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Early examples of the ’70 Z28 used a smaller single-piece rear spoiler, which is how the pile carpeting; the molded front have risen by stratospheric pro- Auto World replica is outfitted. buckets and rear bench have the portions. At the top of the heap correct factory pattern; and the are the Z/28 models. Predictably, World cut right to the chase with Interior Musings dash, center console, and door the 1970–72 Camaro Z28s (the an uncluttered version of the panels have a convincing wood- slash was deleted in 1970) have 360-hp (factory-rated) engine: Muscle-car buyers were treated grain application. A big surprise started to climb the value lad- a correct scale reproduction, to a number of big surprises when was the headliner with the der. The 1970 is considered the including the finned aluminum first exposed to the ’70 Camaro. correct dome light cover—an early best of the breed. It might not valve covers, dual-snorkel This was a more refined interior production part repurposed from be long before these cars cross air-cleaner cover, water hoses, with major improvements. The the last of the ’69 models, as was over the $100,000 threshold. radiator cover and cap, hood-latch old spring seats were replaced the chrome rearview mirror. Later While that is happening in the assembly, and 61-amp battery. with form-contoured buckets. A in the model year, these were real world, this upgraded Auto Not present are the heater hoses “Custom Interior” option included changed to black. There were, World 1970 Camaro Z28 is an and smog equipment—and that’s wood-grain trim and a full center however, a few missteps. While excellent 1:18-scale example of OK. Extra points were given for console. The instrument panel Chevy repurposed a number of Chevrolet’s sports touring coupe the correct use and placement of was also easier to read and parts and trim from the ’69, it did that made the entire automotive the information stickers and the controls more accessible. At first not use white shift knobs on the world take notice. As a testimo- inclusion of the upper stiffening glance, the scale version appears Z28 nor offer the “SS” emblem on ny to how advanced the design bars. to have all the right moves. There the steering wheel. The brake- was for the times, the basic is a tight fleece that replicates the and-clutch pedal assembly could shape and engineering lasted 12 have also been hung or molded model years. Don’t wait nearly in the footwell rather than laid on that long, however, to make this the floor. These, for the most part, diecast part of your collection, as are not deal breakers and can production is limited and should easily be dismissed by the overall move quickly. How appropri- display presence Auto World ate that is for a replica of one brings to the table. of America’s most complete performance cars. The Next Big Thing SOURCE Over the past decade, demand and prices for 1967–69 Camaros Autoworldstore.com 50 DCXmag.com



out of the box by DCX TEAM The Disco Camaro Struts its Stuff GreenLight Collectibles 1978-79 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1:18 | $60 T he 1970s were a tough time to be an automotive enthusiast. The oil crisis had made the masses rethink their demand for massive machines with thirsty, big-horsepower V8s. Tightening emissions regulations had further hobbled the ponies, and insurance companies had levied such outrageous surcharges on performance cars that people who actually forked over for one could end up with premiums that rivaled their monthly payment! It felt as if there was a conspiracy afoot to suppress any fun behind the wheel. Product development engineers were saddled with decrees from the boardroom to adapt to the public’s rapidly shifting priorities, and the results were rolling compromises that seemed to inspire no one. Still, there were a few insurrectionist industry insiders working hard to keep excitement alive in the corners of the option catalogs as the decade wore on, and that was particularly a priority for the program directors for Chevrolet’s perennial pony car: the Camaro. The Camaro program had been handed a great big Christmas gift from Ford in 1974 when the latter reengineered the Mustang to sit on the plebeian Pinto platform. Chevy kept the faith with Camaro fans by sticking with its traditional chassis and V8 power, thereby inheriting the mantle (along with its F-Body sibling, the Firebird) of the only true pony car left on the market. 52 DCXmag.com

e dark days took their toll, bumpers, and suspension 1979–81 “Square-bird” Trans graphics, wheel pattern, and the however; General Motors’ revisions dramatically improved Ams. To those, it now adds the lack of a front air dam. Paint is brass discontinued the Z28 handling. Chevy, again, outsold 1978 and 1979 Camaro Z28s—a good on the red car and mostly performance package for 1975 its rival. Styling got even more handsome pair that has aged good on the silver, the lighter along with its high-output aggressive in 1979, with the more gracefully than either hue showing just the slightest engine, leaving the top option addition of a 3-piece front air the Fords or the Pontiacs. With orange peel. Panel gaps are very with just 155hp. at error dam, even crazier graphics, and a Gen 2 Camaros enjoying an good, with the minor exception was remedied in 1977; the Z28 new dashboard design. But it was uptick in collector interest in full of the hoods, which bulge a bit returned with an 185hp 350 and that wraparound front end that scale, these cars should prove where they come together with a wild graphics package that defined the latter half of the Gen popular with diecast collectors, the fenders and base of the propelled the Camaro to outsell 2 Camaro’s life and accounted for as well. And a fresh casting is windshields. It might be merely the Mustang for the very first its success. always welcome, especially a preproduction aberration, but time. e year 1978 brought more in the midprice segment in even if it’s not, it shouldn’t be a good news: Stylish wraparound GreenLight has been active which GreenLight operates. major concern. Badge and decal urethane front and rear fasciae with late-’70s-era cars of work is important on cars with replaced the clunky aluminum late—most notably the 1976–78 e contours are long and lean, this much gilding, and both cars Pinto-Stangs, but also the particularly with the streamlined do well in that regard. e hood fasciae. e silver ’78 is the scoop was new for ’78 and carried more sedate of the two, thanks over unchanged for ’79. to the color, more subdued e interiors of the two models are functionally identical. In the 1979 model’s case, that is a good thing, but for the ’78, it’s not so good. e dilemma CHEVY KEPT THE FAITH WITH CAMARO FANS BY STICKING WITH ITS TRADITIONAL CHASSIS AND V8 POWER. WINTER 2016 53

