player, if including a long and arduous tifully aloft tail, fitted here with journey to acquire several “survi- red-lensed taillights and distinc- Scoops, swoops, and ellipses made the Xenia a stunning design—and Minichamps’ replica vor” Bugattis from the Schlumpf tive multi-ported twin exhausts. does the classic proud. museum—from surviving The paint is a deep metallic Schlumpf family members—whilst silver, very well applied decorating the Oxnard space with and polished, and the car’s priceless, or nearly so, objets d’art stepped-disk wheel covers and furniture. and skinny tires look just right. The Mullin Automotive Collec- Small details, like the door tion Museum is open on Satur- handles and twin fuel filler caps, days, but you’re advised to visit are separate castings, flawlessly the museum’s website to book applied. Cast-in detailing, like the your tour; according to the home trailing-edge hood vents below page, you’ll need at least 2 1/2 hours to see what’s inside. Bonne chance. mullinautomotivemuseum.com 42 DCXmag.com



quick prototype LOOK by Wayne Moyer Automodello 1966 Fitch Sprint John Fitch’s “Sprint” package and 1964 Sunbeam Tiger made the most of the Chevrolet Corvair’s performance potential, 1:43 | Standard $95 | Limited Edition $134 | Homage Edition $235 and this still-tweaking pre- production sample of Fitch’s personal ride - the “Homage” edition - shows great potential, too. Sunbeam’s Tiger—so well- M ost model companies make sure that nobody its perfect shape, all the little details, including rounded modeled in these highly detailed sees their prototypes. After all, there are hood and door corners, leaded-in cowl and rocker panel pre-production samples from always some corrections, additions, or tweaks seams, and the Ford 260 badge that distinguished the Automodello—was a hellacious to be made before the final versions are released. But Mk. I from the Mk. IA will have even the staunchest performer, and will certainly be a Automodello has sent along the very first samples of two Tiger nut happy. Of course, bigger details like the folding hit in scale. Look for all of these upcoming releases—John Fitch’s Corvair Corsa-based metal top cover (complete to its latch handle detail) and cars this quarter. Sprint and a 1964 Sunbeam Tiger Mark I—so that we can transverse seat pleats are there as well. So are incred- have an early look. ible scale-correct “Tiger” scripts, individual SUNBEAM By 1966, John Fitch had been a WW II fighter pilot, letters, and badges. Automodello assures us that the side a Mercedes factory race driver, an inventor, and a car strip will be straight on production models, and we believe builder who sold turnkey Fitch “Sprint” conversions of the them; inside, the upholstery, the painted relief handles, Chevrolet Corvair Corsa, as well as kits for home wrench- and the wood-rim wheel are just as they should be. The ing. Automodello sent along the “Tribute Edition” (66 production dash should have a woodgrain decal with more made; $166) of John’s much-loved personal car; standard instrument detail, the “T” reverse lockout is missing from versions (up to 999 made; $95) will be Willow Green with the Ford shift handle, and the glovebox should be an open a black top. The flawless resin cast body has very crisp cavity—we’ll see how these get handled in production. panel lines and beautiful two-tone paint. Beneath the final Below it all, Automodello has modeled the aftermarket protective clear coat, the front panel trim, name plates, Los Angeles Tiger (LAT) wheels very accurately, but these and badges are all silver decals. And don’t worry, ye pur- weren’t available when the Tiger was introduced; the ists: production badges will say “Sprint,” not “Corsa,” and optional fiberglass hardtop was, and it’s accurate and very the only detail missing from that trim level that we can delicate. Automodello is working hard to improve the fit. see is the Corsa’s chrome drip rail. The outboard Lucas The standard red model (at $95) looks just like Maxwell Flamethrower lights have the optional yellow “Fog Cote” Smart’s Tiger from the TV show Get Smart (minus the tint and the very thin, clear glass (butyrate) makes it easy machine gun), while the limited-run (134 pieces, dedicated to see the interior’s excellent upholstery patterns, neatly to “Tigers United XXXIV”; $134) is a perfect miniature of painted silver inner handles, wood-rim wheel, and dash the Tiger in BRG. Along with the extremely limited “Hom- layout. These all match reference photos. age Edition” (black, black top, tan interior, 24 made; $235), Final versions will have more instrument panel detail, this may be the best Tiger model to date. decal gauges—and yes, John’s personal Sprint had only Together, these critters all beautifully replicate two of one headrest. The Hands-brand alloy wheels are detailed the finest tuner cars of the 1960s. Keep them coming, down to lug nuts behind the fake knock-offs, and the Automodello. model has good, relief-cast chassis detail, and precisely correct dimensions. Sources So does Automodello’s Sunbeam Tiger. Together with Automodello automodello.com 44 DCXmag.com



