tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68275891624857282882024-03-29T01:14:39.465-07:00Capital Diecast GarageA blog about diecast scale cars. The Capital Diecast Garage takes it name from the Diecast Garage being located in Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory.D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-77487865400765507162013-09-03T18:03:00.003-07:002013-09-03T18:38:25.706-07:00Building a 1/8 scale ICON Models XY Falcon GT - Stop Motion animationThis is simply brilliant. A stop motion animation of the construction of an Icon Models 1:8 scale diecast model of a Ford Falcon XY GT. Adrian Roach has put a lot of effort into this and it is inspiring. For those who are interested, a 1:8 scale ICON kit cost $1295 (Australian). It is also nice to see his kids involved.<br />
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Other posts:<br />
<a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/the-history-of-maisto-diecast-cars.html">The History of Maisto Diecast Cars</a><br />
<a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com.au/p/blog-page.html">Canberra Model Vehicle Collectors Club</a><br />
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I also have a facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canberra-Diecast-Model-Car-Tragics">Canberra Diecast Model Car Tragics</a>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-32420730537021224792013-08-09T20:27:00.002-07:002013-08-09T20:27:17.559-07:00The History of Maisto Diecast Cars<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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Anybody who collects diecast cars is aware of the Maisto brand. They have a wide range of cars in a broad range of scales, in all price points and in widely varying designs – from incredibly accurate to caricatured cartoon style cars. Until recently I didn’t know a lot about Maistos background, in comparison the Hot Wheels and Matchbox brands trade widely on their heritage. All I knew about Maisto was that they bought BBurago after they went broke, and that no matter what scale you wanted, Maisto had a car in it.</div>
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The first time I knowingly bought a Maisto made car, it was a 3-inch or 1:64 scale Trabant, in lurid lime green. Contrast this with some of their lowrider bling caricatured cars which I would never buy. How does one company cover such a wide range? This article attempts to look at the history of the Maisto Company. I will devote a future article to Maistos three inch castings. </div>
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<b>Early company history<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In 1967 The Ngan family in Hong Kong started MC Toys, an abbreviation of May Cheong Toy Company, they made a range of diecast toy cars aimed at the overseas export market. Made in Hong Kong, these early cars were obviously aimed at the Matchbox toy car buyer, being roughly 1:64 or three inch in size and replicating cars in the Matchbox range. Although many cars were direct copies of Matchbox castings, even at this stage MC Toys produced cars that Matchbox, Corgi and Hot Wheels did not. </div>
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A strong aspect of the MC Toys range was European cars. Sales in European markets and requests by European distributors were most likely the reason that in the 70's models of European cars started to appear. MC Toys did produce some cars never made by Matchbox or Hot Wheels, such as some obscure French, Italian and German models and even Trabant’s. </div>
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Some of these early cars were direct copies of Matchbox cars with changes made probably only to ease manufacture, but all were well made, with good quality paint and competent interiors. The major flaws of these early cars were wheel issues - with inaccurate and toy like wheels. This was not unheard of from Corgi or Matchbox either. At incredibly competitive prices and bright compelling colour schemes, these new eastern made cars were popular but not ‘collectible’ in the same vein that Matchbox et al were sought after. Even today, early Maisto MC Toys branded cars can be bought very cheaply. </div>
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After several years the range started to grow, and the same castings began to be seen under other manufacturers names (mainly European diecast manufacturers), but with different colours. The cars were moving from toylike to collector quality. In the late 1980’s the cars became very high quality and very accurate. It was obvious that MC Toys were paying licenses to reproduce accurate models, and this was in contrast to other mass production diecast companies based in Hong Kong who made more toy-like cars. </div>
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This strategy is almost certainly what led to the growing awareness of Maisto as a brand that produced accurate high quality cars. Apart from making cars for European and North American resellers to market under their own name, MC Toys also began producing promotional models for car makers and also for sports teams and general consumer companies. </div>
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Around this same late 1980’s period, MC Toys also focussed on expanding its depth of product. Its own range of 1:64 cars were made in a variety of ranges with evocative names – MC Mini Racers, Maisto Turbo Treads, Maisto Motor Works, Maisto Road and Track Miniatures. The cars made in Thailand for MC Toys were made by the Master Toy Company and were also known as MT Toys or May Tat Toys. There are no doubt many other ‘brands’ that Maisto has marketed diecast under that I am not aware of, and these may include specific brands for non-english speaking European markets.</div>
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These 1:64 scale cars ranged from accurate Matchbox style cars, to caricatured Hot Wheels cars and more cartoon like garish fantasy cars. They also produced cars in mass quantity emergency vehicle, military and construction sets for companies like Toys R Us, Kmart and Target using those company’s home brand names such as Real Toy. They also make Tonka small-scale vehicles for Hasbro, and many Maisto castings appear in Tonka sets with Tonka stickers and Maisto baseplate. Some Tonka castings are exclusive to Tonka, although made by Maisto. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Tie-ins enable Maisto to expand its base. Movies,sports teams and even magazines have been used.</span></div>
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This business plan of providing mass quantity volume of a wide catalogue of castings to other companies obviously provided stability and a guaranteed revenue stream and allowed MC Toys to grow and expand its range of castings and market share. The scale of cars offered in these sets ranges widely, with many diecast and plastic cars appearing in scales probably designed simply to fit a specific box size.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Zylmex branded cars from the mid 80's</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Maisto 'Fresh Metal' 2011</span></div>
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At some point in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s MC Toys began to produce low cost, reasonable quality, fairly accurate 1:24 and 1:18 scale cars using the name Maisto. These cars were similar quality to Solido and Bburago, and priced accordingly. They started to eat away at the European diecast manufacturers sales with their low price points, and each new model issued by Maisto improved in quality and accuracy. </div>
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In 1992 an arrangement that MC Toys had with Intex/Zee Toys where they provided cars under the Zylmex brand came to an end. Looking to market cars under their own brands, the name evolved from MC Toys to Maisto right across the range including the 1:64 scale diecast cars. </div>
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MC Toys still operates, but it is now the parent company that owns the various brands that Maisto cars are sold under including Bburago. These corporate entities are all owned by May Cheong Toy Company. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscO9jP2T6BK8YRe10Nz5Beushj-BknmUh3uQvf-L5nuye5clojQB0262P_cH4aR3Y0TN0UUgWRQd4_fV6W6Zfl9zxK9pQqjrxGznMyZHH6zgGVG1H-nq7OPkeUYTGJOyq2lm_4fSL_dw/s1600/8617CHEVROLETCORVETTE-01b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscO9jP2T6BK8YRe10Nz5Beushj-BknmUh3uQvf-L5nuye5clojQB0262P_cH4aR3Y0TN0UUgWRQd4_fV6W6Zfl9zxK9pQqjrxGznMyZHH6zgGVG1H-nq7OPkeUYTGJOyq2lm_4fSL_dw/s320/8617CHEVROLETCORVETTE-01b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">MC Toys baseplate on a 1986 Corvette</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupGvLuPyG9wsxtDCUJX3td_685EIoqLmn2E88JIi5CjYohsWy2dmxJucdwK4CZZCdz6wNcPY_WwClPK_a499Su77E6xNoX89GKOHVWtITLwVgScyTYfMX_ObAiUpuQF7i2umjQG4oOzE/s1600/86171986CHEVROLETCORVETTE-01b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupGvLuPyG9wsxtDCUJX3td_685EIoqLmn2E88JIi5CjYohsWy2dmxJucdwK4CZZCdz6wNcPY_WwClPK_a499Su77E6xNoX89GKOHVWtITLwVgScyTYfMX_ObAiUpuQF7i2umjQG4oOzE/s320/86171986CHEVROLETCORVETTE-01b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Maisto baseplate on the same casting</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1RQBApzKD2GvnrZ_ZEAsZHnzIzOWcloi25ZNkjvnAoo1Qg5iT6N9l1AmQ4mWkTQUIROmMpkFEicIfkNSsKKTSsO6pBgNQzGj6JEtAhvERv4hX7XKQ5AWDf7WI1X053kTq7ok90E5kxM/s1600/tn_DSC00665.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1RQBApzKD2GvnrZ_ZEAsZHnzIzOWcloi25ZNkjvnAoo1Qg5iT6N9l1AmQ4mWkTQUIROmMpkFEicIfkNSsKKTSsO6pBgNQzGj6JEtAhvERv4hX7XKQ5AWDf7WI1X053kTq7ok90E5kxM/s320/tn_DSC00665.JPG.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib53HGcwx7lS__8Ncwyshf9BfEaYcvuQ3FMejE27qoGX0GFuU2sNbdMDh6tLzhlxNryQgHRsvAJWaKeC2y-AG-sPjL-UZ80P7BaUuqH6sOAwQ6M254i5OnOnX6wS0QG8q26uBGtzN-vWk/s1600/tn_DSC03900.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib53HGcwx7lS__8Ncwyshf9BfEaYcvuQ3FMejE27qoGX0GFuU2sNbdMDh6tLzhlxNryQgHRsvAJWaKeC2y-AG-sPjL-UZ80P7BaUuqH6sOAwQ6M254i5OnOnX6wS0QG8q26uBGtzN-vWk/s320/tn_DSC03900.JPG.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Maisto cars produced and sold under Tonka branding</span></div>
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<b>Evolution from Hong Kong toy company to global diecast behemoth<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The evolution to Maisto as a standalone brand for MC Toy’s diecast cars business in 1990 saw a new focus from the company. Competition with European diecast manufacturers drove Maisto to increase its quality and accuracy, while still being price competitive. Maisto began to issue catalogues of their range of cars, and expanded into new categories. They opened an office and design studio in the United States, not just to market diecast cars but to spot the trends and feed that market information back to designers in China. </div>
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The practice of making cars marketed under other brands continued, and indeed still does today. Although Maisto cars are budget priced, compared to Kyosho and Autoart, they have moved many of their products from the toy category to the model category, while still marketing heavily in the toy category. The kid who buys a 3 inch Fresh Metal will recognise the Maisto name when he sees a 1:18 Nissan GT-R. By appealing to all sectors of the diecast market from kids to collectors, Maisto ensure a steady revenue stream and a broad base to market to. </div>
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Maisto has constantly improved its quality and range and has sought to increase its market share by using five strategies: </div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>buying moulds, designs, brands and goodwill from defunct Chinese or European based diecast companies (Bburago being the prime example), </div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>delivering models of cars not often seen from other manufacturers, in a broad range of scales, </div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>opening a design studio in California – tapping the epicentre of contemporary diecast design and trends. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>licensed exclusive production of ‘hot’ cars from automotive manufacturers,</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>expanding diecast product tie-ins with Hollywood franchises.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHDdtzDSmzG8V7fVEDq7xS_lxVDt3sn6O5-RHnMkubMjfmBP-Qr_WnZr1jWBR9I_Da2rWsOoKQ_qNfFqgZDISd8Nj-L1GYUF46-baFCfqFUy5gFVsXYmEFJICAoWSprua63eWcLLAClE/s1600/tn_DSC04049.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHDdtzDSmzG8V7fVEDq7xS_lxVDt3sn6O5-RHnMkubMjfmBP-Qr_WnZr1jWBR9I_Da2rWsOoKQ_qNfFqgZDISd8Nj-L1GYUF46-baFCfqFUy5gFVsXYmEFJICAoWSprua63eWcLLAClE/s320/tn_DSC04049.JPG.jpeg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZEvBAvNG11Q8x1UH2RFeuhhfXagYzMEy4SVy2BltyO_3YZf5EzT-pGIefN81wlKbpEEGIVnOIXR7yVhY3y4mvZHkN1ECAdPUb87iG1Vc5kY5E2tM0GM6Ktgc_8b6roPK9tzpBMwmvCI/s1600/tn_DSC03889.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZEvBAvNG11Q8x1UH2RFeuhhfXagYzMEy4SVy2BltyO_3YZf5EzT-pGIefN81wlKbpEEGIVnOIXR7yVhY3y4mvZHkN1ECAdPUb87iG1Vc5kY5E2tM0GM6Ktgc_8b6roPK9tzpBMwmvCI/s320/tn_DSC03889.JPG.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Some early Maisto castings appeared to be exact copies of Matchbox products - this tanker is VERY similar to the Matchbox Leyland tanker and is still in the Fresh Metal range today.</span></div>
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These five strategies enable Maisto to leverage its extensive casting catalogue into different sectors of the diecast market from the 1:18 collector of Euro exotics, to the small child with a hankering for Iron Man. </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">The three-inch class, approx 1:64 scale is today marketed under the ‘Fresh Metal’ name, but it is common for castings to appear across the Maisto range. Licensing deals such as those with Marvel for the Iron Man and most recently the Thor movie, sees the casting for a car appear in a new colour with new art and on a colourful blister card featuring Iron Man and iron Man graphics.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizqeB6HcC7QQq0pjDOafv5L5zXhDm7Ajdw929OeXpfBwA836V5VoltGM1zGDkYKHYTOhpWZzvyTA2xEVGAb2OdeV3UECrZzHc3EYQZO19fFoAGfSdsQ8d6kZw3h_Dcxg69ZngzjgYhw0/s1600/viperfm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizqeB6HcC7QQq0pjDOafv5L5zXhDm7Ajdw929OeXpfBwA836V5VoltGM1zGDkYKHYTOhpWZzvyTA2xEVGAb2OdeV3UECrZzHc3EYQZO19fFoAGfSdsQ8d6kZw3h_Dcxg69ZngzjgYhw0/s1600/viperfm.JPG" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WFvcKNskzAEhQoJgpk2hpSx-bmDs8VH1A8cXRmiGyLjc-oQbLm2Nek24dgCsZPrwcjkmew2n25N2lUOgSScOwyMC342x2zq-cIwwbVYoFwhfEmqza9NeL3IIy2Wyhd3UFysiZ5vtTpc/s1600/tn_DSC03890.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WFvcKNskzAEhQoJgpk2hpSx-bmDs8VH1A8cXRmiGyLjc-oQbLm2Nek24dgCsZPrwcjkmew2n25N2lUOgSScOwyMC342x2zq-cIwwbVYoFwhfEmqza9NeL3IIy2Wyhd3UFysiZ5vtTpc/s320/tn_DSC03890.JPG.jpeg" width="240" /> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Same Maisto Dodge Viper used in different ranges</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"></span>One area of the market it appears to have abandoned is the no-name low-end generic diecast as seen in supermarkets where a kid can buy a set of 20 diecast cars for a few dollars. The Fresh Metal range is equal to the Matchbox 1-100 range, apart from its lack of interiors and black window plastic. They are also roughly half the price of the equivalent Matchbox car. They are low cost, but not low-quality.</div>
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<b>Where are Maisto diecast cars made? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Although they started out as one of many Hong Kong based toy companies, the answer today is China and Thailand, but primarily China in a complex in Dongguan City. Like many other toy companies operating in Hong Kong with an export focus, MC Toys took advantage of the Chinese governments declaration of a special economic zone in Guangzhou, with conditions designed to attract companies with a focus on export to relocate to this zone. MC Toys, along with many other Hong Kong based toy companies in the late 1980’s built new factories in Dongguan City. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRMbT4bFD60n9tVazn6b2_3Av4nwSwu1Wo6RdMGEU4Dte5wAQePQBKq82a2WcZbf5bHDxdAUeuTU0f3GbqO49X5Fi5utcbM8v1atP3iVAmD0u2p2XkogdpkSfy-BcUZUN-iMy2zVD6sE/s1600/blog51408_maisto_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRMbT4bFD60n9tVazn6b2_3Av4nwSwu1Wo6RdMGEU4Dte5wAQePQBKq82a2WcZbf5bHDxdAUeuTU0f3GbqO49X5Fi5utcbM8v1atP3iVAmD0u2p2XkogdpkSfy-BcUZUN-iMy2zVD6sE/s320/blog51408_maisto_04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
MC Toys also have a factory in Thailand. It had an operation there for many years under the May Tat brand, operated by Master Toy, and in 1997, a new factory was opened in Thailand by Maisto Manufacturing and these diecast cars are now branded as Maisto. It is possible some Bburago diecast cars are manufactured there also. </div>
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Maisto is vertically integrated – it manufactures all the parts it needs for its own diecast models. For the large plastic radio control cars that it markets, it even makes its own circuit boards in a special circuit board factory. </div>
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The Maisto company also has a design headquarters in Fontana California, which is the place that a lot of the marketing ideas and graphic designs come from. Not all the new car designs come from the California studios, some cars are still designed in China. Maisto also own Bburago, and new Bburago brand cars are designed in China, not California. Some comments on the Maisto blog indicate that sometimes boxes arriving in California from China contain new product the California designers had no idea about until it arrived!</div>