Above: Solid detail on GreenLight’s rendition of the 350 V8, with plug wires, plumbing, is the dashboard. From the and anti-roll bars, all designed and instruction labels and tags all being used to good effect. Below: The flat gauge panel introduction of the second- to enhance chassis stiffness and is correct for the red ’79 car (shown here), but the silver ’78 should still have a wrap- generation Camaros in 1970 up response. The improvement was around style dash—the only miss on the interior. through the 1978 model year, the marked, although the differences cars had a wraparound-style are minute enough that they In 1979, the Z28 gained a three-piece instrument cluster. Starting in would not show up in scale front air dam with wheel flares—the 1979, the dash was redesigned except for the anti-roll bars. The only major visual difference between with the flat gauge panel, which models have the front bar, but the two years. is reflected—pretty accurately— the rear bar is missing on both on the models. The rest of cars. The rest of the chassis is the interior is fairly standard better; the proper low-restriction midmarket fare. The floorboards Z28 exhaust—identifiable by the are hard plastic, but the seating single catalytic converter and surfaces have a soft touch with a two small resonators in lieu of nice satiny finish. The instrument a full muffler—is clearly visible detail on those flat dashes and nicely painted. Rolling stock is clean and legible, and the looks good, too. Both cars have molding on the steering wheel G70 “Goodyear Steelgard” radials: and the jumbo-ball 4-speed The ’78 car wears the optional YJ8 gearshift are both good, although aluminum “Turbine” 15-inch- they could use some color. diameter wheels, whereas the There is plenty of color red ’79 car has the standard under the hood, thanks to the equipment Z28 Mag wheels, blue-painted V8. Molding on color-keyed to the body. the valve covers and intake manifold is good, although the FINAL THOUGHTS accessory drive could use a bit more attention. The single- As more car guys (and gals) who snorkel air-cleaner assembly is grew up during the era of the correctly shaped and ducted to “disco” Camaro reach a stage in the top of the radiator shroud, life comfortable enough to be which also benefits from a nice able to indulge their automotive set of instruction tags. There is nostalgia, the collector value of solid detail on the brake booster late second-generation Camaros and heater box, and the set of have been creeping up. The blue ignition wires is a welcome wild graphics schemes of these addition. Although the ’79 car cars made a strong impression, is rated at 10 fewer horses than one that has endured through the ’78 (175hp versus 185hp), the today. And the cars themselves equipment is identical, and the were manufactured in sufficient model’s engine bays are, thus, numbers that many survivors identical. still exist. And with the longest The 1977 Camaro had received production run (12 years) suspension revisions that of any Camaro model, parts carried over for ’78 and ’79, remain plentiful. The surprise which included lower control- isn’t so much that GreenLight arm bracing, new rear spring has chosen to render these shackles, and revised dampers cars in 1:18; rather, it’s that no one else has tried it before now. Everyone else’s loss is GreenLight’s—and our—gain, as these cars fill a welcome gap at an attractive price. And if the company’s Mustangs are anything to go by, it will produce an impressive range of years, colors, and options. If this era speaks to you, do yourself a favor and grab one of these. SOURCE GreenLightToys.com 54 DCXmag.com

The most expensive Mercedes-Benz® ever made. Rarer than a Stradivarius violin. Not actual size. Shown is model in Pearl White finish. Also available in Ruby Red finish. How to Park $11.7 Million on Your Desktop The 500K Special Roadster is one of rarest and most-sought after automobiles ever built. It's hard to deny that one of the signature You don’t need to spend millions to showcase models of Mercedes-Benz® is the 500 your impeccable taste. Sold! To the discern- series. So many striking and elegant bodies ing reader for $99! would grace the stalwart chassis. The Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. 500K's of the 1930s were beautiful, Test drive the Special Roadster for 30 days. elegant, and exclusive models often If for any reason you are not completely outfitted with voluptuous coachwork and satisfied, simply return it to us for a full sold to the wealthiest of clientele. refund of your purchase price. But we’re sure The most ravishing model of this species that once you park this beauty in your house was the two-seater 500K Special Roadster you’ll be sold. launched in 1936. It was a limited production Die-cast metal body features doors, hood Comes factory sealed in its original packaging in order cabriolet, in total less than 30 were made, and trunk that open, steerable wheels to retain its status as a highly collectable item. adding to its near-mythical qualities. In it’s that roll, and four wheel suspension. day it went for top dollar—over $106,000. Available in Ruby Red finish. Today, these ultra rare masterpieces are going for millions. In 1936 Mercedes-Benz® 500K Special Roadster 2012, a Special Roadster fetched more than $11.7 million at (Pearl White or Ruby Red finish) $149† auction at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Offer Code Price $99 + S&P Save $50 Forgo the bidding wars, nail-biting flatbed transport, and scavenger hunting for parts in Germany. Here’s your chance to 1-888-201-7081 own the rare and luxurious essence of this remarkable car in Your Insider Offer Code: MBD168-01 terms of its unforgettable styling, inimitably powerful and elegant lines, and showstopping presence. You must use this insider offer code to get our special price. Our die-cast metal replica captures the sexy curves and sumptous † Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on coachwork of the full-size model in striking detail. Just shy of a foot long, and available in pearl white or ruby red. Stauer.com without your offer code. Stauer 14101 Southcross Drive W., Rating of A+ ® Dept. MBD168-01 wBuwrnwsv.islleta, Mueinrn.ceosomta 55337 High-quality 1:18 scale die-cast replica • intricate moving features •Detailed chassis with separate exhaust systems • Includes display stand Smart Luxuries—Surprising Prices™

