1959scudetto

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...

Very well done - looks great in this red/white livery !

Very nice, Hanjo .

Super nice Ferrari, Paul - with the right background this could easily be mistaken for the real one.

Very nice rendition of Niki Lauda's 1978 racecar, Hanjo!

I plead not guilty, Sir !

Nice model, Gary - looks like you handpainted the numbers and the Porsche stripes !

Excellent model, Rich - I never heard about this rare resin kit before. The spark plug cables - OMG !

The kit may have its issues (remember - it is from the 1960's!), but you handled it very well which resulted in a nice model (been there, done that too)

Excellent execution and superb photography, as always !

Just received two of my all-time greats ( = grails): 1969 Mirage Mk. 3 (Ford Cosworth) of Jacky Ickx/Jackie Oliver from DDP 1/24 and the 1971 Porsche 917 Martini LH of Vic Elford/Gerard Larrousse from Le Mans Miniatures 1/24:

the last of my 1/24 diecast bikes: the sportsbike from BMW, introduced in 1973 in smoke silver, from 1975 onwards also available in "Daytona orange", produced until 1976, only to be replaced with the R 100 RS sports-tourer. The engine will be de-chromed someday to add a bit of realism, the color needs a tint of clear orange (is more gold than candy orange) but otherwise a nice little model:

10 years ago, this model has been sold for € 10,00 ... it does need a little TLC - the pics show it untouched

a cheap solution: reworked/refined Politoys 1/25 die-cast Mangusta with Fujimi wheel/tire- combination mimicking the original Campagnolo wheels:

part 3 of my 1/24 street bike collection (the year on the baseplate is not always correct: Here we go: 1969 Honda CB 750 Four: 1971 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV: 1976 Honda GL 1000 Gold Wing: 1978 Yamaha XS Eleven: the last 2 have photo-etched brake-discs: 1981 Suzuki Katana 1100: 1984 Kawasaki GPZ 900R Ninja:

Wishing you a speedy recovery I'm looking for your upcoming products (just now, thinking about your Citroen SM wheels for converting the Hachette diecast into a Rally du Maroc participant...)

Jason, I have gone through my Ferrari books and did not find anything that could help you - but here is a link to the Borrani website feauturing wheels and tires front and rear for Ferrari 250 GTOs - maybe this will provide the necessary information: https://www.borrani.com/ferrari-wheels/250-gto.html

same as before,but this time bikes made in Italy: 1971 Laverda 750 SFC: model with photo-etched drive-chain 1973 MV Agusta 750 S: Ducati singles: 1973 Scrambler 450: and 1974 Ducati 350 Mk3 Desmo: the famous twin: 1974 Ducati 750 Super Sport: 1978 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans (photoetched disc-brakes): and finally one, desperately trying to catch up with all the above - Moto Guzzi 700 V 7 "Polizia Stradale", 1969:

Fantastic - looks like the real one - one of my 3 all-time favorite sportscars !

Excellent model, Michael - looks superb in those colors! This shows to its best advantage that not every Ferrari has to be red - even if some modeling companies think so, obviously. I sold mine because of the massive, unelegant looking body and the bad chrome grill and wheels. I should have kept it though mine was molded in white (first issue) so painting would have been much easier.