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	www.F1scalemodels.com ... specialising in 1:43 scale model cars (Formula 1, Indy 500, Le Mans, GT and classic and modern road cars)
1:43 F1 Cars Partworks F1 Cars 1:43 Le Mans Cars 1:43 Rally & LSR Cars 1:43 American Racing Series 1:43 Road Cars Motorcycles 1:18 Models Australian Racing Series Helmets Misc Scales Models Wanted Swap Meets Motorsport Gallery Archived Updates Links	About www.F1scalemodels.com Welcome to F1scalemodels (Dunefin Pty Limited). My name is Philip and this is my website (started in 2009) which is dedicated to the hobby of model car collecting. Apart from being a keen collector I'm also a part-time model car trader, trading primarily at several swap meetings and car events around the Sydney (Australia) area. This site is always being updated and improved (hopefully) and the main purpose is to provide an up-to-date listing of models that are available for purchase at swap meets that I will be attending. As you can imagine it would be impossible to have all my stock at any swap meet, so if there are any particular model(s) that you're interested in, please contact me and I'll make sure I bring them along to the next swap meet. This is an obligation-free service. Check out the link called "Motorsport Gallery" where I've posted some motorsport related photos. These are some of the photos I've taken over the years at various events. Mail Order I've been asked a few times now if I do mail order; the answer is yes. So far I've posted to a number of interstate collectors and also to USA, UK, Estonia, Hungary, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Canada and Malaysia. Australian collectors have a choice of payment options; Direct bank deposit, money order or Paypal. International collectors will need to pay via Paypal. Please contact me with the details of the models you're interested in and I will provide you with a firm quotation for postage. Swap Meets I'm planning to attend the following swap meets and events in 2024; please go to the Swap Meets link for dates and other details. Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair (Epping) Collector Con Penrith Shannons Eastern Creek Classic Hawkesbury Model and Hobby Show All British Day Hunter Toy and Hobby Fair Australian Diecast Expo 2024 Contact Me Mobile: 0417 428 668 Email: info@f1scalemodels.com Updates This website is updated regularly (at least once a month) with new additions and important or interesting information related to the hobby. All new Recent and Restocked items will be marked with an "R" in the stocklists so please check these lists regularly. I hope you find these updates helpful. New Additions: December 2024 Welcome to the final update for the year. Firstly, thank you to all who stopped by my stand at the Australian Diecast Expo (ADE) on 23 November and at the Collector Con on 24 November; it was an exhausting weekend indeed! I think the ADE was a resounding success and I'm sure the organisers were heartened by the massive crowd of visitors. It was very well organised and held at a great venue. I believe the organisers are seriously considering arranging another ADE next year but whether it will be in Sydney again is still up for debate. Now back to new additions, I recently received another shipment of Spark models, with a couple of stand-out cars that deserve a special mention. The Brabham BT62 is a limited-production track car developed by Brabham Automotive, and launched in 2018 with a price tag of around AUD$1.8 million. Only 70 units were planned, symbolising the company's 70-year racing history from 1948 to 2018. The first 35 cars were finished in the liveries of Brabham's 35 Grand Prix victories, with the remainder tailored to customer preferences. The BT62 features a 5.4-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, derived from a Ford Racing V8 but extensively re-engineered. It produces 515 kW (691 hp), delivering extraordinary performance for track use. Brabham Automotive ceased operations in 2024 after the Brabham family parted ways with the project. Production in the Adelaide facility, operated by Fusion Capital, may continue under a different arrangement, although permission may be required to use the Brabham name. Spak has produced two versions of this hypercar; the presentation car as unveiled in 2019 (S8109) and a 2021 track car in Goodyear livery (S8110). Spark: Brabham BT62 Presentation Car (S8109) Spark: Brabham BT62 Goodyear Track Car (S8110) The Lancia LC2, introduced in 1982, was Lancia’s entry into the FIA Group C Sportscar Championship and was designed to rival the dominant Porsche 956. Recognisable by its striking Martini Racing livery its success was hindered by reliability and fuel consumption issues. The LC2 was powered by a 3.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine developed by Ferrari, delivering over 800 bhp in qualifying trim, giving the car exceptional speed in qualifying sessions. While the LC2 was often faster over a single lap than the Porsche 956, its higher fuel consumption and reliability problems made it less competitive over long endurance races. The factory team campaigned the LC2 from 1983 –1986 and the LC2 secured multiple pole positions but struggled with race wins. Despite these challenges, it achieved three victories during its factory-backed career. The two recent LC2 releases from Spark are the factory cars from the Spa 1000km race in 1985. Despite the race ending prematurely after Stefan Bellof’s fatal crash, the Lancia team secured 1st and 4th place finishes, defeating the factory Porsche team. After Lancia withdrew their official support, the LC2 continued racing with privateer teams from 1987 to 1991, achieving sporadic successes but gradually becoming less competitive as the Group C regulations and rival cars evolved. Spark: Lancia LC2 1st Spa 1000km 1985 (SB231) Ok, that's the last update for 2024 done and dusted. So what's on in December, well not a lot really. Just the regular first Friday Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair on 6 December, which will be your last chance to score yourself a Chrissy present. As usual, it will be held at the Epping Creative Centre, 26 Stanley Road, Epping starting at 6:30pm. Until next month, have a safe and relaxing time over the festive season and happy collecting. Formula One 2023 Aston Martin Merc AMR23, F.Alonso (14) 3rd Bahrain GP (Spark) 1969 Brabham Ford BT26A, J.Ickx (6) 1st German GP (Spark) 1969 Brabham Ford BT26A, P.Courage (16) 2nd Monaco GP (Spark) 1969 Brabham Ford BT26A, P.Courage (16) 5th British GP (Spark) 1969 Lotus Ford 63 (4 wheel drive), G.Hill (1T) Practice Dutch GP (4-wheel drive) (Spark) 1969 Lotus Ford 63 (4 wheel drive), J.Bonnier (18) British GP (Spark) 2023 McLaren Merc MCL60, O.Piastri (81) 8th Australian GP (Spark) 1978 Tyrrell Ford 008, P.Depailler (4) 2nd Austrian GP (Spark) Le Mans / Sports cars 1979 BMW 530i, Beltoise/Gabreau/Gurdjan (39) Spa 24Hr (Spark) 2019 Brabham BT62 5.4 litre V8, Presentation car (Spark) 2021 Brabham BT62 5.4 litre V8, Track car "Goodyear Edition" (Spark) 1985 Lancia LC2, Patrese/Nannini/Baldi (4) 4th Spa 1000km (Spark) 1985 Lancia LC2, Baldi/Wollek/Patrese (5) 1st Spa 1000km (Spark) After Thoughts: "A 60-year retrospective - The 1964 F1 World Championship." After having a disappointing season in 1963, Ferrari was determined to fight back. In 1964 they introduced their own new V-8 engine, in fact they were to try out three different engines during the season in their quest to win again. Their tactics paid off, but only thanks to the skill of their star driver, Englishman John Surtees. Surtees had already seven motorcycling world titles to his name and now he was in with a chance of becoming the first person to take world crowns on both two and four wheels. There were, however, two other serious contenders for the crown, Clark and Hill, and yet again the title was to be hard fought. At the Monaco opening race, Hill won for BRM and Clark (Lotus) took the next two wins, at Zandvoort and then Spa. After the British GP which marked the midpoint of the 10-race season, Clark held the lead with 30 points with Hill on 26 points. With just five races remaining, Surtees was way back with just 10 points. Although he had suffered a disappointing start, Surtees was now beginning to put out more consistent performances with the Ferrari 158, and collecting points as a result. By winning the next race at Nurgburgring, Surtees was now starting to challenge Clark and Hill. Clark, in particular seemed to have fallen off the cliff with 4 retirements in a row. At the last European race, at Monza, before the two North American races, a thrilling battle ensued between Clark, McLaren and Surtees with Surtees prevailing in front of an adoring tifosi. With two races remaining, the scores were Hill, 32 points, Clark, 30 points and Surtees now with 28 points. There was surprise when both Ferrari works cars appeared at the North American races in the blue and white colours of Luigi Chinetti's North American Racing Team (NART). Enzo Ferrari was in dispute with the Italian authorities regarding the homologation of the 250LM and vowed never to race in Italian red again (thankfully this did not eventuate). In the first North American race at Watkins Glen, Hill edged further into the lead by winning the race and by finishing second, Surtees pulled himself up into second place in points too. It was to be a tense final race at the Mexican GP. Hill was on 39, Surtees on 34 and Clark stuck on 30. But only needing a third-place finish, Hill was still the favourite. Brumm: Ferrari 512 1964 Mexican GP Bandini (R291B) The Mexican race began with Clark leading from pole position with Dan Gurney running second in the Brabham. Hill and Lorenzo Bandini, Surtees's teammate, were battling for third place, with Surtees a distant fifth, seemingly with little chance of winning the title. Then Bandini controversially ran into the back of Hill's BRM, causing Hill to spin into the Armco, damaging his exhaust. Thereafter Hill's car ran with a crimped exhaust pipe, causing him to lose power and he fell down the order. The championship was now firmly in Clark's grasp. If the positions remained the same, he would be champion with four victories to Hill's two, although they would be tied on points at 39. On the penultimate lap, an oil line failed and Clark's engine seized as the Lotus crossed the line with one lap left to go. The positions were now Gurney–Bandini–Surtees, meaning the championship would be Hill's, so long as Surtees placed no higher. Realizing Surtees could win the title by finishing second, the Ferrari team manager frantically signalled Bandini to slow down as he passed the pits to enter the last lap and let Surtees through. Bandini dutifully did so and Surtees finished second, thus winning the World Championship by one point over Hill (40 to 39). Meanwhile, Gurney won the Grand Prix, almost unnoticed. That remains one of the most dramatic deciders in World Championship history and Surtees took his place in history with the