OUT OF THE BOX BY MATT BOYD General Motors’ third-gen F-Body twins—Camaro and MTV-era Muscle Turned ’80s Icon Firebird—debuted in 1982, so its looks were cutting edge, and SUN STAR 1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28 Chevy engineers embraced the 1:18 | $49.99 future underhood by offering fuel injection for the very first F ull disclosure: e first “fast” car that I ever drove was an early-1980s’ time. ey trimmed off nearly Chevrolet Camaro, so I have a soft spot for this car. Granted, that Chevy’s 400 pounds and 7 inches out of 5.0L V8 would get walked by a V6 Camry today, but back then, the third- the wheelbase, yielding a leaner, generation Camaro’s lithe looks, surprisingly nimble handling, and burly engine note more athletic car that—combined made it among the most macho of modern muscle cars. Its 16-second ET was just with a coil-spring/Panhard-bar a couple ticks off of its big brother Corvette’s quarter-mile time. More crucial, it was rear suspension that replaced door to door with the hottest version of its archrival the Mustang, which made it a the previous archaic leaf-spring legitimate performance machine back in the early days of MTV. setup—could outcorner almost anything on the road not wearing a Porsche or Ferrari emblem. Chevy fans’ chests swelled, sales soared, and the balance of power swung back toward the Bowtie camp as the Camaro versus Mustang skirmish erupted into all-out war once again. ANY AUTOMOTIVE ENTHUSIAST AROUND IN THE ’80S AND ’90S WILL BE INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH THE THIRD GEN CAMARO, AND IT HAS AGED MUCH BETTER THAN MOST OTHER CARS OF THE ERA. 56 DCXmag.com

The Gold car’s Camel-colored interior showcases the details a bit better than the Blue. The Cross-Fire Injection 5.0L V8 was the top engine option for the ’82 Z28 and the first- Seats, carpeting, and console are good for the price point, but the primary gauges sit too ever factory application of fuel injection on a Camaro. Accurate molding and a variety of low on the instrument panel. paint tones make for a nice engine presentation. Any automotive enthusiast multiple freshenings, the only time it has ever achieved and hood open. Panel gaps and around in the ’80s and ’90s Camaro’s styling remained that status. By that all-important contours are good for this price will be intimately familiar with largely unchanged during its Mustang-trouncing criterion, point (with the partial exception the third-gen Camaro, and it 11-year run—a testament to the the ’82 Camaro is one of the car’s of the forward door gap), and has aged much better than design’s fundamental soundness most successful model years— the finish is glossy and mostly most other cars of the era. and popularity. The third-gen and an absolute validation of Sun blemish-free, although the While its sibling Firebird and Camaro outsold the Mustang, in Star’s choice to render it in 1:18. Gold car has one or two marks. I its nemesis Mustang received fact, by nearly 50 percent its first prefer the look of the Light Blue, year—the highest margin in its The blunt wedge shape is in any case. Both cars have silver history—and continued to outsell pleasing to the eye and to the rocker-panel accent paint and it for four consecutive model air; wind-tunnel testing has decals calling out the Z28 option years (1982 through 1985), the shown the ’82–’92 Camaro to be and the “Cross-Fire Injection” remarkably aero-friendly. The engine option (more on that in hatchback body (another first a minute.) The smoked plastic for a Camaro) improved usable T-tops (perhaps the starkest space over the outgoing model, reminder of the car’s vintage) fit despite the reduction in overall reasonably well, and to my eye, size. Sadly, Sun Star’s hatch is the car looks better with them in. fixed closed, although the doors Removing the T-top panels affords an excellent look at the interior, which is keyed to the exterior color—a Slate Blue for the blue car, Camel for the gold. The Camel shows the details a bit better. Both have black dashboards, consoles, and door accents, with fine flocking on the floorboards. Cross-Fire injected cars were only available with an automatic transmission (lesser engines could pair with a 4-speed manual), and so the two-pedal arrangement and console-mounted selector lever are both spot on. The deeply recessed instrument panel is not bad, but its primary gauges are slung a little low. Chevy’s marketing team trumpeted the introduction of new-age induction for its top-option powerplant, the LU5 “Cross-Fire Injection” 5.0L— evoking memories of the Z28’s cross-ram dual-carb setup from the late ’60s (albeit with about half the horsepower). The LU5 WINTER 2016 57

