Tales of Toy Cars - New finds for November 1, 2006

Volume X, Last Updated February 13, 2007

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.

The following 204 additions represent two and a half months. If this is an average for a 75 day period, I am adding about 1,000 cars per year or just under 3 per day! I suspect that these months around the holidays are heavier with new products appearing at stores. I could also add up what I've spent on toy cars for this period but I firmly believe that in this case, ignorance is bliss.

Expanding the Collection begins a new format with this issue. We still have the 'Toy Cars of the Month' but the remainder are now divided by marque. I would be an ungrateful cur if I did not take this opportunity to thank my many trading partners who are responsible for sending most of the really good toy cars shown below. Thank you everyone!

Toy Cars of the Month - Stephen Bresnehan is responsible for some of the great custom models like the MGTD shown here. This one is a replica of the original Matchbox casting. The MGA came from an Elvis set I bought. Why has this casting seen so little use? The Polistil Citroen 2CV is a charmer and the Kyosho Ferrari 250LM is a stunner. The same goes for Norev's lovely Alpine-Renault A110 and it's wonderful to see an 'E' type in the Matchbox line again.

MGTD - trade

MGA - Matchbox Elvis Series - $2.25

Citroen 2CV - Polistil - $6.00
Ferrari 250LM - Kyosho - trade

Alpine-Renault A110 - Norev - trade

1961 Jaguar 'E' type - Matchbox - $.97

ABARTH - Majorette's Fiat Ritmo casting carries the Abarth 2000 graphics with this model. This adds it to a select number of small-scale Abarths.

2000 (Fiat Ritmo) - Majorette - $.33

ALFA ROMEO - The GTV Coupe by Kyosho is a good as expected. The Carabo has been re-painted and given new wheels by Stephen Bresnehan.

GTV Coupe - Kyosho - trade

Bertone Carabo concept (custom) - Matchbox - trade

AMC - For just a buck, I could not resist this hot pink and white holiday Met.

1957 Metropolitan - Johnny Lightning (holiday) - $1.00

ASTON MARTIN - new color

DB9 - Hot Wheels - $.97

AUDI - The Audi wagons are clearly popular with toy car makers. It's nice to see this model from Matchbox. Siku does not identify their silver Le Mans racer as an Audi RS8 but we know what it is.

RS6 Avant - Matchbox - $.97

R8 Le Mans - Siku - trade

'Audacious' Audi Wagon - Hot Wheels - $.97

RS4 Avant - Yat Ming - $1.49

TT Roadster - Matchbox - $.99

BMW - Yat Ming and Siku offer these recent BMW models.

BMW M3 Cabriolet - Yat Ming - trade

BMW 530i - Yat Ming - trade

BMW 645i Cabriolet - Siku - trade

BUGATTI - With over 1,000 hp and 0-60 in less than 3 seconds, the Veyron is something special. Siku's version is excellent except for the color match on the plastic doors.

Veyron - Siku - trade

BUICK - For the past six years I 've been waiting to find the Racing Champions Mint Edition '57 Buick. Patience paid off with one for $3 at a toy show. It actually has red-wall tires. On sale for $1, I could not resist the black and gold '65 Riviera. The '71 GS is new to JL and so are the higher prices. As it shares the platform with my '72 Sport Wagon, I had to have one. Maisto keeps releasing these GM concepts from 2003. Here is Buick's crossover concept.

1957 Buick Century - Racing Champions - $3.00

1971 Skylark GS - Johnny Lightning - $3.95

1965 Riviera - Maisto - $1.00

2003 Rendezvous concept - Maisto - $.50

CADILLAC - All Matchbox, these Cadillacs show that for 50 years, BIG is still a sales point with the crest and wreath crowd.

1956 Eldorado Biarritz - Matchbox Elvis set - $2.25

1956 Eldorado Biarritz - Matchbox - $.97

1955 Fleetwood - Matchbox - $.97

1955 Fleetwood - Matchbox - $.97

Escalade SUV - Matchbox - $.99

CHEVROLET - Here are 21 Chevrolet toy cars although some are just color variations. My favorites are the Revell '61 Impala, Motor Max '71 and '76 Impalas and the Siku Camaro.

