Saturday, December 30, 2006
MovieReplicars.Net - E-Newsletter
Well the Christmas rush of 2006 is quickly coming to a close. And for many kids and as many adults they are still admiring and playing with their toys that they received as gifts. Due to the widely popular Disney Pixar Cars, many of these individuals received a new movie car collectible this Christmas. I suspect that a new crop of movie car collectors has been born in 2006 and they will soon been scouring the internet for information to feed their interests. There are several places that they can turn to including this blog, www.MovieCarMania.com, www.Hollywood-diecast.com and MovieReplicars.net, where they can sign up to receive an e-Newsletter on the great hobby of movie car replica collecting.
Let's hope that 2007 will bring even more new and interesting movie car replicas for us to admire and enjoy.
Let's hope that 2007 will bring even more new and interesting movie car replicas for us to admire and enjoy.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Collectibles: Kits making a comeback for model car builders
Thursday, December 21, 2006By Don Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Santa's got a pretty big gift in his bag for model car nuts this year: a brand new store just for them.
The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Store, 135 E. Main St., Carnegie, has opened a new store next door devoted mostly to model kits -- those boxes of plastic parts that so many baby boomers and others tried to transform into models of their favorite cars.
It was never an easy process -- making all those parts fit, avoiding getting glue all over the surface and making the paint job look like something other than a finger painting. But it was a craze back in the day.
Up until recently, the kit industry has been languishing. With so many youngsters into techno toys these days, and with plenty of activities after school and on weekends, few have picked up the model-making hobby.
As a result, there seem to be fewer and fewer new toolings of kits, as many companies have long since turned their attention to already assembled die cast models of various sizes to suit collectors who have neither the time nor desire to assemble a kit.
But things are changing, and the kit industry may just be ready to stage a comeback, said Jim Pirone, owner of the two stores. The new store is stocked with more than 1,000 kits, including those from Tamiya, ERTL, Revell and other makers.
"This store will serve a more mature collector and modeler. Model cars are coming back because of retirees. They have more leisure time on their hands" and many of them remember the pleasures of model making, he said.
With large numbers of baby boomers expecting to retire in years to come, Mr. Pirone hopes that by opening the store, he will put himself ahead of the demographics.
Diecast models also will be displayed at the store.
Hot sellers this Christmas, Mr. Pirone said, include the 1961 DeSoto Adventurer Hardtop, the last model of that middle-priced brand before it went out of business.
The car, part of Yat Ming's Road Signature Series, is well done, with an accurate color scheme and proportions that reflect the real car. Given the cant of the tail fins and other intricate details of the design, getting it reproduced correctly is quite a feat.
The real treat is the interior. Back in the 1960s, vinyl portions of the seats often were shiny and sometimes in offbeat color combinations. It's beautifully duplicated here in its silver and black tweed glory, along with a speedometer and gauge package that precisely matches the unusual silvery white with black lettering combo used on the real car.
The rear view mirror sits jauntily on the dashboard -- correct for this car -- and the knobby pattern of the rubber on the brake pedal and accelerator also is spot on.
The engine is well done, though it looks a bit toylike. But that shouldn't bother people too much, given the hoses and other detail. The price of this car is about $25.
Another hit for Christmas will be the 2007 Mustang Shelby GT500 which sells for $42. Done by Shelby Collectibles, it is likely the closest most of us will ever get to the real car, which is pretty much already sold out.
The model I evaluated was silver gray, a new color along with the red and white versions previously available. All of the detail on this car are executed beautifully -- from the aluminum road wheels and blacked out grille to the unique dashboard. You'll also get a kick out of taking a look at the model of the 500-horsepower V-8 under the hood, which is quite nicely detailed as well.
If 1:18 models aren't your thing, you may want to take a look at the huge variety of Schuco models available at a price of about $30. The Mercedes Benz Gullwing Coupe model replicates a winning car that took the 1955 Mille Miglia race.
The famous gull wing doors, though appearing delicate, work quite well. When open, the doors let you see the brick red leather interior and white steering wheel that were hallmarks of this particular car. The road wheels are intricately replicated and accurate according to pictures that I have of the real car.
See what Santa will bring you if you've been nice.
Santa's got a pretty big gift in his bag for model car nuts this year: a brand new store just for them.
The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Store, 135 E. Main St., Carnegie, has opened a new store next door devoted mostly to model kits -- those boxes of plastic parts that so many baby boomers and others tried to transform into models of their favorite cars.