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The three-inch cars that are the core of the Maisto casting catalogue and sold under the ‘Fresh Metal’ range (although freely used across all of Maistos different brands and segments with different wheels bases and colourings) are designed in China. Although when they are reused in other lines, the California based designers create the art for them. With the incredible catalogue of Maisto castings, it is common for a car to be reused across several product lines in multiple colours over many years. Unlike Hot Wheels and Matchbox, the ‘Fresh Metal’ lineup seems to grow with very few castings dropped. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBOLut0jEy9f72goVwQqFQ1W_BWNqx_MSt_vPl-lLbme1YsGKyFxZrtLCV7uZ9a3yycbk_x1zUjJ-TWlCD_0yAMoIFCjZISD4uMRDDnMjagLYtYaaxc7oqhWWskPFVil6glXfukmOZuc/s1600/maist_064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBOLut0jEy9f72goVwQqFQ1W_BWNqx_MSt_vPl-lLbme1YsGKyFxZrtLCV7uZ9a3yycbk_x1zUjJ-TWlCD_0yAMoIFCjZISD4uMRDDnMjagLYtYaaxc7oqhWWskPFVil6glXfukmOZuc/s400/maist_064.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Maisto Fresh Metal 5 packs are assembled into theme packs just like Matchbox and Hot Wheels</span></div>
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<b>Maistos range today<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The scale of cars made by Maisto is vast. I am aware of cars made by Maisto in the following scales: <span style="color: black;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">1:12, 1:14, 1:18, 1:24, 1:25, 1:26, 1:27, 1:31, 1:36, 1:43, 1:47, 1:55 and 1:64 scale. Sometimes it appears that Maisto will design a new range and create the branding and marketing then ensure that the car is at a scale to fit the box that the range appears in. This is a common practice in the 3-inch market, but collectors of cars in the 1: 43 or 1:24 class, become irritated when their desired car appears in an oddball scale. Many of the quite caricatured cars really defy any scale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Matchbox and Hot Wheels collectors may come across Maisto when they see a car that they don’t quite recognize, but it looks like it could be from Matchbox. Or they may collect a particular brand of car say Porsches, and start to look beyond Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Majorette etc for accurate castings for their collection. This is how a lot of serious collectors come to Maisto. The three-inch class, approx 1:64 scale is today marketed under the ‘Fresh Metal’ name, but it is common for castings to appear across the Maisto range. The base casting will remain untouched but a baseplate, interior and paint will change so that a car can be a Fresh Metal casting, and then a blingy style car with outrageous mag wheels, then fitted with monster truck wheels for another range, or even painted yellow and used under the Tonka name. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><b>Collecting Maisto</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Collecting Maisto cars can be a real challenge, and I imagine for completionists it would be almost impossible. With castings appearing in every market uniquely tailored for that market Maisto have made some very clever marketing decisions-but that doesn't help the collector! Over the years Maisto have readily supplied cars under other manufacturers names, under distributors names and supplied cars to specialist markets for promotional tie-ins which bypass toy stores and diecast supply chains. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">As they also market cars in every scale imaginable, that is also a collecting challenge. The California designers have invented new categories such as the Transporter and car sets, which grow every year - adding new collecting possibilities. Recently they added a new line 'Muscle Machines' with all new castings. As a primarily three inch and 1/43 collector, I find 'Fresh Metal' Maisto cars to be quite accurate castings but lacking realistic wheels and interiors. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">In Australia the basic Fresh Metal three inch range retail for one dollar, so at this price point they are aimed at children for toy use instead of the adult collector. The more detailed 'Muscle machine' casting in three inch retails for around 9 dollars. The licensed movie tie-ims are in between these price points. It often pays to keep an eye out across the different Maisto brands to see if that casting you like appears in one of their other ranges with an interior, better wheels or a nicer paint scheme. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwz9-c1C7DBZCLIReKd0aRVWruD7szzHK6RH12knDnRRaHesTZcOHLuQmlXdVO4hc6kw8McZN0-vfXwuHaomYkZ7tMse8TzK5T-u1_AhOIAbjow8G98i_CrRTi-bfmAD3OOZFm_SG6YQ/s1600/1-64coe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwz9-c1C7DBZCLIReKd0aRVWruD7szzHK6RH12knDnRRaHesTZcOHLuQmlXdVO4hc6kw8McZN0-vfXwuHaomYkZ7tMse8TzK5T-u1_AhOIAbjow8G98i_CrRTi-bfmAD3OOZFm_SG6YQ/s320/1-64coe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2009-10 'Transporter' COE</span></div>
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<b>Find out more about Maisto</b><br />
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Information about May Cheong Toys or Maisto is fairly hard to come by, but they do have a website at: <a href="http://www.maisto.com/">www.maisto.com</a> with details of the current product range – which is very wide.<br />
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Maisto designers located in California started a blog which ran for several years. It was a great source of info on diecast design and production and carried prepros, resin, tests shots and lots of great photos of Maisto diecast. Its still online here: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2108447923">http://maisto.wordpress.com</a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #64cc16; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15pt;"><a href="http://maisto.wordpress.com/"> </a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6827589162485728288" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
The Super Happy Funtime Virtual Diecast Museum has a few pages with really nice photos of Maisto castings in various colourings at: <a href="http://diecast.spiraln.com/maisto">http://diecast.spiraln.com/maisto</a></div>
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An excellent source of info on older Maisto with a great catalogue listing is <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2108447929">"</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.breithaupts.com/toycar77.htm">Mini Racers, Turbo Treads, Motor Works and Road & Track Miniatures: The Many 1:64 Scale Models of Maisto"</a> </span> by Brian Willoughby and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #040b5c;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Doug Breithaupt.</span></span></span></b></span><br />
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Note: Normally I take all the photos I use on my blog, but many on this post are from ebay auctions, the web or Maistos blog. If you see a photo that you took used in this post, please let me know and I will make sure you are credited.<br />
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D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-71681744668493315352013-04-30T23:54:00.002-07:002013-04-30T23:54:57.936-07:00Trax 1/43 Leyland P76 1974 WRC car <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIAQFLcVXC_NqjfrxxoBXMRIcpmxXOaJg97sNenKMuNamGNMYi5Kk1UEiO-W3fs6GGSF0VmkJr0R0swLiPD8_ry8NPDGpwSTHJ8hpdMalf9yBqBfvGHLlcqVC-IjDIx0wQqgrlFXjGDpr/s1600/brut.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIAQFLcVXC_NqjfrxxoBXMRIcpmxXOaJg97sNenKMuNamGNMYi5Kk1UEiO-W3fs6GGSF0VmkJr0R0swLiPD8_ry8NPDGpwSTHJ8hpdMalf9yBqBfvGHLlcqVC-IjDIx0wQqgrlFXjGDpr/s400/brut.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not
only is the 40th Anniversary Event of the Leyland P76 occurring in June
2013, but another exciting arrival is expected that same month - <a href="http://www.topgear.com.au/index.php">Top Gear,</a>
makers of Trax diecast model cars have announced that they will be
releasing a 1/43 diecast model of the 1974 Evan Green/John Bryson
Leyland P76 WRC entry. For those who will be attending the <a href="http://leylandp76turns40.blogspot.com.au/">40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 Event in June</a>, <a href="http://www.topgear.com.au/index.php">Top Gear</a>
will have a stand at one of the events on that weekend and have offered
some merchandise to the organising committee that will be awarded to
Concours winners. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKej6JhOuQrc4oQVsoyXecOYhWjQsTSo3_HdaIasvgmyxaLt40oVbBvv0juPP4bTJrb9dnP6X4vsXKYlHUUbHo8IUAyoGEg17KOmR1Ujyt18ZKKjgza7lAo0Gehxr5aKRAJnHk0mMgwfY/s1600/brut-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKej6JhOuQrc4oQVsoyXecOYhWjQsTSo3_HdaIasvgmyxaLt40oVbBvv0juPP4bTJrb9dnP6X4vsXKYlHUUbHo8IUAyoGEg17KOmR1Ujyt18ZKKjgza7lAo0Gehxr5aKRAJnHk0mMgwfY/s400/brut-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This
car is famous for winning a stage of the 1974 WRC rally, the famed
Targa Florio section. Ultimately the car ran 13th outright. A
spectacular achievement for a car with limited factory support and in a
car that had never been rallied or raced before. The majority of
entrants dropped out along he way, their cars failing to withstand the
rigours of rallying. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ys3z9dkosYV5Utl6I6aQevdA4h9GQ7e6ILbZ-44wzOeCHWSDecjzgJZBwD9ExS57p55AXjMorL1PPZDIdYqrbEfmq5yp24y8prfmv8zPpR1vIInAb0dIcUhEvp5MQjbhOYVo3fC3E6uJ/s1600/bootfull_1974.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ys3z9dkosYV5Utl6I6aQevdA4h9GQ7e6ILbZ-44wzOeCHWSDecjzgJZBwD9ExS57p55AXjMorL1PPZDIdYqrbEfmq5yp24y8prfmv8zPpR1vIInAb0dIcUhEvp5MQjbhOYVo3fC3E6uJ/s1600/bootfull_1974.jpg" /></a></div>
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The famous book '<a href="http://users.tpg.com.au/rwoodward/raconteur/p76.htm">A Bootful of Right Arms</a>'
was written by Evan Green about the rally, and it's a must read for
rallying and automotive enthusiasts, as well as Leyland P76 fans. There
is a great deal of information on preparing and modifying a car for
rallying, and the repairs that they performed exposed some areas of the
Leyland P76 that the factory would have upgraded if the car had made it
to a Mark II version. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUFArMMyikKOo-Kz5LSYAK_k26coL5iW2C6X0wFcLb3d0qGar3KyZ40gu10k19orU4pa64mjrG67fBa4lffpVafE1t9W-pbu7pbHMpwAWB5AthtN0Dhnv1fORhBhCNLq9Nti3ITPUHXBb/s1600/UDT1974Map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUFArMMyikKOo-Kz5LSYAK_k26coL5iW2C6X0wFcLb3d0qGar3KyZ40gu10k19orU4pa64mjrG67fBa4lffpVafE1t9W-pbu7pbHMpwAWB5AthtN0Dhnv1fORhBhCNLq9Nti3ITPUHXBb/s400/UDT1974Map.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggy_4kC8SbHkR83K4D_UAEl5gNc2hn2Cp0uuagkXTWNDtX1LBQbEp6DEzLcb_K4etJOHj5PjzYw_M3p4BSSaVHE-odpSf0er94qWsO-OTrAAu3MeuqjHTy1knleH_fgXoIT7bwZEHwk4qe/s1600/LSM_cartel_LondonMUnich.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggy_4kC8SbHkR83K4D_UAEl5gNc2hn2Cp0uuagkXTWNDtX1LBQbEp6DEzLcb_K4etJOHj5PjzYw_M3p4BSSaVHE-odpSf0er94qWsO-OTrAAu3MeuqjHTy1knleH_fgXoIT7bwZEHwk4qe/s320/LSM_cartel_LondonMUnich.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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The rally ran from London to Munich via Africa, as you do. </div>
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The
original world rally car still exists in unrestored condition. Evan
Green has sadly passed away, but John Bryson is still with us. Most
recently his son Matt Bryson and Gerry Crown have rallied a Leyland P76
in the United States and have entered that car in the Peking to Paris
rally that is about to start (the Leyland P76 is on its way to Peking
right now).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eRHBPpBh2LUrrTOGZqIWSkTw8T8MIRhjF-4JAHXxiJ8htqWz_PsiB01xGK1G7bHTb-FE6zVMe7wMz3r4oIpSUbT1k2ZShTJUikB8n79E0txMOHBQ6I7zUW3qnZbQYpgIw5ljXj5iM-I6/s1600/rally76.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eRHBPpBh2LUrrTOGZqIWSkTw8T8MIRhjF-4JAHXxiJ8htqWz_PsiB01xGK1G7bHTb-FE6zVMe7wMz3r4oIpSUbT1k2ZShTJUikB8n79E0txMOHBQ6I7zUW3qnZbQYpgIw5ljXj5iM-I6/s320/rally76.JPG" width="280" /></a></div>
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It
is very exciting that Trax are producing this car in diecast model
form. Its a great celebration of Australian motoring history and will be
keenly sought after by Leyland fans and rally fans. <a href="http://www.topgear.com.au/index.php">Order yours today at the Top Gear website</a>. </div>
D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-87442955614166572812013-02-21T19:02:00.001-08:002013-02-21T19:02:13.163-08:00Where it all started<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitV55CxM1YbSPuN_KYEtbUcKwEageyxYEwH2i7BfWpO_v7dxMRT5bvZCfwS3fpAn9Pel9J3CUvbsIWzoIXqgehfHgX4kUBPhwrVHougaFjZVRJBcdna3Jj1wHSLELGWFEN_NcO-nthDBE/s1600/poplio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitV55CxM1YbSPuN_KYEtbUcKwEageyxYEwH2i7BfWpO_v7dxMRT5bvZCfwS3fpAn9Pel9J3CUvbsIWzoIXqgehfHgX4kUBPhwrVHougaFjZVRJBcdna3Jj1wHSLELGWFEN_NcO-nthDBE/s1600/poplio.jpg" /></a></div>
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As a child I used to ride my pushbike to the local newsagent in Bundoora and blow my pocket money on comics, plastic models, view master reels and Matchbox Superfast cars (never Hot Wheels). I dont remember how much a Matchbox car cost, but I do remember paying 45 cents for a Sgt Rock comic. </div>
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The newsagency had a separate room at the back which was just for toys and plastic models, and it was next to the Tattslotto counter. In the 1980's an arsonist set fire to the lotteries area, and then claimed he had a lotto ticket with all six numbers - and could the Tattslotto people please give him all the money. Forensic science disproved this, and the fellow ended up in Pentridge. Sadly, my local toy shop was gone! </div>
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The business did survive though, and has moved about 50 metres to a newer building in the now named Bundoora Square Shopping Centre. The old shop is still there, it was renovated and subdivided. It is now a 'dollar shop' run by new Australians from the orient and is called the 'Yes Good Buy'. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0hfcpYlf8VQLPyVcYNuqND1v-kXkOayiOIJV0ulZmhcow5U0Y_Ar5qiC_ZkWAx_N4RGf12PyRO1pH7mBmSAExg8vwMV_jgvf124Uy5qefv_dUcxokPdvvueqJtUt7j9wEN6jpJIAQXE/s1600/a46421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0hfcpYlf8VQLPyVcYNuqND1v-kXkOayiOIJV0ulZmhcow5U0Y_Ar5qiC_ZkWAx_N4RGf12PyRO1pH7mBmSAExg8vwMV_jgvf124Uy5qefv_dUcxokPdvvueqJtUt7j9wEN6jpJIAQXE/s400/a46421.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also used to shop at Tim the Toyman at Northland. No photo of the store seems to exist online, but the photo above (from the State Library of Victoria online archives) has been taken from around the same part of the shopping centre in the late 1960's. It was my favourite toy shop and I last recall shopping there in the 1980's. When I was a very small boy, my Mum received a phone call from the police. I had managed to make my way from Bundoora to Northland, and could she come and collect me! Even as a toddler I was into road trips. </div>
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Tim the Toyman may not exist as a storefront, but the business survives, as an importer and distributor of toys. </div>
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These days I visit the local Toyworld in Fyshwick. They go to an effort to stock 1/43 and 1/18 diecast cars and I appreciate that. I also buy online, at swap meets and from supermarkets and places like Big W and Target. I also ALWAYS check out the dollar shops for obscure low end diecast. These stores have great names like 'Silly Willys' and 'Yes Good Buys'. </div>
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And a shout out to Brad from<a href="http://cobratoys.com.au/"> Cobra Toys</a> - who I have bought from several times always with great service. He is also a great source for SIKU. This post began as a response to a thread on the <a href="http://cobratoys.com.au/forums/index.php">Matchbox Collectors Forum</a> that Brad runs.</div>
D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-55075730786074038172013-01-17T06:23:00.001-08:002013-01-18T01:34:57.071-08:00Kaiyu diecast cars<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently I discovered a new three inch diecast model being sold in my local petrol station. Some research indicated that it was manufactured by a company called Kaiyu, for a Mexican brand called <b>Gashaball</b>. <a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/gashaball-supercarz-by-kaiyu.html">Read that post here</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgJrjl5-8WVrVS1ouWuKU8T062Rf3e_bn_zMSpM97Oj14xYm_rRRkvLaSEoQ9OzJEl8RoQIWTA25DK6F4pZGxW3A0NfqgPH10urn36nC5GpZhfkDIVjPZ2Z3XYDTig_zd_ynnInnoaas/s1600/kytoyslogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgJrjl5-8WVrVS1ouWuKU8T062Rf3e_bn_zMSpM97Oj14xYm_rRRkvLaSEoQ9OzJEl8RoQIWTA25DK6F4pZGxW3A0NfqgPH10urn36nC5GpZhfkDIVjPZ2Z3XYDTig_zd_ynnInnoaas/s400/kytoyslogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Kaiyu appear to be a brand of diecast cars in several scales, manufactured by the <b>Shantou City Kaiyu Industrial Co</b> in Guangdong, China. They also manufacture plastic bricks similar to Lego and remote control toy helicopters. My main interest is only their diecast cars. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #02032f; line-height: 16px;"> </span></div>
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Kaiyu may have a relationship with Golden Wheel, either as a producer of cars sold as Golden Wheel, or linked in a corporate way (I do not know). The castings with KY on the base started to appear in US 'Dollar' stores two years ago being sold as Golden Wheels.</div>