remarkable achievement of winning both the driving and motorcycling championships. Hotwheels La Storia: Ferrari 158 Surtees Monza GP 1964 (SF15/64) [Back to Top] New Additions: November 2024 Welcome to another monthly update. I'm expecting the arrival of a small shipment of Spark models which I'm hoping will arrive in time for the next Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair. These are mainly cars from the Bathurst 12-hour race that's held annually and is growing more popular year after year. These beautiful and exotic GT3 cars are very collectible and collecting the winning cars is becoming just as popular as collecting the Bathurst 1000 winners. So, naturally I had to highlight the winning car from the 2022 race, the beautifully decorated "SunEnergy1" Mercedes AMG. The 2022 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12-Hour marked the return of the endurance race after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the previous year’s event. Held on 15 May 2022 at the Mount Panorama Circuit, it was the opening round of the 2022 International GT Challenge, and saw a much smaller grid than in previous years, with just 20 cars across five classes, largely due to the pandemic’s lingering effects. One of the key teams in the race was SunEnergy1 Racing, led by team owner and driver Kenny Habul, who is also the president and CEO of SunEnergy1, a major player in the North American solar energy industry. Despite being a bronze-rated amateur driver under FIA guidelines, Habul fielded a strong team, partnering with gold-rated drivers Jules Gounon and Luca Stolz, along with fellow bronze-rated driver Martin Konrad. The team competed in Class A as a Pro-Am entry. The SunEnergy1 Mercedes qualified 3rd on the grid, positioning the team well for the race. The 2022 edition of the 12-Hour was notable for its challenging weather conditions. Intermittent wet weather played a significant role, leading to eight Safety Car periods and making the race particularly difficult for the drivers. The SunEnergy1 Mercedes faced its own challenges during the race. The car received a pit lane penalty after Habul overtook before the Safety Car restart line, however, they managed to stay competitive throughout the race. After 291 laps (1807.98 km) around Mount Panorama, the SunEnergy1 Mercedes claimed victory, marking an impressive 1-2-3 finish for Mercedes-AMG. The margin of victory was 8.707 seconds after 12 hours of grueling racing and the victory was particularly sweet for Jules Gounon, who took his second consecutive Bathurst 12-Hour win, having won the event in 2020 driving for Bentley. The 1:43 Spark SunEnergy1 Mercedes is a limited-edition release of just 500 models. Spark: SunEnergy1 Mercedes AMG GT3 (AS060) 1st Bathurst 12H 2022 Ok, that's another monthly update in the bag. So what's happening in November, actually quite a lot this month! The regular 1st Friday Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair is on 1st November at the Epping Creative Centre, 26 Stanley Road, Epping. Then on Saturday 23 November, the inaugural Australian Diecast Expo 2024 will be held at the Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, starting at 9:30 am with a gold coin donation to charity as the entry fee. The fun then continues on Sunday 24 November with the Collector Con held at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre, 30 Herbert Street, Cambridge Park from 9:30 am onwards. Whew! That's going to be a busy weekend. Until next month, happy collecting. Formula One 2011 HRT Ford F111, D.Ricciardo (22) Belgium GP (Spark) Le Mans / Sports Cars 1957 Cooper Climax T39, J.Brabham/I.Raby (40) 15th Le Mans (Bizarre) 1949 Delage D6S-3L, Versini/Serraud (16) Le Mans (Spark) 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 R, Campbell (4) 1st FIA Motorsport Games GT Sprint (Spark) Australian Racing Series 2022 Audi R8 LMS GT3, Winkelhock/Feller/Shahin (777) 7th Bathurst 12Hr (Spark) 2022 Audi R8 LMS GT3, van der Linde/Berthon/Schumacher (74) 4th Bathurst 12Hr (Spark) 2022 Lamborghini Huracan GT3, D'Alberto/Wall/Deitz/Denyer (6) 5th Bathurst 12Hr (Spark) 2020 McLaren 720S GT3, Kodric/Ross/Storey (59) 8th Bathurst 12Hr (Spark) 2022 Mercedes AMG GT3, Stolz/Gounon/Habul/Konrad (75) 1st Bathurst 12Hr (Spark) 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, H.Jones (12) 1st Carrera Cup Aust Championship (Spark) Road Cars 1965 Fitch Sprint in Willow Green (Automodello) 1972 Falcon XA GT in Yellow Fire (Trax - Opal Series) 1958 Holden FC Special in Adobe Beige/Orlinda Green (Trax - Opal Series) 1960 Holden FB Utility in Colleen Green (Trax - Opal Series) 1960 Holden FB Utility in Grecian White (Trax - Opal Series) After Thoughts: "Vern Schuppan Wins Le Mans ... But Only Just." At the end of 1982, Vern Schuppan had thought his career was over as a Works Rothmans-Porsche driver. But the Porsche management threw him a life-line; they had just sold a Porsche 956 to a Japanese customer team (Nova) and they wanted an experienced factory driver to drive it. Schuppan had a fantastic season, winning five races and the 1983 Japanese Sportscar Championship. This impressive performance put him back into the frame for a Works Porsche drive at the 1983 Le Mans race. The Porsche team entered three cars: Car 1 with Ickx/Bell, Car 2 with Mass/Bellof and Car 3 with Schuppan/Haywood/Holbert as its drivers. Ebbro: Nova Porsche 956 Japanese Sportscar Championship Winner - 1983 Against the factory cars were all the European 956 customers plus one from the USA. Their main non-Porsche competition came from Lancia, Sehcar and Rondeau but the 956's were so dominant in practice it was foolish not to believe that one of the Porsches would win. The race for the Rothmans-Porsche team didn't go quite to plan, with Ickx (car 1) having to pit on the second lap after being rear-ended and losing three laps. The other team cars ran like clockwork, trading the lead during the night with car 3 (Schuppan et al) drawing steadily ahead when car 2 fell back with various problems (eventually retiring with engine failure). Meanwhile, Ickx and Bell's sterling drive during the night had brought them back on the same lap as car 3. When car 3 suffered an issue with its rear wing just after dawn, the resulting pit stop saw Derek Bell surge to a two lap lead. But this lead was short-lived, as Bell's car rolled to a stop when its engine cut out. Bell managed to fix a broken electrical connection but by the time he got back to the pits for a proper inspection, he had dropped six laps to car 3. Spark: Porsche 956 winner Le Mans 1983 The third Works car remained comfortably in the lead at the 22-hour mark but Ickx/Bell were now only two laps behind the Schuppan car and were relentlessly reducing the gap. With Schuppan at the wheel of car 3, the passenger door suddenly became detached; either because it hadn't been closed properly at the last stop or because the hinges had sheared. Schuppan was black-flagged but he ignored it for five laps waiting for the team to get a new door ready. Once in the pits, the new door wouldn't fit properly as the hinges were damaged so a strap was pop-riveted onto it to hold it closed and Schuppan was sent out again. However, the strap wasn't quite legal as the driver needed to be able to operate the door from the inside, so while he drove around there was a heated discussion with the race organisers. Eventually, Schuppan was called back into the pits and an "adjustment" was made and the strap was now legal. With all these pit stops, the Ickx/Bell car was rapidly catching car 3. But what the team hadn't realised was the ill-fitting door on car 3 was causing the engine to overheat. The door was designed to guide cooling air to the radiator located behind the door and they discovered that if the door wasn't closed precisely the airflow was disrupted. The Ickx/Bell car was now on the same lap as car 3. With Al Holbert now driving car 3 and with about 15 minutes left in the race, the water gauge dropped to zero - there was no water left in the system. Holbert decided to maintain his pace, thinking he'd finish first or not at all and he also had to take great care not to arrive at the finish line before 4 o'clock as he simply could not complete another lap. Fortunately, the Porsche 2.6-litre turbo engine held out (it started to seize up just after crossing the finish line) and Schuppan, Haywood and Holbert won a famous victory ... but only just! [Back to Top] New Additions: October 2024 Welcome to another monthly update. Firstly, thank you to everyone who dropped by my marquee at the All British Day (15 September) and at my stall at the Hawkesbury Model and Hobby Show (21/22 September), and an even bigger thank you if you bought a model from me! It was quite a hectic two weeks setting up for both shows but well worth the effort. Now back to the new additions for this month ... a shipment of Spark models did arrive which included a whole bunch of Brabham BT26A's which I have featured below. The Argo C2-class sports car is one that doesn't get much press when compared to the more prestigious C1-class cars (e.g. Jaguars and Porsches) so I thought I'd feature it as well. The Brabham BT26A was an upgraded version of the Brabham BT26, a Formula One car that Brabham Engineering fielded during the 1968 and 1969 seasons. The BT26A was notable for being the last spaceframe chassis design before rule changes mandated the used of the more modern monocoque construction. The BT26A remained competitive, powered by the dependable Ford Cosworth DFV engine. The original Brabham BT26 debuted in 1968, running the venerable Repco engine which had now become outdated and unreliable, despite various upgrades. However, the BT26 was updated to the BT26A for the 1969 season, incorporating the ubiquitous Cosworth DFV engine which was widely regarded as the most successful engine of its era. Its reliability and power made it a natural fit for the BT26A. The car also featured upgraded aerodynamics particularly in its use of front and rear wings, which were becoming a crucial part of Formula One design in the late 1960s. The Brabham BT26A was driven by several notable drivers, including Jacky Ickx and Jack Brabham. The BT26A showed solid potential in the 1969 season, particularly with Jacky Ickx who secured victories at the German and Canadian Grand Prix. These victories helped Ickx finish as the runner-up in the Drivers' Championship, while Brabham Engineering took second place in the Constructors' Championship. The BT26A marked the end of an era for Brabham's spaceframe cars, and the team would adopt full monocoque designs in the 1970s. However, the BT26A's success in 1969 is a testament to the ingenuity and adaptability of Jack Brabham and his co-designer Ron Tauranac, who managed to extend the life of the spaceframe concept longer than most competitors. Several BT26As have been released by Spark covering a number of Grand Prix in 1969. Spark: Brabham Ford BT26A (S8314) The Argo JM19, and its evolutions, the Argo JM19C, and the Argo JM19D, were a series of Group C2 sports prototype