MOTORPOOL BY THE DCX CREW Johnny Lightning Greatest Generation Dioramas 1:64* | $20 ea. At its core, a diecast collectible is a sort of time machine—one that connects us to a time or a place when its subject vehicle played an essential role. That can be a moment from the collector’s own past triggering nostalgia. But it can also be a moment of cultural significance: a historic event, a film, a race, or—in the case of Johnny Lightning’s new Greatest Generation series—a battle. JL isn’t a brand we traditionally associate with military vehicles, but after previewing two new diorama sets connected to the Siege of Bastogne, that could be about to change. If you’re not familiar with the story, Bastogne is a small town nestled e “To Bastogne” Jeep is wonderfully detailed, deep in the Ardennes forest on the border between Belgium and from the interior to the mud-spattered fenders. Luxembourg, and just 20 miles from the German border. It’s rugged terrain even when not bitterly cold in the dead of winter when the response: “Nuts!” His troops would hold out for seven days—over battle began on December 20, 1944, as part of the larger German Christmas—before elements of the ird Army, under the command of offensive to push the Allies out of Belgium and deny them the port of George Patton, could come to their rescue and reinforce Bastogne. And Antwerp. Bastogne was a key crossroad on the way to Antwerp, and it would be another month before U.S. forces to could definitively turn German forces were determined to take it. e attack was largely a back the Ardennes offensive known as the “Battle of the Bulge,” which surprise, and the American forces were rocked back on their heels, led to Germany’s defeat roughly six months later. retreating from the surrounding area into Bastogne. Reinforcements were hurriedly called in to support the beleaguered U.S. forces. e first two Greatest Generation sets we received are a pair of Notably, the 101st Airborne set up defenses around Bastogne, but attractive 1:64 dioramas. Actually, the Jeep set titled “To Bastogne” they were outnumbered 5 to 1. Nevertheless, they were determined to is 1:64, but the M4A3 Sherman tank in the set (“ e Chateau”) is hold on until help could arrive. In response to the German commander’s considerably smaller scale, approximately 1:100*—the rationale being that JL wanted the overall dimensions (and, thus, the price) request for surrender, the commander of the 101st, Brig. of each set to be the same. More important, the resin backdrop/ Gen. Anthony McAuliffe famously issued a single-word base is scaled perfectly to the vehicle it’s included with, so the scale disparity between sets is only a problem if you were attempting to “ e Chateau” combine them into a single display. e detail and weathering on has the more both backdrops is excellent. We think the Chateau is the cooler of the interesting two, because of the battle damage to the building, and because the backdrop. archway is sized perfectly to position the Sherman under it, giving an additional display option. In terms of the vehicles, it’s no surprise that the larger-scale Willys Jeep is the better of the two. It has features such as separately cast tools, gear and transfer case levers, two-tone painted seats—things we aren’t necessarily used to seeing at 1:64. Both the Jeep and the tank are muddied up a bit, and the Sherman has a rotating turret and flexible rubber treads—impressive for its scale. It’s even got a fun bit of graffiti scrawled on the hull! JL may be a relative newcomer to military collectibles, but you wouldn’t know it from the Greatest Generation dioramas. ey’re well crafted and present beautifully, especially given that they retail for less than $20 apiece. At that price, you’d be “nuts” not to get them (apologies to Gen. McAuliffe.) ✇ SOURCE Johnny Lightning; distributed by autoworldstore.com 52 DCXmag.com
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OUT OF THE BOX BY MATT BOYD Best of Show 1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser This Classic Has Room with a View Station wagons are a guilty pleasure for me. Cruiser built on the sedan’s color for an Olds as it highlights Unlike many kids growing up in the ’70s, I didn’t 116-inch wheelbase. ese are the curved character line over experience a wagon as a family car, so how I came affectionately known as “flat- the rear wheel beautifully. to admire them so much is something of a mystery. tops” by Olds fans to distinguish Convention dictates that they lack both styling them from the Vista Cruiser. e simulated wood paneling and performance, but I say convention be damned! While still labeled as a midsize was optional; it is reasonably I like wagons, and if you know where to look, you car because of its platform, the convincing here, and it does a can find some practical family haulers with plenty Vista Cruiser rode on a 121-inch nice job of highlighting the of panache—and a few that can genuinely haul wheelbase—just 3 inches shy belt-line contour. Other than too. That brings me to Oldsmobile and the car you of the full-size Delta 88 sedan. the bumpers, door handles, see on these pages: the 1971 Vista Cruiser. Olds and mirrors, the car doesn’t had some of most sophisticated styling of any e extra room allowed an have a lot of chrome, but those American car brand in the 1960s and ’70s. optional folding 3-seat so that pieces are separately cast. an extra pair of passengers In fact, you have to glue the Olds stayed contemporary Hurst H/O, but Oldsmobile’s could enjoy the Vista Cruiser’s mirrors on yourself (along with without shamelessly pandering A-body intermediate platform star feature: a bubble-top roof the wind deflector above the to every fly-by-night fad, and served as the basis for a wide extension that rose 4 inches rear glass) because they