The hatchback layout increased the front and rear suspension practicality and made the Camaro and exhaust system. Detail on surprisingly aero-friendly. Sun Star’s the 5-spoke 15-inch-diameter hatch is sealed, but the model’s overall alloy wheels is excellent, and the shape and contours are very good. shape and contour of the tires is equally so. Technically, ’82 Z28s was essentially the same twin good, particularly for the price a bit off-kilter; the snorkel came with Goodyear Eagle GTs single-barrel throttle body setup point. The well-molded block should be parallel to the radiator from the showroom, but the BF introduced in the L83 Corvette and heads are accented with shroud and the air cleaners more Goodrich Radial T/A sidewall that same year but with 45 fewer the appropriate metallic hue for diagonal, but that is an easy fix. markings are a realistic owner- cubes. The 165hp rating (35 less the valve covers and exhaust The battery, fluid reservoirs, and installed replacement. than the Vette’s) was tops for manifolds. The old-style dogleg various lines and hoses add a the ’82 Camaro and Firebird. hinges necessitate gaps in the satisfying level of completeness FINAL THOUGHTS The system was controversial, firewall, but the power-brake to the engine bay. though, and was retired after booster and the A/C hardware on This car doesn’t look 33 years old; just two model years (it lived on it nicely offset that. The Crossfire Detail on the chassis and it has aged more gracefully than an additional year in the Vette.) intake assembly is well shaped suspension is modest but virtually any other American car Sun Star’s detail on the TBI V8 is and detailed, but it is mounted accurate as far as it goes, with from 1982. And while the ’80s separately molded pieces for Camaro has been the victim of a fair bit of stereotyping (much of it pointed at the ’85–’89 IROC), time has softened such stigmas, and the third-gen has begun to receive the respect it deserves. Sun Star does it credit with this high-value replica, delivering plenty of detail and a unique subject for $50. If you have fond memories of the ’80s Camaro, as I do, this is one model to snap up. SOURCE Sunstarmodelcars.com 58 D1C/2XHm.inadgd.co1m 9/5/14 1:56 PM

hot wheels highway by mike zarnock Toys “R” Us—Exclusives “R” Us! It’s that time of year again when Toys “R” Us releases its three Exclusive Color Variation Hot Wheels cars into the mainline along with their special mail-away Limited Edition Collector Hot Wheels Car promotion. The promotion is simple: Buy any Hot Wheels 1:64 basic car or multipack totaling $20 (before tax) from 2014 to the pres- ent from any participating Toys “R” Us store or at toysrus. com. Follow the instructions and you can mail away for a Special Collector Edition 1976 Greenwood Corvette, featur- ing Spectraflame black paint and Redline Real Rider rubber tires. Cars must be from the assortment numbers listed on the official rules, which can be found at the Toys “R” Us and Hot Wheels Collectors websites. If your Toys “R” Us store is picts a brightly colored scene from The Toys \"R\" Us Exclusives consist of special color variations. Among them are, from anything like most of the others, a Tom and Jerry cartoon. Included top to bottom, the #228 '67 GTO in orange,the #16 '83 Silverado in white pearl, and the there are many newly released in this set are the Cockney Cab #131 Vette in black. cars to choose from, especially the II, Power Pipes, The Gov’Ner, HW Exclusive Toys “R” Us Only Color Pursuit, Avant Garde, and the The Tom and Jerry™ cartoon Variations! For this promotion, Ryura LX. Unlike the Toys “R” Us has inspired Walmart's latest the cars to be looking for are the cars that are part of the mainline exclusives—a six car series with #16/250—’83 Chevy Silverado in release of 250 cars for the year, special graphics and packaging. white pearl metallic from the HW the Tom and Jerry series is City 2015 HW Performance Series. its own—like the Star Next up is the #131/250—Corvette Wars, Fast & Furious, C6 in black enamel from the 2015 Marvel Avengers, and HW Race Team Series and, finally, the Porsche Series the #228/250 ’67 Pontiac GTO released in 2015. in orange enamel from the HW Workshop 2015 Muscle Mania If you are a collector Series. of Hot Wheels parapher- nalia, all of these licensed If you look close enough, you releases come in a dump might also be able to find the regu- bin with a large series lar release colors of these cars. graphic on the face. Some The ’83 Chevy Silverado comes in stores do not use the bin orange enamel, the Corvette C6 due to space restraints and is blue metallic, and the ’67 GTO is throw them away, so you dark candy blue metallic. Finding might want to ask the Toy all of these cars makes six of the Department manager if you 20 or so that you’ll need for the can have it. Well, there you mail-away. And you’ll surely have have it: more special-release more to choose from, with all the Hot Wheels cars for the collec- new releases that are included in tor. Good luck. I hope you find the “L” and “M” case assortments them all. these cars came in, so it shouldn’t really be hard to do at all. Collectors will also be looking for the latest Exclusive Tom and Jerry™ Cartoon Series from Walmart. Another cross- over collectible, this series includes six Hot Wheels cars decorated with Tom and Jerry graphics, and each of the six cards de- winter 2016 59