It was never an easy process -- making all those parts fit, avoiding getting glue all over the surface and making the paint job look like something other than a finger painting. But it was a craze back in the day.
Up until recently, the kit industry has been languishing. With so many youngsters into techno toys these days, and with plenty of activities after school and on weekends, few have picked up the model-making hobby.
As a result, there seem to be fewer and fewer new toolings of kits, as many companies have long since turned their attention to already assembled die cast models of various sizes to suit collectors who have neither the time nor desire to assemble a kit.
But things are changing, and the kit industry may just be ready to stage a comeback, said Jim Pirone, owner of the two stores. The new store is stocked with more than 1,000 kits, including those from Tamiya, ERTL, Revell and other makers.
"This store will serve a more mature collector and modeler. Model cars are coming back because of retirees. They have more leisure time on their hands" and many of them remember the pleasures of model making, he said.
With large numbers of baby boomers expecting to retire in years to come, Mr. Pirone hopes that by opening the store, he will put himself ahead of the demographics.
Diecast models also will be displayed at the store.
Hot sellers this Christmas, Mr. Pirone said, include the 1961 DeSoto Adventurer Hardtop, the last model of that middle-priced brand before it went out of business.
The car, part of Yat Ming's Road Signature Series, is well done, with an accurate color scheme and proportions that reflect the real car. Given the cant of the tail fins and other intricate details of the design, getting it reproduced correctly is quite a feat.
The real treat is the interior. Back in the 1960s, vinyl portions of the seats often were shiny and sometimes in offbeat color combinations. It's beautifully duplicated here in its silver and black tweed glory, along with a speedometer and gauge package that precisely matches the unusual silvery white with black lettering combo used on the real car.
The rear view mirror sits jauntily on the dashboard -- correct for this car -- and the knobby pattern of the rubber on the brake pedal and accelerator also is spot on.
The engine is well done, though it looks a bit toylike. But that shouldn't bother people too much, given the hoses and other detail. The price of this car is about $25.
Another hit for Christmas will be the 2007 Mustang Shelby GT500 which sells for $42. Done by Shelby Collectibles, it is likely the closest most of us will ever get to the real car, which is pretty much already sold out.
The model I evaluated was silver gray, a new color along with the red and white versions previously available. All of the detail on this car are executed beautifully -- from the aluminum road wheels and blacked out grille to the unique dashboard. You'll also get a kick out of taking a look at the model of the 500-horsepower V-8 under the hood, which is quite nicely detailed as well.
If 1:18 models aren't your thing, you may want to take a look at the huge variety of Schuco models available at a price of about $30. The Mercedes Benz Gullwing Coupe model replicates a winning car that took the 1955 Mille Miglia race.
The famous gull wing doors, though appearing delicate, work quite well. When open, the doors let you see the brick red leather interior and white steering wheel that were hallmarks of this particular car. The road wheels are intricately replicated and accurate according to pictures that I have of the real car.
See what Santa will bring you if you've been nice.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Antique-auto enthusiast donates die-cast model collection to local museum
By: Jeff Meyers Staff Writer
December 18, 2006
PLATTSBURGH — Richard Soper has always loved cars.No matter what shape, size, make or model, if its got an engine, wheels and a place to sit, it's right up his alley."I've been interested in cars since I was a little kid," he said. "I started building model cars when I was a kid in primary school, and I played with cars from my earliest days. They've always been around me.Soper, from Beekmantown, owns a 1969 Camaro and is a member of the Champlain Valley Classic Cruisers antique automobile club. In fact, the 62-year-old retiree from Bombardier acts as the club's official photographer.But Soper has also spent the past 17 years collecting die-cast model cars that represent vehicles from throughout the 20th century. He has accumulated nearly 300 models, each one a unique 1/18 scale replica of real-life cars."There are approximately 18,000 die-cast cars available," he said. "My collection is just a small part of what is available."Still, the models are each more than a half-foot long and had begun to take up a lot of space at his home.Soper, who also had experience building jet engines for Pratt & Whitney, decided that the time was right for him to share his collection with others.So he has donated about 80 of the models to the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum, where they have been put on display for everyone to see."I wanted younger kids to have a chance to see them and maybe become interested in cars," he said. "If you get a chance to see how many different models there actually are, you can't help but become interested in them."The display has been organized so that different makes are grouped together, with the Fords dating back to a 1932 model and Volkswagon Beetles from the 1950s, 1960s and the "reborn" models from about 10 years ago.There is also a 1935 Duesenberg and the Aston Martin sports car made famous by early James Bond movies.The collection includes several antique motorcycles as well as a 1948 Ford truck decorated as an ice-cream delivery truck for Howard Johnson."I wanted to give them (the museum) a cross section of models, something that everyone would find interesting," he said. "Quite often, someone will come in and say, 'My aunt had a '57 Chevy just like that.'"It's very rewarding to know people find it interesting."The vehicles typically sell from anywhere between $30 and $100, though rare models can be much more expensive, Soper said.He buys most of his vehicles through eBay these days, but they used to be available locally when hobby stores were open in the area.Some of the models in the display case are actual replicas of full-sized cars on display at the museum, he added.Soper also spends much of his retirement time as a volunteer for the Transportation Museum."This is a great facility," he said. "It gives people a chance to see vehicles they wouldn't have a chance to see otherwise."He said he also has an interest in the history of Plattsburgh and the Lozier automobiles that were made in the area in the early 1900s. As far as he knows, there are no die-cast models for Lozier vehicles.But he is always on the lookout for new additions to his collection.