cars, designed, developed, and built by British constructor Argo Racing Cars. The JM19 was first introduced in 1985 and its use in sports car racing continued into the early 1990s, winning a total of 7 races, and scoring 21 podium finishes. It was powered by a number of different engines, including a Mazda 13B rotary engine, a Buick V6 turbo engine, a Ferrari V8 engine, and a Ford-Cosworth DFL V8 Formula One-derived engine. It did, however, find most of its success when equipped with the Mazda-powered Wankel rotary engines. The examples from Spark are from the 1988 Le Mans race, powered by Ford engines. Spark: Argo Ford JM19C Le Mans 1988 (S7318) That's going to do it for this month. After a busy September, October is going to be a relatively quiet month with only the regular Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair on 4 October. As usual, it will be held at the Epping Creative Centre, 26 Stanley Road, Epping starting at 6:30 pm. Until next month, happy collecting. Formula One 1974 Amon Ford AF101, L.Perkins (30) Practice German GP (Spark) 1976 Boro Ford 001, L.Perkins (37) 8th Belgian GP (Spark) 1969 Brabham Ford BT26A, J.Brabham (3) Spanish GP (Spark) 1969 Brabham Ford BT26A, J.Brabham (11) 6th Dutch GP (Spark) 1969 Brabham Ford BT26A, J.Ickx (4) 6th Spanish GP (Spark) 1969 Brabham Ford BT26A, P.Courage (11) Spanish GP (Spark) 1969 Brabham Ford BT26A, G.Hill (8) Practice British GP (Spark) 1970 Brabham Ford BT33, J.Brabham (12) 1st South African GP [Last win] (Spark) 1971 Brabham Ford BT33, T.Schenken (8) 3rd Austrian GP (Spark) 1991 Brabham Yamaha BT60Y, M.Blundell (8) 6th Belgian GP (Spark) 2022 McLaren Merc MCL36, D.Ricciardo (3) 5th Singapore GP (Spark) Le Mans 1988 Argo Ford JM19C, Iacobelli/Ianette/Graham (191) Le Mans (Spark) 1988 Argo Ford JM19C, Rousselot/Messaoudi/Roy (124) 21st Le Mans (Spark) 1961 Lotus Elite, Allen/Taylor (38) 12th Le Mans (Spark) 1980 Rondeau Ford M379B, Spice/Martin/Martin (17) 3rd Le Mans (Spark) 1980 Rondeau Ford M379B, Pescarolo/Ragnotti (15) Le Mans (Spark) 1991 Sauber Mercedes C291, Schumacher/Wendlinger (2) 1st Autopolis 430km (Spark) American Race Series 1967 Ford GT40 J-Car, B.McLaren Daytona Test Day (Spark) After Thoughts: "Colin Chapman's Troubled Sports Car Adventure." It was reported that Colin Chapman was bitterly disappointed when Ford did not consider Lotus for their 1964 Le Mans project. Out of spite he developed his own sportscar design combining a mighty Ford 4.7-litre V8 engine with a chassis that carried the typical Lotus lightweight genes. The Lotus 30 and Lotus 40 were Colin Chapman's bold yet troubled attempts to create competitive, large-displacement sports cars, with both cars gaining notoriety for their shortcomings. Lotus 30 (1964) The Lotus 30 was Chapman's first foray into high-powered sports cars racing, intended to compete in events like the British Guards Trophy and international races, including the Can-Am series. The car combined a lightweight, under-engineered chassis with a potent 4.7-litre Ford V8 engine—the same type used in the Ford GT40. The chassis weighed only 700 kg, which was insufficient to handle the immense power and weight of the Ford engine. Spark: Lotus Type 30 S2, B.Muir Silverstone (S2211) Despite its speed the Lotus 30 was plagued by a series of mechanical issues, especially its lack of structural rigidity. These problems made it both dangerous and unreliable on the track. Notably, Jim Clark, one of the most skilled drivers of his time, experienced a serious accident in the Lotus 30 when the chassis split in two. Although he managed some respectable performances with the car, the overall lack of success and reliability led to its eventual replacement. Lotus 40 (1965) Chapman, dissatisfied with the 30's performance, sought to improve it with the Lotus 40, which debuted in 1965. It retained many features of the Lotus 30 but had a stronger chassis, wider wheels, vented disc brakes, and a larger 5.8-litre Ford V8 engine. The Lotus 40 was supposed to address the 30's flaws, but it continued to suffer from the same issues of poor handling and inadequate durability. Driver Richie Ginther famously remarked that the Lotus 40 was essentially a "Lotus 30 with ten more mistakes," a stinging critique that encapsulated the car's inherent design problems. Even with Jim Clark at the wheel, the 40 failed to be competitive against rival cars like the Lola T70 and McLaren Elva, both of which dominated the sports car racing scene at the time. At the 1965 Guards Trophy at Brands Hatch, Clark could only manage a disappointing 8th place, highlighting the 40's limitations. 1965 saw the production of just three Lotus 40's, the last sports racing cars to be built by Lotus. Tecnomodel: Lotus 40 A.J.Foyt Riverside 1965 Legacy While the Lotus 30 and 40 were commercial and racing disappointments, their basic chassis design would later be developed into the highly successful Lotus Europa and Lotus Esprit road cars. In this sense, the failures of the Lotus 30 and 40 indirectly contributed to Lotus's future successes. Despite their flaws, both the Lotus 30 and 40 remain fascinating examples of Chapman's engineering philosophy—pushing the boundaries of design with lightweight structures and powerful engines, often at the cost of reliability. Their story is also a reminder of how even brilliant minds like Chapman’s could encounter significant obstacles in the relentless pursuit of innovation. [Back to Top] New Additions: September 2024 Welcome to the September update. Firstly, thank you to all who dropped by my garage during the Shannons Sydney Classic Day on 25 August. It was a beautiful day for car spotting and I hope you all enjoyed the day. This month is a very quiet one for new arrivals, just four to announce, so it's going to be a short and sweet update this month. What's on in September? The regular 1st Friday of the month Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair is on 6th September. On the 15th September, I will be attending the All British Day and please note it is at a new venue. The event will now be at the Hawkesbury Showground, Racecourse Road, Clarendon (moved from The Kings School). Then one week later, I will be at the 2-day Hawkesbury Model and Hobby Show on 21st and 22nd September which is part of the Clarendon Classic Machinery Rally. This show is also at the Hawkesbury Showgrounds. OK, that's a wrap, until next month, happy collecting. F1 Transporter 1981 Volvo F12 Team Lotus John Player Special race transporter (IXO) Australian Race Series 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, Van Gisbergen/Feeney/Gotz (888) Bathurst 12h (Spark) 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, Whincup/Stanaway/Ibrahim (99) Bathurst 12h (Spark) Road Car 2020 Nissan Skyline Silhouette LB-Works LB-ER34 in white/yellow (Tarmac Works) After Thoughts: "A Short History of Solido Model Cars." The French Solido brand is one of the most renowned in the history of model car making with their range of inexpensive but excellent quality models. Established in 1932, the brand is still going from strength to strength. While managing the Nanterre Foundry, which specialized in the injection of metal under pressure, Ferdinand de Vazeilles had the notion to use his skills to create toys. Vazeilles' first product was a metal Gergovia brand spark plug on wheels. This is how the story started, with the famous “Gergovia Candle”. In 1932, Ferdinand de Vazeilles filed the patent allowing him to create toys and began producing die-cast models under the Solido brand. The first Solido model, the "Gergovia Candle" At that time, toys were most often made of sheet metal and in one piece. Ferdinand de Vazeilles, however, had the idea of making cars out of metal (zamac) and with several parts. The result was a solid, realistic and enjoyable toy to play with. The Solido name echoed the solidity of the toys and was easy to remember. From 1934 onwards, the brand was a hit, first in France, then in Europe and then around the world. Entering the company in 1943 at the age of 15, Jean de Vazeilles, son of Ferdinand, began thinking about the future of his brand and in 1957 decided to file a new patent for 1:43 scale models. Until the 1950s, Solido models were equipped with self-winding engines. In 1957, Solido introduced the "100" series with detailed models in 1:43 scale, featuring several new features such as suspension and opening parts. These models were often based on blueprints from actual car manufacturers and focused mostly on brands such as Citroen, Peugeot, Renault and Matra, but vehicles from Italy and Germany were also common. In addition to contemporary vehicles, classic cars from the "Golden Age" series were also modeled from 1964. In addition to French production, Solido models were also manufactured in Spain (Dalia), Brazil (Brosol) and Argentina (Buby) in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1980, Solido was acquired by Majorette and from the 1980s, reissues of old Solido models were produced under the Verem brand. The 90s were marked by several changes of ownership without Solido ever disappearing from the modelling landscape. Some early 1:43 Solido Models After the closure of the Oulins plant in France in 2006, all Solido models were produced in China. After Solido was acquired by Ottomobile in 2015, the company focused primarily on die-cast models in 1:18 scale and transferred production to the plant in Bangladesh. Since 2023, Solido has started to invest seriously in 1:43 again with a range of low-cost but excellent quality models and continues to be a major player in the model car world. [Back to Top] New Additions: August 2024 Welcome to another monthly update. I did receive a small Spark package last month and a couple of the models, the Chevron B36 and Mazda RX-7 (see After Thoughts) are worth mentioning. The Chevron B36 was a Group 6 prototype sports car, designed, developed, and built by British manufacturer Chevron Cars Ltd in 1976 and used in sports car racing until 1987. Over that time period, it won a total of 14 races, and achieved 43 podium finishes. Conceived for the 2-litre class of sports car racing, the B36 was a conventional racing car that was easy to maintain and was capable of using different motor types. The first chassis delivered were powered by a 2-litre 4-cylinder ROC Chrysler Simca unit and all B36s were open Spyders. The Chevron B36 won its first race at the 1977 Targa Florio and the last appearance of the B36 was in 1987 at Le Mans. The Spark model of this Chevron B36 was raced at Le Mans in 1977 and finished a creditable 6th place overall and 1st in class. Spark: Chevron Simca B36 Le Mans '77 (S9410) Well, that's it for another month. So, what's on in August? The regular Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair at the Epping Creative Centre is on 2 August. The Hunter Toy and Hobby Fair, hosted by the Hunter Model Auto Club is on 18 August and will be held at the Edgeworth Sport and Recreation Centre, 1A Park Street, Edgeworth. Unfortunately, I will not be attending this year's event. And