eModelli - ModBlog

By Don Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
West Coast Precision Diecast is at it again.
The small California-based model company, which has a reputation for designing some of the best 1/24 scale models in the industry, has topped itself once more with the all-new 1964 Chevrolet Impala convertible.
The 1964 Chevy is among the most popular Chevrolets of all time, due no doubt to being immortalized in prose and song. The huge 409-cubic-inch V-8 propelled it to performance glory on many a drag strip and race track.
It also was popular for its styling. Though it really was a refinement of the 1963 Chevy, its squared-off profile, the wide availability of performance options, and flashy trim and decor made it quite a big seller.
The model I examined was a 1964 Impala super sport convertible, done up in Meadow Green, a silvery green shade accompanied by a black interior. Priced at $150, it includes features such as an opening console lid, chrome air cleaner, radiator tag and other key decals. The texture and pattern on chrome inserts that flank the sides and rear of the car are exact replicas of the original. While it has the usual working doors and trunk, it also features seats that fold down and slide on their own track.
And for the first time for a model company, West Coast Precision Diecast is allowing buyers to order their models in any of the 30 shades in which the original car was offered.
If you really are feeling flush, West Coast Precision Diecast has a special offer allowing buyers to have one of each color for $4,050 -- and each car will have the same matching number under 100. That last point is important because collectors prize lower numbers, which affect future investment value. Each color will be offered on only 250 cars.
It was impossible to fault the accuracy of these cars; my 1964 sales catalogs and reference books on the cars amply proved that. It's simply another winner for West Coast Precision Diecast.
More information is available at its Web site at www.wcpdi.com.

Jada Toys, has created and are selling a real replica of the 1963 Cadillac Series 62 that was used in the movie Scarface. This Cadillac was not used in the movie scarface but was used as a promotional tool for Jada Toys. The vehicle has been restored and completely customized with a new paint job, tiger print interior, and full audio system in the trunk by MTX Audio. Note: Sound system and LCD’s in car are brand new, but are not wired to function. This Scarface Cadillac has been in numerous events, car shows, and magazine and television coverage.

Visit Movie Car Mania for a scale version of the Scarface car.

Disney Pixar's Cars was an instant hit even before it's June 2006 movie release. The movie introduced us to a new list of characters like: Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, Doc Hudson, Luigi and more. Mattel teamed up with Disney and Pixar to create diecast versions of the characters from the movie. These little 1:55 scale replicas quickly became as big a hit as the movie. Frantic parents and collectors desperately scoured the globe to attempt to collect a complete set of cars. Many people even took on new identities as I wrote in September 2006(story).

Alas, a new frenzy may be just ahead with the Cars DVD being scheduled to release on November 7. But, for the model car collector, Mattel will be releasing more character replicas. Some of the new characters that will be released are: Michael Schumacher Ferrari F430, Hamm the Pig car, Hudson Hornet Doc, Young Tow Mater and Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen. A release date for these cars has not been firmed up yet. However, this is probably to build more frenzy around the pending release. Well it worked on me. I'm excited.

However, in the meantime I stumbled on a full list of Cars characters. Yes, you may know Lightning, Mater and Doc. But do you know Mood Springs, Mia and Tia, Easy Idle, Rusty and Dusty or Darrell Cartrip? Wikipedia has a very detailed list of Cars characters and trivia.

MovieReplicars.net has added a another photo showcase to their site. This showcase is on the 1958 Plymouth Fury, which is better known as Christine. The Christine showcase includes 52 detailed images of this great movie replicar. Be sure to check out MovieReplicars.net for more photos and information on movie car and TV replicas.

Purchase your own Christine at Movie Car Mania

Today marked the end of the career of the greatest racecar driver ever. Today, Michael Schumacher showed why he is the greatest racecar driver of all time. Schumacher fought back from a flat tire and sure disaster to claim a fourth place finish in the Brazilian Grand Prix. I don't think that there was another racer in the field today who could have fought through a flat tire and mechanical issues to claim a near podium finish. Throughout the day, Schumacher struggled with his car, but managed to weave his way through the field and come within a few seconds of capturing third place. Even though Michael did not win today and ultimately came in second in the F1 championship, he showed the skill, determination and drive that made him the greatest of all time.
Many will argue whether Schumacher is the greatest or not, but there is no argument in my book. Michael Schumacher has won more races than anyone, qualified for the pole more than anyone, captured more points and podiums than anyone and including today, has had more fastest laps than anyone. PERIOD! There have been a number of past and current drivers who have criticized and critiqued Schumacher's career over the past few weeks, but none of them have ever had the record that Michael has amassed.
Alas, F1 will continue without Michael, but I for one will miss watching his masterful Sunday drives. Well done Michael, we enjoyed the past 16 years.

