2000 Audi TT Cabriolet by Maisto $69 Ford Taurus Stocker, Maisto, $.99 '70 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda by Maisto, $1 '70 Ford Boss Mustang, Maisto, $1 Jaguar XK8 Cabriolet by Matchbox $1 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, Matchbox $1 Porsche 911GT1, Matchbox, $1 1965 Pontiac GTO, Ertl $4.99 Volvo Wagon #824, Yat Ming - trade |
Recent Additions Maisto, Matchbox and Johnny Lightning all provided new models for the collection in December. Yat Ming, Hot Wheels, Motor Max and Siku also contributed. Maisto has done a very nice Audi TT Cabriolet. As the top is down, we get an interior which is quite realistic. The 2000 Ford Taurus stock car is quite basic with blacked-out windows and no interior. Maisto has now released some of their 1:60 scale castings with rubber tires and pull-back motors. The '70 Hemi Cuda and Boss Mustang are shown. Bodies are screwed to the bases allowing for simple customizing work if you so desire. Matchbox will be moving back to the traditional-75 series for 2001 instead of 1-100 series offered for 2000. In addition, new wheels are beginning to show. The pretty blue Jaguar XK8 is refreshing in an appropriate color with new detail. The Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet is new for 2000 and the first topless example of the new 911. The Porsche 911GT1 is not new but look close. The wheels are the new design and this street version of the GT1 car sports small, painted rear-quarter windows. Ertl continues to do some great models in their American Muscle series. The '65 Pontiac GTO is no exception. Note the rear-side pipes, an authentic touch. Yat Ming offers Volvo's recent wagon model. The trailer hitch is oversized but it's nice to see this car done. Johnny Lightning has a new series of muscle cars. The '68 Cougar fills a gap as does the '69 Nova. The '67 Firebird is welcome and this is the first time the '67 Oldsmobile 442 has been offered in small-scale. JL continues to please collectors with these great little cars. Two new Hot Wheels were found and both are welcome editions. The Lotus Elise 340R represents a real car (I've seen it) and it is the long-deserved successor to the Lotus 7. The Isuzu VehiCROSS is a wild mini-SUV and it is unlikely to be done by anyone else. Note the new wheels. The silver-sparkle paint is a bit too flashy but these are TOY cars after-all. Continuing the small, utility vehicle theme is the first new casting from Red Box in their Motor Max line. Red Box bought the old Zylmex casting and everything so far has been re-issues of the Zylmex models. It's great to see a new casting and this Chrysler PT Cruiser is excellent. The quality is equal to Matchbox and it comes in black or gold as well. This should be popular with collectors and PT Cruiser owners. Siku offers the Mercedes-Benz A Class and as expected, it is the best example of this baby Benz so far. The rear hatch opens and the wheels look correct. Siku simply continues to produce some of the most solid small-scale diecast cars on the market. Like Siku, Tomica has consistently offered wonderful little vehicles and often provide the only examples of important Japanese cars. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV was the World Rally Championship car in 1999 and this is the only example in 1:64 scale. While the stock version is shown here (for sale in Japan), various rally versions are also produced by Tomica. 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV, Tomica - gift |
'68 Mercury Cougar, Johnny Lightning $2.99 '69 Chevrolet Nova, Johnny Lightning $2.99 '67 Pontiac Firebird, Johnny Lightning $2.99 '67 Oldsmobile 442, Johnny Lightning $2.99 2000 Lotus Elise 340R #75, Hot Wheels $.99 1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS #76, Hot Wheels $.99 Chrysler PT Cruiser #6016, Motor Max $.99 Mercedes-Benz A Class, Siku $2.95 |