then the big one ... the Shannons Sydney Classic on 25 August at the Sydney Motor Sport Park and I will be in Garage 19 again. It's always a good day and I hope to see you there. Lastly, a new event has been announced for later this year; the Australian Diecast Expo 2024 hosted by Southen Diecast. It's scheduled for Saturday 23 November and it's going to be held at the Rosehill Racecourse Pavilion. Although still in the planning stages, the event has garnered a lot of interest, and understandably so. Sydney (and Australia) really needs more diecast model focused events because the "Collector" fairs which have become popular are skewed towards pop culture merchandise. Many model car collectors have told me they do not attend these collector fairs anymore as there are very few model car dealers amongst the many pop culture dealers. I'm looking forward to this event and I will keep you informed as more information comes to hand. Until next month, happy collecting. Formula One 2022 Aston Martin Merc AMR22, S.Vettel (5) Abu Dhabi GP (last race) (Spark) 1977 Wolf Ford WR1, J.Scheckter (20) 1st Canadian GP (Spark) Le Mans/ Sports Car Racing 1977 Chevron-Simca B36, Pignard/Dufrène/Henry (26) 6th Le Mans (Spark) 1979 Mazda RX-7, Ikuzawa/Terada/Buchet (77) Le mans DNQ (Spark) 1956 Porsche 550, Storez/Polensky (28) Le Mans (Spark) 1957 Porsche 550A, Hugus/Godin de Beaufort (35) 8th Le Mans (Spark) 1975 Porsche 911 RSR 3.0, Striebig/Mauroy/Kirschoffer (50) 28th Le Mans (Spark) 1968 Renault 8 Gordini, Wollek/Serpaggi (88) 27th Spa 24 Hour (Spark) American Racing Series 1971 Porsche 917 PA, M.Minter (0) 5th Can-Am Road Atlanta (Spark) 1999 Studebaker Champion, de Thoisy/Gontier (101) 1st Carrera Panamericana (Spark) Australian Racing Series 1988 Ford Sierra RS500, Longhurst/Mezera (25) 1st Bathurst 1000 (decal applied) (Spark) 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, V.Gisbergen/Ibrahim/Feeney (888) 3rd Bathurst 12H (Spark) 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, V.Gisbergen/Ibrahim (888) 3rd World Challenge Aus (Spark) Road Cars 1983 Fiat 147 CL5 in metallic light green (Edicola) 1938 Ford Eifel in brown/beige (Neo) 1965 IKA Rambler Ambassador in metallic beige (Edicola) 1960 Peugeot 403 in blue (Edicola) 1969 Renault 6 in red (Edicola) 1991 Renault Fuego GTA Max in red (Edicola) After Thoughts: "The History of the Mazda RX-7 at Le Mans." The Mazda RX-7, known for its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration, and lightweight Wankel rotary engine, was manufactured and marketed by Mazda from 1978 to 2002. The RX-7 was produced across three generations, each utilizing the compact and efficient rotary engine. Its racing pedigree and innovative engineering made it a serious contender in various motorsport disciplines, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mazda's journey at Le Mans began in 1970, not with the RX-7, but by supplying a factory-spec 200bhp twin-rotor Mazda 10A engine to a private Belgian team competing in the 24 Hours race. This initial foray saw a Chevron B16 powered by the Mazda engine. In 1973, Sigma Automotive, entered Le Mans with a two-seat Sigma sports car powered by a Mazda 12A engine. Although these teams faced race-ending issues, these marked the beginning of Mazda's persistent efforts at Le Mans. In 1979, Mazda Auto Tokyo, a dealership team developed a race car based on the Savanna RX-7, equipped with a 13B engine. Powered by the 258bhp 13B rotary, it failed to qualify at Le Mans by just 69/100ths of a second. Despite failing to qualify that year, they laid the groundwork for continuous participation in the race from 1981 onwards. The first significant milestone for the RX-7 at Le Mans came in 1980 when a privateer IMSA RX-7 from New Jersey finished 21st overall, becoming the first Mazda and rotary engine car to be classified at Le Mans. Spark: Mazda RX-7 Le Mans 1979 DNQ (S9471) From 1981, Mazda Auto Tokyo collaborated with Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), a British team that had already experienced success with the RX-7 in European and British Touring Car Championships. TWR's involvement brought a new level of professionalism and expertise to Mazda's Le Mans campaign. TWR entered a pair of IMSA-GTU class RX-7 253s, featuring a mixed Japanese/British driver lineup. Despite high hopes, both cars failed to finish the race in 1981. In 1982, TWR entered two IMSA-GTX spec RX-7 Type 254s. The #82 car finished 14th overall, a notable achievement but still far from challenging the front-runners. Throughout the early 1980s, the RX-7 continued to compete at Le Mans with varying degrees of success. The regulations at Le Mans, however, never quite favoured the RX-7, preventing it from achieving the same level of glory it enjoyed in other racing series. Mazda Auto Tokyo's motorsports division evolved into Mazdaspeed, a factory team dedicated to furthering Mazda's racing ambitions. The focus shifted towards developing more powerful engines and sophisticated race cars. In 1991, Mazda made history with the 787B, a four-rotor car that became the first Japanese car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright. This victory was, in many ways, a culmination of the efforts and experiences gained from the RX-7's participation in the race. [Back to Top] Update: 5th July 2024 In last month's post, I mentioned I would be attending the display of American Independent cars at Linnwood House on July 14. Unfortunately, the Sydney Model Auto Club has decided not to attend so I will not be attending as well. The car display is still on and I would recommend attending if you are interested in Studebakers, Hudsons, Packards etc. New Additions: July 2024 Hi and welcome to another monthly update. It's hard to believe that we are now half way through the year! It's been a very cold start to winter in Sydney with an unusually high number of wet days, most of which seem to coincide with our monthly Toy and Hobby Fair. I'm sure this has deterred visitors from venturing out on a wet, cold Friday evening. A few new additions have made it for July and there's a couple I'd like to highlight. The Lotus 63 was an experimental Formula One car featuring four-wheel drive, designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe for the 1969 season. Chapman aimed to harness the power of the 3-litre engines introduced in 1966 by creating a car that could maximize traction and stability while retaining the simplicity of the successful Lotus 49. Four-wheel drive was not entirely new in Formula One; the Ferguson P99, which won the 1961 International Gold Cup at Oulton Park, had already demonstrated its potential. The Lotus 63 was intended to be an evolution of the Lotus 49, incorporating wedge-shaped rear bodywork and integrated wings. These aerodynamic features would later be successfully used in the iconic Lotus 72. John Miles, Lotus' third driver, was primarily responsible for developing the 63. In contrast, team leaders Graham Hill and Jochen Rindt continued to use the proven Lotus 49 in the early races of 1969. The 63 quickly proved difficult to drive and challenging to set up, with the four-wheel drive system posing significant problems. Both Hill and Rindt were vocal about their dissatisfaction with the car. Hill even refused to race the 63 after testing the car, calling it a "deathtrap." Their rejection of the 63 frustrated Chapman, who believed in the car's revolutionary potential. The Lotus 63's performance in races was disappointing. John Miles, driving the 63 in the 1969 British GP, managed only a tenth-place finish, highlighting the car's lack of competitiveness. Other outings with the 63 were equally fruitless, leading to the car's eventual abandonment. The 1:43 model by Spark is a must-have for Lotus fans. Spark: Lotus Ford 63 1969 Test Car (S6350) Spice Engineering was founded by racing drivers Gordon Spice and Raymond Bellm in the early 1980s. Initially focused on competing in the World Sportscar Championship in Europe and the IMSA GT Championship in North America, the team quickly established itself as a serious contender in sports car racing. By 1986, Spice Engineering transitioned from being just a racing team to a car constructor, designing, building, and selling their own cars for competition. The SE89C was part of Spice Engineering's effort to compete at the highest levels of endurance racing in 1989. Designed for the Group C1 and C2 categories, the SE89C was built to take on established giants such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Toyota, and Aston Martin. Despite their efforts, Spice Engineering faced significant challenges in their season with the SE89C. The final results were disappointing for the team, which had hoped to make a stronger impact in their first year in the top class. The Spice SE89C, while not achieving the success that its designers had hoped for, played a significant role in the evolution of future Spice Engineering cars. The Spice SE89C, released by Spark in 1:43 will be a welcome addition for collectors of 80's sports cars. Spark: Spice Ford SE89C Le Mans (S6803 Well, that's it for another month. So, what's on in July? On 5th July we have the regular 1st Friday Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair at the Epping Creative Centre, 26 Stanley Road, Epping at 6:30pm. Then on 14th July, there will be a display of independent American and Mercedes cars at Linnwood House, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Sydney Model Auto Club have been invited to put on a display inside the historic house and I'll be attending with my stock of independent American cars for sale. Linnwood House, built in 1891 is located at 25 Byron Road, Guildford 2161. There is also a Collector Con Fair in Newcastle on 28th July, however I will not be attending this event. Until next month, happy collecting. Formula One 1958 BRM P25, J.Behra (14) 3rd Dutch GP (Spark) 1958 BRM P25, H.Schell (15) 2nd Dutch GP (Spark) 1968 BRM P133, P.Rodriquez (16) 3rd Canadian GP (Spark) 1969 Lotus Ford 63 (R63-01), G.Hill (1T) Practice Dutch GP (4-wheel drive) (Spark) 1982 March Ford 821, J.Mass (17) Long Beach GP (Spark) 1984 Toleman Hart TG184, A.Senna (19) 3rd British GP (Spark) 1970 Tyrrell Ford 001, J.Stewart (3) Pole Canadian GP (Spark) 1971 Tyrrell Ford 003, J.Stewart (11) 1st Monaco GP (Spark) 1971 Tyrrell Ford 003, J.Stewart (11) 1st French GP (Spark) Formula E 22/23 Jaguar Envision Racing, N.Cassidy (37) 6th CORE Diriyah E-Prix (Spark) 22/23 Jaguar TCS Racing, M.Evans (9) 7th CORE Diriyah E-Prix (Spark) Le Mans 1989 Argo Ford JM19C, Lecerf/Rousselot/Messaoudi (126) 18th Le Mans (Spark) 2022 Ferrari 488 GTE EVO, Van Gisbergen/Fraga/Bird (74) Le Mans (TSM) 1968 Ford GT40, Mairesse/Blaton (8) Le Mans (Spark) 1989 Spice Ford SE89C, Grand/Pochauvin/Roy (104) 19th Le Mans (Spark) 1989 Spice Ford SE88C, Velez/Adams/Taverna (101) Le Mans (Spark) 1991 Spice Ford SE90C, St.James/Muller/Wilson (40) Le Mans (Spark) Rally 1972 Alpine A110 1600, Moss-Carlsson/Crellin (60) Rally Monte Carlo (Spark) 1978 Porsche 911 SC 3.0, Preston/Lyall (14) 2nd