Expanding the Collection


The following toy cars were purchased or received in trade by Doug Breithaupt in the previous month. Some are new but others are older diecast acquired from other collectors. The prices paid are also shown. This addition to 'Tales of Toy Cars'. is intended to share recent finds with fellow collectors. If you have found some interesting diecast cars recently, let me know and send an image if possible, attached to an e-mail.

NOREV

Audi A4 Cabriolet - trade

Peugeot RC concept - trade

Peugeot 206WRC - trade

MUSCLE MACHINES

Acura NSX - $2.49

Honda S2000 - $2.49

Mazda RX-7 - $2.49


TOMICA/RACING CHAMPIONS

Honda NSX - $1.99

Chevrolet Astro III concept - $.99

1932 Ford Speedback - $.99

REVELLE

Chevrolet Impala SS - $1.99

MATCHBOX

1960 MGA - $2.99


JOHNNY LIGHTNING

1955 Lincoln Futura concept - $2.99

WWII VW Kubelwagen - $2.66

'The Love Bug' - $2.66


JADA

2002 Cadillac CTS - $2.49

SUPREME

BMW 7 Series - $.33

VW New Beetle - $.33

VW Golf IV - $.33

Opel Omega Caravan - $.33

CAR OF THE MONTH

Corvette C5R - GMP - $9.95


ADDITIONS THIS MONTH

Here is another Le Mans model that I could not resist. It is also the first 1:64 scale model from GMP. GMP is best known for larger scale racing models. This is simply one of the most detailed racing models ever seen in this scale. The Corvette C5R is the most successful racing Corvette in 50 years. It has won the Daytona 24 Hour Race and taken class honors at Le Mans. With all the 50th Anniversary of Corvette hoopla, it was curious that no one else had done the C5R. Now, it will be almost impossible for anyone else to compete with GMP in doing this car. The lift-off engine cover and opening doors provide amazing detail. The tires and wheels look perfect with a patina of brake-dust. The tampos and lights are of quality usually reserved for 1:43 scale. At $9.95 this is the most expensive new model I have ever bought. The level of detail and low 2,500 piece run justify this price.

Three more new Norev models arrived from France in trade. I love these cars by Norev. The Audi A4 Cabriolet is the first to be produced in small-scale. Other than the curious trailer-hitch, it is a delightful model. What do you pull with an Audi A4 Cabrio? Even more impressive is the Peugeot RC concept car. The rear 3/4 shot shows the Ferrari-like tail. The bowed 'A' pillars are a unique touch. Just as good is the Peugeot 206WRC rally car. Champion in 2002, this model is complete with navigator's station and roll-cage. It's a great companion piece for the Citroen WRC model from Norev. Norev is my front-runner for 'best 1:64 scale models of 2003'.

Funline's Tuner Muscle Machines are like candy. I can't pass them up. The candy apple NSX was so nice I hurried it into the last issue. The Honda S2000 and Mazda RX-7 are just as sweet.

Years from now, how will we classify the two Tomica models offered by Racing Champions. The Honda NSX is clearly labeled as a Tomica but the color and packaging are RC exclusives. The NSX joins the Mitsubishi EVO VIII and it appears this represents the end of the RC/Tomica link. Also from RC is the Astro III concept car of the late 1960's. This was the third and final form for the Astro concepts. The first used Corvair power while the last two were Corvette powered. The '32 Ford Speedback is a unique look for a hot rod with a roofline that copied those used by Gurney-Nutting and others on custom bodied cars like Bentley.

Revelle's Impala SS in black is quite striking. Matchbox produced this nice 1960 MGA but limited its availability to an 'Elvis' series car and the Coke model seen here. I've been waiting for this model in the regular line but decided not to wait any longer. I do not like cross-marketing on toy cars as a rule but decided this one did not look too bad.

Johnny Lightning was very clever to see that the 1955 Lincoln Futura was a car they could do. The Futura is best know as the basis of the Batmobile done by George Barris and it seems no one can get the license to do that car again. Doing the Futura provides a look at the model that lead to the Batmobile and to the 1956-57 Lincoln production models. JL's new Hollywood series include the original VW Kubelwagen (Hogan's Heroes). Only Playart had ever done this model before and it's nice to see another. Far more popular is The Love Bug VW Beetle. A small-scale model of Herbie was long overdue and JL deserves credit for doing a great job on this model.

Jada is the first to do the new Cadillac CTS. Cadillac deserves credit for turning a sow's ear (remember the Catera?) into a silk purse. Who would have bet that Cadillac could inspire the tuner market with any model? The fact that a toy version is out is a very positive sign for Cadillac today.