come consequently, Olds cars have range of coupes, convertibles, higher than the standard wagon separately inside the packaging aged better than most. One of hardtops, sedans, and—yes— just aft of the front seats, with to avoid breakage during ship- its most timeless designs is the wagons. ere were wagon tinted panoramic glass forward ping. e mirrors have little ’68–’72 Cutlass/F-85. Muscle- versions of the base model and side to give rear-seat pas- recesses, so they fit perfectly, car fans know it for the 442 and F-85 and a midrange Cutlass sengers extended visibility. It but the deflector isn’t molded also gave the car a look unlike very carefully so it takes any other wagon on the road. some wrangling to get it to fit correctly. is is the second Vista Cruiser I’ve reviewed from BoS From the A-pillars forward (it also makes a ’64—the car’s the Vista Cruiser is stock first year). Saturn Gold is a great Cutlass. BoS captures the 54 DCXmag.com
Left: Oldsmobile’s twin grille is one of its most attractive THESE DAYS, WITHTHE NORM BEING COST-CUTTING, features and BoS gets the ’71-specific horizontal bars exactly CONSOLIDATION, OR BRANDS DISAPPEARING right. Below: e Vista Cruiser rode on a special 121-inch wheelbase, but the star feature was the bubble roof, with its ALTOGETHER, IT’S REFRESHINGTO SEE A COMPANY tinted glass panels. LIKE MAISTO INNOVATING AND FINDING WAYSTO GIVE COLLECTORS MORE. BOS DOES A NICE JOB CAPTURING THE CLASSIC STYLING AND DETAILING OF THE INTERIOR, EVEN IF THE TINT HIDES IT. ’71-specific three horizontal e thin plastic BoS uses 30,000 Vista Cruisers sold in ’71 AT A GLANCE bars in the grille, but the paint for windows makes for clear, was an automatic. is one is MODEL filling the grille is a tad dark, and distortion-free viewing of the too, judging from the number of 1971 Oldsmobile Vista the script in the grille should interior, but the tint (which was pedals, but strangely there is no Cruiser technically say “Oldsmobile,” installed on the Vista Cruiser shifter lever; there’s just a nub MANUFACTURER not “Vista Cruiser.” All the to keep passengers from on the column, as if they started Best of Show (BoS) other badges on the flanks and roasting under all that glass) to make one and then quit. GENRE tailgate are spot-on, as is the makes it a bit harder to see the Classic station wagon way the twin-opening grille interior, especially because at’s really the only obvious SCALE blends into the twin-bulge the upholstery is dark brown. miss on the interior. 1:18 hood—just beautiful! As with Blast it with a flashlight and you PRICE all BoS models, that hood is can see a pretty well-detailed e chassis is a blank panel, $130 sealed, so there’s no engine to instrument panel decal. ere so there’s nothing much to see ogle. Vista Cruisers got an Olds are also strips of wood grain underneath. e wheels roll, WHAT WE LIKE Rocket 350 V-8 as standard on the dash and interior door but the steering does not turn. equipment, but it offered the panels. Door handles are well + Distortion-free glass and big 455 as an option—the same molded and picked out with e tall whitewalls look nice, and double-bubble raised roof motor that was offered in the chrome paint, but the seat belt they are soft rubber, so they Olds 442. So equipped, the Vista buckles were left unpainted, so have a good feel too—but their + Gold over wood panel finish Cruiser was a legitimate muscle they’re almost impossible to softness has left the front tires is wagon gold wagon and one seriously quick see on the front benches. Vir- slightly distorted from round, grocery getter! tually every one of the nearly and the back axle has a bit of a + Handsome Olds styling wobble at the right rear. faithfully executed FINAL THOUGHTS SOURCE Best of Show; distributed by I like wagons in general, and I american-excellence.com really like the Olds Vista Cruiser for its unique (and functional) bubble roof, its classy Olds Cutlass–derived looks, and the muscle-car hardware that could be ordered on it. BoS does a nice job capturing the classic styling and detailing of the interior, even if the tint hides it. A wood- flanked wagon isn’t going to be every collector’s cup of tea, but if you’re a wagon fan, like I am, this one is pretty sweet. ✇ WINTER 2019 55
OUT OF THE BOX BY MATT BOYD Bburago Signature complete than the street car’s— accelerator and brake pedals (plus Series Ferrari FXX-K unusual in road-versus-race a large dead pedal where the car comparisons. And Bburago clutch pedal would be were it not Kinetic Energy Meets Fiery Passion captures all the complexities made obsolete by the paddle- of the shape with admirable shifted 7-speed) is a little blocky OK, let’s get this out of the way right upfront: fidelity, and the car is covered in and not quite up to the level of the The Ferrari FXX-K doesn’t make much sense. an absolutely beautiful finish. e rest of the excellent interior. at Consider this: It’s a track-only supercar that is FXX-K certainly presents better is more than compensated for not legal on any public road in the world, but it’s than its price tag would suggest. by the steering wheel and center also not legal for any racing series. stack, both of which feature e butterfly doors lever up delicate switchgear nicely picked e FXX-K is based on the have to run their FXX-Ks is at and out; I really like their smooth out with paint—including a pair of road-going LaFerrari, but its special Ferrari-hosted track days travel, and the satisfying click “manettino” knobs for dialing up name is a direct descendant around the globe. And that is when they close has an upscale the suspension firmness, throttle of the 2005–07 Enzo-based where the paradoxical FXX-K feel to it. Peer beneath them and response, electronic differential FXX track special, with which starts to make a lot of