Safari Rally (Spark) 1980 Triumph TR7 V8, Pond/Gallagher (11) 1st Ypres 24h Rally (Spark) Road 2014 Porsche Cayenne in dark red (Maxichamps) 1976 Renault Alpine A310 in red (Maxichamps) 1984 Renault Fuego in black (Maxichamps) 1955 Skoda 440 Spartak in turquoise (iXO) 1966 Skoda 1000 MBX in blue (iXO) After Thoughts: "The Great Designers - Derek Gardner." Derek Gardner was born on September 19, 1931, and passed away on January 7, 2011. Known for his expertise in designing advanced transmission systems he was employed by Harry Ferguson Research, where he developed four-wheel drive systems. He was part of the group that designed the Ferguson P99, to date the only four-wheel drive car to win a Formula One race. The P99, driven by Stirling Moss, won the 1961 International Gold Cup, highlighting Gardner's valuable work. Ferguson Research also developed four-wheel drive systems for Matra in 1969 and this is where Gardner met Ken Tyrrell, a Matra customer. Tyrrell, who had won the Drivers' World Championship with Matra, parted ways with the French manufacturer in 1970 due to a conflict over engine preferences. Seeking to remain competitive with the Ford DFV engine, Tyrrell needed a new chassis designer and turned to Gardner, despite Gardner's lack of experience in designing a complete Grand Prix car. In 1970, Gardner began designing what would become the Tyrrell 001. Initially considering a four-wheel drive design, Gardner opted for a more conventional approach due to time constraints. The Tyrrell 001 featured a low, wide alloy monocoque and a distinctive wide front aerofoil. Built in the secrecy of Gardner's home garage, the 001 debuted at the 1970 Canadian Grand Prix, where Jackie Stewart qualified it on pole and led the race until an axle failure forced him to retire. The car was quick but was dogged with mechanical problems. Spark: Tyrrell Ford 001 1971 J.Stewart Gardner's designs evolved with the Tyrrell 002 and 003, and finding the reliability to match its speed, led to significant success in 1971. Stewart and his teammate, François Cevert, won seven races between them, with Stewart securing the World Drivers' Championship and Tyrrell winning the Constructors' title. The Tyrrell 006 also netted Stewart another Drivers' title in 1973. Gardner's designs continued through to the 007 chassis which enjoyed some success in 1974 and was being further developed in 1975 while he was working in secret on an unconventional new car for 1976. Spark: Tyrrell Ford 003 1971 J.Stewart Speculation about a revolutionary new Tyrrell did not prepare the racing public for the surprise when the covers over the P34 were removed to reveal a car with six wheels in September 1975. It was to become Gardner's most famous and innovative design. Known as the "six-wheeler," the P34 featured four 10-inch wheels at the front and two standard-sized wheels at the rear. This radical design aimed to reduce aerodynamic drag while maintaining cornering speed. Although the P34 had handling challenges, it proved competitive, with notable performances including a 1-2 finish at the Swedish Grand Prix in 1976. The P34 remains one of the most recognizable designs in motorsport history. In 1977, despite further modifications to the P34, the car failed to win a race, leading to Gardner's resignation from Tyrrell mid-season due to health issues and disappointment over the P34's performance. Gardner left Formula One with an enviable record, his cars winning 20 Grand Prix, 2 Drivers' Championships and one Constructors' title. He subsequently joined Borg-Warner as the divisional director of engineering and research. Tyrrell P34 (Drawing: T.Cairoli) Gardner's contributions to Formula One, particularly his work on the Tyrrell P34, continue to be celebrated for their ingenuity and impact on the sport. Beyond Formula One, Gardner's career included designing boats, electric bikes, and microlights. He passed away in Lutterworth at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and engineering excellence in motorsport. [Back to Top] New Additions: June 2024 Hi and welcome to the June update. Firstly, thank you to all those who dropped by my stand at the Penrith Collector Con on 26 May and I hope you enjoyed the day. Some new models have made it into my stocklist this month and there is one which I'd like to highlight. The Rover SD1, produced by the Specialist Division of British Leyland from 1976 to 1986, stands as a notable series of executive cars that made a significant impact in the automotive industry. The term "executive car" emerged in the 1960s in the UK, referring to large cars aimed at successful professionals and middle-to-senior managers. These cars were also extensively used as company vehicles for senior employees, underscoring their status and importance. In "SD1", the 'SD" referred to "Specialist Division" and "1" is the first car to come from the in-house design team. Despite this internal coding, the car was never marketed under the SD1 name; instead, models were distinguished by their engine sizes. The first iteration of the SD1, known as Series 1, debuted in 1976 in a hatchback/fastback form. One of the most remarkable versions of the SD1 was the Vitesse model. This flagship model was introduced when Rover equipped the SD1 with a 190 hp (142 kW) fuel-injected version of its V8 engine. The Vitesse became a symbol of luxury and performance, appealing to those who sought a powerful yet refined driving experience. The Rover Vitesse's capabilities extended beyond the executive car market into the world of motorsport. A modified version of the Vitesse was produced as a homologation special to enhance its performance for the 1986 European Touring Car Championship season. The Vitesse saw considerable success as a Group A touring car, cementing its legacy in racing history. Maxichamps, a brand produced by Minichamps have released this very collectable car in red . Maxichamps: Rover Vitesse 3500 V8 OK, that's it for another month. It's going to be a quiet month again, with just the regular 1st Friday Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair on 7th June. The organisers of the All British Day have announced the date of their event which will be on the 15th of September and will be held a different venue this year; it will now be at the Hawkesbury Showgrounds. Until next month, happy collecting. Formula 1 2022 Ferrari F1-75, C.Sainz Jr.(55) 1st British GP (Looksmart) 2022 Ferrari F1-75, C.Leclerc (16) 1st AustrianGP (Looksmart) 2022 Ferrari F1-75, C.Leclerc (16) 2nd Italian GP Special Monza livery (Looksmart) 2022 Ferrari F1-75, C.Sainz (55) 4th Italian GP Special Monza livery (Looksmart) F1 Transporters Renault TR350, Benetton F1 team transporter (IXO) 1997 Volvo FH12, Prost GP F1 team transporter (IXO) 2000 Volvo FH12, Arrows F1 team transporter (IXO) Road Cars 1972 Chevrolet Camaro RS-Z28 in orange/black stripes (IXO) 1980 Citroen CX Prestige in silver (Maxichamps) 1970 Dodge Charger R/T in red/black (IXO) 1970 Ford Taunus Coupe in metallic green (Maxichamps) 1968 Isuzu 117 Coupe (PA90) in yellow (Hachette) 1969 Isuzu Bellett 1600GT in orange/black bonnet (Hachette) 1957 Jaguar XK SS cabriolet in metallic dark blue (PremiumX) 2013 Jaguar F-Type V8-S cabriolet in satellite grey (IXO) 2003 Lamborghini Gallardo in red (Maxichamps) 1969 Maserati Ghibli Spyder in red (Maxichamps) 2003 Mazda RX-8 in orange (PremiumX) 1979 Pontiac Firebird T/A in orange (Greenlight) 1986 Rover Vitesse 3500 V8 in red (Maxichamps) Helmets (1:5) 2022 L.Hamilton - Mercedes Japanese GP (Spark) 2022 L.Hamilton - Mercedes Brazilian GP (Spark) 2022 G.Russell - Mercedes Japanese GP (Spark) 2022 G.Russell - Mercedes Brazilian GP (Spark) 2023 L.Hamilton - Mercedes Race helmet (Spark) 2023 G.Russell - Mercedes Race helmet (Spark) 2023 V.Bottas - Alfa Romeo Helmet (Spark) 2023 G.Y.Zhou - Alfa Romeo Helmet (Spark) 2023 N. de Vries - Alpha Tauri helmet (Spark) 2023 Y.Tsunoda - Alpha Tauri Helmet (Spark) After Thoughts: "Herb Adams and his Radical Escort Can-Am Car." Herb Adams was a notable road racing enthusiast and engineer who significantly contributed to the handling dynamics of muscle cars. In 1965, a few years out of college, Herb was assigned as a test engineer at the Pontiac garage at the GM Proving Grounds. His eagerness to innovate and his dedication to improving cars through enhanced horsepower and handling marked his career. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Herb thrived in the Advanced Design Group at GM's Pontiac division. He played a pivotal role in the creation of the first Trans Am. However, frequent management changes and decreasing autonomy led him to resign from GM. One of Herb Adams' most infamous creations after leaving GM was the Adams Escort Can-Am "Pontoon" race car. With this vehicle Herb took his creativity to the extreme with the revived Can-Am series. He was fascinated with ground effect aerodynamics, which uses venturi tunnels to create low-pressure areas underneath the car, effectively sucking the car to the road. Unlike conventional designs that routed these tunnels through the car, Adams decided to route the driver and engine around the tunnel. This resulted in a car with a massive venturi tunnel running down the middle, flanked by "pontoons" housing the driver and engine. The car featured a 5-litre Chevrolet V8 engine mounted in the right pontoon. To fit the engine, it was fixed at an angle, with one cylinder bank protruding outside the car. The left pontoon housed the driver, creating a unique and unbalanced setup. While the design theoretically produced enormous downforce, it faced significant practical challenges: Structural Problems: The downforce generated by the venturi tunnel was so great that it crushed the tunnel during testing. Reinforcing the car added weight, reducing its performance. Aerodynamic Instability: The ground effects were not consistently generated within the massive tunnel. This caused the center of pressure to shift randomly, affecting the driver positioned outside the car’s centerline and creating a pendulum effect. The car experienced erratic handling, swinging between understeer and oversteer. Driver Discomfort: The off-center seating position and the unbalanced weight distribution made the car difficult and uncomfortable to drive. Experienced racer Milt Minter refused to drive it after initial attempts due to its unpredictable nature. The Adams Escort Can-Am debuted in 1983 during the peak of ground effect aerodynamics experimentation. Despite its innovative design, the car was a failure on the track. The car only participated in a handful of races, securing two Did Not Finish (DNF) results, an 8th place, and a 10th place finish. The car often disintegrated during races, shedding body parts and twisting the chassis. Its aerodynamic instability and structural weaknesses made it uncompetitive and dangerous. Although the Adams Escort Can-Am car was a failure in competitive racing, it remains a fascinating example of radical engineering and the quest for performance through unconventional means. Herb Adams' willingness to push