Supreme's plastic models are certainly cheap in price and the shapes are just fine. Four German cars are represented. BMW's earlier 7 Series is a rare model. The VW Beetle is nothing special but the Golf IV is less common. Most interesting is the Opel Omega Caravan, previously seen from only Siku.

Hot Wheels seem to have decided that like Detroit, they will now introduce the new year's models in the fall of the old year. A mix of 2003 and 2004 models are now available. I bought the Miura so it could be included in last month's Lamborghini article. It's nice but not worth $7.99. The '59 Chevy is a curious story. The original version was a hard-top without the center post. HW has now modified the casting to include a post. The story is this was done to allow a HW employee to do his personal car and that is the 'Redphin' model seen here. The Audacious is clearly a tuned version of the Audi Estate model. The '70 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda has seen a lot of use since its introduction. This Dan Gurney Trans Am racing version may be the best yet. It is great to see these authentic versions of vintage racers. The Panos LMP is not vintage yet but this is an authentic racing color version. HW seems to have decided that Batmobiles are cool again and two have appeared from the 2004 line already. The 100% collector version of the '89 Batmobile is very nice but then it is priced to be. The regular line Batmobile is far less impressive with many plastic parts and 'excess is more' styling. Lastly, for $6 I added the 1971 Buick GSX. I have a soft spot for this car as my '72 Buick Sportwagon shares the same chassis and front clip.

Maisto is finally getting their 2003 models out and there are some nice surprises. The BMW Z4 is very nice and the first version of the re-styled roadster in 1:64 scale. It has nice weight, excellent tampos and only the budget wheels leave me wanting more. As a roadster, Maisto even has to provide an interior! The '56 Chrysler 300B is far less satisfying. Black with smoked windows does nothing for the car. the wheels look way off for a classic '50's car. it is also a much smaller scale, perhaps 1:70 or less. The '48 Ford F-1 pick-up is nicely done and classic pick-up fans will welcome this model. The GM Autonomy concept car is quite unique and reinforces Maisto as the king of the concepts. Is this the car of the future? The 2002 Chevy Bel Air concept is a mix of retro and modern styling. What was the last car to carry a front bench seat? This one could see production. This is the second Cadillac Cien concept and a case could be made that it is a better shape than the HW model. Why Maisto needed to do another '92 Dodge Viper is hard to figure. The 2002 Viper does make a nice comparison with the original. I really like the shape of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. Add an interior and collector wheels and this would be something special. Compared to the Matchbox version, Maisto is an easy winner. Maisto is also first with the new VW Touareg SUV. Unfortunately they again picked black and the look is too somber. Still, Maisto deserves credit for some very unique castings.

Siku did this Opel Omega Caravan some years back but I had missed adding it to the collection. It is interesting to compare it to the Supreme version. These Euro-wagons are always welcome.

For years I've wanted to find a BMW Z1 model. Until now, I just had not done so. Thanks to Kimmo Sahakangas, the Z1 is now represented. Soma did this model and it is a decent example of a unique car. How did the major toy car companies miss this one? I now have one Z1, eleven Z3 and one Z4 model. What ever happened to the Z2?

Just Passing Through...
The following models are on their way to the collection of contributing writer Rainer Sliwinski. Since I don't have them, he kindly agreed to share them here. The Cadzilla model is one of the most dramatic custom cars ever and HW has done it very well. Now I have to find one. The Corgi Dune Buggy is just right and makes for a nice comparison with new buggies from HW and JL. The Dodge Rampage by HW has 'real-rider' tires and an ATV in the back. It's an interesting FWD mini-pick-up of the 1980's
Cadzilla (collector model) by Hot Wheels

Dune Buggy by Corgi

Dodge Rampage by Hot Wheels

HOT WHEELS

Lamborghini Miura P400 - $7.99

1959 Chevrolet Bel-Air Coupe - $.92

Audacious - $.92

Dan Gurney 1970 'Hemi' Cuda - $2.99

Panos LMP - $4.35

1989 Batmobile - $5.98

2004 Batmobile - $.99

1971 Buick GSX - $5.98


MAISTO

2003 BMW Z4 - $.69

1956 Chrysler 300B - $.50

1948 Ford F-1 - $.50

GM Autonomy concept - $.50

Chevy Bel Air concept - $.50

Cadillac Cien concept - $.50

1992 Dodge Viper RT - $.50

2002 Dodge Viper - $.69

2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S - $.50

VW Touareg - $.69


SIKU

Opel Omega Caravan - $2.49


SOMA

BMW Z1 - trade
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