Thursday, April 8, 2010

Trax 8003N - FJ Panel Van 'Nasco'

Trax first models were FJ Holdens, and it was what bought them to prominence. This model, the FJ Panel van, was produced in several variations. One of the rarest and most sought after models being the 'Stanbridge Hobbies' liveried FJ Panel Van. Like any car, certain colours can make them look better than they really are. The dark blue of this 'Nasco' Van is a case in point. It transforms the FJ van into a very attractive car. 
Produced in 1994, this model was one of the nicer versions of the FJ Holden by Trax. Trax started to head down the disastrous Matchbox Yesteryear Van overproduction route, with several weird liveries of this van, until a strange decision in the late 90's not to produce the FJ's in 1:43 any more. Apart from the later FJ Station Wagon, a completely new casting, Trax have stuck to this. 
GMH sold cars, and NASCO was their spare parts and accessories company. NASCO brand geegaws are still prized by restorers. This Trax model represents a 1954 FJ Holden panel Van, as used by Holden dealers to ferry their spare parts around. 
The model is a nice representation of the 1:1 car, although like many early Trax it has too small wheels and tyres. This is particularly evident in the photo above in the rear wheel arches. The paint is very good, and the decals and tampo printing have held up well. 
Underbody detail is limited, like all Trax of the era. The packaging is the old retail packaging from the time before Trax went to a solely online/mailorder sales model. The packaging was not really designed to be kept, and was also a universal type with just a sticker on the end flap indicating the model type and number to the buyer. 

It is a nice model, and deserves a place in the collection of any Australian diecast enthusiast. Sadly, its pedestrian styling and livery detract from the nice colour. To the rating: 



Trax 8003N FJ Holden panel Van 'NASCO'
Quality  7
Design    7
Colours   7
X-factor  6

Rating: 27/40



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