boundaries, even at the cost of failure, highlights the importance of innovation and experimentation in automotive design. [Back to Top] New Additions: May 2024 Welcome to another monthly update. I've been hit by a small Spark bomb this month and a few more bombs are expected to land next month. Some long awaited models have arrived, months overdue after shipping delays from China and Madagascar. The 2022 Le Mans winning Toyota is one that has suffered the longest delay. I've also restocked on some models that were previously sold out and are marked below accordingly. There were a couple of models that caught my attention this month and I'd like to share these with you. It's too good to race, was my first reaction upon seeing this BMW M6 GT3 car. I'm referring to the car entered by the Belgian team, Boutsen Ginion Racing for the Spa 24 hour race in 2020. This BMW which contested the GT3 Pro-Am class sported a colourful livery designed by New York artist David Halley, an acclaimed neo-conceptualist artist (whatever that is) whose work often featured neon-coloured geometric images. Although not officially a BMW art car, the design pays homage to the BMW Art Car concept, a rich tradition that began in 1975 with a collaboration between French driver Hervé Poulain and American sculptor Alexander Calder. The BMW M6 eventually finished 25th overall and 5th in the Pro-Am class. This 1000 piece limited edition Spark version (SB387) in 1:43 is stunning and would be a colourful addition to your collection. BMW M6 GT3 Boutsen Ginion "Art Car" There was a time when mid-engined cars were exotic and only true supercars and racing cars sported the engine between the driver and the rear axle. We could only dream about owning such a car. Then along came the Fiat X1/9 and finally a mid-engined car was within reach. If you squinted, you could even see a bit of the Lancia Stratos in it. The X1/9 was designed by Bertone, the Italian design company who styled cars for Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and also for Fiat. Originally, the bodies for the X1/9 were built by Bertone and then transported to Fiat's production plant for assembly from 1972 to 1982. At this point, Fiat lost interest and handed the whole project back to Bertone who now performed the entire build and assembly functions. The Fiat badge was also replaced with Bertone. The car was noted for its balanced handling, retractable headlights and a lightweight removable hardtop which could be stored under the bonnet. Early versions had a Fiat 1290 cc engine and later sported a 1498 cc engine. By the time Bertone discontinued production in 1989, 160,000 X1/9's had been produced. Now you can own your own mid-engined sports car in the form of Schuco's latest 1:43 offering. Schuco: Fiat Bertone X1/9 Well, that about wraps it up for another month. So what's on in May? The regular 1st Friday of the month Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair is on the 3rd of May at the Epping Creative Centre, 26 Stanley Road, Epping at 6:30pm. The Penrith Collector Con is on the 26th of May at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre, 30 Herbert Street, Cambridge Park, starting at 9:30am. You may also be interested in the 2024 Great Train Show (model trains) on 4-5 May at the Rosehill Racecourse where you can see some fantastic layouts. The Sydney Model Auto Club will also have a small display at the Train Show. Until next month, happy collecting. Formula One 1982 Ferrari 126C2, G.Villeneuve (27) 2nd San Marino GP (Brumm - Restock) 1982 Ferrari 126C2, G.Villeneuve (27) 2nd San Marino GP w/ Umbrella (Brumm - Restock) Australian Racing Series 2019 Lamborghini Huracan GT3, Deitz/McConville/Westwood Bathurst 12h (Spark - Restock) 2020 Bentley Continental GT3, Gounon/Pepper/Soulet (7) 1st Bathurst 12H (TSM - Restock) Le Mans / Sports Car Racing 1977 BMW 320, Karl-Heinz Becker (19) DRM Mainz-Finthen (Spark) 2020 BMW M6 GT3, Ojjeh/Vannelet/Lessennes/Klingmann (10) Spa 24H (Spark) 2009 Peugeot 908 HDI FAP, D.Brabham/Gene/Wurz (9) winner Le Mans (Spark) 1994 Porsche Dauer 962, Dalmas/Haywood/Baldi (36) winner Le Mans (Spark) 2020 Porsche GT3 R, Pilet/Jaminet/Campbell (12) "The Diamond" GT WCE (Spark - Restock) 2022 Toyota GR010 Hybrid, Hartley/Buemi/Hirakawa (8) 1st Le Mans (Spark) 2022 Vanwall Vandervell 680, Vandervell test car (4) WEC Le Mans Hypercar (Spark) American Racing Series 2021 Cadillac DPi-V.R, Bourdais/Duval/Vautier (5) 1st Sebring 12hr (Spark) 1971 Datsun 510, J.Morton (46) BRE Racing (Ebbro - Trade-in model) Road Cars 2020 Aston Martin Victor V12 in dark metallic green (Schuco) 1959 Chevrolet Impala El Camino in blue/white (Spark) 1983 Fiat Bertone X1/9 in metallic blue (Schuco) 2019 Morgan Plus Six in grey (Schuco) After Thoughts: "The Forgotten F1 Circuits Series #6 - AVUS, Germany." Located on a stretch of the 115 Autobahn near the Berlin city centre, lies a forgotten gem of motorsport history - the Automobil-Verkehrs-und-Übungsstraße ("Automobile traffic and practice road") or more commonly known as AVUS. This unique racing circuit, with its distinctive dual carriageway layout and iconic banked corners, once played host to motorsport events from 1921 until its closure in 1998. Despite its rich heritage and contributions to German motorsports, AVUS remains largely unknown to modern-day F1 enthusiasts, overshadowed by the more renowned Nurburgring and Hockenheim circuits. AVUS circuit layout, Berlin (Drawing by Rumbin) Its unconventional layout - a pair of long straights connected by hairpin corners at its northern and southern ends - set it apart from traditional racing circuits, offering drivers a thrilling yet formidable challenge. At the time of opening in 1921, AVUS was 19.569 km long and driven counter-clockwise. Initially used for motorcycle racing, AVUS hosted the first German Grand Prix for sports cars in 1926. The most notorious feature of the track, introduced in 1936 was the Nordkurve (north curve), a steeply banked turn at the northern end boasting a staggering incline of 43º. The curve was constructed with bricks and made AVUS the world's fastest race track. The 43º incline was the steepest ever used on a racing circuit and meant the corner could be taken virtually flat out. Dubbed the "wall of death", this treacherous corner posed a formidable trial for drivers; with the slightest miscalculation resulting in appalling consequences as there was no retaining barrier to stop cars from flying off. AVUS Nordkurve in 1955 (Photo: Brodde) The first AVUS race after the war was held in 1951 for F2 and F3 cars. For post-war racing the long straights were shortened and this reduced the track length to 8.3 km. The Nordkurve was retained. It was a common, but incorrect assertion that the construction of the Berlin Wall was why the AVUS was cut in half. The Wall was actually built after the track was shortened and it only came within 1.6 km of the former south turn. German GP poster 1959 AVUS's journey into Formula 1 history was guaranteed when it hosted the German Grand Prix in 1959, however, its relocation from the Nurburgring was not popular with the drivers. But politics took precedence over driver concerns as the AVUS race allowed East German spectators from the Russian occupation zone to attend. The Berlin Wall was built two years later in 1961. Punctures caused by the abrasive brick surface of the Nordkurve were a serious concern to the drivers so the race was split into two 30-lap heats to allow for a tyre change and the total race distance was to be 498 kilometres. The 1959 AVUS remains the only World Championship GP to be run over two heats. However, the race weekend was marred by tragedy when Jean Behra was killed during the supporting sports car race. His Porsche RSK flew over the top of the north-turn banking. Using the Ferrari Dino 246 which enjoyed the long AVUS straights, Tony Brooks qualified on pole, nearly a second quicker than Stilrling Moss in a Cooper. The first heat saw a Ferrari 1-2-3 in the order of Brooks, Dan Gurney, and then Phil Hill. After the second heat, the order of the final placings did not change with the three Ferrari drivers occupying the podium. It was to be Brooks' last of his six GP wins. The race would be the circuit's only World Championship GP and its future was sealed by the tragic death of Jean Behra. Behra's death spelt the end of the circuit as a venue for major international motorsport events and indeed there were no further car races for three years. When racing resumed in 1961, only smaller category touring cars and sports cars were allowed. The high-banked Nordkurve was demolished in 1967 to be replaced with a flat hairpin. The track underwent a resurgence in 1984 with the arrival of the DTM touring cars but the track finally closed permanently in 1998 leaving behind a legacy of speed, spectacle and unforgettable moments on the asphalt of the115 Autobahn. Vale: Norman Edward (Ted) Toleman, Founder of Toleman F1 Team (14/3/38 - 10/4/24) [Back to Top] New Additions: April 2024 Welcome to another monthly update which will be short and sweet as, amazingly, I don't have any new additions to talk about this month! This is partly due to the dire delivery situation for model cars worldwide and has delayed deliveries which were due at Christmas time. Large shipments from Spark, Looksmart, TSM and Tecnomodels are now expected to arrive in Europe in April or May (so I'm told). Thanks to all those who dropped by my stall at the Penrith Collector Con event on 24th March. It will be another quiet month in April with just the regular Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair at the Epping Creative Centre on the 5th April. The annual Shannons Classic Day at the Sydney Motorsport Park has been confirmed for 25 August so pen this date into your diaries. Also, the annual Hunter Toy and Hobby Fair is scheduled for 18 August. Until next month, happy collecting. After Thoughts: "A Licensing Saga" In the world of model car collecting, the announcement of a future release of an iconic racing car driven by a legendary driver generates much anticipation. However, the journey to bring such a model to market can be fraught with many challenges, as demonstrated by the recent saga surrounding Spark's Ayrton Senna 1985 Lotus 97T model. Senna entered Formula One in 1984 racing for the Toleman team and his talent was quickly recognised by the other teams. But it was the John Player Special Lotus team who managed to secure Senna's services for 1985 and to underscore his exceptional ability, he won his second race for Lotus at the Portuguese GP. Last year Spark ignited excitement with the announcement of a 1:43 replica commemorating Ayrton Senna's first win in Portugal, however, shortly afterward the project was abruptly cancelled due to licensing issues. While Spark's partnership with Lotus had been fruitful in the past, it was the inclusion of Senna's name and likeness that proved to be the sticking point. With the Ayrton Senna Institute holding sway over the rights to Senna's legacy, negotiations for the Portuguese model hit an