Miniatures News, November 1979

Grand Prix Models of Radlett have released two more of their well-known die-cast miniatures. One of these is a kit or made-up miniature of the Type 57C Bugatti that won Le Mans in 1939, which is to be followed by a model of the Type 59 Grand Prix Bugatti. The Type 57C, the streamlined car for Le Mans and the type in which Jean Bugatti was killed when training for the La Beaule GP, was masterminded in the model form by Colin Flannery from the car in the Schlumpf Collection and the casting was done by Ted Clark at Radlett. Brian Harvey has thus secured a very fine miniature of this classic car. His other new one is of a Ferrari Daytona Spyder, which also makes a very effective miniature.

Both these Grand Prix models are to 1:43 scale and are available as metal kits, or as made-up models, for the making of which a production studio has recently been opened, the latter coming on a base and protected by a plastic transparent display-case. The Bugatti is No. 76, the Ferrari No. 78, in this Classic Car Kits series, and both are priced at a modest £6.45, or £20 for the carefully assembled and painted complete models. Brian Harvey has many more entrancing miniatures in the pipeline, including the Napier Railton for next year, and his house-magazine about all kinds of car-models can be made available to those who would like to have it. Details from Grand Prix models, 173/175 Wading Street, Radlett, Herts.

I have been looking at some of the Lesney “MATCHBOX” miniatures referred to last month. The new “Models of Yesteryear” make very attractive and well-finished miniatures, and if the larger sizes reduces the chic of the first of the series, it allows more detail. Any of these Lesney models would make excellent decorative adjuncts to house, garage or studio, especially as they are supplied in dust-proof transparent boxes, an important point when models are on display. I like the big 1912 Simplex tourer, there is an MG TC wearing racing number three, to commemorate the sad passing of the marque, and no Mercedes enthusiast will be able to resist the white 36/220 h.p. SS tourer with its triple-plated external exhaust pipes. The 1912 Rolls-Royce landaulette, its rear-quarters open, could be one of the Lonsdale cars, the Cord 312 model is very impressive, and the war-time RFC Crossley tender in use by “Evans Bros. Coal & Coke” is great fun — was this modelled on photographic evidence of its post-Armistice usage? It has the correct gas and oil lighting, incidentally.

Lesney have provided their open cars with erect hoods, some have whitewall tyres, and the spoking of their wire wheels is highly commendable. Most good toyshops can supply them and Christmas would be dull without them, although they are good models in their own right. The reference numbers of those referred to at random above are: Y-9, Y-8, Y-16, Y-7, Y-18 and Y-13 — W.B.