sense for you see a race-oriented cockpit, setting, and the regeneration/ it shares no components. Of Ferrari. e FXX-K is literally a with surfaces colored and textured boost settings of the KERS. course, that distinguishing letter rolling test and development to accurately depict carbon fiber. “K” makes all the difference—in program, where the drivers pay— Compared to the complexity the form of a Kinetic Energy and pay handsomely to the tune e deeply sculpted race seats of the cockpit, the engine bay is Recovery System (KERS) that of more than $3 million for a have race-style harnesses. e almost tame by comparison. e augments the traditional 848hp 2-year contract—for the drilled metal pedal set with its V-12 gasoline powerplant with privilege of doing an extra 187 electric horses. Ferrari’s testing e butterfly doors open smoothly, for them! support their own weight, and snap e KERS employs twin electric shut with a satifying “click.” motors, inverters, generators, But the and a lithium battery pack, which FXX-K isn’t recovers kinetic energy under just about braking and stores it in the battery power. until needed during acceleration. Engineers also gave it some is hybrid system is similar in of Ferrari’s most advanced design to those developed for aerodynamics, generating more Formula 1, but with a combined than 1500 pounds of downforce 1036hp, it is even more powerful at speed through a collection of than the F1 version! e entire wings, splitters, and diffusers. system is controlled by a network of sensors integrated ese aero devices also make into the traction, stability, and for a truly dramatic look, which antilock-braking systems. is is where Bburago comes in. serves two purposes: First, it optimizes performance in real e car’s striking features are time for the driver on track, and replicated in 1:18 in two color second, it records all that data schemes, matching two of the for Ferrari engineers to use in actual FXX-Ks in the 40-car vehicle development. It’s the program. ere is the black most exclusive and expensive and yellow no. 44 of Texas car Ferrari makes, but that’s not entrepreneur John Taylor, and just because of the car itself. Just the red no. 88 of Chinese real- 40 examples were built, and they estate tycoon Sam Li. Although were offered by invitation only to a nominally a heavily modified select list of “Client Test Drivers.” LaFerrari, the FXX-K is, to my eye, And because it can’t be driven on significantly better looking. e the road or in competition, the tarmac-hugging ground effects only opportunity those owners and more prominent scoops and wings look fuller and more 56 DCXmag.com
clear backlight shows off some FINAL THOUGHTS e hybrid power system in the FXX-K looks tame, but it musters up more than of it with the engine cover down. 1,000hp! Bburago shows both the conventional V-12 and the hybrid KERS system. When you lift the rear cover, you’ll e concept of a factory-built need to flip the twin support rods track-day special is a peculiar AT A GLANCE WHAT WE LIKE into place to support the weight. one, much more so when the MODEL With the cover raised, you see that price tag tops $3 million. But Signature Series Ferrari + Fit and finish blows the the inlets on the rear fenders just when you view the FXX-K not FXX-K doors off anything else at below the winglets feed the long as a race car without a race but this price twin-plenum intake that Bburago rather as a rolling laboratory MANUFACTURER decorates with more carbon-fiber for exploring the outer limits Bburago + Wheels, brakes, and picture- texture. ere is also a prominent of vehicle dynamics, you begin perfect Pirellis module and a set of thick orange to understand why Ferrari has GENRE cables depicting some of the an unmatched reputation for Modern supercar + Feel of the doors KERS system hardware. uncompromising performance. From a collectibles standpoint, the SCALE All FXX-Ks run exclusively unique purpose behind the FXX-K 1:18 on a set of staggered-size doesn’t hurt, but its surprisingly slicks designed specifically for attractive styling cements its PRICE it by Pirelli—285R19s in front appeal in 1:18. And then, of course, $70 (est.) and 345R20s in back. ey are there’s this model’s price. You’d wrapped around a set of bespoke be hard-pressed to find a model 10-spoke wheels, behind which of an exotic that, for the money, sit a huge set of carbon-ceramic presents better than Bburago’s brakes. Bburago does a masterful FXX-K. ✇ job with all these details, right down to the cross-drilled rotors. SOURCE bburago.com e tires deserve special mention: e proportions are spot-on, and Bburago captures the special FXX-K–specific sidewalls and even scuffs the rolling surface. THE CAR’S STRIKING FEATURES ARE REPLICATED IN 1:18 IN TWO COLOR SCHEMES, MATCHING TWO OF THE ACTUAL FXX-KS IN THE 40-CAR PROGRAM. WINTER 2019 57
out of the box by MATT BOYD Fire Replicas Those traditions trace back to it was permitted to stay in its the FDNY’s founding in 1865 same location—in the same FDNY Tower Ladder 1 and—in the case of Ladder neighborhood it resides today. Company No. 1, which is located The company got a new building This Seagrave Aerial Elevates just six blocks from the memorial in 1905, and it’s obviously gotten Detail to New Levels site—considerably longer. In fact, some new hardware, the most Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 impressive of which is when, I visited the National September 11 Memorial & (as it was originally known) was in 2012, it took delivery of this Museum in lower Manhattan a few weeks ago. established when New York was mammoth Seagrave Attacker HD As you walk through that massive museum still a colony under British rule, 75-foot Aerialscope II. complex and see its hundreds of displays—so back in 1772. Back then, the fire It’s a