DEBORAH YAO
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA - The Franklin Mint, once the world's largest collectibles maker but now engaged in a battle against changing consumer tastes, was sold to a group of private investors.
A group led by executives from Hicksville, N.Y.-based The Morgan Mint bought The Franklin Mint from Roll International Corp., a privately held firm based in Los Angeles. The new ownership group includes Hollywood producer David Salzman, who describes himself as "at times, an out-of-control collector of stuff."
M. Moshe Malamud, chairman of The Morgan Mint, and Steven Sisskind, the coin and stamp marketing company's chief executive, will hold the same positions at the Franklin Mint, which will be moved out of its current headquarters west of Philadelphia.
"The Franklin Mint is the crown jewel of our industry," Malamud said Monday. "It's a great opportunity to take this brand from its current status and build it up to the great name that it once was and even beyond that." more

From time to time, I will be posting an aution watch on the sale of rare die cast cars. I was perusing eBay and found this recent sale. A very well used, but very rare 1969 Hot Wheels Redline Blue Rear Load Beach Bomb just sold for $8000. This was apparently owned by an ex-Mattel employee who held on to this car over the years. The stories that come out of the model collecting hobby are endless and this is just another great example.

MovieReplicars.net has added a another photo showcase to their site. This showcase is on the newly released Eleanor 1967 Shelby GT500E from Gone in 60 Seconds. The Eleanor showcase includes 46 detailed images of this great movie replicar. Be sure to check out MovieReplicars.net for more photos and information on movie car replicas.

Order your own "Eleanor" from MovieCarMania.com

Finally. Yes, finally. I just received the Gone in 60 Seconds Eleanor from Shelby Collectibles and I am very impressed with the quality. The Eleanor car is one of the must sought after movie car collectibles. Movie car collectors like myself have been waiting for a proper Eleanor to be reproduced ever since the 2000 release of the movie. There have been a few diecast replicas produced over the years, but they have disappeared faster than you can say Carroll Shelby.
This Eleanor is billed as the only official Shelby collectible approved and produced by Carroll Shelby. There are numerous little details; like the wood steering wheel, the highly detailed engine, chrome accents and bulging hood. Carroll Shelby and Unique Performance have been reproducing full scale versions of this Eleanor and have been packing them with up to 700 pavement, pounding horses. However, if your budget can't swing the $150,000 price tag of the real car, then $39.97 will get you the next best thing.

MovieCarMania.com just received in a shipment of Dukes of Hazzard X-Traction slot cars. This series of X-Traction cars has just been re-issued through Round 2 and Auto World slot cars. Each case contains a complete set of four Dukes of Hazzard cars. There are two different body styles; the Roscoe Police car and the 1969 Dodge Charger that is better known as the General Lee. Each car comes in a clean and dirty version. As expected, the dirty versions are more rare than the clean versions and each case of twelve come with only one dirty Roscoe Police car. However, there are even fewer White Lighting versions of each car that have been produced for this release.
Round 2 will be re-issuing the complete slot car race set later this month. If you are a fan of the Dukes of Hazzard TV series or the 2005 movie release, then you will enjoy this set of slot cars.

MovieReplicars.net has created a new type of game for movie car enthuiasts, the Gone in 60 Seconds Challenge. The challenge is much like the movie, where you have to find cars to match the list of 50 cars that were stolen in the film. But, there is a twist. The cars have to be diecast replicas of the cars on the list and not pictures of the real cars (rules below). If you except the challenge you have more than the 24 hours that Memphis Raines had in the movie. the challenge ends November 11, 2006.

Exoto, which is short for "EXclusive AUTOmobiles", has released two new cars in their Le Mans Classiques collection. The first is a 1989 Sauber-Mercedes C9, the winner of the 1989 Le Mans 24 Hour race. The second new Exoto offering is the 1966 Ford GT 40 Mk II. This car is offered in two different paint schemes, the black #2 race winner from 1966 and the blue #1 second place finisher from the same year. Both of these new cars are 1:10 scale and are loaded with detail. The suggested retail prices for these cars are $998.95 for the 1966 Ford GT's and $1498.95 for the Mercedes.

Mason Distributing has again partnered with Franklin Mint to produce a very limited edition car with just 500 pieces being offered. Last year Mason Distributing and the Franklin Mint produced another exclusive, a 1970 Triple Black Plymouth Hemi Cuda that sold out quickly. This year, Mason Distributing has chosen a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi 426 that is decked out in a Tor-Red color scheme. This color scheme will not be offered through Franklin Mint after this production run. This car is expected to be on sale just before Thanksgiving and in time for those searching for the perfect Christmas gift. With only 500 cars available, this car is sure to sell out fast.

By Greg RienziThe Gazette

Tim Phelps likes it hot. Flaming hot.
In fact, give Phelps a blank surface, and he's more than likely to have a flame on it before you can say "fat-fender Ford."
An award-winning medical illustrator for Johns Hopkins by day, Phelps 10 years ago developed an off-hours passion for flame painting, the kind you're likely to see on a circa 1950s hot rod.
Phelps prefers to flame miniature die-cast cars, but he's been known to heat up pool cues, coffee mugs, T-shirts and even Santa's sleigh with his scorching art. more