1957 Corvette - Matchbox - $.97

Corvette C6 custom - Siku - trade

1978 Corvette - Hot Wheels (holiday) - $.97

1961 Impala SS - Malibu International - $1.00

1961 Impala - Revell - $2.49

1971 Impala - Motor Max - $1.98

1976 Impala - Motor Max - $1.98

1959 Impala Convertible - Johnny Lightning - $1.00

1969 Blazer - Johnny Lightning - $2.97

1969 Impala - Johnny Lightning - $1.00

1969 Nova - Hot Wheels - $.99

1966 Nova - Hot Wheels - $.97

1966 Nova - Hot Wheels - $.97

1969 pick-up - Hot Wheels - $.97

1977 Camaro - Johnny Lightning (Spoilers) - $1.00

1978 Camaro Z28 - Hot Wheels - $.97

2006 Camaro concept - Hot Wheels - $.97

2006 Camaro concept - Hot Wheels - $.97

1982 Camaro - Siku - $1.00

1967 Custom Camaro - Hot Wheels - $.97

1997 Camaro Convertible - Johnny Lightning - $1.00

CHRYSLER - This would not have joined the collection if not for Dave Weber's story and the Wal-Mart sale price. If I stripped off the Trump name it would make me feel better.

300C Limo - Maisto - $1.50

DE TOMASO - This lovely Tomica Limited model arrived in a trade. It's as good as it looks.

Pantera - Tomica Limited - trade

DODGE - Nine Dodges, including the new Challenger concept and the classic Challenger in two colors joined the collection. The wheels on the green version look so much better. I really like the magnum Wagon by Matchbox.

1970 Challenger - Hot Wheels - $.97

1970 Challenger - Hot Wheels - $.97

Magnum Wagon - Matchbox - $.97

2006 Challenger concept - Hot Wheels - $.97

2006 Challenger concept - Hot Wheels - $.97

Charger R/T - Matchbox - $.97

Viper R/T - Sun Toys - $.33

1969 Dart - Hot Wheels - $.97

Charger R/T - Hot Wheels - $.97

FERRARI - Eight more Ferrari models make this a special treat. Four of the Hot Wheels are re-colors. The 250GT California by Kyosho is both unique in small-scale and a stunner. The new 599GTB by Hot Wheels is welcome but don't you wish Matchbox produced it instead. The 312S by Polistil was an interesting find at a toy show. Siku's 'Enzo' is a generic but is anyone fooled?

1959 Ferrari 250GT California Spider - Kyosho - trade

599GTB - Hot Wheels - $.97

312S - Polistil - $5.00

430GTS - Hot Wheels - $.97

Enzo custom - Siku - trade

Enzo - Hot Wheels - $.97

512M - Hot Wheels - $.97

575GTC - Hot Wheels - $.97

FORD - Ford beat Chevy for this mix of models. Quite a few are re-colors but there are some nice new ones as well. The Pilen Ford Torino police is great. I was pleased to find the two Crown Vic models by Welly and they make for an interesting comparison with the Matchbox. Hot Wheels did two new Fusion models, one for a cereal promo and one for McDonalds. The HW '37 Woody was an easy decision, especially on sale. The five new Ford GT models are all fun and the Mk. IV by Universal is a copy of the white Ertl that I've had for years. I like the JL hot rod Bird with it's Spoiler number. The '78 T-Bird from Motor Max is a great addition as well. All the Mustangs except the Hongwell and Hot Wheels are color variations. I found the First Edition '70 Mustang set at a toy show for $5 and had to add it to my 'bumble-dee stangs' of that same year.

Ford Torino Police - Pilen - trade

Ford Crown Victoria Fire Dept. - Welly - $1.49

Ford Crown Victoria Police - Welly - $1.49

Ford Crown Victoria Police. - Matchbox - $.99

Ford Fusion (Kelloggs/McDonalds) Hot Wheels - promos

Sierra Cosworth - Sun Toys - $.33

1937 Woody custom - Hot Wheels - $1.99

1957 Thunderbird - Matchbox - $.99

2005 GT - Yat Ming - $1.49

GT40 Mk. II - Hot Wheels - $.97

2005 GT - Matchbox - $.99

GT40 Mk. II - Hot Wheels - $1.00

2005 GT - Matchbox - $.99

GT Mk. IV - Ertl/Universal - trade

1956 Thunderbird - Johnny Lightning Spoilers - $1.00

1978 Thunderbird - Motor Max - $1.97

2006 Mustang GT - Hongwell - $1.49

1970 Mustang - Hot Wheels - $.97

2004 Mustang concept - Matchbox - $.97

2006 Mustang GT - Hot Wheels - $.97

1970 Mustang - Hot Wheels - $.97

1971 Mustang vintage racer - Jada - $2.97

1970 Boss Mustang - Matchbox - $2.50

1970 Boss Mustang - Matchbox - $2.50 with same model by (L-R): Hot Wheels, Racing Champions, Maisto, Johnny Lightning

GMC - Maisto is still the king of small-scale concepts and it is great to see the HW Motorhome back in the line.