formidable name for many of them paying tribute to members of service comprised a hodgepodge a formidable machine, and as the Fire Department of the City of New York— of largely independent volunteer usual, Fire Replicas has crafted you can’t help but reflect on the institution’s companies, but Ladder 1 was a formidable model in 1:50. As tremendous tradition of service (and sacrifice). among the more organized and the name implies, the function experienced. It was also quite of the truck is to deploy the Fire Replicas’ surface detailing at 1:50 scale influential. In 1828, the foreman 75-foot telescoping boom never ceases to amaze. The materials and for Ladder 1 was a man named with its aerial platform at the workmanship are exceptional. John W. Towt; he is generally top, from which the crew can credited with inventing a helmet fight fires or execute rescues to protect his men, notable for in buildings several stories tall. its tall domed crown and long, As you can see on the model, rigid brim in the back—a basic the turntable that maneuvers design that is still in use today. the boom is located in what is When the professional New referred to as a “midmount,” York City Fire Department was meaning the base of the boom established in 1865, Ladder sprouts from the middle of the Company 1 was alone in being truck, rather than at the rear. allowed to keep its original The advantages are increased name/number designation as maneuverability when driving well as its fire engine, equipment, through narrow city streets and most of its personnel, and (the truck boasts an impres 58 DCXmag.com
sively tight 40-foot turning that nuance. In the center is a plaque etched with the vehicle’s e aerial platform has its radius) and increased stability monitor for spraying blazes. identification and a re-creation corners pulled in slightly to aid when the boom is deployed. of the seal of the FDNY. And it in rescue operations. Even the e waterway up the boom can comes with a fitted acrylic tools and controls inside have e drawback is that the boom deliver 2,000 gallons per minute! dust cover for good measure, been replicated on the model. must telescope down to a assuring that this model stays shorter length. at stability ere are also replications of protected and safe. we’re marveling at in scale. But is enhanced by four vertical a variety of tools on the floor rarely do we have this much stabilizers and two radial of the platform, which is big FINAL THOUGHTS fun getting schooled! I imagine outriggers—all of which are enough to hold multiple fire-crew it must make the men and modeled in detail on this replica. members, and can support up As has become the custom women who work around these to 1,000 pounds. Staying up top when we receive a new model vehicles quite proud when they e verticals are on the corners but moving forward, we have from Fire Replicas, reviewing it see a model of their equipment of the front bumper and just the extended cab, one of several becomes equal parts showcase treated with such respect behind the rear wheel. e options available on the Attacker of construction materialsand and fidelity. When I think back outriggers bracket the turntable HD chassis (upon which this technique, and a visual lesson to my visit to the memorial in the center of the truck. vehicle is built). ere is a pair on the intricacies of fire appara- and its tributes to the service of fan units on top of the cab tus. We inevitably spot things and sacrifice of New York’s e boom dominates the (for filtration, perhaps?) and a on the model that are so care- emergency service personnel, upper section of the super- complex set of lights, the lenses fully detailed that we end up I’m especially glad this model structure, and it is fashioned of which have been molded to doing research on the real does their truck justice. ✇ using a lot of fine-gauge look as if they have spinners vehicle just to figure out what stainless steel, mimicking the inside. e windows are heavily SOURCE materials used on the real truck tinted, so not much interior detail firereplicas.com to yield maximum authenticity. can be seen, but what is visible looks quite good. Even better AT A GLANCE ere is simulated hydraulics is the detail on the metal grille, MODEL underneath, and there are scale which is complete down to the 2012 Seagrave Attacker hose reels and other firefighting etched “Seagrave” script. e HD 75-Foot Aerialscope II FDNY apparatus in view. e platform wheels are another highlight, as Tower Ladder 1 is a marvel of engineering in they always are on Fire Replicas reality and in scale. It starts with pieces. ey appear to be com- MANUFACTURER the shape and how the gates on prised of multiple pieces and Fire Replicas the corners are pulled back at carry a nice semi-metallic sheen, a slight angle from the corners. which matches photos of the real GENRE Tower Ladder 1. And they sit atop Emergency vehicle is gives safer, easier access a handsome padded base, with a for rescue operations, and it’s SCALE cool to see the model capture 1:50 PRICE $309 WHAT WE LIKE + Use of stainless steel and brass preserves scale thickness of parts, even at 1:50 + Layered construction of boom and platform maximizes depth of detail + Included base and dust cover make a first-rate presentation WINTER 2019 59