impasse. Undeterred by these setbacks, Spark embarked on a new approach for the 1985 Lotus 97T model - one without a driver figure or Senna's name on the side of the cockpit; a clever workaround to circumvent licensing hurdles. Also, the model will now be Senna's second GP win at the Belgian GP, the 13th race of the 1985 season. For collectors, the backstory behind this Senna model adds an extra layer of interest. The rarity of a Spark F1 model without a driver figure, coupled with the absence of Senna's name makes this model highly collectable. Spark: Senna Lotus 97T 1st Belgian GP 1985 As enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of this reimagined model (number S7154)⁽¹⁾, they do so with an appreciation for the complexities behind its creation. Note (1): Spark will be producing the 1985 San Marino GP winning Lotus 97T of Elio de Angelis; complete with driver figure and the driver's name of course (S7153). [Back to Top] New Additions: March 2024 Welcome to the March update. March is probably my favourite month when it comes to motorsports; many racing series begin their campaigns at this time of year. Formula One starts on 2nd March and in fact there are three races this month, including the Australian GP on the 24th. The first race of the FIA World Endurance Championship is on 2nd March and the Indycar Series kicks off on March 10. For two-wheel fans, MotoGP's first race will also be on March 10. Motorsports in Australia actually started a little earlier this year with the first Supercars race held on the last weekend of February and the GT3 Bathurst 12-hour a week before the Supercars. Talking about the 12-Hour, this leads me into my model highlight of the month. Actually, there is only one new addition this month which is quite unusual for me! The 2017 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12-Hour race really typified the essence of what makes GT3 racing so exciting; the variety of exotic machinery. There were 14 marques represented over the different classes for a total of 55 entries of which 51 started the race (by contrast, the 2024 event had 10 marques and 30 entries). After 12 hours, the Ferrari 488 GT3 of Lowndes, Whincup and Vilander prevailed over the others. Previously, the Italian model maker Looksmart had the licence to produce models of this winning Ferrari in 1:43 and 1:18 and these have long since been sold out. Now IXO/Tarmac have been granted a licence to make the 1:64 version of this car and it is now available for collectors. The detail of this model is very good for a model of this scale. IXO/Tarmac: Ferrari 488 GT3 1st Bathurst 12-hour OK, that's it for another month. There are two events scheduled for March; the regular Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair at Epping on 1st March and the Collector Con Penrith on 24th March at Cambridge Park. I hope to see you at one or both events, until then, happy collecting. Australian Racing Series 2017 Ferrari 488 GT3 Lowdnes/Whincup/Vilander (88a) 1st Bathurst 12h 1:64 (IXO/Tarmac) After Thoughts: "The Unheralded Driver Series #8 - Héctor Rebaque" Over the years, Mexico has only produced a handful of Formula One drivers, such as the Rodriguez brothers, Moisés Solana and current driver Sergio Perez. But only one Mexican was both an F1 driver and F1 constructor. Fifty years ago, Formula One was a very different place than what it is today. This was the era of the brave gentleman driver, sometimes appearing at one-off races, buying and racing cars from other established teams. Some would modify their cars, believing they were introducing the next big concept in racing, although it usually wasn't. Many raced simply for the pleasure of speed and a desire to compete with the best. One of these sporting amateurs was Héctor Rebaque whose motorsport journey embodies the spirit of determination, ingenuity, and the audacity to dream. Born into relative affluence in 1956, Héctor Rebaque's introduction to motorsport came early. At the tender age of 18, he made his debut at the 1973 24 Hours of Daytona, setting the stage for a remarkable career ahead. After several years in Formula Atlantic and European F2, Rebaque found himself a drive with the Hesketh F1 racing team in 1977, a team best known for the playboy lifestyle of its owner and drivers. The only problem was Hesketh wasn't very good. In true Mexican spirit, Rebaque had an incessant drive to succeed, so after a dismal year with Hesketh, he embarked on a bold venture by establishing his own Formula One team. Given the team's financial limitations, Team Rebaque started at the back of a garage in Leamington Spa, a charming town on the outskirts of Birmingham. In a feat of outstanding negotiation, Rebaque arranged to buy the revolutionary Lotus 78 from Colin Chapman which had won the World Championship the year before. Héctor ran the team, the office, he arranged sponsors, negotiated with suppliers, served as a mechanic and acted as its only driver. Amidst the challenges of pre-qualifying, Rebaque's perseverance yielded only one moment of triumph. His only success came in the 1978 German GP when he took his car from 18th on the grid to a 6th place finish and scored the first point for Team Rebaque. It was an enormous achievement for a team in its first year. Rebaque's Lotus 78 ('79 British GP) (Photo: K.Long) But Rebaque had even bigger plans for 1979, he wanted to build and race his own car. He commissioned Geoff Ferris to design him the Rebaque Ford HR100, Mexico's first Formula One car. Designing and building a car from scratch is a huge task and it took some time for the design to be finalised. To make the grid at the start of the season, Rebaque was able to secure a Lotus 79 but it was not as competitive as the Lotus 78. Colin Chapman, struggling with the same difficulties, had no time to help the Mexican driver who even had to manufacture spare parts from factory plans, which he actually sold back to Lotus! Rebaque had to campaign the Lotus 79 for much of the year while his HR100 was being built by Penske Racing and when it was finished, it bore a remarkable resemblance to the Lotus 79, even to the point of having many interchangeable parts. Rebaque was only able to run the HR100 in three races, two of which he failed to qualify. The new car did line up 22nd on the grid at the Canadian GP but it was a troubled run with Rebaque retiring with a broken engine mount after his 4th pit stop. There were rumours of John Barnard developing the car over the winter but the team folded at the end of the year. Spark: Rebaque Ford HR100 (#S5750) In 1980, Rebaque decided to pursue his ambitions with the Brabham team as team mate to Nelson Piquet but scored just one point. Nevertheless, Héctor was retained for the 1981 season where he scored 11 points whle Piquet won the World Championship. Rebaque was well enough regarded to be offered a drive with the Arrows team for 1982 but he chose to retire from GP racing to drive in the CART PPG Indy Car series in North America. He spent one season with Forsythe Racing, scoring one win at Road America but he decided to retire from Indy car racing after being injured after crashing on a high speed oval track. Héctor Rebaque as a Brabham driver With 58 Grand Prix appearances and 13 points to his name, Rebaque's Formula One legacy endures as one of just few who scored points with his own team. His HR100 can be found in his garden at home, serving as a reminder of the time he drove a car that bore his name. [Back to Top] New Additions: February 2024 Welcome to the February update. Last month's Toy and Hobby Fair at Epping was an understandably quiet affair with some dealers and collectors opting to continue their break over the holiday season. Just on the subject of the holiday season, have you all seen Michael Mann's movie "Ferrari"? I think a suitable subtitle would have been, "Ferrari vs. Maserati" but it's good to see Ferrari come out on top in the film; unlike "Le Mans", "Rush" and "Ford vs Ferrari" where the red cars were bested. OK, only a handful of models this month but there are few that merit a mention. In the world of Formula 1, the debut of a new constructor is always met with anticipation, and Walter Wolf Racing's entry into the scene in 1977 was nothing short of spectacular. Backed by Austro-Canadian oil millionaire Walter Wolf, the team made an immediate impact. Jody Scheckter, a talented driver, signed a two-year deal with the new team. The team management was led by former Lotus manager Peter Warr and with the design prowess of Harvey Postlethwaite, who crafted an elegant arrow-shaped chassis (WR1) around the reliable Ford DFV engine, a winning formula was established. The 1977 season kicked off in scorching conditions in Argentina, but Scheckter kept his cool in the extreme heat. The race took a dramatic turn when the leader, Carlos Pace (Brabham) almost passed out from heat exhaustion in the closing stages. Scheckter seized the opportunity and inherited the lead, claiming victory for Walter Wolf Racing in their very first race as a constructor. The success of Walter Wolf Racing's debut season is celebrated by Spark, which has produced the Argentinian GP winning car in the distinctive black and gold livery (model S9997). Spark: Wolf Ford WR1 1st Argentinian GP Gymkhana has gained popularity for its unique blend of precision driving, advanced skills, and a touch of showmanship. At its core, gymkhana events feature a starting point, a finish line and a series challenging obstacles that drivers must navigate through. This requires participants to showcase a repertoire of skills, including reversals, 180 and 360 degree spins, figure 8's and drifting. Undoubtedly, the name that resonates most prominently is Ken Block, thanks to his YouTube videos that have garnered millions of views. TopMarques has immortalised Block's 1965 Ford Mustang, fondly nicknamed "The Beast", in 1:43 (TM-43-03A). TopMarques continues to pay homage to Block with the recent release of his 1977 Ford F-150 Hoonigan Pick-Up truck, used in hill climbing events in 2019 (TM-43-02A). TopMarques: 1965 Ford Mustang TM-43-03A (Note:1:18 version shown in photo) TopMarques: 1977 Ford F-150 TM-43-02A Well, that about wraps it up for another month. There is just the one event on in February, the monthly Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair at the Epping Creative Centre on the 2nd February. I hope to see you there and until next month, happy collecting. Formula One 1951 Ferrari 375 F1, F.Gonzales (12) winner Silverstone 1st Ferrari win (Hot Wheels) 1967 Ferrari 312 F1, C.Amon (8) race car (Hot Wheels) 1990 Ferrari F1-90, Alain Prost (1) French GP 100th Ferrari win (Hot Wheels) 2002 Ferrari F2002, M.Schumacher (1) 150th Ferrari win Canada GP (Hot Wheels) 1977 Wolf Ford WR1, J.Scheckter (20) 1st Argentine GP (Spark) American Race Series 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonigan, Ken Block (43) "Hoonigan" Beast 2018 (TopMarques) 1977 Ford F-150 Hoonigan Pick-Up, Ken Block (43) 2019 Hill Climb (TopMarques) Le Mans 1975 Mirage GR8, D.Bell/J.Ickx (11) Le Mans