Tales of Toy Cars - New finds for July 2005

Volume VIII, Number 7

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.

KENNER FAST 111's

1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Wagon custom - $6.00

HOT WHEELS

Jaguar XJR12 - trade

Off Road (Toyota Baja Racer?) - $1.99

JOHNNY LIGHTNING

1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Wagon - $2.99

1965 Ford Falcon Panel - $2.99

TROPICA - SOHBI - PEETZY

Renault Dauphine - Tropica - trade

Mercedes-Benz Austrian police sedan - Sohbi - trade

Borgward Isabella - Peetzy - trade

ENTERPRISE

Enterprise promotional model - trade

WELLY

Audi A4 German Fueurwehr - trade

CAR OF THE MONTH

1929 Bentley 4 1/2 litre - Matchbox MOY - $20

The car of the month may look a bit familiar. Just last February, I added a much rougher example of this Matchbox Model of Yesteryear (MOY) to my collection. Wait a minute you say, MOY are not small-scale. As a rule, that's true but some of the original MOY castings are in fact much closer to 1:64 than they are to 1:43 scale. The original MOY Bentley was advertised at 1:55 scale. This 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 litre measures out at just over 3 inches from blower to petrol tank. Christian Falkensteiner noticed this on at a collector toy store we visited in Seattle. He even advised me on a fair price to offer. Matchbox is currently negotiating with Bentley for a license to produce the current Bentley Continental GT. Bentley is demanding an accurate casting (good show). If Matchbox does produce the GT, it will become the second ever small-scale diecast Bentley to be produced, following the model shown here. keep your fingers crossed.

The Fast 111's cars from Kenner provided several models that represent interesting cars not seen from other manufacturers. Their Triumph TR8, BMW 320i racer and the Camaro Z/28 Wagon seen here are some of my favorites. I paid a bit too much for the Camaro Wagon but I wanted it for a story.

My collection received a number of wonderful additions courtesy of a visit to my toy room from Christian Falkensteiner of Linz, Austria. A trade that was much to my benefit brought the Hot Wheel Racing Jaguar XJR12, originaly a Corgi casting. I added the Off-Roader Baja racer that some say represents a Toyota.

Two new Johnny Lightning models were found this month. The '65 Chevy Chevelle Wagon is a great casting and much superior to the Muscle Machines version. The Ford Falcon Panel is great too and could easily become a wagon.

Christian provided several rare models. The Plastic Renault Dauphine is in 1:87 scale and by Tropica. The curious Mercedes-Benz is in Austrian Polizei colors and produced by Sohbi. The Borgward Isabella by Peetzy is in 1:64 scale and while plastic, represents a unique car. It was used as a promotional model for 'Morli' coffee.

Another trade with Dave Weber finally brought me the unique Enterprise Rent-a-Car model. A real car was done like this for Enterprise commercials. When the front wheels are depressed, an Enterprise tag-line sounds.

Christian brought me the Audi A4 by Welly in German fire colors. The quality of these Welly models is very impressive. He also provided the Citroen DS Taxi in 1:87 scale by Ferrero, the lovely Lola T70 by Champion, the Toyota Celica and Ford Escort WRC models by Guisval and the Audi 100 by Schuco. I wish he could come to visit more often.

The Infinity QX56 SUV and Dodge Magnum Wagon are the first models of either vehicle in 1:64 scale and Maisto claims this credit. Both are very well done although the urbanized wheels are a matter of taste.

Jada is also quick to offer both current and classic models. The Chrysler 300C is sure to remain popular with toy car makers for some time. The Shelby Mustang G.T. 500KR is from their muscle car line. I really like the '63 Thunderbird custom. The colors are nice, the wheels are not overdone and look realistic and the custom look may actually me an improvement on the real car. That is rarely the case.

The Kinsfun (Kinsmart) 1999 Lincoln Town Car Limo below is very well-made and quite realistic. It is the same scale as previous limos from Majorette and Road Champs.

KINSMART

1999 Lincoln Town Car Limo - $1.66