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What iconic if slightly funky European car will we get next?


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Revell Germany did a repop of the RS1800 rally car not too many years ago. Haven't seen any on ebay for a while though. Not a bad kit but the suspension needs a bit of work before fitting as the rear needs trimmed down and the front needs moving back a little to line up

I know, but I didn't find out until after they had sold out. And they command the same outrageous prices on eBay that the original Esci kits do. As much as I want one I can't bring my self to pay 40 quid + for one.

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Funky.... check!, Iconic... Check, but not in a good way. Anyone who ever lived in the north of England or central and southern Scotland will know this scourge of the roads. :wacko:

800px-Reliant_Robin_registered_July_1975

And the "sporty" version;

Bond_Bug_ca_1970.jpg

I like the mud flap chicks in the grill.

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Actually in England the Cricket was the Hillman Avenger.

It was the Hillman Avenger up until 1976 when Chrysler took control of the Rootes group, (Chrysler had a stake in Rootes since the early 60's,) after the take over in 1976 it was rebadged as a Chrysler, it then became a Talbot Avenger when Chrysler U.k when bust and sold out to the French PSA group.

Edited by GeeBee
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NUS also put the Wankle engine on the map! I always thought they looked like a BMW 2002 ripoff.

I was thinking 2002 as well, although I don't know which came first as far as rip off goes.

I know, but I didn't find out until after they had sold out. And they command the same outrageous prices on eBay that the original Esci kits do. As much as I want one I can't bring my self to pay 40 quid + for one.

I've been hoping to see some of the Esci rally kits return, Fiat 131, Escorts, MB 450SLC, Golf Mk1. Actually Esci has several kits that would fit into this thread, nothing to oddball, but a lot of older (70-80s) European cars we don't have current kits for. Guess we are waiting on Italeri to dig through the Esci vaults.

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I was thinking 2002 as well, although I don't know which came first as far as rip off goes.

I've been hoping to see some of the Esci rally kits return, Fiat 131, Escorts, MB 450SLC, Golf Mk1. Actually Esci has several kits that would fit into this thread, nothing to oddball, but a lot of older (70-80s) European cars we don't have current kits for. Guess we are waiting on Italeri to dig through the Esci vaults.

I'm a bit surprised that Italeri hasn't repoped more of these, Especially the Lancias and Fiats. I just missed out on the Lancia Beta group 5 car on ebay.

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I'm a bit surprised that Italeri hasn't repoped more of these, Especially the Lancias and Fiats. I just missed out on the Lancia Beta group 5 car on ebay.

I just picked up an Audi Quattro. Says Tamiya but I'm not sure of actual heritage since Italeri and Tamiya have a thing going, and Italeri has the Esci molds. Cool if it really is Tamiya but I'm expecting to find Esci on the plastic.

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lotus elite, now there is a beautiful car:

wallpapers_lotus_elite_1957_1.jpg

I have a "super shells" 1/32 lotus elite body kit with a minimal chassis, this is the "full detail" (hah) version and they also sold just the body for slot cars. I also have a 1/24 body with some trim that I believe they also made quite possibly in full detail version. I know the body is very nicely done with some chrome trim parts. something like this would be my true "holy grail" kit to find intact. I bought this one about 20 years ago in the first years of ebay

jb

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lotus elite, now there is a beautiful car:

wallpapers_lotus_elite_1957_1.jpg

I have a "super shells" 1/32 lotus elite body kit with a minimal chassis, this is the "full detail" (hah) version and they also sold just the body for slot cars. I also have a 1/24 body with some trim that I believe they also made quite possibly in full detail version. I know the body is very nicely done with some chrome trim parts. something like this would be my true "holy grail" kit to find intact. I bought this one about 20 years ago in the first years of ebay

jb

definitely a beautiful body!

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I just picked up an Audi Quattro. Says Tamiya but I'm not sure of actual heritage since Italeri and Tamiya have a thing going, and Italeri has the Esci molds. Cool if it really is Tamiya but I'm expecting to find Esci on the plastic.

It is Tamiya designed and produced, both in factory stock as a racing variant, just like Esci did.

IIRC the box art design from Tamiya shows a silver Audi, while the Esci featured a red one, the racing ones where factory racing colors...again IIRC

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It is Tamiya designed and produced, both in factory stock as a racing variant, just like Esci did.

IIRC the box art design from Tamiya shows a silver Audi, while the Esci featured a red one, the racing ones where factory racing colors...again IIRC

Thanks, wasn't sure if Tamiya had their own or not. Never too sure with Tamiya / Italeri when they offer something the other has done. I have a few Italeri / Tamiya kits and a few more Tamiya / Italeri kits.

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It would be interesting to see Revell AG make some other kits off the Mini Cooper tool, as well as the VW Caddy pickup from their new Mk1 Golf GTi/Cabriolet.

I think the BMW 2002 is the most missing European car, arguably there'd be no BMW today without the success of the "New Series" cars, and the 2002 leads to more than one variation from the tooling easily.

But considering Revell AG seemed to be replicating several of Tamiya's 1980s tooled cars, it makes you wonder if there isn't a Fiat 500 and VW Karman Ghia in the future. The latter especially since a bunch of the parts could be shared with the '68 Beetle tooling.

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I'm a bit surprised that Italeri hasn't repoped more of these, Especially the Lancias and Fiats. I just missed out on the Lancia Beta group 5 car on ebay.

I'm surprised too, but I'm seriously uncertain where the tools are. Revell AG has issued ESCI's rally Escort mk.II and the BMW M1 (somewhat rough but the only one around). Italeri has issued ESCI's rally Fiat 131, Land Rover, Range Rover, M-B 230G, Renault 5 (non-turbo) and the Lancia Stratos. So between the two of them hopefully it is all there. Honestly though - those old ESCIs often leave a bit to be desired when it comes to buildability. The Stratos in particular is way off in every way possible.

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I'm surprised too, but I'm seriously uncertain where the tools are. Revell AG has issued ESCI's rally Escort mk.II and the BMW M1 (somewhat rough but the only one around). Italeri has issued ESCI's rally Fiat 131, Land Rover, Range Rover, M-B 230G, Renault 5 (non-turbo) and the Lancia Stratos. So between the two of them hopefully it is all there. Honestly though - those old ESCIs often leave a bit to be desired when it comes to buildability. The Stratos in particular is way off in every way possible.

I believe all of ESCIs tools, along with Protar belong to Italeri at this point. Revell AG (which just popped out that M1 again last month in fact) seems to have access to them as part of the agreement with Italeri that has them sell Revell AG boxed versions of most of their Class 8 truck offerings.

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  • 6 months later...

Thanks, wasn't sure if Tamiya had their own or not. Never too sure with Tamiya / Italeri when they offer something the other has done. I have a few Italeri / Tamiya kits and a few more Tamiya / Italeri kits.

Actually the Tamiya and ESCI Audi Quattros are not the same kit. I have both and the shape of the body shells, parts breakdowns, engine detail, etc are all different.

As for new kits - the Volvo p1800 and the Aston Martin DBS/ V8 Vantage please.

Edited by djflyer
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