1959scudetto

Very nice, Rich - a colorful model; they won the 3-litre prototype class (and 3rd overall) with this car beating the 5-litre Ferrari 512 S . A missing link in my stash (I had the UMi resin kit in the early 90's, but sold it off some years ago)

Excellent replica, Alex !

Body prepping looks to be a lot of work, but this one is going to be another spectacular model from your workbench, Dave - I will surely follow this one with interest!

Fresh from the post-office (from ebay Austria): For those who are interested in the BMW M1 ProCar (1979 series winner: Niki Lauda) - this has also the Marlboro decals included for the "tobacco version" according to the instructions which show also a "non-tobacco version" like the box top picture (with accordingly different masking template for the front hood):

Picked up these 2 Ferraris about 15 miles from home for € 20 (P4) and € 25 (512S) - talk about a steal : both absolutely mint in box!

Super nice toy for a 9-year-old boy, Gary ! Jokes aside, is this a Danbury Mint 'Vette?

x 2 - excellent !

There is a saying in German that goes like this: "you can't see the wood/forest because of so many trees" (would mean you can't see the obvious even if it is in front of your eyes !) I believe no one had a closer look at the name decals but everybody was inspecting the cockpit and looking for a fault...

That is a very nice upgrade, Tim ! I am only a bit reluctant to spend more than € 50 on the wheels for a € 20 modelcar ( I have it in my collection + ca. 70 other 1/24 die-cast Alfas) though I must admit they look very good (I recently aquired a Ferrari resin kit from Fernando so I can have a first-hand look at his wheels - great!)

Sounds interesting, John. I will follow your WIP (have 2 Welly R8 Gordini diecasts modified).

Excellent model of a seldom seen kit!

Unusual livery for a Cobra, but you delivered once again, Mario - well done!

The great Alfa Romeo TZ 2 from the mid-60's (4-cyl., 1600 cc class-winning car from 1966/67) driven on an Italian racetrack with comments by Andrea de Adamich (original A.R. works driver back in those days) and the ca. 1932 racer of Giuseppe Campari, driven by former Le Mans winner, F1 and sportscar ace driver Jochen Mass on dusty gravel roads on a sunny summer afternoon in rural northern Italy, just like it would have been in the Mille Miglia back in 1929/30 (aria from Luciano Pavarotti) - a feast for the eyes and ears!

Pedals missing?

It is addictive, isn't it?

Still unbuilt (among 250 others...)

Looks good in Jägermeister livery, Hanjo !

Even if the model has its issues, your workmanship building this is outstanding as always, Rich !

Very impressive, Mike !

Good-looking Nova, Gene - Ixo produces excellent models for the Hachette distribution network - most of them are spot-on, as is this one (Mexican series).

Matra-Simca Bagheera: another small European mid-engine sportscar: In the early 70’s, Matra needed a replacement for their odd-looking 530 LX (mid-mounted Ford V4-engine). Together with Simca they created their new (mid-engine) 3-seater (!) sportscar: front suspension and engine came from the Simca 1100 TI, whereas rear suspension, steel frame and fiberglass body were Matra’s own. At the 24 h Le Mans 1973 racing weekend, the car was presented to the public for the first time: 1300 cc, 86 hp, 115 mph top speed. A few years later a 1440 cc engine with 90 hp was offered, though retaining the 4-speed transmission. The Matra-Simca Bagheera was built from 1973 – 1980 and then replaced with the Talbot-Matra Murena (as PSA Peugeot Citroen had bought the European daughters of Chrysler, i.e. also Matra-Simca, the Bagheera was re-named Talbot-Matra Bagheera in late 1979). This is what the original from 1974 looked like: and the model released by Hachette in May , 2017 in the French newsstand series “Auto vintage de Luxe Collection”: No openings here, but good proportions - the front valance panel below the grill must be painted body color, interior detailing and a little touch up with silver/chrome paint is needed, but otherwise a good representation of the real thing:

In 1972 Fiat introduced its Bertone-designed mid-engine X1/9 Spider. It had a 1300 cc, 75 hp engine and replaced the 850 Spider. With a Targa-type removable roof similar to the Porsche 914 and extraordinary road-holding abilities it was sometimes called “poor man’s Ferrari” . In 1978, the 2nd series followed: 1500 cc, 85 hp and a 5-speed transmission. Unfortunately, this one carried heavy bumpers as it was exported to the US to meet their safety regulations. When Fiat wanted to drop it in 1982 because of declining sales, Bertone took over for some more years and the car was now sold as “Bertone X1/9” until 1988. In 2009, in the Italian newsstand “Quattroruote” series, the 1979 Fiat X1/9 5-speed was released as #46 of 50 models. It got reissued in March 2015 as #33 in the 66 pcs. “Auto vintage deluxe collection” with a sturdy plexi box (blue version). Manufactured by Ixo, everything opens (doors, 2 trunk lids, engine cover, 2 pop-up lights), very fine details all around, you can even remove the hardtop. With a little TLC, this can be turned into a spectacular little model – here it is as it came out of the box - on to the pics:

Very nice model, Hanjo - I have the 1/24 version in my stash.

Sharp looking Mack !

Super build, Brian - someone, who knows his stuff... I can't remember seeing any pictures of Carolina truck tractors looking this clean - they always seemed to be covered with dirt, dust and road grime (be it in one of my trucking books or on the - unfortunately long defunct - Hank Suderman site). You must have a great collection there...