Hi-Wire concept - Maisto - $.50

Motorhome - Hot Wheels - $.97

HONDA - Welly's Integra is simple and clean while the Sun Toy NSX is priced right.

Integra - Welly - trade

NSX - Sun Toys - $.33

HISPANO SUIZA - Who would ever expect to see two Hispano Suiza models in one issue, even if one is Siku's generic version.

1934 Hispano Suiza type 68 V12 - Johnny Lightning - $2.95

Hispano Suiza HS-21 GTS - Siku - trade

JAGUAR - Matchbox and Jaguar are a perfect match and the new XK Coupe continues the 50 year old tradition. The fin-less 'D' type was made for me by Stephen Bresnehan.

2006 XK Coupe - Matchbox - $.97

XJ220 - Sun Toys - $.33

'D' type (custom) - Hot Wheels - trade

XK8 Convertible - Matchbox - $.97

1961 'E' type - Matchbox - $.99

JEEP - I bought the MB Elvis set to get the MGA but this Jeep is pretty in pink.

1960 Jeep - Matchbox Elvis -$2.25

LAMBORGHINI - The Kyosho Urraco is as wonderful as it is unique to small-scale. The color on the MB Marzel is peach, how odd.

Urraco - Kyosho - trade

Marzal concept - Matchbox - $1.00

Diablo - Sun Toys - $.33

LANCIA - Can you believe a Guisval Stratos for a quarter? The back window is broken a bit.

Stratos - Guisval - $.25

LAND ROVER - While I do not collect trucks as a general rule, I have always made exceptions for land Rovers. All of these are nice, especially the Schuco and Pilen models.

Range Rover Sport - Matchbox - $.97

Range Rover - Schuco - trade

Defender - Matchbox - $.97

Ninety - Matchbox - $.99

Range Rover - Pilen - trade

LINCOLN - Who could resist a '55 Futura concept in 'Batman' black? The JL '57 Premier in blue and tan is a winner too.

1955 Futura concept - Johnny Lightning - $3.95

1957 Premier - Johnny Lightning - $1.00

1961 Continental - Johnny Lightning - $1.00

1957 Premier Convertible - Matchbox - $.97

Navigator - Matchbox - $1.00

MASERATI - The Buby Indy and Bora arrived in trade, I really like these models. The MC12 supercar looks good in Maserati blue and white.

Indy - Buby - trade

Bora - Buby - trade

MC12 - Hot Wheels - $1.00

MATRA - As far as I can tell, this series of F1 models was done exclusively for Elf, the French fuel giant.

Tyrrell Matra-Ford F1 - Elf - trade

MERCEDES-BENZ - While these are all models seen from other manufacturers, the quality of these Mercedes-Benz vehicles is excellent.

AMG CLK DTM - Hot Wheels - $.99

2006 CLS 500 - Matchbox - $.97

SL55 - Yat Ming - $1.49

2006 CLS 500 - Siku - trade

V-Class Police Van - Welly - $1.49

SMART Roadster - Norev - trade

MERCURY - The JVC Marauder is unique in small-scale toy cars. These were cereal promos. The two Cougars offer color variations.

Marauder - JVC - $4.00

1968 Cougar - Hot Wheels - $.97

1968 Cougar - Johnny Lightning - $1.00

MINI - Norev joins the Mini crowd with an fine example while HW offers a racing version of the classic model.

Mini Cooper - Hot Wheels - $.97

Mini Cooper - Norev - trade

MITSUBISHI - New Ray's small-scale models are cartoonish but offer realistic paint. The HW EVO VIII was first offered in rally colors. This is a holiday version.

Lancer EVO WRC - New Ray - $.75

Lancer EVO VIII - Hot Wheels (holiday) - $.97

NISSAN - I like this new 240Z by HW but hate the wheels. Classic black walls would be perfect.

240Z - Hot Wheels - $.95

OLDSMOBILE - Until now, the '68 442 had been overlooked. JL has solved that problem with a sharp new model.

1968 442 - Johnny Lightning - $1.00

OPEL - Norev has two versions of this sporty little Opel.

Tigra Twin-Top - Norev - trade

PEUGEOT - The Pilen 504 is quite good while the Norev 109 is a new color.

207 - Norev - trade

504 - Pilen - trade

PLYMOUTH - Take your pick of the stock or hot rod GTX from JL. I like both. Did Superbirds come in copper?

1967 GTX - Johnny Lightning - $1.00

1969 GTX - Johnny Lightning - $2.95

1970 Superbird - Hot Wheels - $.97

PONTIAC - The 1982 Ertl Handbook and Firebird came MIB for $5 at a toy show. The three other Firebirds are all interesting too. The Jada model is just missing Sally Fields. The MB from '74 is in a new shade of blue, compared to my old example. The KITT car from Kidco is clearly RWD.