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The sub branding for the Kaiyu diecast cars appears to be Rongda. The scales that they manufacture in range from 1:12 to 1:87, and include construction equipment and <a href="http://www.kaiyutoys.com/en/products.asp?sid=54">trucks</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #02032f; line-height: 16px;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5lkjqOAH8pJ1RcrkGDXDKRKGIm-CfUsMKqfiPgjfKJivC3_YU2S3nU3M_RyUWaZ62Dig-HzZeRWmCFSIzSIqZmmh0wwwT18RB5q8Ngf52z3Q1twed8on7McTywfc95aqbdbQ7w_QOEI/s1600/kaiyurongda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5lkjqOAH8pJ1RcrkGDXDKRKGIm-CfUsMKqfiPgjfKJivC3_YU2S3nU3M_RyUWaZ62Dig-HzZeRWmCFSIzSIqZmmh0wwwT18RB5q8Ngf52z3Q1twed8on7McTywfc95aqbdbQ7w_QOEI/s320/kaiyurongda.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rongda logo - a Kaiyu sub-brand</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPfPkAQ3k5e2uS12VzblYvxRSOUkuqTfWMWXp_6NfX1LJz6-2oIhGaUZ-jVCuV0GaO4OnJpF9B-s2dtuYL8cbkemNJ4UV53loIQaGDbmSARQQPsgHoGGsJugRobfp3uD157n0j0teNYU/s1600/kaiyutoys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPfPkAQ3k5e2uS12VzblYvxRSOUkuqTfWMWXp_6NfX1LJz6-2oIhGaUZ-jVCuV0GaO4OnJpF9B-s2dtuYL8cbkemNJ4UV53loIQaGDbmSARQQPsgHoGGsJugRobfp3uD157n0j0teNYU/s320/kaiyutoys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.kaiyutoys.com/en/productsb.asp?id=290&showid=52">Supercar brand</a> very similar castings to MotorMax</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNREbXeXUW15IboCTlNYKKaae_3iF36iafr-AB8HTX53pI3uk6S7Qjz9nA8OUps5xCkuD-sazD5368WVhmiOILK8hLMn31aahPXOywUIGzg1ZdG6HwtBB48oJj7hY2BDEHtBm0vP21bM/s1600/kaiyu2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNREbXeXUW15IboCTlNYKKaae_3iF36iafr-AB8HTX53pI3uk6S7Qjz9nA8OUps5xCkuD-sazD5368WVhmiOILK8hLMn31aahPXOywUIGzg1ZdG6HwtBB48oJj7hY2BDEHtBm0vP21bM/s320/kaiyu2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.kaiyutoys.com/en/productsb.asp?id=364&showid=52">4D brand</a>, very similar to Tomica packaging</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhWkrokOHuGIKT1wq2HyVs_487l2Oxjjlmarf1Lj7_Rr-w0-IzSvS_Nz1mTTwzuzytRKecj1tAF_VmGu1lTVqwZvD6yC2faxD_V76VqOgI66W85ZoPk4OHB9hjx-qZe_3GdMdsdCojls/s1600/kaiyu3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhWkrokOHuGIKT1wq2HyVs_487l2Oxjjlmarf1Lj7_Rr-w0-IzSvS_Nz1mTTwzuzytRKecj1tAF_VmGu1lTVqwZvD6yC2faxD_V76VqOgI66W85ZoPk4OHB9hjx-qZe_3GdMdsdCojls/s320/kaiyu3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.kaiyutoys.com/en/productsb.asp?id=288&showid=52">Construction Machines</a> - I cant determine if this carries a sub-brand</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgux3248jR8HlYp0OOK_ZpkIdP3IUfDxMjr7rZjM5q6olzsMpVNUK_Gvfh2I3aPqrHZ2uPmzgBVl-tpc5mLhrZ8OV7T_SddeCSkHNrGJIr6t618JUp2O34ixetngylyA_EyHK5gAj8auuk/s1600/kaiyu4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgux3248jR8HlYp0OOK_ZpkIdP3IUfDxMjr7rZjM5q6olzsMpVNUK_Gvfh2I3aPqrHZ2uPmzgBVl-tpc5mLhrZ8OV7T_SddeCSkHNrGJIr6t618JUp2O34ixetngylyA_EyHK5gAj8auuk/s320/kaiyu4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.kaiyutoys.com/en/productsb.asp?id=291&showid=52">Classic Cars</a> - a range of three vintage trucks</div>
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At this stage the only cars I have actually seen are three of the Supercars range being sold in Australia under the <b>Gashaball Supercarz</b> range. The quality of these cars is very good. The casting is crisp, the interior is well moulded, it carries clear glass and a multi-strike tampo printing at the front and rear. The tiny badge is distinct. Only the wheels detract from this being more than a kids toy. This is a casting good enough to be in the Matchbox line. </div>
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If anyone has more info on the Kaiyu range of diecast, please leave a comment. </div>
<br />D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-43883653003376175222013-01-17T06:22:00.001-08:002013-01-17T06:24:55.982-08:00Gashaball Supercarz by Kaiyu <div style="text-align: justify;">
I am always on the lookout for what I like to term 'Low end diecast' and found this new to me brand of approximately 1:64 or three inch cars, at the local service station when paying for LP gas. One of the best things about these sorts of finds are the interesting discoveries that you sometimes make while trying to find out who exactly makes the car.<br />
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Let me present for your enjoyment <b>Gashaball Supercarz</b>... by <a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/kaiyu-diecast-cars.html">Kaiyu</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStMI4n9nL4evxDf9vG45Bt28RBBPsatMZTdilWQILyYIccCa_ic8asmitgOjrBiF5clTU08Ksfyu6RL2Nng0oyIYQO5P26tkWY7lzLA6B2SyFmpt6qPc_G53pM5CPspBlm_pm46vPqaw/s1600/sc_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStMI4n9nL4evxDf9vG45Bt28RBBPsatMZTdilWQILyYIccCa_ic8asmitgOjrBiF5clTU08Ksfyu6RL2Nng0oyIYQO5P26tkWY7lzLA6B2SyFmpt6qPc_G53pM5CPspBlm_pm46vPqaw/s400/sc_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gashaball Supercarz BMW X5</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgon2YcNjyPDT_D8YXez4hWksxk5xZ3psfgxk_bmBtAEsYyCTio8cBdRKxONmbh9yB5QtVBnm19oS-52fvBqLbZzclq7udzNM8Q0yGHZKeGjlfenH_mYR9W6qlTL7oMuuVfriFilUqCA/s1600/sc_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgon2YcNjyPDT_D8YXez4hWksxk5xZ3psfgxk_bmBtAEsYyCTio8cBdRKxONmbh9yB5QtVBnm19oS-52fvBqLbZzclq7udzNM8Q0yGHZKeGjlfenH_mYR9W6qlTL7oMuuVfriFilUqCA/s400/sc_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gashaball Supercarz BW Z4</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO-vxQmcRwT_UJPnbV3sw2pAqHfnPPtRA-GvoWuJp3G0mQN6jPRmFrXS_RxHJWVwlbHQdIvCSPfNtg-uGheDABuykoapbr4HSjy_rSqdj0w9WtTB8ZAZ82PGDpxm6YvIZR8iXKXWkzNo/s1600/sc_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO-vxQmcRwT_UJPnbV3sw2pAqHfnPPtRA-GvoWuJp3G0mQN6jPRmFrXS_RxHJWVwlbHQdIvCSPfNtg-uGheDABuykoapbr4HSjy_rSqdj0w9WtTB8ZAZ82PGDpxm6YvIZR8iXKXWkzNo/s400/sc_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gashaball Supercarz Porsche Cayman</div>
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Looking cosely at the rear of the blister reveals that they are <b>Gashaball 'Supercarz'</b>. I can deduce by Googling that they are a Chinese manufactured range of cars for the Mexican market. They are distributed in Australia by a company called <a href="http://www.teddyandfriends.com.au/catalogue/products.cfm?mpid=430924">'Teddy and Friends'</a> and retail for $1.99. Oddly, although Gashaball appear to be a Mexican brand, the packaging on these three cars is in English. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUDei7YsBxnCBH0OIiU0s8Z0NSpoPnP_25GNJTBPTB5K7rsy3A1HrkKZtlpLSXq8b6arTIQADu6qbXTjXsWto1-XfyE9STLn1e21tOz9bZnQwmYRSh6q_dif3W8z7vFMBd6ib_Y50CFw/s1600/sc_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUDei7YsBxnCBH0OIiU0s8Z0NSpoPnP_25GNJTBPTB5K7rsy3A1HrkKZtlpLSXq8b6arTIQADu6qbXTjXsWto1-XfyE9STLn1e21tOz9bZnQwmYRSh6q_dif3W8z7vFMBd6ib_Y50CFw/s400/sc_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Rear of Gashaball Supercarz blister</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4RYclaCg9kUP1P5junQwROLq59XPvd-IcvDSj1D2B9T1wff3LOZ3vtzHTv4VR8sUILvFilpDIq3RbTZLfUgL_Qv571c4HSGynQGnm8SJpYLggoxa5mM2rk3WCvZoUQgRa06qHhJIwhc/s1600/sc_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4RYclaCg9kUP1P5junQwROLq59XPvd-IcvDSj1D2B9T1wff3LOZ3vtzHTv4VR8sUILvFilpDIq3RbTZLfUgL_Qv571c4HSGynQGnm8SJpYLggoxa5mM2rk3WCvZoUQgRa06qHhJIwhc/s400/sc_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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base of Gashaball Supercarz BMW X5</div>
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For a closer look, I freed the BMW from its blister. The base has no manufacturers name, it says <b>2009 BMW X5</b> and <b>Made in China</b> and <b>KY 80601-1</b>. Despite not carrying the distinctive Motormax MM on the base, it looks very similar to a Motormax car. </div>
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The wheels look identical those used in the 3inch Motormax range, and the car matches the BMW X5 in the Motormax catalogue (although in the catalogue it says it is #6025). The clear plastic windscreen with a cast in wiper is identical on both the Gashaball and the Motormax. </div>
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I even checked a very good reference<a href="http://www.toynutz.com/ZeeToysMotormax6000.html"> Dana Johnsons Toynutz page</a>, and this packaging and brand isn't listed. I'm convinced this is a Motormax in another brands packaging. </div>
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The baseplate details are niggling away at me though, so I googled the KY 80601-1 and discover a company called <a href="http://www.kaiyutoys.com/en/productsb.asp?id=290&showid=52">Kaiyu Industrial</a> with this car on its website, and the product number. <b>So it isn't a Motormax!</b> Its a copy of a Motormax - and a very good one. </div>
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See <a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/kaiyu-diecast-cars.html">this post for more on Kaiyu</a> diecasts.</div>
<br />D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-49891292458063936272013-01-06T20:56:00.000-08:002013-01-06T23:32:40.656-08:00Collectors are not hoarders and they don't require intervention<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Over the festivus break I visited my Mums place. She has Foxtel - hundreds of channels and several devoted to 'lifestyle'. One of the shows I watched was an English TV show that has this unique plot: </span></div>
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<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">you are a collector (so must be a hoarder), </span></li>
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<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">someone you know cares so much, they go to a TV producer instead of mental health professionals, </span></li>
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<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">while you are out they clean out your house and then sell everything, </span></li>
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<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">you are 'allowed' to keep three items. </span></li>
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<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">you then get the 'chance' to keep more items if you can identify them after they show you 20 of them and then ask you to recall them. </span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The episode I watched had a nerdy Irish guy in his late 30's. He lived on his own in a medium sized three bedroom home, with an attached garage. He collected the following: </span><br />
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<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dr Who memorabilia, </span></span></li>
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<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">comics, </span></span></li>
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<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mini (the car) diecast cars and memorabilia, and one actual Mini Cooper, </span></span></li>
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<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Star Wars memorabilia. </span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were no doubt other themes in his collection of collections, but it was a one hour show, and with the endless recapping to address our limited attention spans, they only went with this subset. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">His home was neat, not overly cluttered, and not a 'hoarders house' with fossilised cats under piles of ten year old newspapers (There are other TV shows that specialise in this voyeurs delight). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">His sister, who didn't live with him, had contacted the TV producers. While her brother was at work they entered his home and cleaned it out. The burglars and his nutty sister did a tour around the home pre-burglary, and gasped at his nerdish obsessions. Tut tutting at a pointless original 1970's Kenner 'Millennium Falcon'. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mr Collector then arrives home - and is 'surprised' by his helpful sister and the TV crew. They then showed him around the newly burgled, sorry, emptied home. A smarmy orange tanned presenter made merry japes while this poor guy just looked at room after empty room, dropping his jaw and gasping for air. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The collector was clearly stunned, possibly in shock. Acutely embarrassed. His sister kept saying things like '<i>I dont know why you want the wee car, you never drive it</i>' and '<i>what does anyone need 3000 comics for</i>'. She was an unfeeling, interfering busybody. The poor guy just agreed with everything this pair of idiots proposed. He was probably too embarrassed. His sister was relishing the whole event. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The poor collector managed to keep a few of his most cherished items, but the rest were sold. Here is where it <b>becomes even</b> <b>crueler</b>. The whole premise of the show is that by clearing out this hoarders house and ridding him of his stuff, they will help him - with cash - after selling his collection. he had a 'dream' (according to his sister and the producers) to visit the magical United States of America. By selling his collection they would help him realise this dream. Except they didn't. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These idiots carted his collections from Northern Ireland to some obscure middle-of-nowhere in England auction house and presented them to the public. The prices achieved were laughable. Why? Because they were auctioning collectibles to the general public who had no knowledge of or interest in the actual items, they were simply after bargain toys. Possibly to resell on Ebay. If the TV producers had any integrity they would have taken the items to a specialist auctioneer, like Vectis. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The cruel irony - they raised barely 300 pounds. His collection gone, and not enough cash for a trip to the United States. He now goes home to an empty house - with only 300 pounds to show for a lifetime of collecting. His sister had a good time though - and hey she's been on the telly! The TV presenter asked him if he had 'enjoyed the show'... he said 'yes, it needed to be done'. Im sure that was not his true belief, but hey the TV cameras are rolling. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">He should have called the police when he arrived back at his empty house, had these thieves arrested and a restraining order placed on his sister. I wonder how this man feels, now the dogs have barked and the TV caravan has moved on. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Collectors are not hoarders, and they don't require intervention. Especially from TV producers. If you seriously believe someone has a debilitating hoarding illness, contact a mental health professional - not a TV show. </span></div>
D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-81513695993309623212012-07-21T03:53:00.000-07:002012-07-21T03:53:36.019-07:00Matchbox SRT Viper - Code 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGZu6svJ5EcfBRoWPlFkUAEvpf710D0FNqpnbNW2TDYV3UuFY6i5nHDJf9gYac-GSS6SyOPwUfRb-xw4qhBE0-P-BOnyvHFAhSclgw8OGgBZRKxvAJV7dIJ4sO3RW9LPkhVN-dPofd3I/s1600/viper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGZu6svJ5EcfBRoWPlFkUAEvpf710D0FNqpnbNW2TDYV3UuFY6i5nHDJf9gYac-GSS6SyOPwUfRb-xw4qhBE0-P-BOnyvHFAhSclgw8OGgBZRKxvAJV7dIJ4sO3RW9LPkhVN-dPofd3I/s400/viper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Mattel design team have made some very controversial decisions for the 2012 Matchbox range. They have delivered a selection of garish designs and odd generic models which have not proved popular in the adult collector community. One hopes that their core audience - kids who play with these cars - are happy, and that sales have boomed as a result. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One casting that suffered spectacularly from this design decision was the Dodge Viper. I decided to 'improve' the Matchbox teams colour choice, by stripping the garish tampo, and detailing the car. This is a fairly light Code 3 of this car, with glass and wheels untouched. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bfMbdcg0oIoJSfgttfC57aKOWRHoTe3fgCddJuI6Dkol4P3QZWcuNDUUtX1RORwfe2mfJvauOyXT54MwxBWkOyw6PG5ZYQeghPGez0anEEftP7ABaR4Q6NTNVfuBcexknQ8SVJA703s/s1600/100_1297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bfMbdcg0oIoJSfgttfC57aKOWRHoTe3fgCddJuI6Dkol4P3QZWcuNDUUtX1RORwfe2mfJvauOyXT54MwxBWkOyw6PG5ZYQeghPGez0anEEftP7ABaR4Q6NTNVfuBcexknQ8SVJA703s/s400/100_1297.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I used nail polish remover and some earwax remover buds to remove the tampos. This took some time and as i decided to keep the SRT signage, i had to be extra careful. I did rub a little too hard and too long at one point and removed some of the pearl white paint in one area. it was carefully touched up and cant be seen now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiillnlN5vO5Xl27HdSHrxwoA5EjACPQiQ0h9EdhLZM-ylMLE4Ne0AlVPugvr0KpR2Kuv2KuyZdGk3qWY5ndLRROdEEYhicyoSSZNJNgyN_SpcRIiG-c3QBZbHADs3a6-gZrUSCSzZuHdE/s1600/100_1293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiillnlN5vO5Xl27HdSHrxwoA5EjACPQiQ0h9EdhLZM-ylMLE4Ne0AlVPugvr0KpR2Kuv2KuyZdGk3qWY5ndLRROdEEYhicyoSSZNJNgyN_SpcRIiG-c3QBZbHADs3a6-gZrUSCSzZuHdE/s400/100_1293.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the main garish blue tampo removed, I used a silver paint pen to detail the exhaust, door mirrors and headlights. Red paint on a fine brush was applied to the brake lights and the brake light above the rear windscreen. Below the rear brake lights I used the silver paint pen to highlight the reflector part of the brake light array and the numberplate area. I went over the external edge of the rear lower spoiler with a white paint pen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVBHmkJFJy4dDTvsKKmWRZYTYgBLraEpa-MhAwXlhE3e9pPwxb0gG0wOp3YMlpede2-jvYkelkenVTgR27pJHAN9vntnw9vlmGAKD0j62NlNtCd42ly1PhRq45P0oUiW-zjsPR7DiBHc/s1600/100_1298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVBHmkJFJy4dDTvsKKmWRZYTYgBLraEpa-MhAwXlhE3e9pPwxb0gG0wOp3YMlpede2-jvYkelkenVTgR27pJHAN9vntnw9vlmGAKD0j62NlNtCd42ly1PhRq45P0oUiW-zjsPR7DiBHc/s400/100_1298.