PressRepublican.com
December 18, 2006
PLATTSBURGH — Richard Soper has always loved cars.No matter what shape, size, make or model, if its got an engine, wheels and a place to sit, it's right up his alley."I've been interested in cars since I was a little kid," he said. "I started building model cars when I was a kid in primary school, and I played with cars from my earliest days. They've always been around me.Soper, from Beekmantown, owns a 1969 Camaro and is a member of the Champlain Valley Classic Cruisers antique automobile club. In fact, the 62-year-old retiree from Bombardier acts as the club's official photographer.But Soper has also spent the past 17 years collecting die-cast model cars that represent vehicles from throughout the 20th century. He has accumulated nearly 300 models, each one a unique 1/18 scale replica of real-life cars."There are approximately 18,000 die-cast cars available," he said. "My collection is just a small part of what is available."Still, the models are each more than a half-foot long and had begun to take up a lot of space at his home.Soper, who also had experience building jet engines for Pratt & Whitney, decided that the time was right for him to share his collection with others.So he has donated about 80 of the models to the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum, where they have been put on display for everyone to see."I wanted younger kids to have a chance to see them and maybe become interested in cars," he said. "If you get a chance to see how many different models there actually are, you can't help but become interested in them."The display has been organized so that different makes are grouped together, with the Fords dating back to a 1932 model and Volkswagon Beetles from the 1950s, 1960s and the "reborn" models from about 10 years ago.There is also a 1935 Duesenberg and the Aston Martin sports car made famous by early James Bond movies.The collection includes several antique motorcycles as well as a 1948 Ford truck decorated as an ice-cream delivery truck for Howard Johnson."I wanted to give them (the museum) a cross section of models, something that everyone would find interesting," he said. "Quite often, someone will come in and say, 'My aunt had a '57 Chevy just like that.'"It's very rewarding to know people find it interesting."The vehicles typically sell from anywhere between $30 and $100, though rare models can be much more expensive, Soper said.He buys most of his vehicles through eBay these days, but they used to be available locally when hobby stores were open in the area.Some of the models in the display case are actual replicas of full-sized cars on display at the museum, he added.Soper also spends much of his retirement time as a volunteer for the Transportation Museum."This is a great facility," he said. "It gives people a chance to see vehicles they wouldn't have a chance to see otherwise."He said he also has an interest in the history of Plattsburgh and the Lozier automobiles that were made in the area in the early 1900s. As far as he knows, there are no die-cast models for Lozier vehicles.But he is always on the lookout for new additions to his collection.
PressRepublican.com
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Buzz & Woody Pixar Cars by Mattel
I just received in a shipment of the two car Pixar Cars Movie Moments sets and had a nice little surprise in the case. The new Buzz and Woody two car sets were included in the latest Movie Moments release. And as expected, these cars are just as nice as the prior cars. Buzz has a plastic dome, knobby tires, a wing and instrument panel. Woody looks like a woody station wagon and has a checkered hood, cow print front fenders and even a cowboy hat. I think that these two cars along with Hamm the Pig car will be some of the most collectible cars from the Pixar Cars collection.
Available at Movie Car Mania.
Autoblog Holiday Gift Guide
The Holiday Season is upon us, and just like the rest of us, you're undoubtedly running around finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your shopping list, naughty or nice. But short of a Porsche, Ferrari or Bugatti race car with a red ribbon tied around it, what kind of gift would you get for a car nut? Especially when Autoblog already gives the automotive enthusiast all the octane he or she can burn.