hot wheels highway Flashback 1991 60 DCXmag.com O ne day back in 1966, packages was an “Instant Win” Elliott Handler (owner certificate to win a real Corvette of Mattel at the time) matching that body-style casting! called a meeting with his Research Rumor has it that no Corvettes & Development Team and said were ever given away. that he wanted to make little toy cars. His team told him that The year 1991 not only was it was a bad idea, considering all a banner year for Hot Wheels the other toy-car manufacturers sales but also brought many new around the world and how those casting designs for the U.S. and companies were already selling a the International lines. The U.S. line million or two cars a year. Elliott continued with the now successful listened to what they had to say Collector Number packaging, and and when they were done, he said, the International line also flour- “Let’s give it a try.” By 1968, “Hot ished with its own (unnumbered Wheels, The Fastest Metal Cars in packaging) exclusive castings, fea- the World” were in stores. turing auto manufacturers other than those based in the United Hot Wheels cars sold well States. The reasoning for the Inter- right from the start, and before national-only castings was due to long, they were outselling all of the overseas auto manufacturers the other toy-car companies that were pretty much exclusive combined. Fast forward 23 years, to those countries. They had cars when, in 1991, Mattel produced the named Holden, Unimog, Peugeot, “One Billionth Hot Wheels Car.” To and Renault, which were names commemorate that event, Mattel that American children hardly put together a promotion with four knew of, let alone thought of as different gold chrome–plated Cor- Muscle cars or Hot Rods. But they vette castings (1963, 1975, 1984, were well known and popular with and a custom ’84 convertible) children in those countries, who mounted to the top of a plastic bought them up with delight. To trophy. Hidden within one of each them, those cars were their Hot of the four different-style Corvette Rods! New castings for the U.S. Collector Numbers line for 1991 106...............VW Golf ...........................................white 106...............VW Golf ...........................................red 108..............Ramp Truck ...................................white 110...............Trailbuster .....................................turquoise 111................Street Beast .................................white & turquoise 112................Limozeen ........................................white 113...............Speed Shark ..................................maroon 116...............Mazda MX-5 Miata ......................red 117................Ferrari 250 .....................................yellow 118...............Ferrari 348 .....................................yellow 122...............Toyota MR-2 Rally ........................white 123...............Lamborghini Diablo .....................red 125...............Zender Fact 4 ................................silver metallic 148...............Porsche 930 .................................red 148...............Porsche 930 .................................light purple 149...............BMW 850i ......................................blue 151...............Ford Aerostar ................................purple flake 154...............’59 Caddy .......................................white pearl 158...............Mercedes-Benz Unimog ............white and red “Castrol”

INTERNATIONAL ✔ 1991 Hot Wheels RELEASES FOR 1991 Checklist Holden Commodore ............ white ❑ 5........Good Humor Truck Mercedes-Benz SL ............... chrome ❑ 6........Blazer 4x4 Peugeot 405 ......................... black ❑ 21......Nissan Hardbody Peugeot 405 ......................... blue ❑ 23 .....`80’s Firebird Renault 5 Turbo .................... blue ❑ 26 .....`65 Mustang Convertible Renault 5 Turbo .................... white ❑ 28 .....`37 Bugatti ❑ 33 .....Camaro Z-28 SPECIAL PROMOTION RELEASE ❑ 37......Hot Bird ❑ 42 .....Oshkosh Snow Plow Buick Stocker .......................................blue..................Roses Department ❑ 59 .....Sheriff Patrol Store Promo ❑ 65 .....VW Bug ❑ 77......Bywayman Speed Shark (same as 113)...............white ...............Heroes on Hot Wheels Video ❑ 80.....Porsche 959 ❑ 81......Ratmobile RARE 1991 VARIATIONS ❑ 82 .....Fire-Eater ❑ 88.....T-Bird Stocker There were a handful of variations produced in the 1991 line that are scarce today ❑ 92 .....Mercedes 380SEL and, if found for sale, command a high price. Remember that these are the Collector ❑ 94 .....Auburn 852 Number Packages and the cars MUST still be in those packages to have such a value. ❑ 95 .....`55 Chevy Once removed, their value drops immensely! The hardest vehicles to find still in the ❑ 98.....Nissan Custom “Z” package for 1991 are: ❑ 102 ...Surf Patrol 65 ................VW Bug, turquoise ❑ 104 ...Turbo Streak 88 ................T-Bird Stockerblack & white with basic wheels ❑ 105 ...Peugeot 205 Rally 98 ................Nissan Custom “Z” with gold Ultra Hot wheels ❑ 106...VW Golf 104 ..............Turbo Streak with pink painted rear wing ❑ 108...Ramp Truck 106 ..............VW Golf, white body with pink base ❑ 110....Trailbuster 110...............Trailbuster, turquoise with black instead of blue in the tampo ❑ 112....Limozeen 113...............Speed Shark, maroon ❑ 113....Speed Shark 118...............Ferrari 348, yellow with gold Ultra Hot wheels ❑ 114....Pontiac Fiero 2M4 125...............Zender Fact 4 with gold Ultra Hot wheels ❑ 115....Roll Patrol 148 ..............Porsche 930, light purple ❑ 116....Mazda MX-5 Miata ❑ 117 ....Classic Ferrari 250 ❑ 118....Ferrari 348 ❑ 122....Toyota MR2 Rally ❑ 123 ...Lamborghini Diablo ❑ 125....Zender Fact 4 ❑ 129 ...Suzuki Quadracer ❑ 131....Nissan Hardbody ❑ 133 ...Shadow Jet ❑ 135 ...`32 Ford Delivery ❑ 148 ...Porsche 930 ❑ 149 ...BMW 850I ❑ 150 ...BMW 323 ❑ 151....Ford Aerostar ❑ 154 ...'59 Cadillac ❑ 155 ...Turboa ❑ 157....`57 Chevy ❑ 158 ...Mercedes-Benz Unimog ❑ 162 ...'65 Mustang Convertible ` ❑ 179....Porsche 959 ❑ 184 ...Mercedes 380 SEL ❑ 201 ..Oshkosh Snowplow ❑ 202...`93 Camaro ❑ 261 ...Cyber Cruiser ❑ 266 ..`59 Cadillac WINTER 2016 61