QUICK Dan Gurney’s All American Racers developed the Barracuda for Trans Am racing. e primary car was LOOK driven by Swede Savage, but Gurney himself drove a second car at selected events including Riverside, his final race before retiring. e multicolored stripe on the nose not continuing onto the hood may look like a mistake, but the model is accurate. e team did not have time to repaint Gurney’s hood before the Riverside race, so that’s how he ran. ACME 1970 DAN GURNEY TRANS AM BARRACUDA 1:18 | $135 By Wayne Moyer A fter the fiasco of the Tunnel-Port neatly wired and plumbed Chrysler LA V-8. 1970 lines running to the calipers, but there are none for Mustang in 1968, Dan Gurney stepped rules permitted manufacturers to destroke large the front. ere’s also foil insulation under critical away from Trans Am racing for most of production engines down to meet the 305 cubic parts of the exhausts. Correct Eagle five-lug 1969. Late in the season, he was called back to inch (5000cc) limit, so the AAR Plymouths used wheels carry treaded tires with Goodyear logos his former team—Shelby American—and drove a 340 destroked to 304ci by legendary Mopar on the sidewalls. Park this one next to an Arciero a Boss 302 twice more before leaving Ford for engine builder Keith Black. e gray engine-bay Ferrari or Porsche Formula One model and you’ll good. For 1970, Gurney’s own All American Racers color and big competition radiator are correct, as is have perfect bookends for the quintessential All (AAR) team signed with Plymouth to develop the the U-shaped breather setup, but the fender- American Racer’s career. all-new Barracuda for Trans Am racing. e plan to-firewall braces the team added to stiffen the SOURCE was to run a two-car team, with the second car chassis are missing from the model. acmediecast.com driven by Dan’s young protégé, “Swede” Savage. Doors pivot open properly to show the Everything opens on the e team had the usual new car problems, and stripped interior and computer-designed small- Gurney Plymouth and the after a fourth DNF, Chrysler cut the budget to diameter tube roll cage, proper racing seat with just one car. Gurney had promised Savage a fabric and photo-etched belts, fire extinguisher, details on the LA-series full-season ride, so Dan stepped out of the car and detailed instruments. A large fuel cell and its V-8 are highly accurate, as for the remainder of the season—or almost all of plumbing take up most of the trunk space. ere’s are the roll cage and other it. e last race of the season was at Dan’s home lots of good relief chassis detail with separate track—Riverside—and he decided to run that and suspension, drivetrain, and engine detail, along interior pieces. then retire. By that time, Savage’s number 42 with fuel and hydraulic lines. Rear discs have brake had a colorful yellow/orange/red spearhead on the hood and front clip; apparently, the team put a new hood with Gurney’s number 48 on the car but didn’t have the time to repaint the front, since photos show Dan’s car just as Acme has modeled it. e race car had fairly large (but subtler than the Mustang’s) fender flares, which the model doesn’t have, but aside from that, Acme’s new 1:18-scale diecast has the shape and details right on the money. e smooth, glossy metallic blue paint; bright-printed chrome window trim; and crisply printed graphics are complete and correct for Dan’s last race at Riverside, where he finished fifth behind two Mustangs: Mark Donohue’s Javelin and Savage’s Barracuda. Everything opens; you have to remove the hood pins (Acme provides some spares!) to raise the hood on its spring-loaded hinges to see the 60 DCXmag.com
e Alfa received a more aggressive front-end treatment and a power bulge in the hood when it got the upgrade to V-6 power—both of which this model replicates. Large, distortion-free windows and light beige seating surfaces combine to showcase nicely the interior detail. LAUDORACING MODELS 1980 ALFA ROMEO GTV 6 2.5 1:18 | $95 By the DCX crew I t seems like it has taken forever, but we’re the Alfetta GT, falls somewhere and freshened styling throughout—features pleased to see cars from the ’70s and ’80s— in between. Its 2-door hatchback Laudoracing’s model demonstrates to excellent the much maligned “malaise” period—finally layout is comparable to the effect. e front air dam and reworked front coming to the diecast space. It used to be that, Scirocco in layout, but its mix of fascia enjoys a much sportier, more purposeful aside from a few high-profile muscle cars and hard creases and rounded curves look. e larger disc-style alloy wheels and exotics, the cars that so many of us grew up are more elegant and sophisticated. And the wider, lower-profile tires give it a more athletic with were largely ignored by model manufac- chassis underpinnings are definitely akin to an stance too, although GTVs always sit high on turers. at was a shame because hidden exotic with its double-wishbone suspension, their stock suspensions—reportedly to help among the bland, uninspiring, underperforming rear-mounted transaxle, and inboard disc brakes. pass the bumper height requirements for the junk were some legitimately innovative, inter- Building the gearbox into the rear axle yielded United States. is model depicts the stance esting vehicles, which deserve revisiting in perfect weight distribution too, granting the little accurately, and the finish on the model is lovely. scale. is dapper little Italian sport coupe is a Alfa handling poise and balance that exceeded perfect example. many exotics! Its one deficiency—horsepower— e windows are large and the plastic is clear, was remedied in 1980 with the introduction of a and together with the light beige color of the It features design by famed Italian stylist fuel-injected 2.5L V-6—a revvy little 160hp six upholstery, they provide a good look at the Giorgetto Giugiaro, creator of such exquisite that hustled the relatively light Alfa more quickly interior detail. e wood-rim steering wheel, the exotics as the De Tomaso Mangusta, the Lotus than almost any early ’80s machine this side of instrument panel, and the gear lever and console Esprit, and the Maserati Ghibli as well as such an exotic sports car. all look convincing. You always want the model proletariat heroes as the Karmann Ghia, Scirocco, version of a car whose defining characteristic is and Mk1 Golf GTI for Volkswagen. e Alfa, Along with the V-6 came a power bulge the engine to have an opening hood, but Laudo which first appeared on the scene in 1974 as hood to clear the new engine’s taller intake models are sealed resin. Given its sub-$100 asking price—particularly since this model has Giorgetto Giugiaro’s styling extremely limited production, with just 250 of tempered hard edges with graceful each color (black, red, or the dark metallic gray curves, yielding a design that has pictured)—in that context, the sealed body is aged remarkably well. perfectly reasonable. e taut Giugiaro styling— updated to GTV 6 trim—is really why we’re here. It’s what we remember fondly about this car, and we’re happy to see it get the credit it’s due with a nice 1:18 collectible. SOURCE laudoracing-models.com WINTER 2019 61