Fiero - Hot Wheels - $.25

1969 GTO - Hot Wheels - $.97

1965 GTO - Hot Wheels - $1.00

1977 Firebird TransAm - Jada - $2.95

1974 Firebird - Matchbox - $1.00

Firebird Trans-Am 'KITT' - Kidco - $.25

1982 Firebird - Ertl - $5.00
with collector handbook for 1982

PORSCHE - The Kyosho 911 Carrera RSR is perfect while the Siku GT3 is more toy-like but I really like it. The two Tomica models were bargain-priced. The latest Norev Carrera is a fine addition. I keep finding more color variations of the classic Matchbox 911 Turbo.

1973 911 Carrera RSR - Kyosho - trade

Turbo - Tomica - $1.00

911 Carrera S - Siku - trade

928 - Tomica - $.50

Cayenne Turbo - Yat Ming - $1.49

911 Turbo - Yat Ming - $1.49

997 Carrera S - Norev - trade

911 Turbo - Matchbox - $.25

Boxter - Matchbox - $.99

Boxter - Matchbox - $1.00

RENAULT - The new Norev Classic Renault R8 Gordini and 5 Turbo are the perfect follow-up to their first three offerings. As this series continues, perhaps we will see other marques included. The Classic series almost makes Norev's contemporary cars seem average and they are certainly not that. I could live without many more of the tuner models.

5 Turbo - Norev - trade

R8 Gordini - Norev - trade

Laguna Sedan - Norev - trade

Laguna Wagon - Norev - trade

Clio - Norev - trade

Megane - Norev - trade

SACHSENRING - Grell just keeps finding these little-known models to do.

P 240 - Grell - trade

SHELBY - JL's hard-top Shelby Cobra is quite modest in green and black. The wheels on the HW Cobra Daytona are anything but and ruin the vintage look of this model. The new Shelby Collectibles models are nicely done and the price is fair.

Cobra 427 - Johnny Lightning - $2.95

Cobra Daytona Coupe - Hot Wheels - $.97

1966 GT350H - Shelby Collectibles - $2.95

1968 GT500 - Shelby Collectibles - $2.95

Cobra concept - Matchbox - $.97

SKODA - These five Skoda models in 1:72 scale arrived in trade and are a wonderful addition. The quality is at Hongwell's best level and they are offered through Abrex. The base does identify Hongwell as the manufacturer.

Octavia - Abrex/Hongwell - trade

Octavia Combi - Abrex/Hongwell - trade

Suberb - Abrex/Hongwell - trade

Fabia Combi - Abrex/Hongwell - trade

Octavia Combi - Abrex/Hongwell - trade

STUDEBAKER - Two new colors

1957 Golden Hawk - Johnny Lightning - $1.00

Avanti - Johnny Lightning - $2.95

SUBARU - Welly's WRX came from Tasmania while the HW version is in plastic.

Impreza WRX - Welly - trade

Impreza WRX WRC - Hot Wheels - $.97

TOYOTA - There have not been that many Land Cruiser models so a new one from JL was a treat.

1980 Land Cruiser - Johnny Lightning $2.99

Scion xB - Matchbox - $.97

TRABANT - I like this clever Trabi P601 tent car and it could certainly qualify as a small-scale oddity.

P601 - Grell - trade

VOLKSWAGEN - The Polistil Passat is a great addition. It is nice to see Matchbox quick to offer the latest Golf. For years we asked for Karmann Ghia models and now we have them. The JL version is the best, followed by the Grell casting. Norev is the first to do the VW Eos while the classic Beetle is still a best seller for everyone.

Passat - Polistil - trade

Golf V - Matchbox - $.97

Van - Matchbox - $.99

Passat Variant 2.0 FSI - Siku - trade

Baja Bug - Hot Wheels - $.97

1962 Beetle - Matchbox - $.99

1600 Cabriolet - Maisto - $2.99

Karmann Ghia - Jada - $2.95

Karmann Ghia - Johnny Lightning - $1.00

Eos Cabriolet - Norev - trade

VOLVO - New color

XC90 - Matchbox - $.97

*CUSTOMS - HOT RODS - FANTASY - I would like to call the Maisto a Noble but it is not close enough. The HW Prototype 12 on the other hand, began life as a McLaren F1 but licensing fell through. The two Fast 111's were easy to add for just $.25 cents each.

E7 -Maisto - $.50

Prototype 12 (McLaren F1) - Hot Wheels - $.97

Jet Screamer - Kenner Fast III's - $.25

Emergency Van - Kenner Fast III's - $.25