quick Sun Star 1959 Daytona 500 Winning Oldsmobile 88 1:18 | $100 byMattBoyd LOOK The Olds features excellent casting and nicely decorated race livery. Only the wheels lag behind in detail. The Petty name is royalty in circle-track circles, but long before King patience, and nerve. Success in crafting a quality diecast is all about atten- Richard ascended the throne to rule NASCAR, his father, Lee, was tion to detail, and Sun Star does pretty well, starting with a meticulous re- among the sport’s first superstars. As the 1959 season started, creation of the sponsor decals. Cross-referencing on-track footage from Lee was the man to beat, having won the ’58 Grand National Champion- the ’59 race shows them to be quite accurate. Oddly, Petty chose to retain ship (the precursor to today’s Sprint Cup) in his Oldsmobile—his second most of the chrome from the production Olds, and that is present on the title. But 1959 was going to be a different kind of year because NASCAR model. About the only departures from the historic car are the lights and founder, Bill France Sr., had just completed the construction of the first the absence of rear quarter windows. Petty ran them in place, presumably superspeedway—Daytona Interna- to calm turbulence inside the cabin tional—and scheduled the inaugu- at speed. And the glass in the light ral running of the Daytona 500 to fixtures was removed for racing but christen the high-banked cathedral remains on the model. of speed. Petty knew that this would The interior is stripped of all seat- be the biggest event of the ’59 ing surfaces save the driver’s and a season, and he debuted a new 1959 4-point roll cage is installed, but that Oldsmobile Super 88 coupe to contest is the extent of the racing modifica- the race. The race unfolded flaw- tions. I would like to see the black lessly—running the entire 500 miles carpeting removed (Petty’s car had a without a single caution lap. Relative bare metal interior painted white) and unknown Johnny Beauchamp had lead the automatic transmission swapped on and off throughout the race in his for a manual. There’s carpeting in the ’59 Thunderbird, while Petty moved trunk, too—along with the periscope- up steadily to mount a challenge over like exhaust system routed up from the event’s last 75 miles. He finally underneath to rocket out the rear va- passed for the lead in the closing laps, lence! It’s a cool detail, but it’s doubtful but Beauchamp fought back. They Petty would have bothered with such crossed the line door handle to door The 394ci Rocket V8 was rated at 315hp from the factory, enough to hustle the an elaborate—and heavy—system. He handle in a photo finish that Bill France big Olds to the win. Sun Star’s version is fully wired and plumbed, with nice paint would have bothered, though, with couldn’t have scripted but was cer- and decal work, as well. the 394ci Rocket V8, which was the tainly savvy enough to exploit. Race top option in the Super 88 line. The officials declared Beauchamp the winner at trackside but Petty protested, production version was at 315hp with 435 lb-ft of torque—before Lee’s and many trackside observers felt that he had won the race. NASCAR’s of- engine-guru son, Maurice, worked his magic on the race version. The ficial review process took three days, during which the controversy stayed engine is the star of the replica, too, fully plumbed with plug wires, painted on the front page across the nation. With the help of finish-line photos, exhaust manifolds, and even warning labels. Petty was eventually awarded the win. He would go on to win 10 more The perimeter-frame chassis is rendered in good detail, and there are times in the ’59 season, enough to secure his third championship. functional springs and a well-painted exhaust system. The same cannot It’s easy to see why Sun Star would want to adapt its 1:18 ’59 Olds street be said for the wheels; they are molded too shallow, and they lack the car into the inaugural Daytona winner. The Formula is straightforward: detail of the rest of the model. Overall, though, this is a pretty faithful Back in 1959, stock cars were, actually, pretty stock; Petty Enterprises rendition of a significant piece of NASCAR history. stripped out the interior, welded in a roll cage, did some basic tuning on the Rocket V8, and drove it to the track! There was no thought of—or rule SOURCE permitting—aerodynamic modifications. Success was all about power, Sunstarmodelcars.com 62 DCXmag.com