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A black paint pen was used to fill in the vent above the main bumper, the grilles in the bonnet and the four radiator holes in the main front bumper. There is also an air vent just above the windscreen on the roof which also had a touch of black paint arrived. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPVW0uipud-YWV0k8oyB8cNhjoEhBQ6BNWQq2oPtd_FksuBG3xuQljyLEVsLa-MM93pZxT4oCbyp7Wqe0C-45RAT47GgvMpYHpSe0Hth-8BNgZCTsbzymJUUMZRy15jukcrpXHzKUJNY/s1600/100_1304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPVW0uipud-YWV0k8oyB8cNhjoEhBQ6BNWQq2oPtd_FksuBG3xuQljyLEVsLa-MM93pZxT4oCbyp7Wqe0C-45RAT47GgvMpYHpSe0Hth-8BNgZCTsbzymJUUMZRy15jukcrpXHzKUJNY/s400/100_1304.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In this view you can see where the silver paint pen was also used on the fuel filler caps on the rear deck. White paint was used on the front spoiler, but has come up gray. I may strip that paint off, but it was the only element of this minor Code 3 job I am unhappy with. The underlying pearl white paint is very attractive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If you are unhappy with the main design theme on this years matchbox range, I recommend you apply my approach to your favoured casting. Check back here for my take on the VW Amarok. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-56351921241551332772012-04-19T17:32:00.000-07:002012-04-19T17:32:22.547-07:00The truth about diecast car collectors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUedWzdmkQYepT3UYgw_DYK8X3Qfxtv1Li5TISIYz-DFhia-F2pBkUOPuBvpD46eBXV_O5Vcwp61w2yxY_XoJ95nyxgOQR6bJ7DDzanwEAjwR3U5rMYGiENF025T4uxlsqM4oK6QRsBZU/s1600/toycollectordiecast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUedWzdmkQYepT3UYgw_DYK8X3Qfxtv1Li5TISIYz-DFhia-F2pBkUOPuBvpD46eBXV_O5Vcwp61w2yxY_XoJ95nyxgOQR6bJ7DDzanwEAjwR3U5rMYGiENF025T4uxlsqM4oK6QRsBZU/s640/toycollectordiecast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I shamelessly stole this from the web and changed 'Toy Collector' to 'Diecast Car Collector'. I would love to know who created the original. If someone knows let me know and I will credit them.D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-41922268276236977632012-03-20T23:21:00.001-07:002012-03-27T01:25:56.664-07:00Fun Ho! 44 Bulldozer repair using Matchbox 8d parts<div style="text-align: justify;">I was looking at my Fun Ho! fleet in preparation for the April Canberra Model Vehicle Collectors Club meeting - the theme for that evening will be 'state of origin'. I will be taking all my Fun Ho! along - as they are all of NZ origin.</div><br />
I would like to take the Fun Ho! bulldozer along - but it lacked treads. What to do?<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Knowing that many Fun Ho! castings are close copies of Lesney castings, I had a quick flick through Warmans 'Matchbox Field Guide' and sure enough - it's almost identical to the Matchbox regular wheel 8d bulldozer. The main and significant difference being that the Fun Ho! has a lifting bucket at the front.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXaPurEwVZxrk1m6a6nMsxDjcKUIiHdKANXxXQP-hM89eyP0IBwhxEfAMvFQDzHVCn5eObZQSC2RuRu4KJLtC9AZbJ9d8hn4SHiF3wA_KQ4sTEiEFFLEUgnt8ZqWG0kbtE8A5v9RGFVk/s1600/lesney+8d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXaPurEwVZxrk1m6a6nMsxDjcKUIiHdKANXxXQP-hM89eyP0IBwhxEfAMvFQDzHVCn5eObZQSC2RuRu4KJLtC9AZbJ9d8hn4SHiF3wA_KQ4sTEiEFFLEUgnt8ZqWG0kbtE8A5v9RGFVk/s1600/lesney+8d.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Matchbox tractor 8d (ebay ad photo)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD55syZq4IbaoFncGYF1QEwGTixvZF60BQZVLgd3ZeiNeaRBFW4v1kMO0a6btPjBd1rtQtzDVoD7Z7Ld-GqvxaKASlCdtN4nLxtPlPAzTVl1n2tmY6_PTQlfdDvA62G93IbpiBWrpvIw4/s1600/funho+44d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD55syZq4IbaoFncGYF1QEwGTixvZF60BQZVLgd3ZeiNeaRBFW4v1kMO0a6btPjBd1rtQtzDVoD7Z7Ld-GqvxaKASlCdtN4nLxtPlPAzTVl1n2tmY6_PTQlfdDvA62G93IbpiBWrpvIw4/s320/funho+44d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fun Ho 44 (photo from the Toy Cabin)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The castings are so similar except that Fun Ho! 44 has a few alterations, that allow it to be used as a bull dozer with a flat blade, and a lifting bucket. My main concern was - would the Matchbox tracks fit the fun Ho!?</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I asked on the Matchbox Collectors Community Hall forums for replacement parts suppliers - and received a few pointers. I went with '<a href="http://www.recovertoy.com/shop/index.php">RecoverToy</a>' located in Australia. They were able to supply a set of tracks to fit the Matchbox 8d. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlD0u3t6Qo2ai4uNPlBpTca7jdJ7KDLGu_L68ezBGhpmZ3XJ5i3I3jHvBoYsnpAd18rmejhi4JizH4zHjoLyBKCRAajKmw5P76yjZCuRoXAqW5YKTgvHKG-z_9qGS3tica_x1doeYViC0/s1600/funho_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlD0u3t6Qo2ai4uNPlBpTca7jdJ7KDLGu_L68ezBGhpmZ3XJ5i3I3jHvBoYsnpAd18rmejhi4JizH4zHjoLyBKCRAajKmw5P76yjZCuRoXAqW5YKTgvHKG-z_9qGS3tica_x1doeYViC0/s400/funho_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4w9JEWusZaHnMDs8lDkqslzGZzhiA7aF_m3oQl11G8bQBmfUwG3Bay2l90qKr2k9Sy05S2UqgnL6LGWsiDWHZM179uM_oKp4iscuyWkDY4M1pKpU2OaS8tHCruiHnJ3279w8VF70N7w/s1600/funho_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4w9JEWusZaHnMDs8lDkqslzGZzhiA7aF_m3oQl11G8bQBmfUwG3Bay2l90qKr2k9Sy05S2UqgnL6LGWsiDWHZM179uM_oKp4iscuyWkDY4M1pKpU2OaS8tHCruiHnJ3279w8VF70N7w/s400/funho_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When they arrived - I fitted them - and they were perfect. They aren't black, like the ones in the photo above - but they fit, and suit the playworn dozer. RecoverToy also threw in a sheet of decals with my order - which was a pleasant surprise. I am very happy with the result. </div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-88007490770377777512012-03-18T23:11:00.000-07:002012-03-18T23:11:40.348-07:00Worlds smallest scale model car is resin<div style="text-align: justify;">I once saw some model vehicles meant for the deck of a model aircraft carrier. They were <i>tiny</i>, but still identifiable as vehicles. My eyes probably aren't good enough to identify <a href="http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/03/indycar-3d-nanoprinter/">this model</a>, without access to a microscope. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjH8w294uDawtEy6S6LG2IocuES-HOh4m6482ClCTtNMXUh6DnMmKz32cf2UlE9h5EU4Kz2-9iIAn_wQW3CUABFdhD0M1b99ARoLHvypFE7f-ubwRNLLfqHAddrlMmAgoTV64HNR093s/s1600/3D_Indy-660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjH8w294uDawtEy6S6LG2IocuES-HOh4m6482ClCTtNMXUh6DnMmKz32cf2UlE9h5EU4Kz2-9iIAn_wQW3CUABFdhD0M1b99ARoLHvypFE7f-ubwRNLLfqHAddrlMmAgoTV64HNR093s/s400/3D_Indy-660.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Very tiny Indy Car model </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo from Wired 'Autopia' Blog</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">How small is this model ? It is <b>285 micrometers</b>, or 1/100th of an inch. Smaller than a human hair or a grain of sand! It has been constructed by Austrian scientists using a very advanced form of 3D printing and uses resin as the agent to build the object with. They built this as a demonstration of the new technologies they are developing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Of course one has to ask why Austrian scientists in Vienna built a model of an Indy Car, when they could have chosen from any of the fine Austrian cars that have graced the autobahns of Europe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'm not sure if they will be producing any other cars in this scale, or if this is a one off, but its an impressive demonstration of future scale model technology. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If anyone can advise exactly what scale this is - I'd be grateful.</div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-65117858483728406532012-03-13T21:19:00.001-07:002012-03-13T21:47:16.582-07:00Canberra Downhill Diecast Dragracers - Round One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After <a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/diecast-downhill-drag-racing-track.html">constructing a Hot Wheels racing track</a> - you need somewhere to race it. As a member of the Canberra Model Vehicle Collectors Club, I decided to take it along to the March meeting and set it up and have at it. Two other people had expressed interest - and I had two cars mailed to me by 'Model40fan' at the <a href="http://www.redlinederby.com/community/index.php?sid=95d22c6ed7cf613f12506e189e8fd446">Redline Racing Forums</a>. Four people is enough for a competition!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9E1iJ1VLJmbmhZwqeEBCLh3Wih3-efrU9LUclWQ7Z9xcgC1d0mPPyHvBRFv912j-hclyYkr64PvLQd7DPNbni_PpE4QhGmynrSpctYT_WOS_Pqj5jSz-ibVO5dmbALhH_epTKxlWqHI/s1600/dc_racer_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9E1iJ1VLJmbmhZwqeEBCLh3Wih3-efrU9LUclWQ7Z9xcgC1d0mPPyHvBRFv912j-hclyYkr64PvLQd7DPNbni_PpE4QhGmynrSpctYT_WOS_Pqj5jSz-ibVO5dmbALhH_epTKxlWqHI/s640/dc_racer_01.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The track laid out and all components joined together. If you look, you can actually see two little cars that have just exited the starting gate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12F79F9eWLvCkyrj61u3slYDJ0VMljDlp8KPJqJ8MuOXN0WpFwf67wCOsVARt-2-vTYNTBHeMTBqu2aggfWXpzVrKDZPZlfygEq4TR_pCV-VEr9BNaKqmpXTPuSAJu3fRI0Uw0udavwg/s1600/dc_racer_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12F79F9eWLvCkyrj61u3slYDJ0VMljDlp8KPJqJ8MuOXN0WpFwf67wCOsVARt-2-vTYNTBHeMTBqu2aggfWXpzVrKDZPZlfygEq4TR_pCV-VEr9BNaKqmpXTPuSAJu3fRI0Uw0udavwg/s400/dc_racer_010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> There were a few kinks - such as this MAJOR one - and of course, I didn't have a stanley knife to trim it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90fsoL_qsItgJSQwvCMi49-OFhabK0GhyXtnoitcWai499XkOY1qLjpJQQgS-LCSIX4Y9vkrTbo-MX5EQzIHM4x_Tkh9RtPz4k8fOlMh8l51WqprRnxTj-KOcrXTKR1D2TXvxDkg-2jw/s1600/dc_racer_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90fsoL_qsItgJSQwvCMi49-OFhabK0GhyXtnoitcWai499XkOY1qLjpJQQgS-LCSIX4Y9vkrTbo-MX5EQzIHM4x_Tkh9RtPz4k8fOlMh8l51WqprRnxTj-KOcrXTKR1D2TXvxDkg-2jw/s400/dc_racer_011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The towel is to catch cars that have exited the track after going through the finish line. You can see here where the vintage track meets the contemporary Hot Wheels track (the pieces on the blue painted plank).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzkkkY2tZNgbAEavQt8kJqgLseOXpd6M3E1yTttu3sFaXWMAe74puRcSU8mbhQoV6wwOnsJYNUKCOCHvshf_F5A6yXC8NfDUuPSnvm7X1bJEj_KFcjmf9Rg4sHfq4NPWY01bmi5-01J8/s1600/dc_racer_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzkkkY2tZNgbAEavQt8kJqgLseOXpd6M3E1yTttu3sFaXWMAe74puRcSU8mbhQoV6wwOnsJYNUKCOCHvshf_F5A6yXC8NfDUuPSnvm7X1bJEj_KFcjmf9Rg4sHfq4NPWY01bmi5-01J8/s320/dc_racer_012.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because of the kinks, including some sections where track joined, a few cars tumbled off the track - such as the Hot Wheels Volkswagen Type 181. It was a fast car - but the track needs some improvements.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXfmhauy-RRCY63YpoWclTSj1hqx8A6uSIec4ZO8F4iQZe9y9PnRlTODEmnSvTbNTkWvJ-yiQU4Lw8zv9uksghU6vzGZkPEZ85DZkbcUHHb3pSXs9w76ZInx_g0r_wfRB00Fyx4STffM/s1600/dc_racer_013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXfmhauy-RRCY63YpoWclTSj1hqx8A6uSIec4ZO8F4iQZe9y9PnRlTODEmnSvTbNTkWvJ-yiQU4Lw8zv9uksghU6vzGZkPEZ85DZkbcUHHb3pSXs9w76ZInx_g0r_wfRB00Fyx4STffM/s400/dc_racer_013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Half Packid (US Import) vs Matchbox 'Tyre Fryer'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One solution on the night was to lower the track a little. I had the track elevated about a metre to start with, but too many cars came off the track, as gravity, a bumpy track etc caused them to exit the tracks... so we lowered the starting gate to chair seat level. This helped considerably. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJpeindU5c41V1N6QIiz2fdiTvdm7nF0b9s0vbbv39fvv38Kh9yNC7ft8w6y2NKKWxe-S9U5oBK35UV4nticqSL0Eh6f8KF6DU4LwQdWmos4Pjjb15ExmT4r1ySfCInCjVlQ8uCtawMU/s1600/dc_racer_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJpeindU5c41V1N6QIiz2fdiTvdm7nF0b9s0vbbv39fvv38Kh9yNC7ft8w6y2NKKWxe-S9U5oBK35UV4nticqSL0Eh6f8KF6DU4LwQdWmos4Pjjb15ExmT4r1ySfCInCjVlQ8uCtawMU/s400/dc_racer_014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After watching us race, Sam decided to get involved - he had bought along some cars to swap/sell - and came over with this Matchbox Viper. It was pretty quick.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFxkcxsKN6WsD5R4T8DMXQHpQJZoCS35qRFyHgy9d9R7HHf7SJgeIbjSi_ha5egWu7zeNwq8kuZgITZ2G_n_m351-jjsTalEbIwy0_7GtmFzVYq9udv-x1VZFpG2WlagwNWlCvE-Co9w/s1600/dc_racer_015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFxkcxsKN6WsD5R4T8DMXQHpQJZoCS35qRFyHgy9d9R7HHf7SJgeIbjSi_ha5egWu7zeNwq8kuZgITZ2G_n_m351-jjsTalEbIwy0_7GtmFzVYq9udv-x1VZFpG2WlagwNWlCvE-Co9w/s400/dc_racer_015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Viper vs Half Packid (US import)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFEYI1ZvnIUxEKw3gJE4c3HVVcK0ULgO0r7bYWXP9KUmHm63guQskc0Bjz35ipUQt8Au3jhTZmoYKn64gRKnlq6voGtqNlu5qEOpmKjRyqv97lLaJkaJl9RDt7yUqmA9l7YJzjevzBtM/s1600/dc_racer_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFEYI1ZvnIUxEKw3gJE4c3HVVcK0ULgO0r7bYWXP9KUmHm63guQskc0Bjz35ipUQt8Au3jhTZmoYKn64gRKnlq6voGtqNlu5qEOpmKjRyqv97lLaJkaJl9RDt7yUqmA9l7YJzjevzBtM/s400/dc_racer_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span>Hot Wheels<span class="Apple-style-span"> Corvette vs Majorette Morgan</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOff4D8wlwye3WTjBCycMLbNOiaNkpRjkwwc1MzmMEx9KJypjPDIVczfzNh2ZtcGyuDv-OGRS2R_oo8Ub2rOv_kzpZ-BbVZQgbQ5yMnR1yD_BRfrmAAFtMIt_Ao0WYApbidc9Uy-nfqk/s1600/dc_racer_017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOff4D8wlwye3WTjBCycMLbNOiaNkpRjkwwc1MzmMEx9KJypjPDIVczfzNh2ZtcGyuDv-OGRS2R_oo8Ub2rOv_kzpZ-BbVZQgbQ5yMnR1yD_BRfrmAAFtMIt_Ao0WYApbidc9Uy-nfqk/s400/dc_racer_017.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> McDonalds Hot Wheels 32 Roadster vs Matchbox Dodge Monaco</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYUuMdH_wQu_Wokb4X52VybF15moyLJmT18AIufJMoJvQStHwXHZJD9G9PEqresJK5W2d5A7jE1C6Nt2Odx9Jbk2NrItX0eXseOR6VwDMFz6A1PvWVafBuEoLSVauNI4D7ZvovNp6h_M/s1600/dc_racer_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYUuMdH_wQu_Wokb4X52VybF15moyLJmT18AIufJMoJvQStHwXHZJD9G9PEqresJK5W2d5A7jE1C6Nt2Odx9Jbk2NrItX0eXseOR6VwDMFz6A1PvWVafBuEoLSVauNI4D7ZvovNp6h_M/s400/dc_racer_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hot Wheels Studebaker Avanti vs Matchbox Holden Ute</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28dbVZIwbjhGWBgojheZypHiReELM0CRdmwKNsvZjLjMIx5DHpq9Q8KCn1iZgQYjJvL5aL6r4lSbY2eJff87r1Uda8KmMKppmgLH_XaY399U0tvQENbAsMCYZu02w3TTGap413o39DDs/s1600/dc_racer_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28dbVZIwbjhGWBgojheZypHiReELM0CRdmwKNsvZjLjMIx5DHpq9Q8KCn1iZgQYjJvL5aL6r4lSbY2eJff87r1Uda8KmMKppmgLH_XaY399U0tvQENbAsMCYZu02w3TTGap413o39DDs/s400/dc_racer_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span>Hot Wheels<span class="Apple-style-span"> Corvette vs 'Blue Spruce' (US import)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-018O6OBgCaJtHfSu_lWPgi08UK-1oxy3ZmGsLr4i1hgh0p45Lni52qqS7AEcqtgisysqsS1BrW1CghknQaVDnUQkkwfj8Rsqtyl_yYluxQyDL2_YOQh7ZndQgVsxmAZfjf5clNkThA/s1600/dc_racer_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-018O6OBgCaJtHfSu_lWPgi08UK-1oxy3ZmGsLr4i1hgh0p45Lni52qqS7AEcqtgisysqsS1BrW1CghknQaVDnUQkkwfj8Rsqtyl_yYluxQyDL2_YOQh7ZndQgVsxmAZfjf5clNkThA/s400/dc_racer_04.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blue Spruce vs Matchbox Holden Ute</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOJT11qjjlbyjUkKK5MWQNAZR1iVOxlUel3fgTemPluCIi_HouzGyWg2r8swEW1inOiJMkmeu7p1pBQZO3nEYERrmWQ_okELEQcC11r03HElu090PQrIjyv367KCt0RRRD_Af3aLUd7Y/s1600/dc_racer_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOJT11qjjlbyjUkKK5MWQNAZR1iVOxlUel3fgTemPluCIi_HouzGyWg2r8swEW1inOiJMkmeu7p1pBQZO3nEYERrmWQ_okELEQcC11r03HElu090PQrIjyv367KCt0RRRD_Af3aLUd7Y/s400/dc_racer_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> McDonalds Hot Wheels Go Kart vs Hot Wheels Studebaker Avanti. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">This is the original configuration of the track, with the starting gate raised just over a metre. The starting angle also seems too steep. The other problem is that although there is one button to start races, some cars seem to 'hang' at the gate and not race away. Advice is sought. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62Lg__HsZK4lRIrqzPzjmNo4SYKlxz5Mlz55FYNyApytNV3-hYlGE_amvutiJATe0pLaVZkH-R8yG6Ie9oZI4Uw63lnlHsQHSuNvTidDEieCAAzhN_8IH95iZ-V6DAtT8HfNV649u_bw/s1600/dc_racer_016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62Lg__HsZK4lRIrqzPzjmNo4SYKlxz5Mlz55FYNyApytNV3-hYlGE_amvutiJATe0pLaVZkH-R8yG6Ie9oZI4Uw63lnlHsQHSuNvTidDEieCAAzhN_8IH95iZ-V6DAtT8HfNV649u_bw/s400/dc_racer_016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Matchbox Holden Ute vs Matchbox Ferrari Testarossa. Cars are 'staging' off to the right. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lowering the starting gate and the angle of the track, was a partial solution to the problem with cars tumbling off the track. It still didn't stop some cars flying off when they encountered that large bump in the track. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr3gCEtPrZVEBWlmjrT6PpLgniCEj3cFCuWS1akHQNg2SG8AdZYF63dSKy3sSjG-8s4ZOZfbsoZVbr97YtlfQAwbmJ9Vp2KwW5UHL1jX18Mf37O348wNDFWW2t4fCqeLmwNW5-B_TrvM/s1600/dc_racer_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr3gCEtPrZVEBWlmjrT6PpLgniCEj3cFCuWS1akHQNg2SG8AdZYF63dSKy3sSjG-8s4ZOZfbsoZVbr97YtlfQAwbmJ9Vp2KwW5UHL1jX18Mf37O348wNDFWW2t4fCqeLmwNW5-B_TrvM/s400/dc_racer_09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This is where the two main parts of the track - two 1.8 metre planks - are joined by a hinge, and the four lengths of plastic track join. If I'd had a Stanley knife I could have fixed this kink, but alas I didn't... The wooden guides are not decorative - there are holes drilled through them, into the plank at the front and pins hold the plank on the right in place. You can see <a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/diecast-downhill-drag-racing-track.html">some construction photos here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Racing results (winners Bolded)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Half Packid</b> (US Import) vs Matchbox 'Tyre Fryer'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Matchbox Viper vs <b>Half Packid </b>(US import)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Hot Wheels Corvette</b> vs Majorette Morgan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Hot Wheels Corvette vs <b>Matchbox Holden Ute</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Hot Wheels Volkswagen Type 181 vs <b>Matchbox Holden Ute</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">McDonalds Hot Wheels 32 Roadster vs Matchbox Dodge Monaco (both DNF)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Hot Wheels Studebaker Avanti vs <b>Matchbox Holden Ute</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Hot Wheels Corvette vs '<b>Blue Spruce</b>' (US import)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Blue Spruce</b> vs Matchbox Holden Ute</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">McDonalds Hot Wheels Go Kart vs Hot Wheels Studebaker Avanti (both DNF)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Matchbox Holden Ute vs <b>Matchbox Ferrari Testarossa</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Blue Spruce </b>vs Half Packid</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Matchbox Ferrari Testarossa<b> vs </b><b>Blue Spruce </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the winner: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBKpAWk8iU758mOIrw7y9ldsBPq25pVdsSm5vLfO6zR0YbBKZZOPZT0kT5cnW0SgVw49e2-xDSFncLYdxUT6vpApu_Ct35K0EAn2cUSEcT-c5NxJ7_uTtW2b-oQPW3dbFLRG2UZDWidQ/s1600/dc_racer_018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBKpAWk8iU758mOIrw7y9ldsBPq25pVdsSm5vLfO6zR0YbBKZZOPZT0kT5cnW0SgVw49e2-xDSFncLYdxUT6vpApu_Ct35K0EAn2cUSEcT-c5NxJ7_uTtW2b-oQPW3dbFLRG2UZDWidQ/s320/dc_racer_018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Congrats to <b>Model40fan </b>and the visiting 3 inch sized American contingent!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(the car has a very cool resealable blister and its own printed card!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Conclusions</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><ol><li>I need to fine tune the track - remove the kinks, straighten the left hand track in one place.</li>
<li>The starting gate needs work</li>
<li>I need to experiment with a height to start the cars from</li>
<li>Narrow cars do not race well (Avanti, Monaco)</li>
<li>Cars with weight at the back do race well</li>
</ol><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Between now and the next race (probably the April meeting of the Canberra Model Vehicle Collectors Club ) I will work on improving the track. If anyone has advice - please post it in the comments section. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Oh - Big thanks to Sue who raced around collecting cars that tumbled off the track and also returned cars back to the starting gate... even after her Corvette exited the comp! It was also her idea to lower the starting gate height!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And if you want to race - let me know! </span></i></b></div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-65056410002537560472012-03-12T03:50:00.001-07:002012-03-12T18:15:40.181-07:00All diecast 1:43 scale cars that have raced and placed at Bathurst<div style="font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">Thanks to '<b>Tim</b>' I am able to offer a complete list of all existing 1:43 scale diecast cars raced at Bathurst since 1963 that have achieved a podium place. If it's raced there, had a placing, and is in 1:43 it should be in this list!. Tim supplied the original list in a spreadsheet format, but I have converted it to a PDF document. It's an impressive piece of research. </div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B046PDRxGah5OXpYZTZSOGJRWE81WnAtTVVaTmNvZw">All 1:43 scale diecast cars that have raced at Bathurst</a></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">If you see an error, or know of a car that should be there - please leave a comment below. </div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">That list is a little long and complex, hence the PDF. I also have a much shorter list of 1:43 scale 'castings' from various diecast manufacturers of cars that have raced at Bathurst. I did not create this list, and found it at the Biante forum. </div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>1:43 scale castings of cars that have raced at Bathurst</b></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1960 - Vauxhall Cresta - Vanguards </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1961 - Mercedes 220 - Australian Motoring Minatures</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1962 - XL Falcon - Australian Motoring Minatures</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1963 - Cortina - Australian Motoring Minatures</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1964 - Cortina - Vanguards / Classic Carlectables</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1965 - Cortina - Classic Carlectables / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1966 - Mini - Vanguards / Biante </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1967 - XR Falcon - Classic Carlectables / Trax</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1968 - HK Monaro - Biante (Autoart) / Trax</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1969 - HT Monaro - Biante (Autoart) / Trax</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1970 - XW Falcon - Biante </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1971 - XY Falcon - Biante / Classic / Trax</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1972 - LJ Torana - Dinkum / Trax</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1973 - XA Falcon - Biante (Autoart) / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1974 - XA Falcon - Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1975 - LH Torana - Biante (Autoart) / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1976 - LH Torana - Biante / Classic / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1977 - XC Falcon - Biante / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1978 - LX Torana - Biante (Autoart) / Dinkum / Australian Model cars / Automodelli</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1979 - LX Torana - Biante (Autoart) / Dinkum / Australian Model cars / Automodelli</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1980 - VC Commodore - Dinkum / Classic</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1981 - XD Falcon - Biante (Autoart) / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1982 - VH Commodore - Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1983 - VH Commodore - Classic / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1984 - VK Commodore - Dinkum / Biante </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1985 - Jaguar - Biante / Dinkum </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1986 - VK Commodore - Biante / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1987 - VL Commodore - Biante / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1988 - Sierra - Dinkum / Model Cars Australia / Automodelli / Apex (Coming)</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1989 - Sierra - Dinkum / Model Cars Australia / Automodelli / Biante (Coming)</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1990 - VL Commodore - Biante / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1991 - Skyline - Biante / Dinkum </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1992 - Skyline - Biante / Dinkum / Apex (Coming)</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1993 - VP Commodore - Dinkum / Galaxy</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1994 - EB Falcon - Dinkum / Galaxy / Biante(Coming)</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1995 - VR Commodore - Dinkum / Galaxy</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1996 - VR Commodore - Classic / Dinkum</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1997 - BMW 320 - Onyx </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1997 - VS Commodore - Classic </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1998 - Volvo S40 - Onyx </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1998 - EL Falcon - Classic </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">1999 - VT Commodore - Classic </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2000 - VT Commodore - Classic </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2001 - VX Commodore - Biante </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2002 - VX Commoore - Biante </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2003 - VY Commodore - Biante </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2004 - VY Commodore - Biante </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2005 - VZ Commodore - Biante </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2006 - BA Falcon - Classic</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2007 - BF Falcon - Classic </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2008 - Hogster - Classic </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2009 - VE Commodore - Classic </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">2010 - VE Commodore - Classic </span></div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-43751445350388646722012-03-10T21:10:00.001-08:002012-03-10T22:28:20.639-08:00Playart Lamborghini Countach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Occasionally you come across a car that ticks all the boxes in your collecting interests. For me, this car - a black Playart Lamborghini Countach - is one of them. I have been after an example for this for sometime - so when I saw this mint, carded example on Ebay - I was very keen. Fortunately I was the only bidder. Postage was more expensive than the car! Note that the car carries 'Charmers' as the brand name. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81sq49jGEGTwE47ZdsFLc6DhCfmSocwLfqEgZfFJP8BQwlmeet7Omvh8GCcY2TVGr8FtvufkEDAA_ito6PBR0S-TN_Vib6bVylPmkH95_QJeFpjrJWMKacorDCBN2SleLI63sustOvnk/s1600/playart_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81sq49jGEGTwE47ZdsFLc6DhCfmSocwLfqEgZfFJP8BQwlmeet7Omvh8GCcY2TVGr8FtvufkEDAA_ito6PBR0S-TN_Vib6bVylPmkH95_QJeFpjrJWMKacorDCBN2SleLI63sustOvnk/s400/playart_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Playart is an interesting company that has now sadly disappeared. Beginning like so many other diecast companies in Hong Kong in the late 1960's, Playart offered a wide range of castings under their own name and for house brands in US and European supermarkets. Many of their castings bear a close resemblance to Tomicas of the era. I'm not sure when Playart stopped producing diecast cars, but one of their last offerings was a 1980's Mustang. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOLJSGmamo5NUkP77-yRv1ZFsjNJ9IVSWaNr1elKXHi_BNgSXSuQX758yh2DnezhZ2_YE72VTRprpJPbOLymk1jS4X_PrmPt5pTpFMUG9fk7y4wtgbbxKSSYWJilnKAaZmwcvfM7bp3c/s1600/playart_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOLJSGmamo5NUkP77-yRv1ZFsjNJ9IVSWaNr1elKXHi_BNgSXSuQX758yh2DnezhZ2_YE72VTRprpJPbOLymk1jS4X_PrmPt5pTpFMUG9fk7y4wtgbbxKSSYWJilnKAaZmwcvfM7bp3c/s640/playart_02.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rear of Playart Lambo card - showing the range of 'Charmerz' cars. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This example is mint and carded. Normally, I'm happy to release cars from their plastic blisters into the wild, but I'm having second thoughts on this one. I might look for a good playworn or loose example to sit on the shelf. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For more info on Playart, I recommed <a href="http://www.toycollector.com/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=building-a-complete-playart-list-numbers-7100-7860-1-64-scale-modelshtml&Itemid=157&qh=YToyOntpOjA7czo3OiJwbGF5YXJ0IjtpOjE7czo4OiJwbGF5YXJ0cyI7fQ">Doug Breithaupts article here</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-38156954519046862842012-03-10T20:56:00.000-08:002012-03-10T20:56:58.742-08:00Motormax now stocked in Kmart and Target<div style="text-align: justify;">With the decline of the Matchbox brand, other diecast brands are filling the niche of the non-Hot Wheels 3 inch diecast car segment. Motormax are a brand that have produced cars for 'house labels' in Australian department stores for some time. Target has carried Motormax 5 packs under the Tough Stuff label for at least the last two years, and now Kmart are carrying Motormax cars in their own housebrand. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFH4FOObfYOaJXFlp3bEbVd6vKtzyt6aNG_iuL9Y9YNyOeAbWBeI-7k-7-bvs45U0bQjWXekhaVSmKUMbosivIK4S3C-ClE6FFkhZOmLRMcomDvFL6t0iTZqBwusZWjscqr6ce1bj_dM/s1600/mm_km_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFH4FOObfYOaJXFlp3bEbVd6vKtzyt6aNG_iuL9Y9YNyOeAbWBeI-7k-7-bvs45U0bQjWXekhaVSmKUMbosivIK4S3C-ClE6FFkhZOmLRMcomDvFL6t0iTZqBwusZWjscqr6ce1bj_dM/s400/mm_km_01.jpg" width="210" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vrmfESDcmF7Q3LFPX52QxUfFOdpLWxlWYvsVuUVYQCEvWWTzd2rWW7xl-eT4POPS1ZadT_N1RVLSGwwz18EKr3xdYWtudqnwsVNCokAcpEq27PcWXPj2yaJirOagRc6MCmQAufZ6C5Q/s1600/mm_km_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vrmfESDcmF7Q3LFPX52QxUfFOdpLWxlWYvsVuUVYQCEvWWTzd2rWW7xl-eT4POPS1ZadT_N1RVLSGwwz18EKr3xdYWtudqnwsVNCokAcpEq27PcWXPj2yaJirOagRc6MCmQAufZ6C5Q/s400/mm_km_02.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Fairly plain packaging for the Kmart range of Motormax</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_y1xB3UFEsjb2xqLlfhERWNXkd20ClcS8gJ781QDS-6U_GmsGM5-_35yAS7cusJBCvcmr3JWF1l8ejXKAv25gLkB0lP07AVIXdgsLFCBCZR32g_vTA-uctyW8dJDMzFLvj_I8vXP5wEE/s1600/mm_km_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_y1xB3UFEsjb2xqLlfhERWNXkd20ClcS8gJ781QDS-6U_GmsGM5-_35yAS7cusJBCvcmr3JWF1l8ejXKAv25gLkB0lP07AVIXdgsLFCBCZR32g_vTA-uctyW8dJDMzFLvj_I8vXP5wEE/s400/mm_km_03.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I've never understood the 'colour changer' car concept - but it must be popular as they keep selling them!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The internal packaging of the Kmart range is identical to the Motormax 5 packs that Target carries, what is different is the outer cardboard slip. Even the range of cars is the same. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspDne_UHzbzVTkfGoTc57pLXRdQT7FWLJpVr-5r-O7CuXlBVBJ6yLhs7Q1pT22-ScZeTiRiAuGE7iqTFQegDFo_Q9bFuWrjXwdtBcg0JGDLWXsY17OEyV-RU9Z5HoDP0Q2aTVeM5cmiQ/s1600/MM_ts_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspDne_UHzbzVTkfGoTc57pLXRdQT7FWLJpVr-5r-O7CuXlBVBJ6yLhs7Q1pT22-ScZeTiRiAuGE7iqTFQegDFo_Q9bFuWrjXwdtBcg0JGDLWXsY17OEyV-RU9Z5HoDP0Q2aTVeM5cmiQ/s400/MM_ts_01.jpg" width="196" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD_rlTbLCcRceKVSI4WWSrhd_NREc7_T8tMWtJFlFtgLmmvefjvy_R6b1HVJsBwcCEaPQt_2dxg8qGESjNuXJ5js3qLQCY6CaqBN2aHCREp-ric9m3YtFGvnxVAssG6pk5fuaF65r0m8/s1600/MM_ts_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD_rlTbLCcRceKVSI4WWSrhd_NREc7_T8tMWtJFlFtgLmmvefjvy_R6b1HVJsBwcCEaPQt_2dxg8qGESjNuXJ5js3qLQCY6CaqBN2aHCREp-ric9m3YtFGvnxVAssG6pk5fuaF65r0m8/s400/MM_ts_02.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-DK8QJ9_B_IxZQRsEN4rohTRSja_xplfgTJJqroAj_elei-QJWsgp7eyApuTpRXCQGuJDYwkLdemT9chM0U4AsL8vDZCoVxEz9JhdJ4pnkDins8QwBQHyt1JRBt7a4M6korMfDfKOHg/s1600/MM_ts_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-DK8QJ9_B_IxZQRsEN4rohTRSja_xplfgTJJqroAj_elei-QJWsgp7eyApuTpRXCQGuJDYwkLdemT9chM0U4AsL8vDZCoVxEz9JhdJ4pnkDins8QwBQHyt1JRBt7a4M6korMfDfKOHg/s320/MM_ts_03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kmart are also carrying Motormax cars singly. At one dollar, they offer very good value for money. There are only ten cars in the single boxed range. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFG2_6fWxOuCRZDC-RN2WNplDZeMGtawkOCDyzbOwUBvVlGtX-IMU3eaYE6LAfYfibFp5tZRzZ8nQe571olBdmi3nQdL8rY5ocZSdwJNUyRNYzfw6Epn7WjjbneXbAwh8F9p53gUWtMk/s1600/mm_km_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFG2_6fWxOuCRZDC-RN2WNplDZeMGtawkOCDyzbOwUBvVlGtX-IMU3eaYE6LAfYfibFp5tZRzZ8nQe571olBdmi3nQdL8rY5ocZSdwJNUyRNYzfw6Epn7WjjbneXbAwh8F9p53gUWtMk/s320/mm_km_04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It appears that the Motormax singles and 5 packs at Kmart are replacing the Maisto 'Fresh Metal' range at Kmart. There has been no new Maisto stock for some time, and the peg space is gradually receding. Matchbox has had their peg space at Kmart reduced to zero!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Motormax are a brand that have been around for only a few years, but the history of the companies that precede them is long. They started as Zylmex or Z-Toys back in the 1970's sending three inch castings to the world from Hong Kong, then became Red Box and are now Motormax. Not only do they produce cars under their own name in several scales and price points, they also produce cars that appear under other makers names such as these house brand cars and more recently in Australia - the DDA EH Holdens in 1:64 scale. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is the quality like ? Lets have a look at a 5 pack. I bought this 5 pack from K-Mart specifically for the black Mercedes SLS, so if anyone wants the other 4 - drop me an email and we can work something out! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkEsCj-oTfhCzcJwTqgHD2tIOhHKbx2HxXWpXwJ6UStLZSwhWWjFulR_YGZndfNtGotUjIEg6SoEAFKHMz7W9Vrm-lmA5dUUxw6isRz5gfxR543mURguEtJZwRDpVoVFOzj_FW8K3zBY/s1600/MM_ts_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkEsCj-oTfhCzcJwTqgHD2tIOhHKbx2HxXWpXwJ6UStLZSwhWWjFulR_YGZndfNtGotUjIEg6SoEAFKHMz7W9Vrm-lmA5dUUxw6isRz5gfxR543mURguEtJZwRDpVoVFOzj_FW8K3zBY/s400/MM_ts_010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF3SrRvKLBei7q0rRrAQPgJgCG7BWjhzDculSQD-Q28iBsknEMr0M00yq2qy7MO3c15z4vCFlQNO89XW3xJZX86dszRrsFuQ0JfAa6jz5FIGLqDSGDp15zGCVvAfxurrCMQZjldFzifw/s1600/MM_ts_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF3SrRvKLBei7q0rRrAQPgJgCG7BWjhzDculSQD-Q28iBsknEMr0M00yq2qy7MO3c15z4vCFlQNO89XW3xJZX86dszRrsFuQ0JfAa6jz5FIGLqDSGDp15zGCVvAfxurrCMQZjldFzifw/s400/MM_ts_011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> BMW Z8</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0FN2EUYEaSnahfLAn8xtVboliIdi_l9FrTKkjZ6NVAVZ-kSXHQGG2NtLvsTZLHQJ1cSakqiGp-1eD-QkNlugCQUAHru07gEv1mXRuqiIZJ4Afoyq40cjIml0dkacPNIcLlaJfFeefKM/s1600/MM_ts_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0FN2EUYEaSnahfLAn8xtVboliIdi_l9FrTKkjZ6NVAVZ-kSXHQGG2NtLvsTZLHQJ1cSakqiGp-1eD-QkNlugCQUAHru07gEv1mXRuqiIZJ4Afoyq40cjIml0dkacPNIcLlaJfFeefKM/s400/MM_ts_012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TOsLIhJ1H9JpTQMf-qXcxDrvQol_XceuKWSA2DhOFwQo4YSydajy1B6e3BJ2qmL0AjkX0xrlE5AvIKq96HOvS341abxjO_0EOl_zBaZDn8f0H7JGX590lCDrxtg5PIdr-LAyc5GBHew/s1600/MM_ts_013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TOsLIhJ1H9JpTQMf-qXcxDrvQol_XceuKWSA2DhOFwQo4YSydajy1B6e3BJ2qmL0AjkX0xrlE5AvIKq96HOvS341abxjO_0EOl_zBaZDn8f0H7JGX590lCDrxtg5PIdr-LAyc5GBHew/s400/MM_ts_013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mercedes SLS</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1w5pmFdsOdbbiiW84jPL8WVOMiTnaMm1EVWwQwT_MPjifWq4f3rQksfqh16x3PKJLCc0hGHvzvuvClPN17ieNZeD2qhONzt6LTVdaLk-LX8ymj2qHs4K2r4g92wIsf8yrLHp7eLudTg/s1600/MM_ts_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1w5pmFdsOdbbiiW84jPL8WVOMiTnaMm1EVWwQwT_MPjifWq4f3rQksfqh16x3PKJLCc0hGHvzvuvClPN17ieNZeD2qhONzt6LTVdaLk-LX8ymj2qHs4K2r4g92wIsf8yrLHp7eLudTg/s400/MM_ts_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwByRjLCpq7J6yrGBNjnkrDqnKHTiWp9SBMuO6J904e4Bm58mp0ezYIwuPY5hwBWcVOIvg4wqvb7glY5gyJwRxwJWYHdTtecVOPovxcDzG6uwAECLAVMSQtMs6XfJizILUyyaL5nT7sKk/s1600/MM_ts_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwByRjLCpq7J6yrGBNjnkrDqnKHTiWp9SBMuO6J904e4Bm58mp0ezYIwuPY5hwBWcVOIvg4wqvb7glY5gyJwRxwJWYHdTtecVOPovxcDzG6uwAECLAVMSQtMs6XfJizILUyyaL5nT7sKk/s400/MM_ts_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lamborghini </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYrGYsWLmXeXRk6PSdOC5Vznkk7RCc7ZfzUCubKZLygtuRgrNYU6LStG0j8AGbXHJZTaPOrDgzeaKtZGt6d9IGUbP1Kro3DVdzfisr1QOfdwrjaxUbPYSntOBIFr5K8qR18qwqLpVr0U/s1600/MM_ts_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYrGYsWLmXeXRk6PSdOC5Vznkk7RCc7ZfzUCubKZLygtuRgrNYU6LStG0j8AGbXHJZTaPOrDgzeaKtZGt6d9IGUbP1Kro3DVdzfisr1QOfdwrjaxUbPYSntOBIFr5K8qR18qwqLpVr0U/s400/MM_ts_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8f3ROFFxM9Nth-V4Im65yn-wMx4j412zHvAcZ-AUAn2hJCo04ar-q1WniSFgYWKv3tzNOBVJ9uiyS1AJVY731EfVTiULeoWJGm8nyRNzV6BEs20BRvznrUZmD4LLpKGqamqxaYfodiws/s1600/MM_ts_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8f3ROFFxM9Nth-V4Im65yn-wMx4j412zHvAcZ-AUAn2hJCo04ar-q1WniSFgYWKv3tzNOBVJ9uiyS1AJVY731EfVTiULeoWJGm8nyRNzV6BEs20BRvznrUZmD4LLpKGqamqxaYfodiws/s400/MM_ts_07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> BMW</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6SE4NSjd9svVsslUKfEdlCCz_6S4YdIsipHbsgt1U_OL2BwSBwFMinCEC9btgSKqRGih_kJMbIxGueF1wIaSqXfAVRd2DJLiITs7vRn0RycaBU0n1Mr-r8BHkTyA9_rwR8VCbdCkXbo/s1600/MM_ts_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6SE4NSjd9svVsslUKfEdlCCz_6S4YdIsipHbsgt1U_OL2BwSBwFMinCEC9btgSKqRGih_kJMbIxGueF1wIaSqXfAVRd2DJLiITs7vRn0RycaBU0n1Mr-r8BHkTyA9_rwR8VCbdCkXbo/s400/MM_ts_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTc0q0YKOKLywGDnOzbOMhokayQhG3mMhhYln_rip4Q_Gtht8-zkLlAyY3wjU-EmdOZ37YZ2PprGJgZJteT3J_qB7Zx7X2_jkBQ3VaREvFmLLvPEtDFOB8C5zqNToRPNyjd8M051uFUHc/s1600/MM_ts_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTc0q0YKOKLywGDnOzbOMhokayQhG3mMhhYln_rip4Q_Gtht8-zkLlAyY3wjU-EmdOZ37YZ2PprGJgZJteT3J_qB7Zx7X2_jkBQ3VaREvFmLLvPEtDFOB8C5zqNToRPNyjd8M051uFUHc/s400/MM_ts_09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Porsche </div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">To the rating:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span>Normally I would review each car - but this time I will apply the rating to the 5 pack. The cars have uniformly excellent paint, with accurately applied tampo painting for logos, tail and headlights and some grilles. The interiors are attractive for the scale, and the clear glass is a pleasant surprise in this price point. Some of the wheels on the cars look very toylike, with overlarge rims and small tyres, others look very good. At roughly a dollar each (a little more at Target) they are very good value for money and even if they are meant for kids to play with, some of these castings do deserve a home in the adult collectors collection.<div><br />
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Motormax 3 inch diecast cars - 5 pack (Tough Stuff - Target house brand)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Quality 8</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Design 7</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Colours 7</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">X-factor 6</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Rating: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">28/40</span></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div></div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-80074944536647732502012-03-10T18:09:00.001-08:002012-03-10T22:28:20.648-08:00Diecast downhill drag racing track construction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In a <a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/hot-wheels-racing-in-canberra.html">previous post I asked if anyone was interested in racing Hot Wheels</a> or other three inch diecast cars in Canberra. The response was underwhelming - but I forged ahead nevertheless! To begin racing you need a track. I thought about my options and experimented with new and old hot wheels and superfast track, and decided to build a dedicated track. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgoJt9kHcxE3iz7nbyOm8IftriEautI_ysvPBQPoPWsG_h6t2oLSkpdER9pNecUOOkqtFKjsUD3-XahS-r7ThYp6HdxYe4_GdBpZfIfxJDS_UZT-91pH1VVGTMED3MQv3N7Q5qVeY-2E/s1600/atrack_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgoJt9kHcxE3iz7nbyOm8IftriEautI_ysvPBQPoPWsG_h6t2oLSkpdER9pNecUOOkqtFKjsUD3-XahS-r7ThYp6HdxYe4_GdBpZfIfxJDS_UZT-91pH1VVGTMED3MQv3N7Q5qVeY-2E/s400/atrack_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I started by buying a 20 foot roll of vintage Redline era Hot Wheels track from ebay. I also used a vintage Hot Wheels starting gate and a contemporary Hot Wheels finishing gate. I then went down to the hardware store and bought four pieces of 10cm x 1.8 meter pine. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7IEDrNDZwJCL2veEG8PB1g6sjgWHhUod5hPmnPsx4PYgQdBWYreuoQOlTSEthAwsOdu3YhcafZQ7n3MgHJTzxWufQcmf_ntppp4T9rDc6Ojl9EVTmVqAHB_cRvX-hyG606LE_tnMqF8/s1600/atrack_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7IEDrNDZwJCL2veEG8PB1g6sjgWHhUod5hPmnPsx4PYgQdBWYreuoQOlTSEthAwsOdu3YhcafZQ7n3MgHJTzxWufQcmf_ntppp4T9rDc6Ojl9EVTmVqAHB_cRvX-hyG606LE_tnMqF8/s400/atrack_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You have to start somewhere, so i mocked up the best way to mount the starting gate - while also making it removable. I carved up a piece from a Hot Wheels criss cross crash set and screwed it down near the end of a 1.8 meter length of pine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3ra3L6mo9d0JLF_e6rCqCb5qnNdXB3MFTABqEi89sz7GM-g1VNymUgek8pEMiXTwxsMz4PKBkBFTO2u9e-3bOXQMmcDbhxBiIU7nOMkkNTEDAZpw174S2gLVR0a78xfK19PTWvjPBa0/s1600/atrack_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3ra3L6mo9d0JLF_e6rCqCb5qnNdXB3MFTABqEi89sz7GM-g1VNymUgek8pEMiXTwxsMz4PKBkBFTO2u9e-3bOXQMmcDbhxBiIU7nOMkkNTEDAZpw174S2gLVR0a78xfK19PTWvjPBa0/s320/atrack_03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It slides neatly onto the connector sized tongue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimu4CCy2bMDPYPi_EAclbShZvbIEbUory5rbc7b_CZ61XIWc7BqRKP_S8u54E61-qxCl564DF_aU1TW2OO2zHtm9EiP76wwNGsPqNXCX7URzT3A0OxTI6FWxSAgpcDtFccZ3515FkrpSU/s1600/atrack_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimu4CCy2bMDPYPi_EAclbShZvbIEbUory5rbc7b_CZ61XIWc7BqRKP_S8u54E61-qxCl564DF_aU1TW2OO2zHtm9EiP76wwNGsPqNXCX7URzT3A0OxTI6FWxSAgpcDtFccZ3515FkrpSU/s320/atrack_07.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>I used standard Hot Wheels track connectors - which still fit the vintage redline track - and screwed them into the pine using countersunk head wood screws. I placed them at various places along the pine planks, and then slid the track onto the connectors. This holds the track in place pretty well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8ETN9FeKVyV6LwtGN3R6XfHRltRw_rUfFl8a7h6a4z-BtW6eWgWHhggWlO0EKBfWqGOmWkcxPd-efIpG41c-fwtUU0v4L45ksEshkIQx3xUFet5oOtSR8O-owPRtV1AywWYg1EdkezQ/s1600/atrack_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8ETN9FeKVyV6LwtGN3R6XfHRltRw_rUfFl8a7h6a4z-BtW6eWgWHhggWlO0EKBfWqGOmWkcxPd-efIpG41c-fwtUU0v4L45ksEshkIQx3xUFet5oOtSR8O-owPRtV1AywWYg1EdkezQ/s320/atrack_06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A door hinge connects two 1.8 metre lengths of pine. The connectors allow the track on each plank to join. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhPU_GRshLOQpLl2b9Ioo3iigfW7Bzk_VEhw0OOupwFZFelsJTUj9B-2EbTKLf6sMH7nS_6_3GsDGEeWjcVcxsC0snQIsRmw5iUe4B3k3IJISjOVO0hdUxDpGTRNCDHG8m3j5yM9WzI8/s1600/atrack_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhPU_GRshLOQpLl2b9Ioo3iigfW7Bzk_VEhw0OOupwFZFelsJTUj9B-2EbTKLf6sMH7nS_6_3GsDGEeWjcVcxsC0snQIsRmw5iUe4B3k3IJISjOVO0hdUxDpGTRNCDHG8m3j5yM9WzI8/s320/atrack_05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEQhjymkUGUFV8PeO9X9lQwWrQgXTzSKNvZ-V_n8trCrSODNWc5aoy9fNNV553G9smFyhTyFWYcF7dMTIl4i-IAdLf0hRS6aqgrJ7FSI-Bfnl08uuF6s8SqKnd8buCQUnsX0ki6ocUgg/s1600/atrack_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEQhjymkUGUFV8PeO9X9lQwWrQgXTzSKNvZ-V_n8trCrSODNWc5aoy9fNNV553G9smFyhTyFWYcF7dMTIl4i-IAdLf0hRS6aqgrJ7FSI-Bfnl08uuF6s8SqKnd8buCQUnsX0ki6ocUgg/s320/atrack_04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This starting gate is from a contemporary Hot Wheels racing set, which i picked up at a garage sale. I had to lever it off the ends of the flimsy track it rolls out from. Then carve away on the interior so that two pieces of track would fit and allow cars to go through it. Its not perfect, but importantly - it indicates who actually won. The first car through triggers a tiny chequered flag. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnXseEXeb7xjdGRaz8pbb-9bCOGDrlbbd47Ngm5DsqYJNNCSB3XtFfuCia5t3deSukQVoVqP3LwM1OsFuugf1K8cAjrkMTL_Q_Pt1uObQJXLihct0K4HeTjfxZ3TlyFuticYQB5wZ1j0/s1600/atrack_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnXseEXeb7xjdGRaz8pbb-9bCOGDrlbbd47Ngm5DsqYJNNCSB3XtFfuCia5t3deSukQVoVqP3LwM1OsFuugf1K8cAjrkMTL_Q_Pt1uObQJXLihct0K4HeTjfxZ3TlyFuticYQB5wZ1j0/s320/atrack_09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I painted a length of pine blue and screwed down some connectors and track. The actual gate itself comes off for travel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcKjD8B2Vma7g4N2OLSJFTgK0mEPGDIe-EMBg_n2exYSr7dYVVdOiL9kTBO02O_XLS1PvsL4OrgtziGFL5C0be8v6kyPiD05QJ4-nkTIlM-taaOvra82B2tm-ZP5qxHgFCadS2HhqJqA/s1600/atrack_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcKjD8B2Vma7g4N2OLSJFTgK0mEPGDIe-EMBg_n2exYSr7dYVVdOiL9kTBO02O_XLS1PvsL4OrgtziGFL5C0be8v6kyPiD05QJ4-nkTIlM-taaOvra82B2tm-ZP5qxHgFCadS2HhqJqA/s320/atrack_08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The starting gate. Underneath is another hinged piece of pine which goes to a stand. This didn't work too well so its also resting on the top of a chair back. Needs a bit of fine tuning...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wY8xV5tSi5pGDS4xKccr_B6mh7lJQ34pSfuLpZpbAraf258Qq5ZHwwY7BIoDuOnI5JUVXC8ax8RfDvEWwFTOlF6tS7NnUkM_19it64i_WDBikTSGD-NzSFnsOYRDmDQTfoGnm1kqFNI/s1600/atrack_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wY8xV5tSi5pGDS4xKccr_B6mh7lJQ34pSfuLpZpbAraf258Qq5ZHwwY7BIoDuOnI5JUVXC8ax8RfDvEWwFTOlF6tS7NnUkM_19it64i_WDBikTSGD-NzSFnsOYRDmDQTfoGnm1kqFNI/s640/atrack_010.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ready for travel. Two 1.8 metre planks, with track, hinges and starting gate. There is also a third 1.8 metre length which connects and a separate piece with the finish line. All up its just short of 20 feet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwX1C278lk77PHLhXuacTRpk-fOUhn0Rzs3WCWQ4R_6y1Y94DUU6DC_YqP8PQY4T4Clf4Sy1IsQKIwVfNM9lx3GtNUOPJfjJTDWksVdI-ak8l9ICyuH96Wl8dqX6kE5Zo_6Au0KxGVpI/s1600/atrack_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwX1C278lk77PHLhXuacTRpk-fOUhn0Rzs3WCWQ4R_6y1Y94DUU6DC_YqP8PQY4T4Clf4Sy1IsQKIwVfNM9lx3GtNUOPJfjJTDWksVdI-ak8l9ICyuH96Wl8dqX6kE5Zo_6Au0KxGVpI/s640/atrack_011.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>Here it is fully extended with everything slotted together. I need to work on the supports and the track is a little wonky.D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-85482181411184413972012-02-03T22:35:00.000-08:002012-02-03T22:35:20.385-08:00Licence to collect Matchbox (in the 70's...)Excuse me Sir you seem be carrying an unusually large number of transitional and Superfasts - can I see your licence please?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDyz_z2rYlLCvmOuIK7nGusq_EguONH2gMw7XcMbs5RVHyGvAF1vIXm7x3s-dpDtYoZwcIJGHjTnXywJw71jk4ZaPPSiUR8q1XKUtyRGdyEFkBTEmIJ07JRRXcwaCrmWCqWNFLXLoQr8/s1600/mb_licence1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDyz_z2rYlLCvmOuIK7nGusq_EguONH2gMw7XcMbs5RVHyGvAF1vIXm7x3s-dpDtYoZwcIJGHjTnXywJw71jk4ZaPPSiUR8q1XKUtyRGdyEFkBTEmIJ07JRRXcwaCrmWCqWNFLXLoQr8/s400/mb_licence1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Very good, carry on...D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-85630921448343887412012-02-03T22:13:00.000-08:002012-02-03T22:13:26.120-08:00Majorette Car Carrier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenhNc2vzwfnZhyxL_apihGRMDCEhgdgU0-U-NyCmQrIOPgTbUNGUhjjzJgkjYSoEgB21Wik1fShTXF-uTTxbMIcLAw4Xnho_EelUAs1Ay7m1QFk0u_Th3sXPOtRR92L5Is0y6Mo8Flts/s1600/maj_carr_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenhNc2vzwfnZhyxL_apihGRMDCEhgdgU0-U-NyCmQrIOPgTbUNGUhjjzJgkjYSoEgB21Wik1fShTXF-uTTxbMIcLAw4Xnho_EelUAs1Ay7m1QFk0u_Th3sXPOtRR92L5Is0y6Mo8Flts/s400/maj_carr_01.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Driving through Holbrook on the Canberra to melbourne trip recently, I stopped and looked in the newsagency - and found a small range of new Majorette diecast cars, in the 1:64 scale range to choose from. As well as being stocked in toy shops and small stores such as this newsagent, I believe that David Jones is also carrying this range. From the selection of mainly European diecast cars, I came home with this Majorette Car Carrier. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcLGmv5smYIVeNh_vUb-CLrSe6xoFMRBsPS50ENOZX-dZmfhfUZDHJMGVpokuEgflOxR5S5s4XnSjCiCL1oqbWvrtXkq_FxqeBVqvavNgoetL4z5xG9trXF0SBPswseYV3t0h3leodvw/s1600/maj_carr_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcLGmv5smYIVeNh_vUb-CLrSe6xoFMRBsPS50ENOZX-dZmfhfUZDHJMGVpokuEgflOxR5S5s4XnSjCiCL1oqbWvrtXkq_FxqeBVqvavNgoetL4z5xG9trXF0SBPswseYV3t0h3leodvw/s400/maj_carr_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The quality is outstanding. The cab and trailer are metal. Plastic is confined to the upper trailer deck, wheels and glass. The base of the cab is also plastic. This is a heavy toy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfTiWI3voAjq-fvahjbEUcL5K-mgK8IZEIRva7v2Yx6F0cD7KLRAR4SYUxeb3DBo31isE6-0ypjMxafZFGVQb5RNJGNc8FWRjrVNgEIHwy6K1mumsopeew_6IQBQPPjVu6IsScUgMhXo/s1600/maj_carr_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfTiWI3voAjq-fvahjbEUcL5K-mgK8IZEIRva7v2Yx6F0cD7KLRAR4SYUxeb3DBo31isE6-0ypjMxafZFGVQb5RNJGNc8FWRjrVNgEIHwy6K1mumsopeew_6IQBQPPjVu6IsScUgMhXo/s400/maj_carr_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The car carrier came with two Majorette cars, one I think is a Subaru and the other could be a Ford. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGvA4rQ5stflLER6YH7RFXaEHx1RFPZ4ml1G1X6hDaDbQmfKMv2ui8beBhSnARzNLIettOoz7nl75oP5Ylg3_QamG1A7ZrDw6RPyxsdiQ1G-Bn8kcWiw2mLjZma-taQ1NtagV_4jJcEg/s1600/maj_carr_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGvA4rQ5stflLER6YH7RFXaEHx1RFPZ4ml1G1X6hDaDbQmfKMv2ui8beBhSnARzNLIettOoz7nl75oP5Ylg3_QamG1A7ZrDw6RPyxsdiQ1G-Bn8kcWiw2mLjZma-taQ1NtagV_4jJcEg/s400/maj_carr_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEREcwmjDZx5OMGP2yJXk-ztFtAaQQQyWL7v2NTyTMYdqTrChwfwbiPfoWyeF9StNimAVJxGjEd5svtwwhfBEHZaBzePhGQeqoi6d9i4uJvE3X_Odma5XY1Xh9M2bNy9Jp2tBYk7RbP6U/s1600/maj_carr_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEREcwmjDZx5OMGP2yJXk-ztFtAaQQQyWL7v2NTyTMYdqTrChwfwbiPfoWyeF9StNimAVJxGjEd5svtwwhfBEHZaBzePhGQeqoi6d9i4uJvE3X_Odma5XY1Xh9M2bNy9Jp2tBYk7RbP6U/s400/maj_carr_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuPhPj9VX5WNi7L77HFKHDrzGGtZPsbfCjUTdarLhGBJ1rRP5wrLc0VIg99g6F7rc0B1O_0zX1p1SqxcnxXTTP_nygt7sRM2VqhF1C8Vx8IWI8xYTX9DGeO4Sl9qxV2o9I3nuwwJ44K0/s1600/maj_carr_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuPhPj9VX5WNi7L77HFKHDrzGGtZPsbfCjUTdarLhGBJ1rRP5wrLc0VIg99g6F7rc0B1O_0zX1p1SqxcnxXTTP_nygt7sRM2VqhF1C8Vx8IWI8xYTX9DGeO4Sl9qxV2o9I3nuwwJ44K0/s400/maj_carr_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I think this is a generic truck design, it looks very Jada/Maistoish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnnB_F4LGp3HC6EoXHvyHmjm5Zfy6Urxo0uaK2Zdym8aztjOx_qm8dmli-gq3_7LA-gZ04DLliL2GsznDBFujMYZOgoDKyh7P1bgmjbZg07l8JCyEjRhmhzOdqXW1b_0Km8h9FquvfWY/s1600/maj_carr_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnnB_F4LGp3HC6EoXHvyHmjm5Zfy6Urxo0uaK2Zdym8aztjOx_qm8dmli-gq3_7LA-gZ04DLliL2GsznDBFujMYZOgoDKyh7P1bgmjbZg07l8JCyEjRhmhzOdqXW1b_0Km8h9FquvfWY/s400/maj_carr_07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The trailer fits snugly on the coupling. It even looks vaguely realistic. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8JiGQ1bJ2FcEwa_dlk-dyc5VPs1Ipz7cJbsgSH8N065I5BEyNKq9vydNwTsjn0wQl4e5k87ZbhdtR0PZXbegfgwHaGnvSz_MCZgghoiTqhUkv76GdeU7MXh4D0TVCyj0eyNCFLYoo2s/s1600/maj_carr_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8JiGQ1bJ2FcEwa_dlk-dyc5VPs1Ipz7cJbsgSH8N065I5BEyNKq9vydNwTsjn0wQl4e5k87ZbhdtR0PZXbegfgwHaGnvSz_MCZgghoiTqhUkv76GdeU7MXh4D0TVCyj0eyNCFLYoo2s/s400/maj_carr_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBiHFzaPBGWH_wMToy9-mYA-hb9TVCna_5sbi2p95gdT7tmk2lZNbt5wjHiTtb2gfLmNx-RWzzZqCyd16g_kO9i5EsDUY9guppt9sd_i9LDEMFADc9TYAfT0fXH8GriKDeXrGJYkyLsk/s1600/maj_carr_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBiHFzaPBGWH_wMToy9-mYA-hb9TVCna_5sbi2p95gdT7tmk2lZNbt5wjHiTtb2gfLmNx-RWzzZqCyd16g_kO9i5EsDUY9guppt9sd_i9LDEMFADc9TYAfT0fXH8GriKDeXrGJYkyLsk/s400/maj_carr_09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The car carrier trailer is very robust and configurable. It would stand up to lots of play wear. The Matchbox Convoy/real Working Rigs designers could take a few cues from Majorette - this is a vastly superior product featuring better design, better quality and more metal. Majorette also chuck in a few cars. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z225Cy9HwAyIr5LdtZKDvyMEnKcEaKJi1Q1qFNhHuSWuYfsPuPgQSD3cM0n7vyVwykK2OY3A7U7njILc85_KdmQor9PhfzABgiK697l4Qq8O65d40T5gtwFLOC_V3-L3H3EO5Ek3WVA/s1600/maj_carr_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z225Cy9HwAyIr5LdtZKDvyMEnKcEaKJi1Q1qFNhHuSWuYfsPuPgQSD3cM0n7vyVwykK2OY3A7U7njILc85_KdmQor9PhfzABgiK697l4Qq8O65d40T5gtwFLOC_V3-L3H3EO5Ek3WVA/s400/maj_carr_010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAFzhXPjhW49Irdv6j8Q-sE4O3lT9CeAz3G4xcYSa9M-o7Pu7vffPGXXrbUOlAYfJC3s5dXjwAhtd6BJTUxIlDYg004OlnGaVz0JFb0DFWwRbDT9l3886lolIzGhobYjfKbmVVZt0vk0/s1600/maj_carr_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAFzhXPjhW49Irdv6j8Q-sE4O3lT9CeAz3G4xcYSa9M-o7Pu7vffPGXXrbUOlAYfJC3s5dXjwAhtd6BJTUxIlDYg004OlnGaVz0JFb0DFWwRbDT9l3886lolIzGhobYjfKbmVVZt0vk0/s400/maj_carr_011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp3QXEBFKt0i7zS8jPXa4GrfHmhDEaLWzsRxAAuUoiREZP3hULp4h2QrxdaxrCMHZXaMAHZqg39nzV7BwxOChwwKXFsQo32XsRPb_ZFhixFXX6IbNuGzyk12SyGA4w7d1BexdbvaCJ8A/s1600/maj_carr_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp3QXEBFKt0i7zS8jPXa4GrfHmhDEaLWzsRxAAuUoiREZP3hULp4h2QrxdaxrCMHZXaMAHZqg39nzV7BwxOChwwKXFsQo32XsRPb_ZFhixFXX6IbNuGzyk12SyGA4w7d1BexdbvaCJ8A/s400/maj_carr_012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jQ1uz8cc7e9K01BWxUVe_MDL8yQBlLBYh-9AcviFfyzqdoKPjxsj2hefokU9EqRcaAFInsusUu-siXsJXorZi5Jmo_TytOKmnsZLwF9_exR_sHDivK30gASmP8Xu0crnXxAwsjkBMm8/s1600/maj_carr_013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jQ1uz8cc7e9K01BWxUVe_MDL8yQBlLBYh-9AcviFfyzqdoKPjxsj2hefokU9EqRcaAFInsusUu-siXsJXorZi5Jmo_TytOKmnsZLwF9_exR_sHDivK30gASmP8Xu0crnXxAwsjkBMm8/s400/maj_carr_013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Packaging is well thought out and attractive. The pack costs $20 which includes two Majorette cars (around three dollars each). This is a quality product. paint is uniformly excellent, with several different shades and colours used, over plastic and metal. The diecast trailer is robust, with plastic only on the upper deck. It has a range of articulation and slide out amps. very realistic for children and collectors. The truck styling is modern and also looks robust. Although there is clear smoked glass, I cant see an interior. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I would like to see more Majorettes, and will visit David Jones soon. With the Matchbox range being whittled down by Mattel, and Matchbox distribution slowly disappearing, Majorette looks like it will fill that segment of the market. </div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">To the rating:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Majorette car carrier </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Quality 8</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Design 8</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Colours 8</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">X-factor 7</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Rating: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">31/40</span></span></div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-19048311364590802982012-01-29T00:58:00.000-08:002012-01-29T00:58:46.972-08:00Hot Wheels racing in Canberra ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8FKH3ovFUIl0Egl4A2s8BApBzITcL4I-SxbHjap_FdCKve_rwV21Ydgoumj2qumyVKgaaylnrzY61FuzD_EQg4btYY7wTJN0kgDuXPtIyJYSekDVqaSGZo-3Q0hg2BTwLLEuhzHu4kk/s1600/austin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8FKH3ovFUIl0Egl4A2s8BApBzITcL4I-SxbHjap_FdCKve_rwV21Ydgoumj2qumyVKgaaylnrzY61FuzD_EQg4btYY7wTJN0kgDuXPtIyJYSekDVqaSGZo-3Q0hg2BTwLLEuhzHu4kk/s400/austin2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">photo from <a href="http://www.redlinederby.com/2010/08/austin-diecast-drags/">this post on the Austin Diecast Drags</a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Is anyone in Canberra interested in racing their <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Hot Wheels </span>cars ?</b> </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">See this site <a href="http://www.redlinederby.com/">Redline Derby Racing</a> for info and ideas on racing tiny cars down a plastic track at low to moderate speeds. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I would like to form a Canberra based league - meeting semi-regularly, to race Hot Wheels and other small diecast cars down plastic tracks. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm thinking several different classes:</span></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">standard and modified Hot Wheels cars</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Matchbox cars</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">vintage Superfast/Majorette/Corgi</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"> </span></span></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Cars would be raced Round Robin style. I might even throw in some prizes for winners. This would be a good way to get kids involved in diecast collecting as well as having fun. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
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Email me or leave a comment here with contact details and I will organise a competition.D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-38566652983795745672012-01-26T19:08:00.000-08:002012-01-26T19:08:24.656-08:00Summernats burnout pad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7prYJWYtz1avrt2hVkXmmWe_cFT2D9YAola550G7M2NpjegYUBtIT2uaZirJJsxB5Uvnt_ixyLYDi8refab5YOufwxAK5b0nntRxS0PV2l5qxASqQbgu9GaDUJGHACS3tupeMvHL2iAU/s1600/snats_bp_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7prYJWYtz1avrt2hVkXmmWe_cFT2D9YAola550G7M2NpjegYUBtIT2uaZirJJsxB5Uvnt_ixyLYDi8refab5YOufwxAK5b0nntRxS0PV2l5qxASqQbgu9GaDUJGHACS3tupeMvHL2iAU/s320/snats_bp_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Summernats is Canberras premier custom car show, held every year in the first week of january. (See my other blog On Four Wheels for more Summernats goodness). This year I noticed a clever piece of merchandise - which I snapped up. A mousemat disguised as The Summernats Burnout pad! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The real burnout pad is a marvel to watch - massively overpowered cars spin their tyres from one end of the track to the burnout pad, then start circling and pirouetting - generating massive clouds of smoke - until the tyres or engine blow. A double tyre blow is particularly prized. Clouds of tyre smoke waft over the crowd... <a href="http://onfourwheels.blogspot.com/2012/01/summernats-2012-how-to-get-banned-from.html">This post captures one trip down the burnout pad</a>. </div><br />
Here we have Ernie emulating a burnout...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYTzeti2xskFZdFFD5uRbwKQ0u4pu8eo6Amc99VxE9iwZ5BuEFcpOpKjD4YFAwIbuHqsBBaJEvI-WGv0nwpqMeT3EeQL_QyjO5LBW3eSaI1bU8dfGOMvAFSAYQpe9jN_AMhE0EwB1ANk/s1600/snats_bp_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYTzeti2xskFZdFFD5uRbwKQ0u4pu8eo6Amc99VxE9iwZ5BuEFcpOpKjD4YFAwIbuHqsBBaJEvI-WGv0nwpqMeT3EeQL_QyjO5LBW3eSaI1bU8dfGOMvAFSAYQpe9jN_AMhE0EwB1ANk/s400/snats_bp_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO3Yb7p7M700fxgktG8fjU2y06n1ulf3-xFamcACRkDI48krPulIx8j0I57RZ5dY_e8C6qp6X9pus6DBUgwwww1s8Wj-TNf8WN50fAz43L3w0CvBJqpZPPeOmf0iThfFRGuNJXgDQ_6I/s1600/snats_bp_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO3Yb7p7M700fxgktG8fjU2y06n1ulf3-xFamcACRkDI48krPulIx8j0I57RZ5dY_e8C6qp6X9pus6DBUgwwww1s8Wj-TNf8WN50fAz43L3w0CvBJqpZPPeOmf0iThfFRGuNJXgDQ_6I/s400/snats_bp_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok14HGuocff13OCEnBZ4e1WMiwKU0TR9P5LBdARJex6JPlQRCgNhnd0c-3Gm_m5YvilnRvsDIbCDW3uNHi8rcV8ityb3PAHggTGVRsMdDu_cDI58I5twiLPxGqlNFoQsTy1pKrEMRRhc/s1600/snats_bp_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok14HGuocff13OCEnBZ4e1WMiwKU0TR9P5LBdARJex6JPlQRCgNhnd0c-3Gm_m5YvilnRvsDIbCDW3uNHi8rcV8ityb3PAHggTGVRsMdDu_cDI58I5twiLPxGqlNFoQsTy1pKrEMRRhc/s400/snats_bp_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XPEpvIjViSfivzm3GcFtH3soRlrA7Ck_b6TdMtV_VyFy-3XeB68JoeDNAwJmYLjxXez2W1iScb1y4EB5pLRpXq3JpuGoeYwu-gv2OjVR7vNEI1DDRkANKmK1pO6pKzxLGLz1FS0tKLI/s1600/snats_bp_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XPEpvIjViSfivzm3GcFtH3soRlrA7Ck_b6TdMtV_VyFy-3XeB68JoeDNAwJmYLjxXez2W1iScb1y4EB5pLRpXq3JpuGoeYwu-gv2OjVR7vNEI1DDRkANKmK1pO6pKzxLGLz1FS0tKLI/s400/snats_bp_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sadly no tyres blown...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-25799605987752505202012-01-26T01:37:00.000-08:002012-01-26T02:56:06.133-08:00Golden Wheels M.A.N. BP Tanker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On my way back from Melbourne late last year I stopped for LP Gas at a BP service station on the Hume Highway, and spotted this Matchbox Convoy sized diecast promotional model. It cost around nine dollars, from memory. It is a Golden Wheels model, with a diecast cab and tanker chassis, but the rest is plastic. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiOVhN5wjf-NGeQttdyrJ3bF-HizZf2l_KyusMMjKPqAHDjJ19OcqFuRmqVvPTmXji5on9PDoxWOguccCKzNRVdjQynsRdFUYVVvOEaMH7OoriS9lPbaEYAQcLNKJfhaSN4Se5lTNuKg/s1600/gw_bp_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiOVhN5wjf-NGeQttdyrJ3bF-HizZf2l_KyusMMjKPqAHDjJ19OcqFuRmqVvPTmXji5on9PDoxWOguccCKzNRVdjQynsRdFUYVVvOEaMH7OoriS9lPbaEYAQcLNKJfhaSN4Se5lTNuKg/s400/gw_bp_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Well packed for transportation and display instore</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fNU5_cwNzS8A6OOvbjuGabX2Vu-oY2qna8JppsrljjGS59JnZcHNaO3sGR-SXzWXcOROsiroVXKKQyjlxsjpOQdCzXqnP2x4sBTSalFfIJ-1w8RUJzuUX-YtCU07zp36qxGS4LslFsM/s1600/gw_bp_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fNU5_cwNzS8A6OOvbjuGabX2Vu-oY2qna8JppsrljjGS59JnZcHNaO3sGR-SXzWXcOROsiroVXKKQyjlxsjpOQdCzXqnP2x4sBTSalFfIJ-1w8RUJzuUX-YtCU07zp36qxGS4LslFsM/s400/gw_bp_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iMk-FPR7pZIEaB-0wZK5XB-HJ3biDlZtTVxYqbjOFzL7CO1jGVlCwmEWnBNHfxCtPyfOMR1-yYgFWEatpb05qmEQ4tQ9p5IEtiuFvqKr1I8LN5PTdZHHDEsPuu36kuVbyu5Nrr_k-js/s1600/gw_bp_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iMk-FPR7pZIEaB-0wZK5XB-HJ3biDlZtTVxYqbjOFzL7CO1jGVlCwmEWnBNHfxCtPyfOMR1-yYgFWEatpb05qmEQ4tQ9p5IEtiuFvqKr1I8LN5PTdZHHDEsPuu36kuVbyu5Nrr_k-js/s400/gw_bp_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTTcn9iG5iW5yMXog2n0bHUbvc7FSB4eTiqQxnc17yLR6sPuwVIBpv9Xptp8gtiyK5dLy7oWyqwnlqeHHuzi1DLTlu0WFejnBv9B-nvBmhkLfSHrXdYESO6_8GAGCd0x1X4Hqx0YdhOY/s1600/gw_bp_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTTcn9iG5iW5yMXog2n0bHUbvc7FSB4eTiqQxnc17yLR6sPuwVIBpv9Xptp8gtiyK5dLy7oWyqwnlqeHHuzi1DLTlu0WFejnBv9B-nvBmhkLfSHrXdYESO6_8GAGCd0x1X4Hqx0YdhOY/s400/gw_bp_07.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The truck is apparently a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://www.man.com.au/manau/trucks.asp">MAN TGA XXL</a>. I guess Golden Wheels have de-detailed it just enough to escape licencing it.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mjTl32Wn2P9BLSaMPRSvDcY6cQMtDmBWo10-XwULgQOJw-rW9k8aAjrYkrivhCXnW14tq-dsRT6TfS2lLiMuEBgavi2qjKCNrwpcPtaXZDRsM5R4fHF9IRvgdW_BiV93u5Bx6MiJHuI/s1600/gw_bp_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mjTl32Wn2P9BLSaMPRSvDcY6cQMtDmBWo10-XwULgQOJw-rW9k8aAjrYkrivhCXnW14tq-dsRT6TfS2lLiMuEBgavi2qjKCNrwpcPtaXZDRsM5R4fHF9IRvgdW_BiV93u5Bx6MiJHuI/s400/gw_bp_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnvWXKlUpXbENnOc9XwIvlyhSSyWRt6NObQ52JBa-0STdMVnnWYQR2oEsDE78_6EYXD4vBgs-dpJMm4qnJWJLHdeMzExW12GAjBSoxByoL8XSyUqgCJHzqeyvgHIoicI-Wo5LMWEZbvo/s1600/gw_bp_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnvWXKlUpXbENnOc9XwIvlyhSSyWRt6NObQ52JBa-0STdMVnnWYQR2oEsDE78_6EYXD4vBgs-dpJMm4qnJWJLHdeMzExW12GAjBSoxByoL8XSyUqgCJHzqeyvgHIoicI-Wo5LMWEZbvo/s400/gw_bp_09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegBHEFZlScjPFfXQUJLRSrc-G0v60T1P56dFmv6U0j6h3dUGIzCed3OvvUxeEEopqw-4OeyJCq82e2F7Ns20EvVKn4kSyce9jWSjBfJ3-k8I_2_ZNVVEBBPt8KJsOiLsknCg-Ox3WFWk/s1600/gw_bp_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegBHEFZlScjPFfXQUJLRSrc-G0v60T1P56dFmv6U0j6h3dUGIzCed3OvvUxeEEopqw-4OeyJCq82e2F7Ns20EvVKn4kSyce9jWSjBfJ3-k8I_2_ZNVVEBBPt8KJsOiLsknCg-Ox3WFWk/s400/gw_bp_010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_-UK9bqKjUIJZqPCW8UGrGDj0laajbYe3cJi78OHblfS8JuplBDlPtbawt8S1eeFxWZRl7C6Sv-Q1LWp64wE22T09KHO_e6Z-iPPCvBw2qPfQ6G9ntByuMRiM7FvLTzHccyQXONwZks/s1600/gw_bp_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_-UK9bqKjUIJZqPCW8UGrGDj0laajbYe3cJi78OHblfS8JuplBDlPtbawt8S1eeFxWZRl7C6Sv-Q1LWp64wE22T09KHO_e6Z-iPPCvBw2qPfQ6G9ntByuMRiM7FvLTzHccyQXONwZks/s400/gw_bp_011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2F_2q-M9q9empEtSDA4VCLp_-02oIYYbV20qWH-UbVzR8jEVEObXTPGawm7PdbDidgyTUsVLaRQ82iyFXTrxl6xG-i1DmUuCODDf4bjMDVEHhoI_B_kbsm1PjstSkTHnGpa_RfesLns/s1600/gw_bp_013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2F_2q-M9q9empEtSDA4VCLp_-02oIYYbV20qWH-UbVzR8jEVEObXTPGawm7PdbDidgyTUsVLaRQ82iyFXTrxl6xG-i1DmUuCODDf4bjMDVEHhoI_B_kbsm1PjstSkTHnGpa_RfesLns/s400/gw_bp_013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It is surprisingly detailed for a promotional model, with a little ladder, warning signs and a detailed tanker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi0DC_2L8p14uHyTG4-sBxjWWR3nq7hk3YfSHdPAZKgTYc26plUsud2mDN3f8eVYdWzKLqLS3QVSm9wbtdPIbmabMduVz_Z8CPp5dQrQF6P6rzag-v7db5NxA5N5H6NbPX9IeyX5XdYI/s1600/gw_bp_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi0DC_2L8p14uHyTG4-sBxjWWR3nq7hk3YfSHdPAZKgTYc26plUsud2mDN3f8eVYdWzKLqLS3QVSm9wbtdPIbmabMduVz_Z8CPp5dQrQF6P6rzag-v7db5NxA5N5H6NbPX9IeyX5XdYI/s400/gw_bp_012.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNtT1LFAe9Znr4W7u1ZJmt7SSzpgWyob1C7L-0h3D_wCbCVqXIaHCVQ1e6enU2zK9eFzbxAlO27geFIMgvoKZj3q-NmtVOcg46B7yrkZDxhSj9tJ8KE2cXwiTIL34l9qtQAn2khhKdpY/s1600/gw_bp_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNtT1LFAe9Znr4W7u1ZJmt7SSzpgWyob1C7L-0h3D_wCbCVqXIaHCVQ1e6enU2zK9eFzbxAlO27geFIMgvoKZj3q-NmtVOcg46B7yrkZDxhSj9tJ8KE2cXwiTIL34l9qtQAn2khhKdpY/s400/gw_bp_014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvgknzbj0IYZkfIIsyOQ7eNpgWDglvCkMvObasRU8W6IUGGtfBdUVAVVyXbPoiRcKzYQ2vGpVC59AUpHRi_ngHaLYodVaoqny7MqMLF9OpGsEs2uuc19jYTWoRrW_vUYe8yRmviJR2go/s1600/gw_bp_015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvgknzbj0IYZkfIIsyOQ7eNpgWDglvCkMvObasRU8W6IUGGtfBdUVAVVyXbPoiRcKzYQ2vGpVC59AUpHRi_ngHaLYodVaoqny7MqMLF9OpGsEs2uuc19jYTWoRrW_vUYe8yRmviJR2go/s400/gw_bp_015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Very little detail on the base - i'm not sure what scale this model is</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmdQnPg7rfy_8KRczzZoCsTIrPisdDka7BVDhW9MgyvtUF33NMGtsPLclcwSeVYsWhW2TnOWE2s3flcIdyaoCfDkW2SWZXgid9oIO5CgeeP_hCdwm7TjyX0WVSQZ6Ppsz5dXzz8jr7j4/s1600/gw_bp_016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmdQnPg7rfy_8KRczzZoCsTIrPisdDka7BVDhW9MgyvtUF33NMGtsPLclcwSeVYsWhW2TnOWE2s3flcIdyaoCfDkW2SWZXgid9oIO5CgeeP_hCdwm7TjyX0WVSQZ6Ppsz5dXzz8jr7j4/s400/gw_bp_016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is toy like - no detail at all</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rIWCUNu0VAzY-yXVd4om_PVQ_cx1zJdBNLpPKwElqx7oUV3Cy2wI1tVXsNKs40mucgqylJI-mgkb3e1m8plA50TMtu91L5FrvHwr-Mk-jmQSTQgLvcHSzqb9XaH-Z904eUUdXoF3Fn0/s1600/gw_bp_017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rIWCUNu0VAzY-yXVd4om_PVQ_cx1zJdBNLpPKwElqx7oUV3Cy2wI1tVXsNKs40mucgqylJI-mgkb3e1m8plA50TMtu91L5FrvHwr-Mk-jmQSTQgLvcHSzqb9XaH-Z904eUUdXoF3Fn0/s400/gw_bp_017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Golden Wheels BP Tanker 2011 vs Matchbox BP tanker circa 1980's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not a great collector of model trucks, but I do have a subset of petrol tankers, so I purchased it based on that alone. The quality is toylike and there is little detail - apart from on the tanker. The cab could be any generic truck, and there are no diesel tanks or a bull bar, or any detail like headlights picked out. The price was similar to what one pays for a Matchbox Real Working Rig, but the quality is definitely not there. It's not a bad looking model, but it lacks that 'X' factor.</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">To the rating:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Golden Wheels BP petrol tanker </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Quality 5</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Design 6</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Colours 6</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">X-factor 5</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Rating: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">21/40</span></span></div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-89452199090263363912012-01-10T05:38:00.000-08:002012-01-10T05:39:44.247-08:00Low end diecast - XA Falcon and Charger ? Sadly not...