quick LOOK IXO 2017 Daytona 24-Hour GT Racers 1:43 | $45 (ea.) By the DCX crew The Ford GT took E ndurance racing is unlike any other form of motor the GTLM class 51 years sport. Speed is the goal but not for a lap or even a few hundred miles. To win a 24-hour race, like after the orginal GT40 Le Mans or Daytona, a team needs to slow down in the won at Daytona. moment so that they can avoid mistakes and travel faster and farther during two complete circuits of the Rolex The Mercedes AMG’s shape (which is the Daytona 24-Hour’s title sponsor). Two of the and graphics are some of cars you see on these pages proved that they could do just the most striking in GTD. that in 2017; the third experienced the kind of adversity that is so often the downfall of competitors in grueling Few predicted the Alegra Motorsports endurance events like Daytona. Like most endurance races, 911 GT3 R would win GTD, but the team the Rolex 24 field is comprised of multiple classes often running wildly disparate lap times. At Daytona, the top didn’t put a wheel wrong all race. classes are the Le Mans Prototypes (LMP1, 2, and 3)— purpose-built racing machines that can be as much as 7 to 8 seconds faster per lap around Daytona’s 3.56-mile road course than the top production-based Grand Touring Le Mans (GTLM) cars. The GTLMs are joined by Grand Touring Daytona (GTD), which follows international GT3 rules—meaning they are less powerful and permit fewer deviations from production spec, so they are roughly 4 seconds per lap slower than GTLM. IXO has rendered in 1:43 the No. 66 Ford GT fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing that was in the GTLM field in 2017, winning the class and finishing fifth overall (behind four LMP cars). Shared by a team of veteran all-stars— Dirk Müller, Joey Hand, and Sébastien Bourdais—the No. 66 triumphed in an insanely close GTLM finish. The top seven cars in GTLM finished back-to-back separated by just 7.5 seconds—after 24 hours! It was a hugely popular win, with Ford returning to the winner’s circle 51 years after the original GT40 won in 1966. The red, white, and blue Ford EcoBoost livery is particularly striking and replicated in crisp detail, assuring that this model will be popular with collectors. While all eyes were on the Fords, the GTD-winning Alegra Motorsports No. 28 Porsche 911 GT3 R slipped under the radar, surprising many. The No. 28 was shared by five drivers, including the father-and-son duo of Carlos and Michael de Quesada, plus Porsche factory driver Michael Christensen and two Porsche Cup champions: Jesse Lazare and Daniel Morad. They had to be letter- perfect because the GTD margin was razor-thin. They finished less than 0.3 seconds ahead of the second-in- class Audi R8. IXO’s rendition is excellent, with the delicate louvers and vents on the nose that represent the latest evolution of the quintessential customer GT car. The final car in this group didn’t fare as well in the final standings, having suffered a pit miscue and a couple of on-track incidents that ultimately sidelined the No. 75 Mercedes. Still, with charismatic star driver Boris Said and an eye-catching SunEnergy1 multicolored paint scheme enhancing the already gorgeous AMG GT3 bodywork, it could still draw plenty of collector interest. Like the Ford and the Porsche, it features brake detail behind accurate wheels and tires, plus beautifully molded wings and split ters and fine details like tow loops and radio antennas you don’t always see on 1:43 models priced as affordably as IXO’s GT racers, making all three quite a bargain. SOURCE IXO; distributed by american-excellence.com
The Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars, 1961–1973 Hardcover | $45 By Matt Boyd W hen you’re as passionate Gorgeous photos and lots of well-researched tech info presentation, and its 179 pages are printed on about the automobile as the make this book a great resource. nice heavy stock. It features literally hundreds members of the DCX staff of full-color photos, showing the nuances are, it’s almost inevitable that your brain and features of dozens of Ford models, with collects automotive trivia and statistics numerous trim and option permutations. I just as quickly as our shelves collect scale get a kick out of the reproductions of vintage replicas of the vehicles we memorize facts advertising and sales brochures of various and figures about. But no matter how we models from a car culture standpoint, and the may try, keeping straight all those tech data panels and the “By the Numbers” sections specs and historical anecdotes is a losing at the end of each chapter, cataloging engine battle. That’s where a robust and reliable specs and performance figures from period reference library comes in. Nobody has a publications, collects info of vital interest all in larger automotive catalog than publisher one handsomely packaged place. I have found Motorbooks, and in this Internet age, the one or two inconsequential