Tales of Toy Cars - New Finds for October 2000

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 or send a message via the 'Guest Book'.

1955 Chrysler C300 #141 by Johnny Lightning, $2.99

1955 Ford Crown Victoria #142 by Johnny Lightning, $2.99

1958 Chevrolet Impala #144 by Johnny Lightning, $2.99

1957 Lincoln Premiere #143 by Johnny Lightning, $2.99

1953 Buick Super Convertible #140 by Johnny Lightning, $2.99

1960 Ford Starliner by Ertl $4.99

1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator by Ertl $4.99

1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 by Ertl $4.99

1959 Chevrolet Impala #16 by Revell $2.99

1961 Chevrolet Impala #13 by Revell $2.99

1971 Buick Riviera #14 by Revell $2.99

U.S. Army Half-Track by Johnny Lightning $3.99

U.S. Army Jeep by Johnny Lightning $3.99

Recent Additions

It was another big month for the collection. Johnny Lightning's new American Chrome series hit the shelves and is another hit. The 1955 Chrysler C300 is my favorite with the 1953 Buick a bit too narrow. The green tinted roof of the Ford Crown Victoria is a delight, Also from JL are two military vehicles I could not resist, the Jeep and Half-Track models.

Simba, a name used by Hongwell, provided an even dozen new models. These 1:72 scale cars are a bit smaller but the detail is most impressive. Even better, the Simba line includes new Volvo and Saab models, a real rarity in diecast. In addition to the Swedes, four Mercedes-Benz, two VW, one Porsche and one Land Rover round out the selection. The Porsche 550 Spyder and VW Cabriolet are great vintage additions to Hongwell's line. All 12 were received in trade.

Three new Ertl models were found. The 1960 Ford Starliner is a very interesting model from Ford's forgotten year. The 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator is a revised casting from the earlier Racing Champions release and includes an opening trunk. The 1970 Chevrolet Camaro is a great model of one of the more stylish GT/pony cars from Detroit.

Revell also provided three new models from their Lowriders series. The '59 and '61 Chevy Impala models are quite nice but the '71 Buick Riviera is my favorite. I hope Revell offers these castings in stock form as well.

Another Playart arrived in a trade. The Ferrari 512BB has not been overdone in 1:64. Hot Wheels and McDonalds teamed up for a crazy Studebaker Station Wagon that is actually quite fun. Matchbox chopped the top on the new VW Beetle although the Cabriolet is a completely different casting than the earlier Concept 1 model. Maisto is the first to provide the popular PT Cruiser by Chrysler in 1:64 scale. New Maisto wheels help but the missing interior does not.

Lastly, a gift arrived from Japan in the form of six Tomica cars packaged in a special (all-Japanese) display box. The box is for a popular Japanese comic book and the cars are featured in the stories. I was especially pleased that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV pro-rally car was part of the set.