<div style="text-align: justify;">As a person who looks high and low for diecast cars to fit into the collection I often come across what I like to term 'low end diecast'. recently while in Melbourne i ventured into a likely looking 'dollar' shop and saw an XA falcon and a Valiant Charger! SCORE upon closer inspection, sadly not. None of the low end diecast cars remotely resembled the two Aussie cars - or any of the classic iron on the blister! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMY-Xowc-Cma-YmHK5YXIb6Z1hIAZDcvJjL_sB1N6_oo0FM1C9wje0bi9lVsNIQ5SRYJNiHyPafD_ZeI-5FlyZ9SUPklA6S-vxJJFQc6FRzqmrb09aaX1DvVFrxaFstLQgP_pHjEJEn0/s1600/led_jan_021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMY-Xowc-Cma-YmHK5YXIb6Z1hIAZDcvJjL_sB1N6_oo0FM1C9wje0bi9lVsNIQ5SRYJNiHyPafD_ZeI-5FlyZ9SUPklA6S-vxJJFQc6FRzqmrb09aaX1DvVFrxaFstLQgP_pHjEJEn0/s400/led_jan_021.jpg" width="349" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">See also: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/12/motor-max-mutated-holden-ute.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">M</span>otormax mutated Holden Ute</a><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/11/hot-wheels-ford-falcon-v8-supercar-2011.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;">Hot Wheels Ford Falcon FG V8 Supercar</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/12/revolution-models-holden-torana-gtr-x.html" style="color: blue; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Revolution Models Holden Torana GTR-X in white</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://z13.invisionfree.com/CapitalDiecastGarage/index.php?act=idx" style="text-decoration: none;">Capital Diecast Garage Australian diecast forums - become a member today!</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-22318264096983332122011-12-23T06:52:00.000-08:002011-12-23T06:52:00.351-08:00Motor Max - mutated Holden uteWhen is an homage an insult ? Perhaps when its an imitation that looks like it just doesn't quite carry it off. Thats the feeling I get when I look at the Motor Max utility. It has to be a Holden ute - but it just looks weird.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BxbEf-mjn_VkzNuhcIIOEjhHjo957aP3Z3VNlYsI9aZrdvlvQhf1vZIpattyd2s8MV2HWzVjpfejE4-ralKzURmOLeBMMmOBXbuBO_6zxAN_wgGyctR_p_vQPEgY0v2c8ZdxfJHoABY/s1600/mm_ute_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BxbEf-mjn_VkzNuhcIIOEjhHjo957aP3Z3VNlYsI9aZrdvlvQhf1vZIpattyd2s8MV2HWzVjpfejE4-ralKzURmOLeBMMmOBXbuBO_6zxAN_wgGyctR_p_vQPEgY0v2c8ZdxfJHoABY/s400/mm_ute_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Motor Max ute</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCohPtG4-Iw-sFu0vs6YNKtXEYlPglJ-q43eHZGKoajhBpwuHFYixqNrl_rjxWsH59T4QDph-ZUgRwvkjIChOPdMdPCoLftB_8Xe7JearKMWGwZQViB3nccnuyPyhjUWNp7nHvrr_OdjY/s1600/mm_ute_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCohPtG4-Iw-sFu0vs6YNKtXEYlPglJ-q43eHZGKoajhBpwuHFYixqNrl_rjxWsH59T4QDph-ZUgRwvkjIChOPdMdPCoLftB_8Xe7JearKMWGwZQViB3nccnuyPyhjUWNp7nHvrr_OdjY/s400/mm_ute_02.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5 strange cars for $5 - where I first saw the strange ute</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I first saw the Motor Max ute when I was in Toys'r'Us looking for diecast. Normally I dont even look at the rows of Fastlane cars. They are generic and designed for kids to flog to death. They are dirt cheap as well. But the strange ute caught my eye. What was it ? I initially thought it might have been a Chev SSR. Was it a copy of the <a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/01/matchbox-holden-ve-commodore.html">Matchbox Holden Ute</a> ?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlnEKJHsaPTsmdluhn__FtR440r5XLl2kylXKrRq7iG0Jtg6W4dVnqEQMUFBM6-xZfR5jlhAqHFY4nSgfB2sHyiCr5QVtGO7VW7KMKuxfpDcDrfpZrsyYt3U9dypP8H-TMGZWKYljmYI/s1600/mm_ute_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlnEKJHsaPTsmdluhn__FtR440r5XLl2kylXKrRq7iG0Jtg6W4dVnqEQMUFBM6-xZfR5jlhAqHFY4nSgfB2sHyiCr5QVtGO7VW7KMKuxfpDcDrfpZrsyYt3U9dypP8H-TMGZWKYljmYI/s400/mm_ute_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7ukFGKYN4X40Op49WsKrpzqKnq-jxDsZTgKCNdT68K6OwUCpI_8ipVHErlasrIGde2ZO3bYwbVU73qh8iozSvRj0lzWJthDhsiQHKk7k7u6EAT7fRt6im5sRB81ZMw-pOaDEL8KBz84/s1600/mm_ute_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7ukFGKYN4X40Op49WsKrpzqKnq-jxDsZTgKCNdT68K6OwUCpI_8ipVHErlasrIGde2ZO3bYwbVU73qh8iozSvRj0lzWJthDhsiQHKk7k7u6EAT7fRt6im5sRB81ZMw-pOaDEL8KBz84/s400/mm_ute_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Big 'M' in the grille. Bizarre headlight styling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaarRN78umVr34HirBsjp1kXteuM4j7-ibVCqT0tNLPmsYqAH3LXtU0PejVeo-42w2q2mVOFqvYefTlf2Kq35eJLqYv1_Ng8yOreNTkuoT5tvNUhMgAw7B-X8wpLTc-MHxh9DCEBF76So/s1600/mm_ute_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaarRN78umVr34HirBsjp1kXteuM4j7-ibVCqT0tNLPmsYqAH3LXtU0PejVeo-42w2q2mVOFqvYefTlf2Kq35eJLqYv1_Ng8yOreNTkuoT5tvNUhMgAw7B-X8wpLTc-MHxh9DCEBF76So/s400/mm_ute_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I bit the bullet and forked out my $5 for the five car set and extracted the Motor Max ute. It was very light for a diecast, and the glass fitted very poorly, no interior either. The paint was pretty good though, and a nice colour too. Wheels are very over the top. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQVXShE-Db3Ng1oN_ffbWfrhVtcfOWwcWbcBgLlPD_xSts63nixemIzsH83_IsL2hyphenhyphenLWFnKf4Dd1cUF2foGoXDH_tWsbhQaK4wPuBqaZGfJCPdwnuUDVHwaokOfa9ubxAUZNE-T0iOZs/s1600/mm_ute_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQVXShE-Db3Ng1oN_ffbWfrhVtcfOWwcWbcBgLlPD_xSts63nixemIzsH83_IsL2hyphenhyphenLWFnKf4Dd1cUF2foGoXDH_tWsbhQaK4wPuBqaZGfJCPdwnuUDVHwaokOfa9ubxAUZNE-T0iOZs/s400/mm_ute_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbZdtX-k6TytfB5NmDsGKZjzGmDNOgyjo-vevjRsjFKMi-x6jBdwb_QcaeaBWQL67-PFsTG4JOxzlbNgDQwwkVY11dB_RN0C3vvnM_K4n_78vAgdeMa8frTBI8wL-0zPvgaWeeJeCb7Y/s1600/mm_ute_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbZdtX-k6TytfB5NmDsGKZjzGmDNOgyjo-vevjRsjFKMi-x6jBdwb_QcaeaBWQL67-PFsTG4JOxzlbNgDQwwkVY11dB_RN0C3vvnM_K4n_78vAgdeMa8frTBI8wL-0zPvgaWeeJeCb7Y/s400/mm_ute_07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The base is surprisingly detailed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOpYscdgyjla5K58vK7IXduTY-qY31TL9RhJBEeiqd6KH6pKmI09iw-bBiWNw7z1GUc_UOd-rKe_U0Zt059l5Nb38mpNuOO8V95ei4cuG-TLyFLaFwTILRNeLEZc0w6BfkZfoyKpYw_I/s1600/mm_ute_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOpYscdgyjla5K58vK7IXduTY-qY31TL9RhJBEeiqd6KH6pKmI09iw-bBiWNw7z1GUc_UOd-rKe_U0Zt059l5Nb38mpNuOO8V95ei4cuG-TLyFLaFwTILRNeLEZc0w6BfkZfoyKpYw_I/s400/mm_ute_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When you place it next to a <a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/01/matchbox-holden-ve-commodore.html">Matchbox HSV utility</a> the differences are obvious. While the general styling is the same, the Motor max ute is larger and more 'compressed'. It's as if the designers stretched it out and then pressed it back in with the body 'rising'. I dont even know what scale it could be - it is in the three inch category, but who knows. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV0c12gf7lajefnUE7Sn5EaDN03qw5AYMI4OAhrwHDQF5F10fZkpl_Z-ND03ebQcF1stk8S-AgVvRKjT1wjraL7MQGGfZvyWUbRhHoo2UB3nPSQhE6slvOp05u6vlgLR4ZK1BHVYEW5k/s1600/mm_ute_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV0c12gf7lajefnUE7Sn5EaDN03qw5AYMI4OAhrwHDQF5F10fZkpl_Z-ND03ebQcF1stk8S-AgVvRKjT1wjraL7MQGGfZvyWUbRhHoo2UB3nPSQhE6slvOp05u6vlgLR4ZK1BHVYEW5k/s640/mm_ute_09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmibIlChCcAIlzqpiIfSArdlxyepc_ie1BWE9WlqGVkPd9M1F-8qCCnELV0PWM5jx0poMX8wkhVWqZUYmeg_KkfPUGOpxqgWfBUCNGYawO0DJoDL7oNo7L_aQY0mM1b33b_zbOI5mLdws/s1600/mm_ute_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmibIlChCcAIlzqpiIfSArdlxyepc_ie1BWE9WlqGVkPd9M1F-8qCCnELV0PWM5jx0poMX8wkhVWqZUYmeg_KkfPUGOpxqgWfBUCNGYawO0DJoDL7oNo7L_aQY0mM1b33b_zbOI5mLdws/s640/mm_ute_010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkhD-A09aNsO-_XIXgHk8KSQeTzmu4AEg4850NcETKM3qWEHzparC13Nc0x9ipf3G3ioJMcH1tumFwNmXmHqk-aUxllnILqf4eUVowbg05IssGUfg88HSB3yKdl7hPW5ZuzBHPgxF5p4/s1600/mm_ute_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkhD-A09aNsO-_XIXgHk8KSQeTzmu4AEg4850NcETKM3qWEHzparC13Nc0x9ipf3G3ioJMcH1tumFwNmXmHqk-aUxllnILqf4eUVowbg05IssGUfg88HSB3yKdl7hPW5ZuzBHPgxF5p4/s640/mm_ute_011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It is clear that it is not a copy or replica of the Matchbox, Motor Max have actually created their own casting. For general kid play use, this car will be fine. For an adult collector, I'd say it will be overlooked or collected as an oddity. You couldn't really place it in a Holden collection, and it looks nothing like the Falcon utility.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvzNQtSJfvNB0AcpNAhxMf9sxbi6iKdolvdLq2f8kt21RGX_X2-RgSR3jnqYhvnqkegkmhjPZLOOXRad4_sulZmeXLLhyphenhyphenIUcrYv80aipr1nx6_TdXJApIU66M6nlDywMAXtwBJrt0grA/s1600/mm_ute_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvzNQtSJfvNB0AcpNAhxMf9sxbi6iKdolvdLq2f8kt21RGX_X2-RgSR3jnqYhvnqkegkmhjPZLOOXRad4_sulZmeXLLhyphenhyphenIUcrYv80aipr1nx6_TdXJApIU66M6nlDywMAXtwBJrt0grA/s400/mm_ute_012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
See also:<br />
<a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/01/matchbox-holden-ve-commodore.html">Matchbox Holden HSV Utility</a><br />
<a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/11/hot-wheels-ford-falcon-v8-supercar-2011.html">Hot Wheels Ford Falcon FG V8 Supercar</a><br />
<a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/12/revolution-models-holden-torana-gtr-x.html">Revolution Models Holden Torana GTR-X in white</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://z13.invisionfree.com/CapitalDiecastGarage/index.php?act=idx" style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;">Capital Diecast Garage Australian diecast forums - become a member today!</a></span>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-53672467902894389792011-12-19T06:24:00.000-08:002011-12-19T06:24:17.474-08:00Revolution Models Holden Torana GTR-X in white<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV2HZR5waUCsgobaVJWjZycZXyqeUJ8yAac8JrVf8rK6uU53-ZsJtmfxYVjPuNM69nCd33vT0LUq3T1P35hxXi7GoGgEyf3BqOW8kvxNdspDhBPm_xKgOrG8w6v9wcPotnqZiy96qNhg/s1600/rev_dec_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV2HZR5waUCsgobaVJWjZycZXyqeUJ8yAac8JrVf8rK6uU53-ZsJtmfxYVjPuNM69nCd33vT0LUq3T1P35hxXi7GoGgEyf3BqOW8kvxNdspDhBPm_xKgOrG8w6v9wcPotnqZiy96qNhg/s400/rev_dec_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Revolution Models have just released their 1:43 scale Holden Torana GTR-X concept car in white. It is a very limited edition of 300, and 100 have already been sent to a UK supplier - so if you want one I suggest you contact Revolution Models quickly. I will be reviewing this model for the next edition of Detail, but thought I'd post a few photos now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8hyDEmVVEDWNife1L8B9p7T8kQd2HxrIDMywODKC7n5rr2XZzjugjo-Tud4op1ZPaqoGX2WbTo2LdfYufSISOTn2S3F-Xm5_hCfaBhZY5okkO4Cw7OoCXgLp2JD9pz9EocMjvkeVpl0/s1600/rev_dec_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8hyDEmVVEDWNife1L8B9p7T8kQd2HxrIDMywODKC7n5rr2XZzjugjo-Tud4op1ZPaqoGX2WbTo2LdfYufSISOTn2S3F-Xm5_hCfaBhZY5okkO4Cw7OoCXgLp2JD9pz9EocMjvkeVpl0/s400/rev_dec_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Attention to detail is as always - spot on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYsoyYkYxbRSxOf0Zb41vLdXBkdyBNqA4BK2GxDazI60uBXqtz1owueQNQhhS_HwkGuO8p8mnvVKjgEAcGl_d0ifw0JATBHFeW88FFbIqiYtJQy30RzDBv9-HUpAd2JNkfhN1GZUlpq0/s1600/rev_dec_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYsoyYkYxbRSxOf0Zb41vLdXBkdyBNqA4BK2GxDazI60uBXqtz1owueQNQhhS_HwkGuO8p8mnvVKjgEAcGl_d0ifw0JATBHFeW88FFbIqiYtJQy30RzDBv9-HUpAd2JNkfhN1GZUlpq0/s400/rev_dec_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJrWQ9D54elFtg4ah1cWpQk8rJ9OO2XLh4fKLfq9MRBouNv5W3xu0FSwnNupgXf4gzgqW9OWwDCLE9Rfc8y488kZ1wMXDF0CuPVyuDwSyVloXaAexKmLV6HbsIZj8uV_R46r6_98NnMw/s1600/rev_dec_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJrWQ9D54elFtg4ah1cWpQk8rJ9OO2XLh4fKLfq9MRBouNv5W3xu0FSwnNupgXf4gzgqW9OWwDCLE9Rfc8y488kZ1wMXDF0CuPVyuDwSyVloXaAexKmLV6HbsIZj8uV_R46r6_98NnMw/s400/rev_dec_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beautiful lines. This is not the same casting as the Models56 GTR-X from a few years ago. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCXWx2YIh7ptGJrOg_s7wopgF1iG5YAjWXZaoaIX19H76JBGAy5MMY258Euz7MTcCDEBfd6zJV0w6KI6maLO84JDMMpe96zXQNLrkdenqlCb7FubVmAgvAiqZ4bwPSPNrjzO4PEkhomU/s1600/rev_dec_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCXWx2YIh7ptGJrOg_s7wopgF1iG5YAjWXZaoaIX19H76JBGAy5MMY258Euz7MTcCDEBfd6zJV0w6KI6maLO84JDMMpe96zXQNLrkdenqlCb7FubVmAgvAiqZ4bwPSPNrjzO4PEkhomU/s400/rev_dec_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nice fliptop presentation case and certificate</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><i>You can contact Revolution Models by email <a href="mailto:anthonywhanna@hotmail.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;">anthonywhanna@hotmail.com</a> or by <b>phone </b></i><span lang="EN-US"><b><i>07 5522 4741</i></b></span><span lang="EN-US"><i>. </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">See also:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/11/resin-revolution-revolution-models.html">A resin Revolution</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/12/questions-answered-code-3-acquisition.html">Questions answered - Code 3 acquisition by a non-collector</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://z13.invisionfree.com/CapitalDiecastGarage/index.php?act=idx">Capital Diecast Garage Australian diecast forums - become a member today!</a></span></div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827589162485728288.post-59491684430717958862011-12-09T20:11:00.000-08:002011-12-09T20:11:47.633-08:00Questions answered - Code 3 acquisition by a non-collector<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Occasionally I receive emails from people with questions about models, so I've decided to post the odd one every now and then. The first one is from 'Sarah'. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br />
<blockquote type="cite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="hmmessage" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><div dir="ltr"><i>Hi there,<br />
<br />
I have been searching for ages for a model replica of the :<br />
"CODE3 TRAX TR12B HOLDEN HZ <b>PANEL VAN PETER BROCK</b> RALLY SUPPORT VEHICLE 'MARLBORO' WITH BULL BAR AND ROOF RACK 1.43 SCALE"<br />
And am hoping you might be able to help me.<br />
I'm looking for it for my partner, and I myself do not know much about this sort of thing.<br />
I look forward to hearing from you, if you have any questions please let me know.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
Sarah</i></div></div></span></blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hi Sarah,</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">That is a Code 3 model, which means its not an official Trax model, but one that a person has modified to be a Peter Brock support vehicle. </span>The original Trax TR12B is a HZ Holden panel van in red with Ampol livery. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JORSIhUONHkfM9VlkRdzlnAWGg1n8IVrlYAqHSbZ7PFyrMRXcN7hyQlyUQ5uJRPOv6go1YhM5BCCTOOtoqpXyg0vc39-VCrwd8CWZcCv_UiSH6vdB1YmR2zqXaGkAyjjcZsc65O8J-0/s1600/TR12B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JORSIhUONHkfM9VlkRdzlnAWGg1n8IVrlYAqHSbZ7PFyrMRXcN7hyQlyUQ5uJRPOv6go1YhM5BCCTOOtoqpXyg0vc39-VCrwd8CWZcCv_UiSH6vdB1YmR2zqXaGkAyjjcZsc65O8J-0/s320/TR12B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Trax TR12B Holden HZ panelvan in Ampol livery. Released in 1993</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not familiar with the Code 3 model in question, but in my experience Code 3 models vary in quality from amateurish to exceptional. My advice is to actually hold it in your hand and assess the quality with the naked eye before handing over your money. Even I have been fooled with photos of a code 3 model which looked great - and when the model arrived I then saw how poor it was. </span></div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />cheers</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Damien</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg78pFd9MEOvVv2WYdzFoZ4jG_Sv-McKRyuUAC05NBd7nhzOfcqgK_L3YmFtdUcdx4L7M8IWFjVKej6Dn8Q9wvXD0WaghM-gvoLgUKeBIytTXXrOJhS-B8nB6rwyv0Fx8KEKtBZCoG1g/s1600/brockcode3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg78pFd9MEOvVv2WYdzFoZ4jG_Sv-McKRyuUAC05NBd7nhzOfcqgK_L3YmFtdUcdx4L7M8IWFjVKej6Dn8Q9wvXD0WaghM-gvoLgUKeBIytTXXrOJhS-B8nB6rwyv0Fx8KEKtBZCoG1g/s320/brockcode3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEouRRNeKCW2D2HV5sUlCW0EjaI-U_y0lhJWsSfgolqJnV6BBAlSxNHXaenqA3YI4m41VnlOQJdPfBW-KqZlEyMoIyG24l88hjEh8-cY8Mp_6WqR3MELhWFLzVai_3bpnCiULu671prc/s1600/511646237_tp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEouRRNeKCW2D2HV5sUlCW0EjaI-U_y0lhJWsSfgolqJnV6BBAlSxNHXaenqA3YI4m41VnlOQJdPfBW-KqZlEyMoIyG24l88hjEh8-cY8Mp_6WqR3MELhWFLzVai_3bpnCiULu671prc/s320/511646237_tp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A pair of 'Code 3' Trax TR13 Holden utes, modified to be 'Brock Support vehicles'. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">See also:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://z13.invisionfree.com/CapitalDiecastGarage/index.php?act=idx">Capital Diecast Garage Australian diecast forums - become a member today!</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/11/resin-revolution-revolution-models.html">A Resin Revolution - Revolution Models</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2011/11/detail-magazine-issue-2.html">'Detail' magazine Issue 2 - new online diecast model car magazine</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://capitaldiecastgarage.blogspot.com/2009/10/code-3-short-guide-to-diecast-car.html">Code 3 - A short guide to diecast car codes</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </div></span></div></div>D.C. Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12975869715163898548noreply@blogger.com0