Well, for what we can't give you, we give you this: the Autoblog Holiday Gift Guide. In it you'll find an assortment of gift ideas for the car nut on your list, everything from jackets to racing schools, toy cars to laptop computers and a whole lot in between.
So, from all of us at Autoblog: Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Kool Kwanzaa (and Festivus for the Rest of Us)! more
Well, for what we can't give you, we give you this: the Autoblog Holiday Gift Guide. In it you'll find an assortment of gift ideas for the car nut on your list, everything from jackets to racing schools, toy cars to laptop computers and a whole lot in between.
So, from all of us at Autoblog: Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Kool Kwanzaa (and Festivus for the Rest of Us)! more
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Hot Wheels are still driving collectors wild
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
More than 41 million adults have grown up playing with the 3-inch-long Hot Wheels. Now they can own a full-size "real" version, or at least a car with the same color paint. In November, Mattel and PPG Industries introduced Hot Wheels Spectraflame paint for custom auto refinishing. Colors include Hot Wheels Blue, Anti-Freeze Green, Light Red Watermelon and nine other metallics that were popular on 1960s and 1970s Hot Wheels.
HOT WHEELS HISTORY
1968 - The first 16 Hot Wheels vehicles were released, including the Beatnik Bandit, Hot Heap, Python, Custom Mustang and the Custom Corvette. The Custom Camaro (the Cheetah) was the first car off the production line.
1975 - The first Hot Wheels motorcycles were made.
1987 - The first Hot Wheels convention was held in Toledo.
1988 - Silver and chrome cars were produced for the toy's 20th anniversary.
1990 - Proper Chopper, the first Hot Wheels aircraft, was sold.
1993 - To mark the 25th anniversary, a number of best-selling vehicles were reissued, including the Paddy Wagon and the Red Baron.
1995 - The limited-edition Treasure Hunt Series was introduced, considered to be the unofficial start of the Hot Wheels collecting craze.
1997 - Mattel enters the huge NASCAR die-cast collectible market with its Hot Wheels Pro Racing line.
2001 - Twin Mill, the first full-size Hot Wheels car, was made.
2006 - Mattel unveils the first of its Hot Wheels new basic car assortment for 2007. The Mystery car line includes 24 different vehicles sold in "blind" packaging. Code cars have unique codes etched on their chassis (similar to VIN numbers on real cars) and are connected to Web-exclusive information.
The Plain Dealer
More than 41 million adults have grown up playing with the 3-inch-long Hot Wheels. Now they can own a full-size "real" version, or at least a car with the same color paint. In November, Mattel and PPG Industries introduced Hot Wheels Spectraflame paint for custom auto refinishing. Colors include Hot Wheels Blue, Anti-Freeze Green, Light Red Watermelon and nine other metallics that were popular on 1960s and 1970s Hot Wheels.
HOT WHEELS HISTORY
1968 - The first 16 Hot Wheels vehicles were released, including the Beatnik Bandit, Hot Heap, Python, Custom Mustang and the Custom Corvette. The Custom Camaro (the Cheetah) was the first car off the production line.
1975 - The first Hot Wheels motorcycles were made.
1987 - The first Hot Wheels convention was held in Toledo.
1988 - Silver and chrome cars were produced for the toy's 20th anniversary.
1990 - Proper Chopper, the first Hot Wheels aircraft, was sold.
1993 - To mark the 25th anniversary, a number of best-selling vehicles were reissued, including the Paddy Wagon and the Red Baron.
1995 - The limited-edition Treasure Hunt Series was introduced, considered to be the unofficial start of the Hot Wheels collecting craze.
1997 - Mattel enters the huge NASCAR die-cast collectible market with its Hot Wheels Pro Racing line.
2001 - Twin Mill, the first full-size Hot Wheels car, was made.
2006 - Mattel unveils the first of its Hot Wheels new basic car assortment for 2007. The Mystery car line includes 24 different vehicles sold in "blind" packaging. Code cars have unique codes etched on their chassis (similar to VIN numbers on real cars) and are connected to Web-exclusive information.
The Plain Dealer
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Junkyard Jewels
Surfing around the net I stumbled on a nice little find. I happened upon Junkyardjewels.com. The site features and sells "Unrestored" 1/18th scale replicas. Each model is loaded with details like extra junk, I mean spare parts in the trunk, rust spots, bondo, primer paint and even plain steel wheels just like you would find on a real junker. Check out the pics below and check out Junkyardjewels.com.