typos in the book, ability to distinguish between noise and but they do not detract from the wealth of reliable information is more important than information contained therein or the eye candy ever. The editorial process in publishing of all those large full-color photos. You can bet books like Motorbooks does adds an extra this book will be well thumbed on a regular layer of dependability to the information. For basis as I research my next Ford article! any auto enthusiast, the breadth of titles is as entertaining as it is informative, and for those of us who review models for a living, it’s a lifesaver. The book we have here is representative of Motorbooks’ offerings, and this one focuses on Ford and Mercury vehicles from the heart of the muscle-car era. Author Donald Farr has spent time as editor of several prominent magazines on the subject, including Mustang Monthly, Super Ford, Muscle Car Review, and Mustang & Fords. He is also the author of a number of other books on Mustangs and other Ford models, and currently serves as editor of Mustang Times, the official publication of the Mustang Club of America. So he certainly knows his subject, making this book a valuable resource when researching technical info or production figures on Blue Oval muscle. And beyond that, it’s just a beautifully-put-together volume; it’s produced in large-format hardcover, so it’s almost coffee table book–like in its SOURCE Motorbooks, a division of Quarto Publishing Group; quartoknows.com WINTER 2019 63
hot wheels highway by mike zarnock 50th Anniversary Favorites The latest premium retail release from Hot Wheels is the “Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Favorites” series. There are 10 vehicles in the collection that are being released five at a time. As with most of the premium Hot Wheels releases, they’re quite hard to find at retail outlets because of their desirability. But they are available for preorder from many of the larger online diecast vendors, so if you’re having a hard time completing your set, this may be the way to go for you. Being a “premium” release the practice of having both the Chevy Hardtop. This ’56 is all traditional Superlite Trans Am means that each of the vehicles body and chassis made out of di- one color rather that a two- style with rubber tires. come with more detail than the ecast metal to having one or the tone color scheme, and looks Coming in at number three is basic mainline release vehicles; other made out of plastic. That like it’s painted in Chevrolet’s the 1960s’ Ford Econoline Pickup, their paintwork, tampo decora- is done to keep production costs 1961 Corvette color: Honduras which is a fairly new casting by tion, premium wheels with rub- down and weight at a minimum, Maroon. The authentic side trim veteran Hot Wheels designer ber tires, and—what seems to be which, in turn, keeps shipping is done in silver with white-and- Mark Jones. This way-low-to- the most important item to many costs down, helping to keep that pink striping accents and a 50th the-ground truck is painted collectors—the fact that the body important dollar-car price point Anniversary logo on the rear of copper with heavy silver metallic, and the chassis are both diecast for the retail market. the quarter panel. The white- along with black and silver metal. Over the past few years, Number one of the 10-car and-pink striping is also carried flames on the side, giving it an the manufacturing process for di- series is an all-American icon to the roof and hood. The trunk old-school look. The windows ecast vehicles has changed from and favorite of many: the 1956 and hood are adorned with rep- are smoked very dark, not allow- licas of the original factory-style ing you to see the black plastic 1956 Chevy Hardtop. This ’56 is all one color rather that a two-tone color emblems, with the head- and interior. The bed is also black scheme, and looks like it’s painted in Chevrolet’s 1961 Corvette color: taillights being detailed as well. plastic with large wheel tubs Honduras Maroon. The interior is done in tan plastic; and a skateboard molded into The ’71 AMC Javelin is second in the series and looks like the Mark Donohue Edition I think rendering it in two colors, it. The front and rear are nicely car with its front and rear spoilers. like it came in 1956, would really detailed, with the word “Ford” on have been the perfect finishing the tailgate, and the front grille is touch. The wheels are chrome painted black. Topping the whole Rocket wheels with rubber tires, old-school look to this cruiser finishing the overall appearance are wide chrome reverse wheels of the car with a nice clean look. on thin whitewall rubber tires. The ’71 AMC Javelin is second The Custom ’69 Volkswagen in the series and looks like the Squareback has always been one Mark Donohue Edition car with of my favorites. It’s also done in a its front and rear spoilers. The Sedan Delivery body, so it’s only full race interior is gray plastic fair that it’s included as number and has only one seat and a four in this series. Painted up as full roll cage, adding to its SCCA a VW Parts Delivery vehicle, this Trans Am Race look. This long little Squareback comes in a dark and low AMC is painted Candy green metallic with tan accents Red enamel, with white and blue on the roof and sides. The sides enamel accents and the 50th are detailed with the minimal Anniversary logos strategically VW side trim and door handles in placed as if they were the car’s silver, and even the side marker racing number. The wheels also lights are painted. Front and rear add to the Javelin’s authentic lighting are also well detailed, Trans Am look, being done in the right down to the VW emblem 64 DCXmag.com
