Matchbox Dinky Toys is Back In Style With Fresh Diecast
Anyone who knows diecast minis knows about Dinky (now owned by Matchbox). They was the very first line of miniature models made – their heyday of popularity being in the 50’s and 60’s as boys clamored to increase their colorful collection. Though the toys started out in England, as word spread they soon became available in the Netherlands and other European countries and eventually the United States. South Africa was also a huge importer of the toys because of cheap, existing trade laws with Great Britain. Now the line is back in style with a new generation of high quality, top-shelf model cars that seeks to attract the serious hobby collector instead of just the young fellas. The 1958 Porsche 356A (SKU K1882) and 1960 Jaguar SK150 (SKU K1885) have been seen at many Target stores. Dinky Diecast collectors be sure to check out the Complete List of the Dinky Collection. Though the site has not been updated in since 2005, they also have links to other extensive lists.
July 27, 2007
AUTOart 1/18 Diecast Model Releases To Be Looking For
Talk is starting to build about an imminent release of some interesting and unique 1/18 diecast model cars from maker AUTOart. Perhaps most notable is the Koenigsegg CCX in Orange (Model No. 79001), Black (Model No. 79002), and Silver (Model No. 79003). CCX is an acronym for for Competition Coupe X and the Swedish supercar is powered by a 32-valve V8 engine that produces over 1,000 horsepower on biofuel! The body sports a combo of carbon fiber and Kevlar. Another exclusive future release is AUTOart Model No. 73071 - the Ford Shelby GR1 Concept Car with an aluminum finish. Also, 70401 and 70402 are the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible in Bright Red and Persian Sand. AUTOart Model No. 80514 (Ford GT LM Spec. II Test Car) is slated for arrival at US diecast retailers next week!
July 12, 2007
AUTOart Stingray is a "Street Machine With Soul"
The Stingray name (now just one word, not two) re-appeared on the Corvette model's front fenders in 1969 after being absent for the 1968 model year car. GM moved the ignition to the steering column and the back-up lights became part of the center taillights. Another noticable difference was a regular key lock on the doors as opposed to the door buttons that had been in use. Buyers could choose from 10 colors: Cortez Silver, Monaco Orange, LeMans Blue, Tuxedo Black, Monza Red, Fathom Green, Can-Am White, Riverside Gold, or Daytona Yellow. The starting point engine was the 427 cid/390 hp RPO L36 V-8, then came the RPO L68 with a three-barrel carb that sported 400 hp for about $325 more. Hot Rod magazine tested an L88 and considered it "a street machine with soul." The primo power option was the RPO ZL1 aluminum block and head motor. The L88 had a top speed of 151 mph!
Coming soon is the 1/18 scale 1969 Corvette Stingray convertible model in Cortez Silver (pictured above) as AUTOart Diecast Model No. 71162. As a Millenium Edition diecast model, expect retail prices to be about $85 with delivery in the US sometime in late summer. It even sports the RPO N14 side-mount exhaust system! What true muscle car fan would be caught without one?
July 11, 2007
Maisto Image Gallery Shows 2007 RCX/DCX Show
The Pomona, California Fairplex was jammed with excitement (and hobbysists) on the weekend of March 31-April 1, 2007 for the 2007 RCX Show. For years RCX has been the most dynamic, action-packed event showcasing the latest and greatest products in the radio control hobby. This year it was hotter than ever with four events in one: RCX, The DieCast X Collectors Expo, the Model Airplane News Expo and the All Scale Train Expo. Maisto was there in full force and had three full-size cars on display: a 2006 Ferrari F430 Spider, a chopped 1950 Merc, and '67 Mustang by Kaucher Kustoms (pictured above). They even gave away six of their 1:10 scale Giovanna Edition Mustang R/C models! Check out the Maisto photo galleries to see tons of great shots including shots from the 2006 RCX/DCX and SEMA shows!
July 10, 2007
New 'Mopar Mayhem' 1970 Super Bee
Tom Zahorsky, Senior Design Manager at Johnny Lightning, has posted to his blog that the highly anticipated 1970 Dodge Super Bee with correct hood "is slated for release in early 2008. You'll be seeing the release of this new Super Bee in a new program called Mopar Mayhem." All JL collectors should bookmark Tom's blog and stay tuned there for all the dirt straight from the source!
July 09, 2007
Lightning Fest 2007 Strikes Chicago!
Johnny Lightning announces its 2007 Lightning Fest event to be held at Wizard World Chicago on August 9-12 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Johnny Lightning will unveil new model selections for 2008, new castings and prototypes, event cars and exclusive product offerings only available at the event, including three exclusive limited edition '69 Camaro event cars. Adding even more electricity to the event is the return of the Lightning Girls, who will be handing out tons of FREE goodies. The odds of being struck by lightning are approximately 1 in 500,000, but it's a sure thing you'll be struck by what you see at Lightning Fest 2007!
Lightning Fest '69 Camaro RS/SS
Camaro owners in '69 certainly had a bevy of choices when deciding how they wanted their car outfitted, so why not combine the Rally Sport and Super Sport packages and get the absolute best of both worlds?! The RS option package included a special grille with hidden headlights bright accents on the simulated rear fender louvers, black body sills and "RS" badging and nameplates, while the SS package brought with it the choice of two ram-air induction systems, floor mounted special 3-speed manual transmission, and special striping. Add to all of this amazing array of performance engine choices and it's easy to see what all the fuss was about!
Stock Version
Part of a very limited 1 of 950 production run, it features a black interior and rolls on Rallye rims with rubber tires.
Custom Version
Also part of a limited run of just 950 produced, this custom version of the car shows off a gray interior and five-spoke hard wheels holding wide white wall tires.
White Lightning
Just 100 in existence make this showstopper ultra-rare! It is modeled after the stock version of the car but with white rims and tires on the Rallye wheels.
July 04, 2007
SunStar's 1951 Kaiser "Henry J" Offers Unique History
In September, 1950 Henry J. Kaiser, Chairman of the Kaiser-Frazer Motor Company, publically unveiled his low-priced threat to the Chevy 150. Even after taxes and fees the 'Henry J' could be had for $1,300 because it sported very few components and only 68 hp in it's 4-cylinder engine. Just how few parts did this model have? The passenger had no sun visor, there was no truck lid (access was granted by folding down the rear seats), no armrests or glove box, and absolutely no ventilation. In 1952 you could even buy a version of the 'Henry J' called the 'Allstate' through Sears! After only two years of low sales, Sears abandoned the test run. In the end, the 'Henry J' model was a real disappointment for Kaiser. It simply could no compete with comparably-priced cars from Chevrolet and Ford that were larger and had the basic parts that the 'Henry J' conspicuously did not. Kaiser was never able to turn a profit on the car and sales continued to decline each year. The car was offered through 1954, only because efforts in the previous year to fire-sale all remaining cars was unsuccessful. For more history of the Kaiser 'Henry J' click here.
SunStar Diecast Model No. 5091 will seek to faithfully replicate this piece of American car history in 1/18 scale. The color is undecided and arrival dates to retailers is still unknown. As always, check with your favorite SunStar Toys dealer for more specific information on availability and pricing.
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