quick LOOK by Andy Goodman Motorhead Miniatures/Auto World 1970 Oldsmobile SX 1:18 | $95 Top left: The SX might have T he 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SX looked line up accurately and function with ease. Electro-plated looked the part of a cruiser, the part of the boulevardier with sophisticated chrome trim, grille, and bumpers offer a mirror-perfect but the 455 V8 under its styling, luxury aplenty, and upscale trim—but it shine, while clear, well-bezeled headlights and taillights hood—done well here in 1:18 carried a hellacious punch. The ruse, as delivered by “Dr. add to the model’s overall visual pop. The simulated black by Auto World for Motorhead Oldsmobile,” was intentional. Since the SX didn’t wear a vinyl top is a great touch, and along with the authentically Miniatures—packed a muscle unique VIN, as did the Olds 4-4-2 and many other muscle replicated trim in place, it’s a very good recreation of the car punch. cars of the day, the SX, toting a 455 V-8 under its hood, original. was cooked up in the good doctor’s lab to sail right past Lifting the heavy, forced air W25-option hood reveals Top right: Chassis detail is very the insurance nannies who were starting to tax perfor- a moderately detailed “Rocket 455” engine. Cast-vinyl good, with lots of separate cast- mance. The trick worked and buyers saved tons in added and styrene spark plug wires, heater hoses, and overflow ings and working features. policy tariffs, whilst being coddled in air-conditioned, tanks are all properly located, if a little thick, and the hood faux-wood-trimmed luxury. hinges are realistic, scissor-style units. Silver painted Below: The Olds came in several Though the add-ons did increase the car’s weight, headers are a nice touch, too, and flow down to a dual sedate colors—and this wild when it came time to get busy, Olds’ largest displacement exhaust with chrome tips, alongside a painted tranny pan “Sebring Yellow,” a perfect hue engine ever was more than willing to rally the troops and and gas tank. for trouncing unsuspecting pony incinerate the rubber in 13-second capable trims that The luxury feel inside the car is plentiful, with reclining car drivers at stoplights, and on ranged from the streetable L31 with a two-barrel to the bucket seats (wearing cloth belts), faux woodgrain on the the open highway. outright hairy W32 455, packing an even 500 pounds of doors, dash, and shift knob, a chrome-accented steering twist. Thanks to the low-key exterior, it was a sleeper wheel and an easy-to-reach (and read) dashboard cluster deluxe and in between smoky launches, an SX’s only and controls. No wonder so many street racers were external distinction was a tiny, rectangular “SX” badge on caught off guard; this is truly luxury stuff. Out back, the the fender. opening trunk is complete with a full-size spare, below Not all of the cars were sedate-looking, however. This a deck lid decorated with jacking instructions. Rounding Sebring Yellow SX with a black vinyl top and interior is out the package, a set of SS1 wheels and Goodyear Wide an exclusive color combination made by Auto World/Ertl Tread GT tires give the car a righteous roll. American Muscle for Motorhead Miniatures’ new “1201 Maintaining a reasonable price point and delivering the Exclusive” diecast line. Exterior scaling measures well, quality we’re used to seeing from Auto World, this limited and the shut lines of the hood, door, and opening trunk all run Cutlass SX will make a great addition to any muscle car collector’s showcase; the “1201” speaks to the models’ limited runs. Like luxury rockets? Your ride is here. SOURCES 1201diecast 1201diecast.com Motorhead Miniatures motorheads4u.com 46 DCXmag.com

1/2H.indd 1 9/4/12 9:33 AM 1/2H.indd 1 8/27/12 10:14 AM

OUT OF THE BOX BY WAYNE MOYER CLASSICSFOCUSONTHE Above: Representative models from each year of the Buick Collection. Front (left to right): 1939 M61 Touring Sedan (007), 1938 M-46S Sports Coupe (021) 1937 M- 46C Convertible Coupe (009), and 1936 M48 Victoria Coupe (018). Rear (left to right): 1935 M-96S (001) and 1934 M-96S (002). BROOKLIN’S BUICK COLLECTION 1:43 | $95 $125 EACH I f you’re a kit builder with the time and the talent to paint, assemble, modify, and conjure up your dream lineup, keeping a focused collection is easy. But, if you’re not handy with paint and glue, or you’re too busy to build, nurturing a theme and accumulating a comprehensive collection of ready-built model cars means being at the mercy of the manufacturers. at’s especially true when the subject matter is road cars—and trebly so when those road cars are classics. But one 1:43 maker, in particular, seems to be championing a change. In 2007, Britain’s Brooklin While it’s true Buick used many (Buick Model 96-S) appeared Models, the largest producer of of the same bodies across its in the fall of 2007, and it was factory-built white metal cars, entire range each year, Brooklin’s quickly followed by a very announced the Brooklin “Buick task of stretching or shortening similar 1934 Model 96-S. To say Collection.” Along with their those designs in scale, adding or the line has been a success is standard range of American cars modifying trim to produce visual redundant. As of this writing, 24 from the years 1930-1970, the exterior differences between models have been released in Brits’ exceptionally ambitious the four series each year, and the Buick Collection; number 25 plan for the premium line was making similar scale models look will be available by the time you to produce a model of every sufficiently different to generate read this, and number 26 will Buick built from 1934 through interest amongst potential most likely be on a boat headed 1939. at didn’t mean six Buick buyers would be a challenge. westward. Twenty-six models models, mind you, but rather released in a six-year span— every body style of every Buick To date, Brooklin has handled tooled, built, and sold in addition series built within those six that challenge exceptionally to this maker’s standard range— years, for a total of around 130 well, with different colors, is quite an accomplishment. And, distinct models. factory options, and top-up or as you can see in the photos, the down convertible bodies. e cars are all well worth seeking In that context, perhaps first Buick Collection model, a out. “ambitious” is too light a word. top-line 1935 Series 90 Coupe 48 DCXmag.com

Above: Harley Earl’s 1936 solid-roof “Turret-Top” design (M-41 4-Door Sedan, 013, right) was a major departure from the vintage-looking 1935’s (M-96 Coupe, 001, left). Above: Touring “Trunkback” Sedan models show how much the front end of the 1939 Buicks (004, right) changed from the 1938 models (007. left). is wide “toothy” grille would be a Buick trademark for a couple of generations. Below: e three currently available “Series” in the Buick Collection. Left to right: Series 40/Special 1937 M-44 2-Door “Plainback1” Sedan (019), Series 60/Century 1939 Convertible Coupe (011), and 1934 Series 90/Limited Limousine (010). WINTER 2013 49