’71 Datsun Bluebird 510 Wagon. The wagon and the 510 sedan are popular castings within the collector community, making them hard to find once they reach the shelves. on the hood—or would that be And there they are, the first The Custom ’69 Volkswagen considered the trunk? Wheels five releases of the Hot Wheels Squareback is also done in a are four-slot chrome reverse, 50th Anniversary Favorites! Sedan Delivery body, so it’s and all four rubber tires are nice The next five vehicles to be only fair that it’s included as and wide. released are: number four in this series. Rounding out the rest of the first half of the series at number • #6—Volkswagen T1 Drag Bus five is the ’71 Datsun Bluebird 510 • #7—’78 Dodge Lil’ Red Express Truck Wagon. The wagon and the 510 • #8—’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser sedan are popular castings within • #9—’69 Camaro the collector community, mak- • #10—’65 Ford Galaxie ing them hard to find once they reach the shelves. Collectors, Casting Design Larry Wood customizers, and flea-market Mark Jones sellers alike buy them all up as ’56 Chevy Phil Riehlman soon as they see them, driving 1960s’ Ford Econoline Pickup Jun Imai the prices up considerably for Custom ’69 Volkswagen Squareback Jun Imai those in need. This 510 wagon ’71 AMC Javelin is painted in candy blue metallic ’71 Datsun Bluebird 510 Wagon with white enamel stripes out- lined in orange on the roof, hood, 1960s’ Ford Econoline Pickup, which is a fairly new and sides. The door handles are casting by veteran Hot Wheels designer Mark Jones. painted silver, and the vehicle has the 50th Anniversary logo on the rear of the quarter panel in black over silver. The taillights are well detailed along with the word “Datsun” in silver on the upper right of the tailgate. The front grille and headlights are also done nicely, with the inner lights being yellow and the outer lights in white, all on a gray grille. The windows are lightly tinted, allow- ing you to see the black plastic interior. The chrome classic 4-spoke wheels on low-profile rubber tires add a fine touch to the overall stance of this little vintage Datsun wagon. WINTER 2019 65
REAR VIEW Kellogg’s Terry Labonte Here are the 11 original Hot Wheels Chevy Monte Carlos Kellogg’s cars, plus the two add-ons, each associated with a different cereal. Part of a balanced diecast collection BY RON RUELLE I f you were to rattle off a list of stock-car drivers who Crispix cereal, at least they knew detail. All graphics were applied via have won multiple NASCAR titles, you might overlook they wouldn’t have to buy countless a combination of paper and clear Terry Labonte because he holds the distinction for the boxes to randomly find them all. stickers. e color match isn’t quite longest gap between titles—12 years—having won in 1984 and Besides, parents eat breakfast, too. as spot-on as the smaller cars, but again in 1996. But the soft-spoken Texan’s combination of they still looked nice when applied on-track success, nice-guy image, and kid-friendly sponsor e cars, which were metal- carefully. e body flipped open like was the perfect recipe for a huge diecast promotional effort. bodied and had pullback motors, that of a fiberglass funny car, and And in 2000, Hot Wheels and Kellogg’s did just that. were marked with Mattel and Hot inside was a double-decker insert Wheels trademarks and featured intended to hold 11 cars as well as a A handful of UPCs and a 1/64-scale models of reasonable detail. Hood and roof spring-loaded launcher up front. few bucks scored you Labonte’s number 5 Monte graphics as well as color breaks this car carrier. Carlo were included in were screen-printed onto the car, e large car was not branded by specially marked boxes of and all other graphics were added by Mattel, but says “Sasco” on the Kellogg’s cereals—and not the collector from a sticker sheet. chassis. Hmm… just his familiar red-and-yellow car Regardless of whether that was a but also 11 different designs! And in cost-saving measure or a way to let A careful look at the photos an unusual twist for the time, the kids get involved in the project, the shows 13 1:64 cars instead of 11. different versions weren’t randomly end result looked very nice. After the success of the original inserted into boxes. To get the promotion, they added two more Frosted Flakes car, collectors had Remember, this was all before cars. e red-and-yellow version to buy a box of Frosted Flakes; for vinyl wraps made it easy to with “Kellogg’s” on the hood was the Apple Jacks car, a box of Apple completely change a car’s livery meant to represent the real car, Jacks; and so on. While kids might from week to week, so most of the and the blue car with the cartoon not have been super excited about designs were never actually seen in characters was a promotion for buying a box of, say, Raisin Bran or a race. To their credit, the designers the TV cartoon NASCAR Racers. made each one plausible-looking, even dynamic. As long as you were e extra cars conveniently fit up collecting them all, there was also front with the launcher, so they can an offer for a carrying case. For a all go along for the ride. e entire modest price and several UPCs promotion was a lot of fun for kids from those cereal boxes, a large as well as for adult collectors. Since (bigger-than-1/18-scale) model it was designed as a set of toys, it of the track version of Labonte’s would be interesting to see how car was available. e all-plastic car many complete sets remain in good condition today, almost 20 years featured lots of detail, although rendered on the chunky side later. ✇ to survive playwear. e body was molded in red with Ron Ruelle is social media manager a yellow-painted front clip for hobbyDB.com, a website and silver and black window about anything and everything collectible. 66 DCXmag.com
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