Best of Show 1977 Jägermeister Volkswagen Scirocco Touring Car 1:18 | $98 byMattBoyd I ’ve got a thing for high-performance Volkswagens. I’ve owned a GTI The bright Jägermeister colors and thoughtful surface details make for an appealing for years and love it. About the only thing better is a vehicle that takes curbside model. the dynamic capabilities of a GTI and wraps it in a sleeker, more stylish body. Volkswagen did just that when it introduced the Scirocco. Penned is also excellent, with metallic-painted spokes showing up nicely. by styling icon Giorgetto Giugiaro, it retained the two-box hatchback There is no engine, so the details of the Spiess-prepped 1596cc layout but was longer, lower, and sexier. VW took the next logical step and took the Scirocco racing in the European Touring Car Championship, inline-4 are, of course, left to the imagination. The same goes for the governed by the Group 2 Improved Touring Car rules of the FIA, in Division chassis and suspension—this model has a flat-plate chassis with no 2 for under 1600cc displacement. For 1977, the team secured sponsorship detail, save a single large-diameter straight-pipe racing exhaust, which from Jägermeister. German drivers Helmut Henzler and Willi Bergmeister exits under the passenger’s side door. The two-tone racing wheels, with (fathers of current drivers Wolf Henzler and Jörg Bergmeister, respec- their flat black hubs and spokes surrounded by a matte metallic rim, are tively) were teamed up several times, winning their division twice. But a excellent. The slicks that encircle them are nondescript but correctly rash of late-season gearbox failures in their no. 53 Scirocco scuttled their sized and contoured. chances for individual points. Their early season success, however, helped secure the Division 2 Manufacturer’s title for VW. For VW nuts like me, the Scirocco Touring Car has a special appeal. It delivers the serious race-car image that the brand so often lacks. But the Best of Show’s 1:18 Scirocco Touring Car is what’s affectionately image is more than skin-deep, given that this car easily took the Division referred to as a “curbside model”—a sealed body car that has surface 2 Manufacturer’s Championship in 1977. The Jäger livery, the serialized detail but no opening panels or compartments. Those surface details are 1,000-piece limited run, and sub-$100 price tag make it appealing from a both dramatic and well executed. The Jägermeister deep orange is among collector’s standpoint, as well. the most recognizable livery in racing, and the stag logo and “Jägermeis- ter” scripts look good, although they sit a bit raised off the surface of the SOURCE paint; they could use another layer of clear coat to smooth the surface. The body itself is metal and holds the finish well, and the panel lines are Best of Show; distributed by American-excellence.com narrow and straight. A large front air dam and broad fender flares are the notable departure from the Giugiaro body design, and the bumpers have been jettisoned to save weight. Above the air dam is a well-crafted grille, but the lights and VW emblem are too flat. The door handles, side mirrors, and rear tow loops are (respectively) well cast, molded, and etched. The model uses thin plastic sheet for the windows, and it has a bit more waver to it than traditional acrylic window-mold material. There is quite a bit of interior detail, and the large windows make it fairly easy to see despite its predominantly black color. The racing bucket seat, though, is orange, making it—and the molded 5-point racing harness draped over it—easier to see amid the tubes of the 6-point roll cage. There’s also a bright red fire extinguisher and a metallic shifter ball con- trasting the expanses of black. If you catch the angle just right, you can even see metallic cross-drilled pedals in the footwell. The steering wheel The Scirocco took the best mechanical bits from the GTI and wrapped them in a sleeker, sexier body. Chunky fender flares and wide racing slicks were permitted by FIA Group 2 rules. WINTER 2016 63