winner "Gulf" (IXO) 1971 Porsche 917K, Marko/Van Lennep (22) Le Mans winner (IXO) 1:18 Scale 1991 Mazda 787B, Weidler/Herbert/Gachot (55) Le Mans Winner (WERK83) 2021 McLaren Mercedes MCL35M, D.Ricciardo (3) 1st Italian GP w/pit board (Spark) Road Cars 1988 Citroën CX GTi Turbo II in white (Solido) 2020 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 in white/black (Solido) 1976 Jaguar XJ12C Coupe in red/black (IXO) 1974 Mercedes 350 SL (R107) hard top in blue (Minichamps) 1982 Mercedes 230E (W123) in white (Minichamps) 1962 Peugeot 404 Convertible in silver (Maxichamps) 1971 Volvo P1800 ES in metallic blue (Minichamps) 1990 Volvo 940 Turbo in red (IXO) 1995 Volvo 850 T5-R 2.3i 20V Turbo in black (black) After Thoughts: "Fleeting Moments: The Shortest F1 Careers" In the high-speed world of Formula One, careers can span years, but some drivers experience the shortest of stints. Among the contenders for the title of the shortest Formula 1 career, Marco Apicella and Ernst Loof stand out, their time on the track measured in mere metres. The year was 1993, and the Jordan Grand Prix team was facing a tumultuous season. Italian driver Marco Apicella, making waves in the Japanese Formula 3000 series, received a one-off oportunity to join the main game at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Despite a less-than-ideal build-up, including various mishaps during practice such as random activation of the car's traction control, Apicella qualified 23rd. It was a chaotic start to the race; two separate incidents saw five cars eliminated at the first chicane. In the second incident, the Jordans of Barichello and Apicella were taken out of the race. Unfortunately, Apicella's Formula 1 career lasted no more than 800 metres; his Formula 3000 commitments in Japan meant he was replaced for the following rounds. Marco Apicella's Jordan Hart 193 (Photo:Autosport) But to find the true champion of the shortest F1 career, one must rewind to 1953. Motor racing had quickly returned to post-war Germany and Veritas, a race car company founded by ex-BMW engineers, Ernst Loof and Lorenz Dietrich played a key part to that regeneration. Loof and Dietrich built their first Veritas car using a BMW engine and parts in 1947. In 1950 the Veritas Meteor was unveiled and was available as an open-wheeler or with an all-enveloping streamlined body work depending on the race circuit. It was powered by a BMW engine or Loof's own proprietary engine. Veritas Meteor in 1986 (photo: Spurzem) The 1953 German GP at the Nurburgring witnessed a record 34 starters, including seven Veritas cars one of which was the Meteor of company founder Ernst Loof. Loof, a rookie driver managed to line up 31 positions behind Ferrari polesitter, Alberto Ascari. However, as the race began, Loof's Veritas immediately suffered a fuel pump failure, forcing him to lurch forward 2 metres from his starting grid. As he officially started the race, this marked the beginning and the end of Loof's Formula 1 career, securing him the record for the shortest stint in F1 history. Formula 1, known for its intense competiton and split-second decisions, has witnessed drivers with careers spanning years and even decades. However, for Marco Apicella and Ernst Loof, their F1 journeys were marked by brief moments on the track - 800 metres for Apicella and a mere 2 metres for Loof. These instances serve as reminders of the unpredictability of motorsport, where a career's duration can be as fleeting as the blink of an eye. [Back to Top] New Additions: January 2024 Welcome to the first update for 2024. I hope everyone had an enjoyable time during the festive break and I wish you all the best for the new year. I think it is going to be another difficult year with all of us facing cost of living challenges and I realise model cars is often the last thing on our minds. However, the enjoyment one gets from admiring a much-sought after model does wonders to the troubled soul. Enough of the marketing, now back to what's new on offer this month. There are some more Ferrari F1 models from Altaya, these were issued as a "partworks" series and come in a cardboard backed blister pack with no acrylic cover but are very good value. There's only one model I'd like to highlight this month. March Engineering was a Formula One constructor and manufacturer of customer racing cars based in the UK. March competed in F1 from 1970 until 1992 with moderate success winning only 2 Grand Prix with customer team, Tyrrell winning a further GP with a March driven by Jackie Stewart. The 'works' March team had to wait until 1975 before tasting victory and it came at the hands of Italian journeyman driver, Vittoria Brambilla who had joined the team in 1974. Brambilla was particularly adept at driving in wet conditions and was well known for his overly aggressive driving style. His greatest achievement came at the Österreichring when he won the 1975 Austrian GP in the wet. Perhaps due to the atrocious conditions or through sheer jubilation, Brambilla managed to spin his March into the pit wall and wreck the nose of his car as he took the chequered flag. He completed his slowing down lap with the front of his car destroyed while waving to the crowd. It was to be Brambilla's only GP win. Spark has produced his historic winning car, with the nose intact (Model number S5378). Spark: March Ford 751 Brambilla 1st '75 Austrian GP As it's just the start of the new year, dates for some events for 2024 haven't yet been confirmed. However, the dates for the monthly Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair at Epping, i.e. the first Friday of every month, are confirmed and locked in. Also, the dates for Collector Con (Penrith) and the Hawkesbury Model and Hobby Show have been confirmed. Please check the Swap Meets link for confirmations of events. So, it's just the one event for January, the Sydney Toy and Hobby Fair on 5 January, I hope to see you there, until next month, happy collecting. Formula One 1953 Ferrari 553 Supersqualo, P.Carini (12) Italian GP (Altaya) 1955 Ferrari 625, M.Trintignant (44) 1st Monaco GP (Altaya) 1964 Ferrari 158, J.Surtees (7) World Champion (Altaya) 1979 Ferrari 312 T4, J.Scheckter (11) (Western Models) 1985 Ferrari 156/85, M.Alboreto (27) Race car (Altaya) 1965 Lotus Cosworth 35, J.Clark (4) 1st Pau F2 GP (Spark) 1975 March Ford 751, V.Brambilla (9) 1st Austrian GP (Spark) 2022 Mercedes AMG W13, G.Russell (63) 1st Brazilian GP [1st win] (Spark) 1996 Tyrrell Yamaha 024, M.Salo (19) 5th Monaco GP (Spark) Le Mans / Sports Car Racing 1961 Aston Martin DBR1, J.Clark/R.Flockhart (5) Le Mans (Spark) 1991 Porsche 962C, Larrauri/Pareja/Brun (17) 10th Le Mans (Spark) 1966 Chaparral 2D, P.Hill/J.Bonnier (7) 1st Nurburgring 1000Km (TSM) 1967 Chaparral 2F, Hill/Sharp (222) Targa Florio (Minichamps) 1998 Mercedes CLK-LM, Webber/Schneider/Ludwig (35) Le Mans (Spark) Road Cars 2001 Saleen S7 in metallic orange (Partworks) 2005 Spyker C8 Double 12S Spyder in silver (Partworks) Misc Scales 1962 Shelby Cobra CSX2000, road car in blue 1:64 (Shelby Collectibles) 1962 Mercedes 220 SE, Ewy Rosqvist 1st female Touring car winner 1:64 (Matchbox) After Thoughts: "A Tractor, Star Wars and the Mafia" Giovanna Amati, born into privilege in July 1959, had an inspiring journey into the world of Formula One racing. Despite facing numerous challenges, she made history in 1992 by becoming the fifth woman to attempt to qualify for a Formula One Grand Prix. This article delves into Giovanna's remarkable life, from her early days driving tractors on her family's estate to her tumultuous Formula One career. Her father was a millionaire who had made his fortune as a successful entrepreneur and owned a chain of 50 cinemas in Rome, while her mother was an actress who appeared in several Italian films. Giovanna led a sheltered home life but developed a strong interest in motorsport from an early age, in part, fuelled by her childhood friend Elio de Angelis, an up-and-coming racing driver. Encouraged by de Angelis, Amati attended a racing school to obtain her racing licence, unbeknownst to her parents. From there, she entered the Italian F3 and Formula 3000 championships. Her time in Formula 3000 was underwhelming, more often than not, failing to qualify. Despite her challenging time in Formula 3000, Amati caught the attention of Flavio Briatore, the team boss of Benetton F1. Recognising the publicity of having a woman driver, Briatore offered Amati an F1 test but nothing eventuated from it although it did lead to her being issued with a superlicence to race in F1. Giovanna Amati In 1992, the Brabham team was a shadow of its former self and facing critical financial difficulties was looking for paying drivers. Like Briatore, the team also recognised the marketing value of having a woman driver but she was still required to bring a substantial sum to the team. Joining the team less than two weeks before the first race of the season, Amati faced the daunting task of driving an outdated car with minimal preparation time. She and team mate Eric van der Poele struggled with the Judd-powered BT60B and Amati failed to qualify in South Africa, Mexico and Brazil. Failing to qualify, coupled with payment defaults by her sponsors led to Amati's abrupt dismissal from the team. It should be noted that her replacement, Damon Hill also struggled to qualify the Brabham. Brabham Judd BT60B Before Amati became known as an F1 driver, her name gained widespread recognition in Italy due to a harrowing experience she endured at the age of 18. Kidnapped by a group of masked gangsters, led by Jean Daniel Nieto, Amati face 75 days of mental cruelty, physical and sexual abuse by her captors. The ordeal, which included a peculiar bond developing between Amati and Nieto, showcased her resilience. Eventually, Giovanna's father had persuaded the kidnappers to accept 800 million Lira, but as abductions were commonplace in Italy at the time, the authorities had frozen the Amati's bank accounts to prevent the payment of the ransom. Giovanna's mother pawned her jewellery and persuaded the servants to lend their own savings to raise the cash while her father diverted the box-office takings from the Star Wars film. Giovanna was released after the delivery of the ransom, however, following her release, she received mysterious love letters and roses from Nieto, her kidnapper. With pressure from the police, Giovanna arranged to meet Neito and he was arrested while holding a bouquet of roses. He was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment. Despite his later escape, he was recaptured after 20 years on the run, in 2010. In an interview, Amati acknowledged that the traumatic kidnapping ordeal contributed to the strength and determination required to persevere in Formula One. Her resilience and burning ambition propelled her to navigate the challenges of the male-dominated sport. Giovanna Amati's journey in Formula One, marked by historic achievements and personal challenges, showcases a remarkable tale of triumph over adversity. Her story is truly inspiring.
2023	[Back to Top]