quick Hot Wheels Elite Batman: Arkham Knight Batmobile LOOK 1:18 | $160 by Matt Boyd The Arkham Knight Batmobile draws heavily from the Nolan-film Tumbler. There is lots of surface detail on this brute, and the game provides virtual confirmation of its capabilities. T here are many reasons that Batman has more exacting detail than even a movie or TV car. And that, dear friends, become the most popular solo superhero in is exactly what the diecast collecting hobby is all about. the history of comics, outdrawing even Super- man and spawning countless movies, TV series, video games, The Arkham Knight Batmobile comes from the school of Bat-motiva- graphic novels, toys, and collectibles. Much of his appeal is rooted in the tion established in Christopher Nolan’s recent Dark Knight trilogy of films. audience’s ability to identify with him. After all, he’s a normal human being, Known affectionately as “The Tumbler,” the Wayne Industries creation with no special abilities or superhuman powers. He relies on his intellect, was basically a high-mobility tank. This version is of a similar design toughness, and unwaveringly single-minded sense of purpose in his philosophy, relying, in equal measure, on heavy armor, heavy firepower, crusade to bring criminals to justice. Sure, being a genius and a billionaire and maximum agility, and the game goes into exceptional effort outlining helps, too, but he’s not an alien, a mutant, or a Norse god—he’s one of us. how. Hot Wheels goes to some effort bringing those details to life in 1:18, But because he has to traffic in the world of titans almost as often as he starting with the hulking profile. Covered in “carbon nanotube aggregate” has to dredge through the criminal underworld, he relies on an arsenal of armor measuring up to 120mm thick, it has stealth properties and the enthralling vehicles and equipment to augment his intellect and determi- blast resistance of a main battle tank. And it has a “Battle Mode,” which nation. The most famous and most compelling of those is the Batmobile. sacrifices some speed and maneuverability for additional armor plating The Batmobile, of course, isn’t just one vehicle; it is a series of dozens that extends over the wheels and exposed equipment. When not in of vehicles that have continually evolved through the generations and Battle Mode, the WayneTech hybrid power cell produces 1,200hp, capable incarnations of the character. of pushing the Batmobile to 209mph in game. The power cell is coupled to an afterburner unit for additional bursts of speed to more than 270mph. The latest—and the one you see on this page—appears in the newest There is some nice surface detail on the power cell and the afterburner installment of the Batman video-game franchise: Arkham Knight. And outlet, but sadly neither opens. while a video game might not (yet) have the nostalgic resonance for the diecast audience that a classic TV series or movie does, it does provide Unlike previous Batmobiles, this one eschews the traditional tandem a level of engagement that those other media lack. In the game, you can seat arrangement for a single cockpit, but there is a passenger transport/ drive this Batmobile, test its capabilities, and use it to fight Batman’s foes containment pod in the rear. On the model, the cockpit opens and has firsthand. And that means that it has been thought out and spec’d out in pretty good detail on its seat, yoke-type steering wheel, and a pair of joy- stick levers on either armrest, which control the weapons and advanced This incarnation of the equipment, like the grapple claw attached to the winch. Weapons are Batmobile abandons the a combination of lethal and nonlethal projectiles, starting with a 25mm Vulcan cannon in the nose. There is also a 60mm high-explosive antitank tandem seat arrange- gun. Nonlethal options consist of riot-suppressing rubber-pellet shells ment for a single cockpit. and an electroshock contact defense system. There is, again, good sur- The seat, steering wheel, face detail but no openings aside from the cockpit. and weapons-control This is a fun model for Batman aficionados and enthusiasts familiar joysticks are visible when with the Batman: Arkham game franchise. Bat memorabilia usually have strong speculative value, so this model’s prospects of appreciating over the canopy is opened. time are good. For those not quite ready to take the plunge on its $160 price tag, there is a 1:43 version available, as well. SOURCE Hotwheels-elite.com 64 DCXmag.com

www.DiecastMusclecars.com We specialize in 1/18 Scale Diecast Musclecars from Acme, Auto Art, Auto World, Greenlight, GMP, Sun Star & More. Call (715)874-6037 for more info or visit www.DiecastMusclecars.com All cars are packaged very carefully and shipped out within 24 hours via UPS. We accept Mastercard and Visa on our Simple-Secure Online Order Form. “Mention this ad for a FREE SHIPPING OFFER on your first order” Serving the World Wide Web with Quality Service Since 1999 at your service Like. Follow. Join. Subscription questions? For print and digital subscriptions, go to DCXmag.com or call us at (866) 298- 5652. Outside the U.S. call +(386)246- 3323 New Address? Go to DCX.com, or to change by mail, attach the address label from your magazine to this form and mail to: DieCast X P.O. Box 420134 Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235 ___________________________________ Name ___________________________________ New addreSS ___________________________________ ___________________________________ city, State, zip ___________________________________

REAR VIEW PHOTO COURTESY OF HOPPER STONE/SONY Faint Echo of Past Ghosts Of course, we’re talking about the Ecto-1. e beloved transport of the original Ghostbusters was a 1959 Cadillac extended-wheelbase Or should we say “Faint Ecto?” With the recent press professional chassis converted to an end-loading ambulance by concerning the upcoming Ghostbusters reboot, we are Miller-Meteor coachbuilders, and then converted again into a glorious brought face to face with the subtle difference between ghostbusting movie machine. e big Caddy was, at once, humorously a replica and a facsimile. We have no idea yet how the antiquated and out of place in the crowded streets of New York City, but new film will be (although some around the DCX editorial also overflowing with over-the-top charisma and charm, just like the offices have our doubts). But we can tell already from other stars of the original cast: Bill Murray; Dan Aykroyd; Ernie Hudson; the press photos that there is at least one controversial and the late, great Harold Ramis. casting in the new film. When the director of the new film, Paul Feig, tweeted pics of the new Ecto-1, we were a tad underwhelmed. Sure, it’s still a Cadillac professional chassis, but this one—converted from an early-’80s hearse—is (forgive us) pretty lifeless. Granted, it would be pretty tough to live up to the panache of a ’59 Caddy, but still. It’s hard to imagine a collectible diecast version of that refrigerator box on wheels matching the cool factor of Hot Wheels’ 1:18 Ecto-1. But judge for yourself… Above: e rebooted Ghostbusters (from left to right) Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Kristin Wiig, and Kate McKinnon, posed in front of the fifth—and most controversial—new cast member. Left: Hot Wheels Elite is still getting mileage out of the appeal of the originally (die)cast Ecto-1 '59 Caddy. 66 DCXmag.com



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